By Brian Sawyer

Delirious at Mile 25 or so

I don’t remember the title (or much else) of the IMAX movie I saw years ago about a guy who crashes his plane in the mountains and has to walk some unheard-of distance through the snow to civilization, but his mantra made a big impression on me: “I’m walking … I’m walking … I’m walking …” (continue reading…)

By Brian Sawyer

In Pain, Mile 18

All of a sudden, this Sunday in the park was no longer just a Sunday in the park. For the first time since beginning training (including a 22-miler, a couple 20-milers, 18s, etc.), I started to get muscle cramps. My calves seized up on me every few steps and I had to decide whether to stop and stretch (I worried that stopping would seize them up for good) or work them out by running through them (I was worried that would make them worse). (continue reading…)

By Brian Sawyer

Golden Gate Bridge, Mile 6

Like everyone else, I was really looking forward to running this part of the course, but beyond the possible bragging rights for the accomplishment, there really wasn’t much more to like about crossing the Golden Gate Bridge. Engulfed in haze and mist, the road was wet, making footing difficult, especially on the raised reflectors, which became slippery and difficult to dodge. (continue reading…)

By Brian Sawyer

After a short trip on Caltrain from San Jose, I arrived in San Francisco early Saturday afternoon, checked into the Hyatt, and jumped on the shuttle bus to the expo, where I picked up my bib, a nice official tech shirt, and new Fuel Belt to hold my phone and the several packs of Gu I was planning to carry with me on Sunday (I love my SPIbelt, but it won’t hold much more than my phone). (continue reading…)

Howdy, readers. Kristina’s enabler husband here. She gave me a spare set of keys to the site while she’s on runabout and let me run on with my own thoughts about running for a post or two. I can’t promise stories of bears or triple-digit mileage, but I’ll do my best to give you something interesting to read until she gets back. (continue reading…)