To call Bay to Breakers a race, is a huge understatement. It's a spectacle - from the first man or woman to cross the finish line, to the last drunken yuppie to stagger home. The race was first held as the Cross City Race in 1912 as the city was still rebuilding after the Great 1906 Earthquake. A local college student ran the 7+ mile course from downtown (near the Bay) to Ocean Beach in 44:10. What started as a morale booster for the city never stopped, and the race now known as Bay to Breakers was set for its 100th running this past Sunday.
Why is it a spectacle? Let's start at the front and work back. The race attracts some of the very top road racers in the world. The elite woman get a 4 minute headstart on the elite men and the rest of the field, then the first person to cross the finish line - be it the winning male or female - pockets $25,000. There is also a $5,000 bonus for the first runner to crest the long & steep Hayes St. Hill in the 3rd mile of the 12K. Behind the elites is a very unique competition - the centipede. Numerous teams will enter 'pedes which consist of 13 runners tethered together with some sort of bungee chords. Sound crazy? Well over the years, the centipede race has turned into a heated rivalry between two Bay Area clubs - the Aggies and Transports (the latter now sponsored by Linked-In & featuring some serious ringers). This year the Linked-In centipede covered the 12K course in 37:00 which averages under 5 minutes per mile! That's a good performance on a hilly course for one person, but imagine doing that while being tied to 12 other people. I could tell some stories of past centipedes blowing up in spectacular fashion (as certain runners are dragged - one time literally - out out too fast), but I'll save it for another time. After all the elites, the 'pedes, and guys like me, there's 50,000 total registered runners and walkers. THEN, the real fun begins, with what seems like the rest of the city turning Bay to Breakers into the largest outdoor drinking and costume party of the year.
I was lining up for my first race in three weeks - after running my 4th and final crappy 5K of the season. Even though I spent much time on the track throughout the spring, I figured my mileage should have me prepared for a longer race like this. The only catch is my legs had been super tired for the past week and a half after a super intense week of training leading up to that (including a nearly 2 hour long run on snowy cross country ski trails at 8000 feet). After taking a really easy week, I was finally feeling ok for race day.
My plan was to run well under control for the first two miles, run steady but not too hard up and down the Hayes Street hill, then really start pushing the 4th and 5th miles which are slightly uphill, and just get ready to hammer the 2 mile downhill to the finish. In the first mile I ran a little faster than I wanted - 5:18, but backing off a bit in the second mile (5:32) kept it under control. I eased into the hill, keeping a smooth stride without losing too much ground as I ran up and back down. I turned onto the Pan-Handle hitting 3 miles in 17:08. That 3rd mile is always slow, but I ran a little slower than I intended, but no big deal, I was feeling good and it's time to really start racing. Last year, I held my position from the 3 mile mark to the finishing stretch, but this time I was focused on moving up. I immediately caught two runners and passed them, then focused ahead. Whenever I could, I wouldn't focus on the runner ahead, rather two spots ahead - which helps from getting lulled into the pace of a racer who could be falling off the pace himself. In the 4th mile (5:38 for a gradual uphill) and the 5th (rolling - 5:31), I picked up at least a half dozen positions. Then just as I'm getting toward the 5 mile mark, my calves and lower legs start to really cramp up. I pressed my pace to the top of the downhill, but just didn't feel like a good idea to hammer the downhill and risk injury. I gave back a few places as I passed through 6 & 7 miles (5:19 and 5:25 pace), then held my position to the finish along the great highway at Ocean Beach to finish 58th overall in 41:30, and 5th place in the male 30-39 age group (which to be fair does NOT include elites).
I wasn't thrilled with my overall time, but I think there were some very positive takeaways. First of all, I ran confidently, was tough when I needed to me, and stayed focused throughout. I had lacked all of those in recent races. The time easily could have been 30-45 seconds faster if I had been able to roll on the downhill 6th and 7th miles. Despite my disappointment with the pace, it's still my fastest time in three races there. Finally, in celebration of the 100th running, the race promoters announced that anybody who beat the winning time of 44:10 from the 1st Bay to Breakers would have their race number retired. So go ahead and hang #312 from the rafters because no one will wear it again at Bay to Breakers! Supposebly.
After I cooled down, got back to my car near the start, drove around town, and had brunch at a buddy's house, I walked down to the Pan-Handle to take in the festivities. Despite claims that alcohol and unregistered walkers wouldn't be allowed on the course, the party was going strong. It was just slightly more respectful of the neighbors than prior years.
If you want to see some good pics, there is a great slideshow that the SF Chronicle put together. Two of my friends made the reel - one who ran 5:30 pace dressed as Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum, and another dress as well some sort of cop.
Here's the link to the full slideshow:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/c/a/2011/05/15/MNJS1JGGTS.DTL&object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2011%2F05%2F15%2Fba-baytobreakers_0503470795.jpg
