So much blogging to do, so little time …
But let’s start with Headlands, the 50 Mile race I completed on August 8th. Last year, Headlands was my very first 50 Mile finish, so I will likely always have a soft spot for this fantastic race in the the beautiful Marin Headlands of California. This year the course had changed and was much harder, but no less beautiful. I won’t go into a lot of detail about the race … you can read my race report on my workout blog if you are so inclined. But I thought I’d do a little pictorial recap here. To give credit where it’s due, other people (mostly Henry and Brice) took most of these photos. I was too busy trying to get through this beast of a race to pull out my camera very often. But these photos will give you some idea of what I went through and why I love this race so much.
Let’s start at the very beginning, just a few friends hanging out before the big event … Jeff, Brice, Henry, and me.
And here I am just before the start, still fresh and full of energy (that wouldn’t last long) …
Here’s a view looking down from the first climb …
This is the trail coming out of the first aid station at Tennessee Valley (we would be back here several more times) …
This is the view I saw coming over the ridge about 20 miles into the race …
And here I am with this incredible view behind me, still looking pretty fresh …
This is pretty early on in our second loop, a nice day for a sail as well as a run!
So lovely! Let’s take another look, shall we?
The second loop was the reverse of the first, so we got to enjoy this view all over again …
And here I am with Brice … we ran the entire race together!
Hit a rough patch for a while, but finally picked it up heading back into Muir Beach, about 40 miles into the race. I’m on the right in the white shirt running down the hill …
This is Pirates Cove … getting closer and closer to the finish!
Ran the very last stretch of the race as the sun was setting over the water …
Looking considerably more worn out – and with a giant ‘fro in Brice’s case ;-) – after a successful finish!
Spent the next day recovering at Muir Woods. I don’t look too bad for having run 50 miles …
Muir Woods was absolutely beautiful!
I even managed a little bit more climbing … but it hurt! :-P
My 7th and hardest ultra so far! It was an epic experience … but I feel so blessed to be able to accomplish something so difficult, in such beautiful surroundings, with such great friends. Worth every one of the 810 minutes it took me!
