Muir Woods in 20 Minutes or Less

So this past weekend I ran in the craziest race ever. It was a 25K/15M trail race that started on the beach, went up a mountain, dipped down into a ravine, continued back up the mountain, and then wound back down to the beach. The first 3 miles were straight uphill, and I spent the rest of the race leaping over fallen trees and small creeks, ducking under felled Redwoods, and generally trying not to trip and tumble down the mountainside (although I'm sure my time would have been much faster). I even climbed up a ladder drilled into a rock-face. The course contained everything an intrepid explorer/runner could hope for: old gold-mining trails, tiny waterfalls springing from moss-covered boulders, a grove full of ancient ferns and spindly Redwoods, mountaintop fields swathed with purple wildflowers, and that California ocean mist pervading all the micro-climes. Best of all, I ran through places that contain some of my favorite California memories. Pan Toll Ranger Station, where Maria and I spent the night on my first California camping trip, was where the race's First Aid Station (a very happy place complete with bananas and Gatorade) was located, and the halfway point was in Muir Woods, where I took Kate and Julia right after getting them married! It was a fantastic race (and my first in 6 years!) and a great way to say goodbye to California. Even better was my satisfaction in completing the 25K. I was only going to run in the 7 mile, but at the last second (almost literally) hoped into the start line with the other 25Kers. I ended up placing 15th. If the SRs ever need a getaway runner, I feel like I could fit the bill.