https://www.strava.com/activities/13075769252
https://ultrasignup.com/register.aspx?did=117243
I was still in the back of the Lyft at start time plus 8 minutes as I watched a pack of runners huff their way down Twin Peaks. I really had no business being there, (almost) at the start of the Fear and Loathing 50K. This was an urban trek put on by the legendary San Francisco ultrarunners that I like to call a love letter to the city. But with me being (kinda) injured and (mostly) untrained, it was going to be a long day. Thank goodness that Steve was there at the start line, waving to me and peer pressuring me into a good time!
Jakob waved as he sprinted off and, as expected, that was the last we’d see of him that day. Like many other ultrarunning races, we were effectively in different divisions and almost in different sports. Steve and I did our last pack checks, thanked William and ChihPing (yes, our start time was 7:11 am on the dot) and set out.
Immediately we encountered the somewhat sheepish looking pack that I had seen from the back of the car earlier. They had taken a wrong turn almost immediately. It was going to be that kind of day.
Neither Steve nor I had any real business being on the receiving end of a 50K. In the past month, I had clocked exactly one long run (and a bonus little bit of speed), but this race would exceed my normal weekly mileage in one go. Thankfully, Steve suggested a 2 minutes run 30 second walk routine that would keep us in the game as long as possible. We decided to do regular check ins and see how long we could stay on the road. Not glorious, not fast, but hey, that’s what ultrarunning is all about, right?
And that’s how the day went. Lots of running, lots of walking, lots of chatting.
The most boring part of the race report is the actual race, so instead here are some pictures and some highlights.
Exploring a city on foot is an amazing way to feel a connection to the area and its people. Bonus points if you startle actual tourists who are confused by running packs and dry fit
The combination of turnsheet + GPS track + experience served us well! We didn’t get lost and helped out many people who were (or were about to) Yellow shirt lady, I really hope you were finally able to ditch us and finish strong. You were running much faster than our group
Meredith and Jeremy made it out! With cookies!
Running through downtown was encouraging. It wasn’t perfect and it wasn’t exactly clean, but definitely more lively than I had expected post pandemic
Panettone makes a great running food
Running through the Presidio was surprisingly nostalgic. I haven’t done planks in years
Asphalt is much softer than sidewalks.
Doing a slow ultra fatass run (in all but name) gave us sufficient time to see all the CIM results, which was entertaining and humbling. Congrats, CIM runners!
Miraculously, we went slow enough that we finished! Mostly uninjured, even! My knee was a bit sore the next week, but nothing that a massage gun couldn’t cure.
It was great fun and we’re plotting a run at a trail 50K next year. We should probably train for that, though.
Thank you to Chihping Fu and the Haight Ashbury Ultra Society for putting on a great “race”! This community is why we do this stupid sport.
Gear:
Brooks Glycerin 20 (aka “silly road shoes”)
Salomon Adv Skin 5
