Chapter 2 page 481–Big Sur 2nd 5K

Still clicking off 14:00-14:30 m/m pace and feeling strong, the route heads out of a “town” feel and is completely surrounded by the indescribable beauty of Monterey Bay.  In case you missed the other recap posts – click HERE for the start and first mile or click HERE for the first 5K.  The weather was still really good – no wind, no rain, cool but warming up a bit, and overcast. 

The 2nd 5K was rolling and still fun.  There were tons of people already on their way back (it was an out and back route) and with personalized bibs – several of those corral A & B’ers yelled “Looking Great Wells!”  (Wow, I’ve never been in a race when the speedy corral people even smile let alone yell for slow polks like me – awesomely selfless of them!).  It gave me a lot of energy to cheer for those participants on their way back and to pick out a few who looked like they could really use a pep talk . . . so out came my “FREE HIGH 5’s”   

Enough yapping – here are the photos (courtesy of “C”) – double click on any photo to enlarge:

(left) beautiful Victorian house; (right) yeah, it’s just that perfect

(left) another “different” type of music along the route – it’s a tuba and trombone group – totally awesome sounding and a fun change, but different!  (right) – just for your daydreaming pleasure

(left) the only photo of “C” during the race (I’m sorry girl, I wish I could be more engaged in photography during a race – at least it’s a cute photo); (right) those are some of the early runners coming back (that’s about mile 12.3 where they are).

(left) – a house with a beautiful painted mural on the outside (who does that?  LOTS of people in Monterey – beautiful and unexpected!); (right) just a look back at the bay

(left) another course entertainment band taking shelter from the forecast rain under a gas station awning; (right) we ran through a quaint town called Pacific Grove

(left) Pacific Grove decorated their light posts with banners so us out of towners would know where we were ; (right) That mile 4 marker is on the HUGE MOUNTAIN that I had mentioned last post . . . too bad you can’t really see how STEEP this hill is.  I walked the whole thing (yeah, I did – not apologizing –it was STEEP) and it took me more than 4 minutes!!!

(left) Look at that cute pink house; (Right) awesome outfits that really show the joyous spirit of the participants (you know I love happy people!)

(Left) we’re heading down the hill on the left side of the cones while those finishing the race are going uphill (cruel) on the right side of the cones; (Right) just some wild flowers growing on a dune. 

(Left) MOA & “C” checking to see if I’m still coming (I am, slowly, but I am!); (Right) the Bay behind the runners on their way to the finish line.

Just some general race pix showing the out and back with the Bay always in eye’s view – ahhhh. 

Isn’t it stunning?  Look at that beautiful blue sky and the blue water below – oh man!

That’s MOA in both photos wearing the red shirt. 

(left) check out that HUGE house on the left – yeah, it’s my vacay home – NOT!; (right) ummm, are those storm clouds?

YES, those do appear to be storm clouds for sure . . . but they are far away?!?!

More general race pix

(left) a city park across from the bay – that’s so pretty!; (right) mile 6 this is where I had to do a small pep talk and remember that on 11/11 I had done 11 miles so I can so totally do this!  The 2 steep hills and the rolling hills (remember I live in SUPER FLAT Indiana!) had taken some out of my tank, but after my pep talk – I was back in the game and moving forward confidently.