Scott & Adriana

Before we even ran the Santa Cruz Half Marathon this year we were already looking forward to the San Jose Rock and Roll Half Marathon in October. It is supposed to be a very fun event with mild weather, so we were really looking forward to it. I didn't want to be a bum for three months and then have to turn on a crazy training regimen so I wanted to book a race a month to keep us on track (also replenishing my t-shirt collection, lots of holey ones at this point). We ran the Mother's Day Run for Shelter in da'Ville (reference to the myspace Watsonville homies) and have been reviewing many runs at Running in the USA website for our next target.

The next scheduled local run was the Firecracker 10k on the 4th of July. It was at Harvey West Park in Santa Cruz, which is around the Costco and Graniterock area off of highway 9. Checking out the course map it didn't seem so bad, a nice loop around the park and nearby neighborhood. Central Coast Running, a cool running shop near Petsmart in Santa Cruz, was one of the sponsors, and since it was local run it looked to be a good fit. 

The team all got up early and headed out to Santa Cruz at 7 a.m. on the 4th. I didn't want a repeat of our experience at the SC halfy where we were still standing in line for the potty when the starting gun went off, so we made sure we were there early. We got up there at 7:30 a.m. and gathered our stuff to walk over to the park. Since Adriana is on the DL, and I don't have any prospects ready to call up from the minors yet, I was on my own for this run. 

This gets to the good part, where I start to realize this isn't a quick little jaunt in the park. In the registration line everyone is talking about the HILL, which I didn't pick up on for a while. After about the 100th person mentioned the HILL I started to get a bit worried, as a hill runner I am not. After getting my number (276) I stretched and hung out with Caleb while Adriana went back to the car to grab me some sunblock.

At 8:30 a.m. we were off. I took off slow as I am always out too a fast start during races. As I passed the first mile the time was 9:30. Way too fast, as I am a proud 12 minute miler. I took it down a notch. Caleb and Adriana were hanging out and taking pics at the 1 mile mark so I got a quick pick me up on the way. Facitis foot was feeling good and I was keeping on pace.

As I passed mile two a shocking scene emerged. Ahead of me were ~75 people walking up a hill. I get going, passing many as I made it about to 2.5 miles before walking a bit. As I neared the 3 mile mark signs started to appear that the hill was coming. COMING!!! I had been going straight up a hill for a mile. Just past the three mile mark the vertical went even steeper. I considered it a success that I did not stop at all. Finally, the glorious downhill started. As I passed the four mile mark, the time call was 48 minutes, which put me in reach of my goal of 1:10. I literally sprinted downhill for a mile and half, passing a number of houses and numerous foes as i went. As I passed six miles I could see the end.  The clock came into site - 1:09:10, 50 seconds to beat the goal.  I found a extra gear and finished at 1:09:35. Adriana and Caleb were right there at the finish line, which was a great feeling.

Got home, iced my foot, took a shower and got ready for the party, another good day...