1.75 Dipsea

Today we went for a training run before the Dipsea race in two weeks.  I went with Zane, Ron and Kim from PVAC who were also in our van for The Relay. They are all 6-6.30 minute/milers and I knew that I would be in for a big disadvantage.  Especially since Ron had done the Quad Dipsea before (yes there and back 4 times!).  The plan today was to do a Double Dipsea training run (starting from Stinson Beach to Mill Valley and back).  I had never run the course before and it was Crazy Hard!  Cold, drizzling, misty and cloudy, I fell behind almost instantly as from Stinson it starts straight uphill for the first 2.6 miles up many steps, slippery slopes, roots and rocks.  After a bit, they suggested that I might want to turn around in time before Mill Valley to insure that I got back in time to meet them at Ron’s car.  At first I was resistant, but agreed pretty quickly.

When I looked at my watch, I though 15 minutes/mile was a mistake until I realized that it was correct …  There is a nice downhill from mile 2.6 until mile 4.6 and picked up some good time there, especially through the Muir Woods.  I made it to mile 5.5 in 1:11 to turnaround.  Made it back to the car in 2:28 for a total of 11 miles (while the true Double Dipsea that they ran was about 7.1/14.2 miles both ways, which they made in about 2:40).

So I had time to get a cappuccino while  waiting for them.  My legs were surprisingly good despite the massive elevation change – around 3500 feet total for me.

When they got back I asked if the famous 672 steps was the whole race as it felt that I had done hundreds.  So, it turned out that yes, there are hundreds of steps, but the 672 is in the first mile or two!  The section that I never got to – the true start – in Mill Valley!  Ouch, I need some more practice!

But on the plus side, this was my 80th workout since February 1st, and total about 350 miles run, plus dozens of pack training episodes on the treadmill, rowing times, bike times and weight training, so good so far!