Summer Breeze Half Marathon, San Leandro CA

Ran the Summer Breeze Half Marathon this past Saturday (Aug. 1), in the "East Bay" right near Oakland, CA, staged by Brazen Racing. What a well-run event it was! Since I'm a grumpy old bastard, I really enjoy a race with a well-marked course, ample porta-potties, an organized start and competent timing/results. All this happened!

And, I got a spectacularly ugly finishers medal, what a score! Note the olde New England type whale in there, hard to beat.

The course is near perfect - a gravel and paved bike/hiking trail along the eastern shore of the San Francisco Bay. Mostly flat with a few rises and a couple foot bridges. Only one tight turn, not including the hair-pin turnaround on the out and back course.

There are mile markers along the way to gauge your progress if you like that kinda thing. As the race name promises, there is a bit of wind off the bay, but it mostly keeps things pleasant, it's only a minor battle into the wind for a few brief moments on the course.

All this is ideal for me-- this being my second half marathon, on a flat, fast sea-level course. Having run a 1:50:08 over a hilly course at the mile-high altitude of Oaxaca some few months back, I have my eye on improving my time here.

I'd trained decently in the weeks and months prior to this run, and tapered a bit in the days before the race. I have the confidence instilled by running mountainous courses in the altitude of Oaxaca. Feeling good after a couple miles just under 16 minutes, I relax and bend into the run. I am going for it. At first, a good number of runners pass me. The further I run, fewer runners get by, and I start picking people off. I mainly keep my own council on pace.

At 5 miles, I'm full of run, but recognize this is serious work. Again, reflecting on months of preparation, I know I can power through. I ride the rhythm through strong patches alternating with tough patches. I consistently hit mile markers at less than 8 minute pace overall, but my actual pace varies from about 7:45 to 8:15.

Passing the 7 and 8 mile markers, I work hard, it feels like a long way to go. A guy drafts up on me and stays behind me. It's a narrow path with runners in both directions, he's keeping the path clear and pressing me from behind.

Finally he draws even and asks "want to work together?" It takes me a few minutes, but I adjust to the tandem run and we help each other a lot, steadily passing stragglers who fall off the pace. I relax and focus on rhythm.

So this guy Duane and I roll on, battling a bit of wind with a mile to go. A third runner glues himself to us. I kick with 300 to go and Duane is there, we cross the line together in 1:44:35. I am pleased! It is nice to keep my own rhythm most of the way, but the cooperation of the final part of the race is a great positive experience. Thanks Duane!

I win my division (55 - 59) and place 42nd out of just over 407 runners. Last year I think they had 700, participation may have been affected by last weekends San Francisco Marathon. Too soon to race so far again in the local scene, I guess.

Enjoyed some good fruit, water and snacks after the race, and I was on my merry way. My only complaint? Where the hell was the promised technical T-Shirt??? I paid 60 clams and didn't get my damn shirt! Nowhere to be found. Oh well, I still loved the event. Well done, Brazen racing!

The Summer Breeze 1/2 caps off a successful visit to El Norte (aka the U.S. of A.) for me in running terms. As part of my training, I throw in a 5000 on the track (no taper!) in 21:39 back on July 7. Modest by most standards, for this vintage runner it's the fastest in 5 - 6 years.

Oh, and I almost forgot to say Happy Birthday Jerry! The run was on Aug. 1, afterall.

Email Steve -- especially if you'd like to set up a Oaxaca running tour!