Slug Run IV

Saturday morning was spent at UC Santa Cruz. I was there for Slug Run IV, "a run with a view". I'm sure this is true when there's no fog. It's a beautiful campus full of rolling hills that gradually drop down to the Monterey Bay.

I never faced a more challenging course. Only training on flat streets and trails left me unprepared for all of the very unflat hills. The aptly named "roller coaster" section, between miles two and three, was the most difficult segment. It was a series of long uphill runs followed by short downhills, one after the other.

The race made me realize how much I still have to learn. Strategies and techniques are important to remain patient and maintain stamina. For example, to overcome the steep hills, I tried to break them down into mentally manageable sections, forgetting the finish line and only focusing on five or six footfalls at a time. I wasn't always successful.

I finished the 5K with a respectable time of 27:24. There's so much room for improvement. Later, while enjoying some post-race snacks and refreshments, the sun finally decided to break through, burn away the fog and reveal the glistening bay.

And just in case you were curious, #33 in the photo isn't me (though it does bear a striking resemblance). It's UCSC's official mascot, the banana slug.