Well its been a while since I've blogged on here about my latest adventure, I headed over to the USA on March 7th 2010 with two reasons, 1. Pick up my new Cannondale CAAD9-4 and also run the Napa Valley Marathon through some of the most spectacular country side in California.
Overall I knock right on 10 minutes off of my best every Marathon time, coming in at 3hr 46m.
The event was a quick one, arriving Friday Night into San Francisco and Departing in time to be back in Melbourne the next week on the Monday, literally 3 and a bit days on my mission.
BUT 100% worth it.
I did some shopping on the Friday, grabbed a car Saturday Morning and drove up to the Napa, over the Golden Gate bridge and along the highway a little over an hour and thirty minutes and I had hit wine country Wooo Hooo.... very happy
I checking in for the Marathon, circled the stalls, checked into my diggs for the night and than hit the vineyards, yup only sips but did buy a few bottles, Robert Modavi was a great vineyard, nice buildings grounds and wine.
headed back for the Pasta Dinner.
Rising at 4.30am to hit the Bus for a 5am departure from the hotel for the drive to the top of the Napa, than waiting around in the FREEZING COLD DARK... for the race start at 7am - but I did it and off I went, with sun breaking and the start of the race I wound my way through the lovely country side with spectators at all of the cross roads but not much in between due to access, in any account I was very happy with my time.
As always I slowed in the last few miles, endurance needs to improve or is it my mind?????? as always the If it is to be, its up to me! came to mind, and giving it everything was my motto!
I got to the finish line, had a quick massage, back to the hotel, packed up checked out and drove back to San Francisco city.I was wrecked, now they say that American's have huge servings at restaurants well that night I went to a diner down by my hotel in the city, ordered the Home Style roast chicken, It came out quickly, and it was huge almost an entire chicken, mash potato and steamed vegetables, I demolished it in around 5 minutes the server walked past and went WOW!!!!!! - and I had to reply "actually I don't normally eat this much I just did a marathon" he than said well desert is a must than, so I followed it on with the biggest home style apple pie I have ever seen, alas only got through around 60% of this pie till my body was satisfied.
The stats'
Time: 3hr 46m
Overall Place: 466
Gender Place: 336
Division Place: 49
Monday was off to the airport and shopping, Abercrombie and Fitch, The North Face, GAP etc all the stores not is Aus.
Till the next adventure happy running.
Cheers
Jeff
