On April 21st, Robin and I were joined by Trevor, Andrea, Mark, Joan, Ray, and Melissa for a 10k on the sand from Morro Rock to Cayucos Pier to benefit the Miracle Miles for Kids charity. We all arrived Friday afternoon with six of us renting a beachfront condo while Ray and Melissa stayed in a pet-friendly hotel a few hundred yards away. Our condo was awesome so we elected to only go out the first night for dinner, and Schooners was our destination of choice.
The view from the balcony of our condo in Cayucos
Sitting down for dinner the night before the race at Schooners
We all had a great meal as is the norm for everyone who visits this restaurant. After dinner and deserts, we decided to have a nightcap at the Cayucos Saloon across the street before turning in. We ordered some beers and played the jukebox while the band set up. When we got there the place was fairly empty but it didn't take long for it to fill up. We finished our drinks and headed back across the street to our weekend getaway for a good nights sleep before the race the following morning.
I slept great, in fact, I slept so well I missed all of the fireworks that took place at the saloon during the night. Apparently, someone had too much to drink and the bouncer had to intervene until the local gendarmes showed up. We all ate, Robin and I had our usual of bagels with avocado, then piled into Trevor's truck for the six-mile drive to the start line at Morro Rock.
We all got our bibs and I went for a warm-up run along the beach. It didn't take long to find the first water crossing. Our feet would be wet in the first half mile. At this race, I always wear some old Nike Zoom Streak cross country racing flats so I wasn't worried about the water causing extra weight. After my warm-up and strides were over I headed to the start area to find everyone before the horn signaled the start of the race.
The seven of us in front of Morro Rock before the start of the race
The view of Morro Rock where we started.
This would be the first river crossing in the race
Mark and Robin warming up in the parking lot
There was an eighties style mass aerobics warm-up for everyone who was there and felt so inclined. I stuck to what works for me. I found everyone that rode with us, wished them luck and headed to the starting line to await the horn that would signal the start of the race. Trevor and Mark headed over there with me and some little kids merged in front of us right before the start. I told them they better go hard or they would probably be face down in the sand. I think it scared them because they did take off and ran hard for about 200 yards. I settled into a decent pace and headed to my left to stay as close to the water as possible so that my route to the pier would be as short as I could make it. Some people actually ran in the water but I figured the added resistance would just slow me down.
The crowd of runners gathering before the start
My view shortly after the start. Trevor was right in front of me.
Everyone approaching the first water crossing
When we got to the first water crossing some guy on my right decided to cut straight across the front of me to cross at a different spot. I wasn't too pleased with his move and let him know. My first two miles were 6:42 and 6:46. I was running a decent pace despite the fact I hadn't trained much in the last few weeks. A tough thing happens in this 10k between miles two and three. We go from running along the hard packed sand near the surf to hiking and running over wet rocks after navigating some softer sand. This takes a lot out of my legs and I struggled to return to the pace I ran prior to the rock crossings. This was the biggest crossing, but there were two smaller rock crossings to follow. My pace slowed down to a 7:22-7:23 pace for the next three miles.
Heading to the first rock crossing
Up into the rocks we went. I took it easy.
It was slippery going back down to the sand,
The last mile seems like it took forever but I did manage to drop my pace down to a 7:15 with the Cayucos Pier in view. I stayed along the water as long as I could before heading through the soft sand to the finish line. My official time was 43:01 which was my best time in many years on the course. This race is unique in that we get our shirts after we finish. Old school. I grabbed my shirt, and bag and headed back out onto the course to cheer on my friends.
This was my view as I attempted to sprint to the finish in the soft sand.
Robin heading to the finish line.
It wasn't long before Trevor, Mark, Andrea, Robin, Melissa, and Joan finished. We all traded stories about our race and got in line for the breakfast burritos and to listen to the music. We browsed the many vendors and checked out the results while Trevor went back to the start to get his truck. This race is tough to get an award at. Only the age group winners get a medal. The best I had ever done here was second many times, but this day, at the age of 58, I won the 50-59 age group. It was awesome, and another reason to start celebrating. Like we needed an excuse.
The two sides of my first place medal.
We spent the afternoon hanging out on our balcony overlooking the beach enjoying some adult beverages and each others company. That night we all did a potluck dinner with awesome food and friends before heading over to the saloon for a quick nightcap.
Dinner in our weekend beachfront condo.
The Cayucos Saloon where we have spent many a dollar on many a night.
We went to bed and I slept like a baby after the long day of sun, running, eating great food, and consuming some adult beverages. The next day we all got up, cleaned house, and headed out to breakfast before heading home and getting ready for our next "run-cation" which would be the Wild Wild West Marathon in a couple of weeks.
This race was fantastic, especially since we took advantage of the 15.00 entry a year ago. I consider it a lager race and give it a top rating of "6".
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