so yes i have been bitten by the trail bug, and it’s just getting worse each time i go out to a trail. sunday was no different. i feel like i have found a whole other world that has been hiding out there, or maybe i would just too scared to find it before. whatever it was i am just happy that i found it now.
jolynn texted me on wednesday morning last week that penny wasn’t able to make it up for the weekend, and asked if i wanted her race entry. ummm i thought about it for a minute but then realized i REALLY wanted to go, so i texted her back ”i’m in!”
we met along highway 80 and drove over to tiburon together. this race is out on angel island, which i really knew nothing about. we had to take a ferry over to the island which i thought was pretty awesome. i mean who really says on a normal day “i am taking a ferry over to an island to go running”? i know i haven’t said that ever before. we loaded the ferry and sat on top and watched angel island getting closer.
once we were there we got off the boat and started walking around. we were both really cold so we just kept moving since we had over 30 minutes before the race started. i was SO glad i had worn extra layers and brought extra clothes because with the wind i was chilly!
before we knew it, it was time to go! they had the 25 racers line up and then we were off 5 minutes later. i could not decide what i wanted to wear. i had capri tights on and then a tank with a long sleeve over it. at the time i also had a cold weather running jacket over that and i was still cold, so i was debating on wearing the jacket instead of the long sleeves. i decided that i always get warm once i get going so i just went with the thinner long sleeve, gloves and ear warmers.
there are 3 loops on this island, so it depends on which length of race you are running which loop you start on and which loops you run on. i was kind of nervous about this actually. all the following the ribbons, striped ribbons mean turns, and doing yellow before orange, i thought i would get confused or lost. turns out it wasn’t bad at all and i was able to follow them very easily.
from PCTR website
we were doing two loops, first the middle loop, then the summit loop. i wasn’t sure what i was going to do with this race… did i want to run it harder? did i want to just relax and hang out with my friend? i still wasn’t sure when they yelled start.
from PCTR website
all the loops start with a nice long flight of stairs to get your heart pumping. i could totally feel them in my butt, and a majority people walk these – they are steep! once you make it to the top of them then you follow you ribbons to the different loops. i started running a little and was in line with all the others and eventually i turned around and realized jolynn wasn’t there. i found a spot i could pull off to wait for her (i think my garmin auto paused here because the time on my watch is different from what i saw crossing the finish). once i found her i was chatting for a minute but we were on some climbs and i think she could tell i was in the mood to run, so she told me to run ahead. i thought about it for a second and decided that i would.
mile 1 – 13:34
i took off and passed a bunch of people in the next mile since it was flatter and had a little bit of downhill. i was having so much fun. during the 3rd mile we were climbing more and you could see the people ahead of you on the roads climbing too. a lot of people were walking here but i just kept on running, although slowly, up the hill. we turned one corner and there was a beautiful view of san francisco, then you turn another corner and there is the golden gate bridge. seriously, wow.
mile 2 – 8:43, mile 3 – 9:18
we then winded into some shaded single track trails that are my favorite part. being surrounded by trees and bright green grass and plants and running on the dark single track trail – there just isn’t a way to describe it. i was having so much fun.
mile 4 – 8:55, mile 5 – 9:45
we made it back to where we started and i ran over to my bag to take off my gloves because i had definitely warmed up. i took a couple luna moons out of my water bottle pouch to eat and then took off back up the stairs again. i walked up the stairs and my legs were burning and i was breathing hard, but i made it to the top and was able to start running right again. it’s funny how in races like these you are using so many different muscle groups, and there are so many different times your legs are burning, but you get to switch it up and do something completely different soon that you just forget about it.
we were pretty much climbing and climbing after this point. i was working hard but kept running the whole time. there were a few of us right together and i was able to just stay right behind one lady. finally we made it to the top and were able to run back down and have fun on the downhills. although the first loop had been pretty clear, this loop had a lot of fog, especially at the top, so we couldn’t see much.
mile 6 - 12:31, mile 7 – 11:45
we enjoyed some more downhill and some flatter portions of trail and then it met up with the trail i was on before at the best parts. i had fun running hard through this section and concentrating on where my feet would go next. i was thinking about how i wasn’t able to look at my watch at all because i was so focused on where i was putting my feet next, which i liked.
mile 8 – 9:20, mile 9 – 8:58
we winded around and hit the road again and i knew i only had less than a mile left. this turned into a sort of paved portion of road so i took off. i know how to run on the roads! it felt funning running in my thick treaded trail shoes, but i was passing people left and right so i was getting a big adrenaline boost. soon i could see the finish line and i was still picking up the pace and a guy next to me didn’t seem that happy about that. i could hear him breathing right behind me and i could feel a smile creeping to me face. i picked it up another gear and took off and crossed the finish line.
mile 10 – 8:06
garmin: 10.0 miles/1:40:53/10:05 avg pace
official results: 16k/1:44:39/10:22 avg pace (need to remember to turn off autopause in races!)
overall: 50/147, AG 7/18
it took a minute but i was cold again very soon, so i went and grabbed our bags and layered back up. i saw jolynn coming soon and we got to chatting about the race. i was just smiling so much because i had so much fun! i hadn’t really ran too hard on trails before, and although this wasn’t my hardest, it was definitely a good effort, especially for my longest trail run to date.
the first ferry was full so we sat there shivering waiting for the next one to come and just got to chat and have fun. she is SUCH a nice person and i feel so lucky to have gotten this chance to get to know her, join her at these trail runs and to be her friend. she has shown me a new world in trail running and i will always be thankful to her for that.
another great day and another amazing trail run. i can’t wait for my next one 
girl you are making me want to look up every trail race in my area and sign up for them all
awesome job. i'm really happy that you ran this because it sounds like it was such a great experience!!
Wow, sounds awesome!
It sounds like an awesome day!
You have been bitten!! Great job and it sounded like an incredible time.
Great run girly! You didn't stick around for the chili and warm drinks? That is the best part of PCTR events!!
You got me excited now. My first experience with trail runs was brutal, but I am excited for Jan 30th! Yay!
Awesome, the hills are going to do wonders for your fitness!
Nice job Aron! Trail running is a lot of fun. It is a nice way to break up running on the roads. Keep on enjoying running.
Sounds like a lot of fun! Glad you enjoyed it!!
Love it Aron. But next time, leave the Garmin and bring the camera!
Glad you had a great race and got bit by the trail bug. I must do one of PCTR's races up north too. Hear great things about places like Angel Island, Marin Headlands, etc, etc.
Nice job again!
That sounds like so much fun. I love trail running!
Such fun! I haven't had much experience with trail running, but the little that I have, I've loved it!
Great run!
Trail running is a blast!! Nice run there!!
That sounds like so much fun, I really want to try a trail race eventually. Glad you had a great time.
I was going to run this race (a few people I run with ran it). It was sold out by the time I decided to join. Glad you were able to make it and ejoy it. Seems like a great race.
sounds like an almost perfect day to do a trail run. And the PCTR races are pretty good. Well marked, well managed. I got bit by the trail bug about 4-5 years ago – I know how it feels. Great going
sounds absolutely amazing!!!! I can't wait to see pics
great job girl on your 1st trail race!
Sounds like fun! Great work.
Great job! I haven't tried a trail race since cross-country (which is technically trail racing, right?).
Sounds like so much fun! I start loving all of our trails and mountain runs around here. Once you start, you want to hit as many as you can!
I like trail running because I have to concentrate on where my feet go and then I don't think about how far I have left to go!
Wow, sounds awesome! Congrats. I have never done a trail race, but I run on trails a lot. They are definitely a lot of fun, and a very different style of running than road races. You should check out the book Born To Run!
Sounds like a great run with a great new running buddy. Enjoy the new scenery!
I think the title of this post could've also been, "I was just having so much fun!"
Hooray!!! And congrats on a great trail race! Glad you've found a new way to make running fun…now take me out on a trail run with you!
Great splits!
Glad you enjoyed it so much!
Sounds like a fun day! Nice job!
Great job! I've got to get back to trails. I used to run them a lot but then haven't in a few years. Sounds like you are having fun!
Glad you had such a great day out on the trails!
Sounds like so much fun and I cant wait to see all the pictures!
i'm so glad you said "i'll do it" i would have felt so bad if the entry had not been used!
I should have driven up and run it-the weather sounds like it was perfect!!! Damn, why do I live in southern california???
I am so thrilled you are enjoying the trails as much as you are. You are a natural girl. I swear! The way you run up those hills, just like they're nothing. You're so light and speedy.
I'll put up the pictures today so all your friends can see how beautiful it was.
Any time you're in Colorado text me and I'll take you up on the trails around here! We go every week and it's amazing. Glad you were introduced to them, don't let them be a stranger to you!
Great job with the trail race, and you had a speedy finish!!
Yeah, trail running is the best, it is such a unique experience…that's so great that you're enjoying it!
so cool, Aron – your post maes me want to try it!
reading this… makes me want to try trial running. Don't know if the knees would be ready for that yet!
Way to go, Aron!
Sounds like so much fun! Congrats on your longest trail run and a great race. I always wanted to get more into trail running. Maybe once the Bean is out I can hit some of the great trails close to my new house.
I love how trail races are such random distances! Nice work!
wow! speedy trail pace there girl
i think i'm still a little afraid of trails after my "race" back in november and how it absolutely KILLLLLLED me 
Sounds amazing Aron!!! I'm so excited for you & your new found love for trail running! I need to find me some trails and get going!
Great job on the race hun! xoxo
Wow congrats on your first trail race. It sounds like you had a lot of fun plus you were going pretty fast for being on the trails! Nice job!
The pictures are great!! Glad you really enjoyed the race.
You seem to find passion in everything running. That is so awesome. Looks like you have some new goals to include for 2010 that involve trail races
Wow, looks like you had an awesome time! Congrats on your first trail race =) I've never tried trail running before but seeing those pictures definitely makes me want to give it a shot!
Great pictures Aron, congratulations on your trail race!
Sounds like such a fun adventure! I love your photos. So, so gorgeous!!
Oh that sounded so great! It makes me want to opt for the trail marathon in March! (I'm waivering between a trail and a road marathon) I just love trail running.
You really ran great! How do you get such great pictures during a race! Awesome!
Thanks for sharing your story and race notes and pics. Your pictures reminded me of the 2 times in 12 years I visited Angel Island when I lived in San Francisco. It is truly a hidden gem. Congrats on your first trail race and in all your running!
Oh, that sounds like so much FUN!! I am dying to do a trail race and so far haven't been able to fit one into my schedule. This race report makes me that much more determined to find one around here.
I remember going to Angel Island as a kid when my family took a trip to San Francisco. Good times.
Congrats on the trail race! It looks like a beautiful place to run.
sounds like so much fun! i miss the bay area fog (i lived in berkeley for a few years)!
Great stuff, it looks like you're really getting the dirt between you toes!