Run to the Far Side 2004

Last year, rain fell on the Run to the Far Side. This year was sunny and chilly. As I stood at the start line (or as close as I could to the line with a thousand other runners in front me), I had two options:

1. stand there and freeze, or
2. run five kilometers and warm up.

Since it made little sense to pay twenty some odd dollars to stand around and shiver, I ran. This year's loop started and finished at the site where they are rebuilding the California Academy of Sciences. The Academy celebrated its 150th anniversary last year and the new facility will open in 2008.

My goal for the race wasn't to run a personal best. I simply wanted to enjoy the City, the day and the costumes inspired by Gary Larson's comic strip. That's the wonderful thing about races. Your goal can be as stressful as wanting to finish first or as relaxing as wanting to cross the finish line with your running partner. I completed Sunday's run in a time of 29:10.

After the race, we had brunch at Cafe de Pera, saw the Christmas tree in Union Square and visited a couple of the stores around the square before leaving San Francisco.