BRUTAL!!!!!!

The race Saturday starting on Stinson Beach and heading up the Dipsea Trail and then up Steep Ravine was THE most physically demanding race I have completed thus far. To give you some perspective, it took me ONE HOUR AND 41 MINUTES TO COMPLETE 7 miles. I typically complete 7 miles in a about an hour....so I was doing a 14 minute mile. HARSH!!! The first 3.5 miles went straight up...not just a hill but CLIMBING STAIRS, made of rock, wood, etc., and it never eased... never a flat straight stretch of trail to catch your breath, but a constant hard climb up, up and up....oh and let us not forget the wooden ladder we also had to climb. That first half took me a little under an hour to complete. I reached that anaerobic phase quite a few times and was cursing myself for doing this until I started the descent...just a wee-bit of a break. Switchbacks all the way down!!! More stairs...I thought my knees are going to blow out or I am going to sprain an ankle...very hard on the body going down...trail was narrow, muddy, rocky and A LOT of tree roots, etc. I completed this race quite a few years ago but i guess i forgot just how difficult the run is...oops. I went with my friend Marie who had never completed this trail before and she had a few words for me when we met up again after the race...sorry Marie! Considering the unknown terrain, she did very well. We started home and ran into a lot of bicyclists on the road coming into Stinson and leaving. There is no shoulder so the bicyclists basically take over and cars have to follow...made for a long ride home. No offense to the cyclists but c'mon...it is really dangerous and the cars would, of course, be responsible if any accidents were to happen. (Heather, since you cycle, your input on this would be welcomed.) Drove a couple hours home and we could feel our legs getting tighter and tighter the longer we sat. My quads and glutes are spent from all of the climbing but it was worth it...and yes, I would do it again. Easter was nice...went to the Sutter Club for brunch. Claire was set on seeing the Easter Bunny...it has taken her about four years to warm up to the very large bunny but she has now become quite fond of our furry, egg delivering friend!















I think I consumed about 4,000 calories today just at the dessert table...it was delicious and Claire had a great time. Hannah was with her dad this weekend but she is looking forward to San Francisco next weekend for a little shopping expedition to celebrate her 13th b-day!!