Running across the Golden Gate Bridge

Me running on the bridge

Today I did the one race I have been looking forward to this year. I ran 12 kilometers (over 7 miles) from the base of one side of the Golden Gate Bridge over the bridge and then another 4 miles to Fisherman's Warf in San Francisco. It was really fun to see the sights of San Francisco and run a longer race than I have run before.

The start was over in those mountains

This was a race like last week where it wasn't in a circle. Last week we were bussed back to the beginning after we finished. This week we were bussed to the start before the race and ran to where we parked our cars.

Running up to the bridge

I like learning new things about the world. I didn't know there were so many forts around San Francisco protecting the Golden Gate Bridge. I knew about the Presidio of San Francisco and had heard of Fort Baker.

Running across the bridge

 We stated at Fort Baker, which is on the other side of the bridge than San Francisco, then ran up the hill to the bridge. I was surprised that at the bridge there was a sign that said to push a button to open a gate, I guess there is a gate to the golden gate! I didn't run the whole distance. I knew I couldn't when I started.

A clear day from the bridge

The bridge is 1.7 miles and I ran that whole distance. I ran intermittently the rest of the distance, until I got to the 6 mile mark and I ran the rest of the way.

Father carried his son over the bridge

2600 people ran the race and it was fun to see all the different types of people that ran. Some were seasoned runners that run all the time. Some were there for the experience of running across the bridge, like me. Some wanted to support the children's center that the race supported.

Fort Point is at the base of the bridge

After running across the bridge we ran around and under the bridge to a path and then a park to the base of the San Francisco side of the bridge. We ran past some old houses and buildings that used to belong to the federal government when it was the Presidio. We ran past the old parade field which is now Crissy Field and then behind the Palace of Fine Arts towards Fisherman's Warf.

Running past the Marina

At the 6 mile mark there was another hill. We ran up a path to Aquatic Park and then down the path and around to the finish.

Cheerleaders telling it is almost over

I was really happy when I finished. I had completed the whole 12K. It was my longest distance yet. I had done a 5K, 8K, 10K, 11K, and now I finished a 12K. I ran the 12K in about the same amount of time as I did the 10K. Now I'm wondering if I should try a longer distance and see if I can do it.

FINISH!