13 miles from home

New year, new challenge. Word on the street is the annual Giant Race in 2024 will mark the return of the half-marathon. That race distance has been absent from the event since the pandemic years. I was disappointed in 2023 to see its continued absence, having done the 10K in 2022 and ready for something slightly more challenging. Better late than never: 2024 will be the year I challenge myself to run a half-marathon.

And then that would be it. I have no desire to run a full marathon after that (sorry, SF Marathon). Spending many hours to run 26 miles doesn’t spark any joy in me whatsoever (hashtag Kondo). And the training required would be detrimental to my set schedule. I would have to run almost every single day of the week, at about five miles per run. To prepare for such a long distance, it’s all about getting enough cumulative mileage - you don’t really run marathons to prepare for a marathon. Speed and intensity is secondary.

Training for the half-marathon entails a similar program. I’m going to be running at least 10 miles a week, every week leading up to the event. That is way less onerous of a time commitment, since I already run a little over four miles every weekend. I think I will simply add another day of running to accumulate the necessary mileage.

I am excited to finally tick running a half-marathon off my list. Let’s get it.

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Season of protection.

The Giant Race 2022

Yesterday I ran a 10K for the first time in six years. The annual Giant Race was once again held at Oracle Park. Coming out of the socially slumbering pandemic, I wanted to participate in the race again to get the joy of running with thousands of other people. Also, one of my good friends have never done any sort of long distance running event, so I wanted to be along with her for the challenge.

It was a typical mild Sunday morning in San Francisco, though unlike the previous years that I’ve done the race, this year the sun was completely out. No cloud or fog cover whatsoever. It was definitely a struggle through the sections where there were no shade coverage. I am far too used to training in the dense fog of the western side of San Francisco.

Also unlike in previous years, there were not a half marathon category. The longest distance is the 10K. Because of this, the organizers only cordoned off the streets from the ballpark northward up the Embarcadero, and turning around just past the Ferry Building. Two loops of this make the 10K. Back in 2016, we’d run all the way up towards Pier 39 before turning back. One loop of that would be the 10K.

Doing two loops definitely threw me off psychologically. Having to immediately repeat the route I just did created a mental burden which I’m pretty sure affected my overall performance. The second time around was more challenging and not as enjoyable.

With all those excuses fully baked in, I can now say I ran the 10K in about 58 minutes. That’s almost 10 minutes longer than my 2016 effort. Honestly, I probably did not train as hard as I should. Nonetheless I’m quite happy with that time, as getting it in under one hour was my goal. Of course, the runner’s high afterwards is the absolute best feeling in the world. That’s why we all run, right? And also for the big meal afterwards. Because “A victory should be honored with revels!”

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Much revels can be had here.

The Giant Race

With the pandemic practically over, it’s time to get back to doing things we did before the whole fiasco. One of those things for me is running. Building up cardio is an important part of an exercise regiment. I just happen to find running the easiest and cheapest - not because I particularly enjoy doing it. Swimming is better for my joints for sure, but there’s the cost of entrance, and having to do laundry immediately afterwards each and every time.

Back in 2014 and 2016 I participated in The Giant Race. It's an annual run event put together by the San Francisco Giants organization. Runners start and end at iconic Oracle Park stadium on a summer Saturday morning (enough alliterating for you?) Traditionally there’s race distances of 5K, 10K, and a half marathon. Having done the 10K twice previously, I was kind of psyched to attempt the half marathon this year.

Sadly that will have to wait because the half marathon is not an option for 2022. The longest distance on offer is the 10K. That’s a distance I can do tomorrow with zero training (not so humble brag). It would be nice to be able to challenge myself; surely the half will return in future years. If I have to guess, cost is the reason the organizer have pruned the half marathon: shutting down the Embarcadero along the pier all the way to Pier 39 can’t be cheap!

Even though I can do a 10K tomorrow straight out of bed, ideally I still should start back up running in preparation. Good thing I live much closer to Lake Merced - my running arena of choice - than I did pre-pandemic. Far easier to get up on a Saturday morning to do the 4.5 miles round the lake. It’s only been two weeks thus far, and the key for me is not so much the distance, but the pace. I am quite far away from the 8 minute 30 seconds per mile the last time I did The Giant Race.

There’s work to do!

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New yard in the house.