Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Short Report:
I really enjoyed my experience at this year's San Francisco Marathon .. totally an all round amazing experience and a great destination event, for those looking for a nice scenic route ...
Going into to this event, I did not have the confidence on how or what to expect, as I only had one long run in the 28K range and only 2 other runs in the 20-21K range, since the Ottawa Marathon, about 9 weeks earlier, due to some calf issues in June ... which resulted in taking about 2 weeks of running, but, also forced me to take a well need break from running, which may have been a good thing, as it turned out ... And, the fact that I had not done any real specific hill training, since before ATB back in March .... Such the case, I approached this event with low expectations, and that resulted in starting off at a slower pace, then I have been accustomed to, which again, may have been a good thing, as i really paced myself really well in the race, as it turned out ... In the end, I finished in an unofficial time of 3:40:55, which is now my 3rd fastest marathon time ..
Long Report:
The San Francisco Marathon is a nice scenic course, taking us through the waterfront and into 15 communities of the City, as well as crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge and running through the Golden Gate Park, before heading back down, in around the waterfront on Embaracedero ....
The first 5K or so was relatively flat running along Embaracedero along the waterfront ... then, we started some rollers, as we headed towards the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge ... fortunately, it wasn't too foggy this year, and the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as we were running towards it, from a distance was breathtaking ... at the 8K mark or so, we hit our first speed bump, about 200m up a 34-43% grade, according to some posted signs ... but, wasn't too bad, as it was so short ... then we had a few more rollers before entering the Golden Gate Bridge entrance point .... each way was about 1.7 miles in length, not too steep, but was like running on an uphill both ways ... but, also the the reprieve once we hit the crest, for a bit of a downhill until the turn around point .... They closed down 3 lanes of the bridge road to allow us one lane to run in either direction ....
After exiting the Golden Gate Bridge, we had about 500m of rolling hills before the 16K, where we started a 2.5K stretch of downhill ... which allowed the legs to recover from the last 11K of hill efforts ... then we started a little uphill stretch on 24th Avenue, heading towards the entrance to the Golden Gate Park ... at the 20K mark, the first half marathoners turned left to their finish line home stretch, while the marathoners turn right, on their loop around the Golden Gate Park ... I figured it was about 10-11K of rollers in the Park ....
After leaving the Park on to Haight Ashbury District, we were treated with some nice downhill stretch, allowing us to catch our breaths, let the legs reover and whizz on down the streets ... the last 10-12K of the second half was pretty much rollers, downhill spurts, then a bit of a uphill followed by another stretch of downhill til we made it back to Embaracedero for the final 4K of the course ... I heard that the average city block was approximately 160m in length, as a reference point ....
Again, I went into this race with a conservative approach and lowered expectations, due to my recent training cycle, that focused more on shorter efforts, and at the same, with a reduction in my training volume over the last 8-12 weeks, since my two marathons in May, allowed my body the much need rest from the high volume, during the first 5 months of the year in my Winter/Spring Training Cycle .... Which, as it turned out, forced to take it out slower than I usually do, and allowed me to pace management better, as well as, hydrate and fuel regularly ... My legs felt pretty good and not once did I have to stop to walk, due to cramping issues, so I think that I am starting to find that balance in race management .... at least I hope I have ...
Not sure when, or, if ever, I will be back to run this course again, but if I do, I now know that this course can be pretty fast, given the hilly aspect of it, but, for whatever reason, I tend to do well on these type of course, even though I rarely train specifically for hills .. weird, eh !! As well, my top 3 marathon locations and top 4 marathon times have come from the West Coast for whatever reasons ... Vancouver (2x) , San Francisco and Las Vegas ....
eta: I know we've discussed this verbatim, but my garmin ended up recording that I ran 42.7K, which is quite acceptable error, in particular with all the turning and twisting and uphills/downhills, I guess ... though I thought I was pretty good with running the tangents ..
I really enjoyed my experience at this year's San Francisco Marathon .. totally an all round amazing experience and a great destination event, for those looking for a nice scenic route ...
Going into to this event, I did not have the confidence on how or what to expect, as I only had one long run in the 28K range and only 2 other runs in the 20-21K range, since the Ottawa Marathon, about 9 weeks earlier, due to some calf issues in June ... which resulted in taking about 2 weeks of running, but, also forced me to take a well need break from running, which may have been a good thing, as it turned out ... And, the fact that I had not done any real specific hill training, since before ATB back in March .... Such the case, I approached this event with low expectations, and that resulted in starting off at a slower pace, then I have been accustomed to, which again, may have been a good thing, as i really paced myself really well in the race, as it turned out ... In the end, I finished in an unofficial time of 3:40:55, which is now my 3rd fastest marathon time ..
Long Report:
The San Francisco Marathon is a nice scenic course, taking us through the waterfront and into 15 communities of the City, as well as crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge and running through the Golden Gate Park, before heading back down, in around the waterfront on Embaracedero ....
The first 5K or so was relatively flat running along Embaracedero along the waterfront ... then, we started some rollers, as we headed towards the entrance to the Golden Gate Bridge ... fortunately, it wasn't too foggy this year, and the view of the Golden Gate Bridge, as we were running towards it, from a distance was breathtaking ... at the 8K mark or so, we hit our first speed bump, about 200m up a 34-43% grade, according to some posted signs ... but, wasn't too bad, as it was so short ... then we had a few more rollers before entering the Golden Gate Bridge entrance point .... each way was about 1.7 miles in length, not too steep, but was like running on an uphill both ways ... but, also the the reprieve once we hit the crest, for a bit of a downhill until the turn around point .... They closed down 3 lanes of the bridge road to allow us one lane to run in either direction ....
After exiting the Golden Gate Bridge, we had about 500m of rolling hills before the 16K, where we started a 2.5K stretch of downhill ... which allowed the legs to recover from the last 11K of hill efforts ... then we started a little uphill stretch on 24th Avenue, heading towards the entrance to the Golden Gate Park ... at the 20K mark, the first half marathoners turned left to their finish line home stretch, while the marathoners turn right, on their loop around the Golden Gate Park ... I figured it was about 10-11K of rollers in the Park ....
After leaving the Park on to Haight Ashbury District, we were treated with some nice downhill stretch, allowing us to catch our breaths, let the legs reover and whizz on down the streets ... the last 10-12K of the second half was pretty much rollers, downhill spurts, then a bit of a uphill followed by another stretch of downhill til we made it back to Embaracedero for the final 4K of the course ... I heard that the average city block was approximately 160m in length, as a reference point ....
Again, I went into this race with a conservative approach and lowered expectations, due to my recent training cycle, that focused more on shorter efforts, and at the same, with a reduction in my training volume over the last 8-12 weeks, since my two marathons in May, allowed my body the much need rest from the high volume, during the first 5 months of the year in my Winter/Spring Training Cycle .... Which, as it turned out, forced to take it out slower than I usually do, and allowed me to pace management better, as well as, hydrate and fuel regularly ... My legs felt pretty good and not once did I have to stop to walk, due to cramping issues, so I think that I am starting to find that balance in race management .... at least I hope I have ...
Not sure when, or, if ever, I will be back to run this course again, but if I do, I now know that this course can be pretty fast, given the hilly aspect of it, but, for whatever reason, I tend to do well on these type of course, even though I rarely train specifically for hills .. weird, eh !! As well, my top 3 marathon locations and top 4 marathon times have come from the West Coast for whatever reasons ... Vancouver (2x) , San Francisco and Las Vegas ....
eta: I know we've discussed this verbatim, but my garmin ended up recording that I ran 42.7K, which is quite acceptable error, in particular with all the turning and twisting and uphills/downhills, I guess ... though I thought I was pretty good with running the tangents ..
Last edited by HCcD on Mon Aug 01, 2011 11:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Race Results: http://itsmyrun.com/index.php?display=p ... unner=HCiD
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Good effort. Maybe the hills are easier because your so light?
2013 GOALS:
- Compete in the "Early Bird Sprint Triathlon" in May
- Run a 5km pb during the "Bushtukah Canada Day Road Race"
- Complete an Olympic distance triathlon
- Cycle > 33 km / hr during the cycle portion of a Sprint Triathlon.
- Stay healthy and happy
Races
April 28th: Manotick 10km (40:16)
May 18th: Ottawa Early Bird Sprint Triathlon (DNF)
June 8th: Riverkeeper SuperSprint (2nd overall)
July 1st: Bushtukah Canada Day 5km (18:37)
- Compete in the "Early Bird Sprint Triathlon" in May
- Run a 5km pb during the "Bushtukah Canada Day Road Race"
- Complete an Olympic distance triathlon
- Cycle > 33 km / hr during the cycle portion of a Sprint Triathlon.
- Stay healthy and happy
Races
April 28th: Manotick 10km (40:16)
May 18th: Ottawa Early Bird Sprint Triathlon (DNF)
June 8th: Riverkeeper SuperSprint (2nd overall)
July 1st: Bushtukah Canada Day 5km (18:37)
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Great job Andy. Congrats on another solid result.
[b]2016 Races:[b]
January - Richmond Road Races 10 km 41:06
March - St Patrick's Day 10 km 41:31
April - Minto Run for Reach half-marathon 1:28:56
May - Sporting Life 10 km - 41:10
May - Ottawa Marathon - 3:26:37
September - Army Run
My running blog: http://www.thecourageoflungs.com
January - Richmond Road Races 10 km 41:06
March - St Patrick's Day 10 km 41:31
April - Minto Run for Reach half-marathon 1:28:56
May - Sporting Life 10 km - 41:10
May - Ottawa Marathon - 3:26:37
September - Army Run
My running blog: http://www.thecourageoflungs.com
Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Great report Andy! Sounds like a really great event!
Congrats on a solid effort!
Congrats on a solid effort!
It's not the size of the dog in the fight...it's the size of the fight in the dog! 11K Marker post - 2010 ATB.
Introducing 2017
GoodLife Half Marathon.
TBD
Introducing 2017
GoodLife Half Marathon.
TBD
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Nice job Andy! Glad you are enjoying your trip.
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- Lynn Williams
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Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
good job!
hills can be your friend if you run down them fast.
hills can be your friend if you run down them fast.
Athlete....Maniac 973....Marathon Maniac 6645
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Wow, what a great result especially on your reduced training. Congrats, Andy!!
Running DOWN a 34-43% graded hill. OWWWWWWWWW.
Running DOWN a 34-43% graded hill. OWWWWWWWWW.
Sandra...Air Force wife & Professional Kid Wrangler...I knit to stay sane, I run to eat!
2012 - year of perseverance, endurance, survival, and earning blackmail material for life.
My running log: http://www.runningmania.com/forum/viewt ... 18&t=44092
PB's:
Army Run HM (Sep 18, 2011) - 1:55:14
2012 - year of perseverance, endurance, survival, and earning blackmail material for life.
My running log: http://www.runningmania.com/forum/viewt ... 18&t=44092
PB's:
Army Run HM (Sep 18, 2011) - 1:55:14
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Glad you ran such a good race, Andy! Congrats on an awesome time as well, without really trying!
Lightning
We're going to try this new thing called jogging. Or maybe it's yogging-with a silent "j". Apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild.
-Ron Burgandy
We're going to try this new thing called jogging. Or maybe it's yogging-with a silent "j". Apparently you just run for an extended period of time. It's supposed to be wild.
-Ron Burgandy
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Congrats, Andy! Well done!
"Maybe I will be my own inspiration." - UltraMonk (Laura)
"Everywhere is walking distance if you have enough time." - Steven Wright
"Everywhere is walking distance if you have enough time." - Steven Wright
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Well done Andy!
"A true conservationist is a man who knows that the world is not given by his fathers but borrowed from his children." - John James Audubon
"The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"I was watching the London Marathon and saw one runner dressed as a chicken and another runner dressed as an egg. I thought: 'This could be interesting'." - Paddy Lennox
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast!" - author unknown
"The ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children." - Dietrich Bonhoeffer
"I was watching the London Marathon and saw one runner dressed as a chicken and another runner dressed as an egg. I thought: 'This could be interesting'." - Paddy Lennox
"There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast!" - author unknown
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Congrats Andy! I concur, you're a hill running machine. Thanks for the report!
Carm
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- Lynn Williams
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Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Way to go Andy!
When your legs get tired, run with your heart.
Overcome the notion that you must be regular. It robs you of your chance to be extraordinary.
Overcome the notion that you must be regular. It robs you of your chance to be extraordinary.
Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Nice one Andy. Sounds like a great experience.
Support me in my fundraising for the Boston Marathon, Boston Public Library team:
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https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign ... iferwolf11
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Well done Andy. That is spectacular!
Chilly 1/2 - March 4
Montreal 1/2 - April 29
NCM 1/2 - May 27
Manitoba 1/2 - June 17
Army 1/2 - Sept
Montreal 1/2 - April 29
NCM 1/2 - May 27
Manitoba 1/2 - June 17
Army 1/2 - Sept
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Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Way to go Andy. Glad you had a great race and enjoyed your time in San Fran.
Live to Run; Run to Live.
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- Lynn Williams
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Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Very nice Andy!!!
You going to leave your heart in San Francisco?
You going to leave your heart in San Francisco?
On the books for 2017:
50th Birthday!!
Boston Marathon- April 17th what a day- DREAM COME TRUE
Run for Water 10K- May 28th
Scotia Half - June 25th
Trail River Run half marathon- Sept. 30- CANCELLED
MEC 10K Race 10- Nov. 5
50th Birthday!!
Boston Marathon- April 17th what a day- DREAM COME TRUE
Run for Water 10K- May 28th
Scotia Half - June 25th
Trail River Run half marathon- Sept. 30- CANCELLED
MEC 10K Race 10- Nov. 5
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Great job, Andy! I'm looking forward to running my half there in October!
Life is short. Stop whining!!- Jwolf
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
PinkLady wrote:Wow, what a great result especially on your reduced training. Congrats, Andy!!
Running DOWN a 34-43% graded hill. OWWWWWWWWW.
That actually going up, that little bump, Sandra ... good thing it was only about 175-200m ...
HiPerformanceSpirit wrote:good job!
hills can be your friend if you run down them fast.
Haven't quite mastered running down them hard and fast, as I did not want to be trashing me quads, knowing that I still had a fair distance to run in the marathon .... I just let the legs go and let gravity be my friend ... Definitely, will be adding some of the Corkstown Road repeats into my training in the Fall Training Cycle .... and, hoping Jes will join me for a few of those efforts ...
jamix wrote:Good effort. Maybe the hills are easier because your so light?
True, perhaps, jamix ... though, I also tend to have a high turnover/cadence, somewhat like cycling up hill ... as I take a shorter stride but have a very quick turnover, if that makes any sense .. as mentioned above, now, if I could only take advantage of running the downhill portion to get some free speed, without trashing the legs .... and, yes, practice racing downhill, in training, eh !! Perhaps, incorporate them in my next training cycle, for every 2 or 3 uphill repeats, do one downhill effort ...
Race Results: http://itsmyrun.com/index.php?display=p ... unner=HCiD
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Great job Andy! I'll admit I'm jealous that you had a clear day and got to enjoy the view off the bridge. Enjoy the rest of your vacation!
If all that you read is everything you believe then let go, then let go, then let go.
Nothing will change if you never choose.
2018 goals: May half marathon, September half marathon
Nothing will change if you never choose.
2018 goals: May half marathon, September half marathon
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
r4l wrote:Very nice Andy!!!
You going to leave your heart in San Francisco?
Thanks Cheryl ...
Perhaps, but I will likely be leaving my "legs" in San Francisco ...
Race Results: http://itsmyrun.com/index.php?display=p ... unner=HCiD
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Nice race! Your race reports are always such a joy to read, you sound like you always having so much fun when you race. Enjoy S.F.--it's one of my favorite cities to visit.
"We are made of dreams and bones."
--The Garden Song
"By perseverance, the snail reached the ark."
--Charles H. Spurgeon
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
--Pablo Picasso
--The Garden Song
"By perseverance, the snail reached the ark."
--Charles H. Spurgeon
"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it."
--Pablo Picasso
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Nicely done! Your report brought back some memories. Well half of your report, since I only did the half.
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
Official Results are posted .... https://www.runraceresults.com/Secure/RaceResults.cfm?ID=RCLF2011
Overall: 842 out of 5920
Men: 724 out of 3944
M 45-49: 81 out of 413
Age/Grade: 62.02% Place: 689
Finish: 3:40:55 Pace: 8:26
Tag Time: 3:40:55
Gun Time: 3:43:37
Split Times
7.4 Mi: 59:03 Pace: 7:59
Half: 1:46:29 Pace: 8:08
20 Mi: 2:45:49 Pace: 8:18
Overall: 842 out of 5920
Men: 724 out of 3944
M 45-49: 81 out of 413
Age/Grade: 62.02% Place: 689
Finish: 3:40:55 Pace: 8:26
Tag Time: 3:40:55
Gun Time: 3:43:37
Split Times
7.4 Mi: 59:03 Pace: 7:59
Half: 1:46:29 Pace: 8:08
20 Mi: 2:45:49 Pace: 8:18
Race Results: http://itsmyrun.com/index.php?display=p ... unner=HCiD
- Spirit Unleashed
- Lynn Williams
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- Joined: Thu Jun 26, 2008 7:38 am
- Location: The Texas Tropics
Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
I can hardley wait to see what you were wearing!
Athlete....Maniac 973....Marathon Maniac 6645
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
Live the most amazing life you can live - La
marathon runners are awesomeness personified - Ian
Bucket list: http://www.tassietrailfest.com.au/
http://ultramonk.blogspot.com/
- scrumhalfgirl
- Lynn Williams
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Re: Andy's San Francisco Marathon
congrats! enjoy the rest of your trip!
Jesse's 2017 Plans
April - Boston Marathon
May - Sporting Life Ottawa 10K
May - Ottawa Half Marathon
April - Boston Marathon
May - Sporting Life Ottawa 10K
May - Ottawa Half Marathon
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