A Run With a View

The weekend of our anniversary last month, Dave and I ran our annual Pat's Run - the San Francisco Shadow along with fellow alumni, family and some active military.  The 4.2 race actually takes place in Tempe, Arizona at my alma mater Arizona State University to honor Pat Tillman.

Here was the group who ran or walked this year (I'm helping hold the Pat Tillman jersey in front and Dave is next to me.)

We've lucked out and for the past 3 years we've done the shadow run, we've had great weather in San Francisco. 

We snapped that shot of the Palace of Fine Arts on our way to find parking. I think it's so beautiful especially on a nice clear day.

We have to get a before picture... when we're not totally gross after running 4.2 miles (the # Pat was in College).  Notice the Golden Gate Bridge in the background?

And then we were off...  here's the view from my run close to the turnaround point.  You can't get views like that anywhere else.  This is the fun of running - inspirational vantage points.

And then along the beach (near Crissy Field) headed back to the start/finish.  Notice the Palace of Fine Arts in the center of the picture?  And the pointed building is the Trans America Building.

I was on my way to make a stellar personal record for this distance - with an average of 10 minute miles (I'm usually closer to 11 or 11:30 minute miles) but then I ended with a side ache around 3.5 miles and slowed it way down.  I did run the whole distance however.  My final time was 44:13, still a personal record for this race/distance by nearly a minute.  My previous PR was back in 2009 when I first ran this race in San Jose.

Dave did fantastic too - he finished I believe 3-4 minutes after me.

He's a wanna be Sun Devil given me the fork.

We had to scoot quickly after finishing due to my working in the City and Dave needing to coach Drew's T-ball game back home.

We couldn't leave though without a finishing shot.

On our way back to the car, two guys in the military ran the race carrying packs on their back.  We managed to see them come in (they ended up taking the long route accidentally I'm sure).  

It's amazing how special this race is when you're honoring a man like Pat Tillman.  I hope we continue to run this fantastic event.  I'd like to make it back to Arizona next year for the 10th anniversary run!  I've only run it once in Arizona and it's so amazing to finish on the 42 yard line of Sun Devil Stadium.