Why I love the SF Bay Area Part 2

Lake Vasona as seen from the Los Gatos Creek Trail.

Part 1 on why I love the Bay Area


Aka "how not to prepare for a 20 miler." And "why I'll never consider a goal race on the other side of the country."

Friday I took a 4 hour flight from Chicago to San Jose, Ca. Before the flight I ran 8 miles then quickly got cleaned up and went to the airport.

I flew 1st class thanks to L & his many miles of travel.

Short story: I forgot how to hydrate properly.


Flying is so dehydrating. Being in a pressurized cabin for hours on end is not ideal. I "hydrated" with 2 bloody Mary's and a sip of water. By the time I got off the plane I already had a small headache which I attributed to sinus issues from the flight.

At the Mikkeler bar I drank 3 beers and a bunch of water but was already feeling pretty ragged. By the time we got to the hotel I was a mess complete with feeling nauseous with a head splitting headache. And unfortunately this was no hangover. I took 2 aleve and drank a bunch of water hoping I'd be ready to go for 20 in the morning.


When I woke up (a bit late) I was pumped to run on my favorite place- the Los Gatos Creek Trail. It was a beautiful morning- mid 59's and low dew point. I was so excited to run from Campbell to Los Gatos (The first date for L & I for those of you keeping track).


Cute artwork on a bridge in Los Gatos. "The Cats" in Spanish.

I took off from the hotel and felt good. I had a bottle of water, salt pills and passion fruit gu. Nothing could stop me.


I even tried to make a new friend. But it hissed at me and flew into a sewer. Rude.

5 people said hi to me in the first 4 miles.


The hills were a lot larger than I remembered. I felt out of breath more than I should have. I was also drinking a lot more water than I normally do (yes, I analyze every freaking detail). At the 8 mile point on top of Lexington reservoir I decided to head back and call it at 16 miles.


Lexington Reservoir as seen from almost on top of a mountain...


The elevation profile of my run.


L and I met up and ran the final 2 miles together which was so nice. After I stopped running I felt so Incredibly sick which was probably from being so dehydrated as well as not eating anything past 3pm the day before. Not ideal.


So freaking happy to be running here again.

After the run we met our friend K for lunch before heading to Monterey for the wedding festivities. All I ate was a fruit cup and salt n vinegar chips.


Monastery Beach

An hour later I felt normal and hungry again. Soon after we were in Monterey for the wedding rehearsal. It was nice seeing friends we hadn't seen in a while.


During the rehearsal I went down by the water and took a plethora of photos. I stood with my feet in the Pacific Ocean. As the waves covered my feet with cold salty water, I smiled the biggest smile ever.



This is why I love this place.



- xaar