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December 18, 2004
early morning run & ride
5:30 am run:
i woke up very early this morning to meet a friend to run. we started on the roads @ 5:30 am. (on a saturday!!!?!) we needed the flashlights for nearly 3/4 of the run. we ran almost entirely on fireroads (trails). it was so neat. we ran around the phoenix lake/bon tempe watershed area...where i run often...but running there at the crack of dawn transformed the setting and i felt like i could have been in yellowstone national park or another amazingly new and unique and beautiful setting. we ran into skunks...that we spied luckily with our flashlights...lots of long eared bunnies...& tons of awakening birds that were singing and waiting just like us for the sun to rise.
we ran up about 700 feet for the first 3 or 4 miles...then it leveled off...and then we climbed a bit more...until we started our descent...which was mixed with flat rolling sections of trail and short steep fireroads.
the sun didn't show face...until we hit indian fire trail. here we had some great exposed views of developed marin down below, the bay, the richmond bridge, angel island, mt. tam, little mt. tam and even san francisco (which looked like a toy model from where we were standing/running! :)). the sky was lined with a bright pink streak just above the line of the bay...and slowly the pink filled the sky until before we knew it we ourselves were back on the low lands and the sun was officially up...!
my run was about 1 hour & 50 minutes long. we ran easy--due to the darkness and my workout yesterday. i felt good..but i didn't feel like going much longer! i was soooo happy to be able to witness such a beautiful morning sunrise! :)
ride:
this afternoon i went for a 3 hour bike ride. i wasn't sure how long the ride would be...we rode (casually--i know when some people ride their bikes...it's like another workout...i really try hard not to turn my recreational bike rides into anything but pleasure rides-commuting rides--exploration rides!!!) into san francisco over the golden gate bridge and then via the presidio and into the richmond district a bit and then we rode back to marin.
the afternoon was beautiful. the sky was blue...a few clouds lined the sky--but not many. it wasn't too windy... the sun was out...it was a fun weekend adventure for sure! :)
more later!
Posted by liz at December 18, 2004 04:22 PM
Comments
Wow Liz - an early early morning run! I am so impressed and especially when you are on holiday and a long bike ride. Which bike did you use? I should have let you use my bike this winter... hm... something to think about.. anyway.. thanks for all of your support this weekend. Sounds like you had a good tempo run and nice runs this weekend. I miss you and can't wait to see you in a few days. Take care and good strides.. get some sleep!
Posted by: Mary at December 19, 2004 07:09 PM