Author Archives: Scott Sambucci

Why?

Posted on November 7, 2010 | Leave a comment

7am. Daylight Savings got me again. And its absolutely pouring rain at Muir Beach. Why exactly do I feel compelled to run 19 miles in this crap?

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And to think I saw it on Mulberry Street

Posted on November 5, 2010 | Leave a comment

Well, not exactly. But I was so excited to get my new running tights in the mail (yes, really…), I logged a 10-miler from Union Square to Hopper's Hands tonight. Started out of the Marriott up Powell Street, then Powell Street to North Beach. Past Bimbos 365 and worked my way to Fisherman's Wharf. Saw more empty stores than I'd like to report. Then along the water down the hill from Ghirardelli's and up and through Fort Mason, retracing part of the San Francisco marathon route. Then to Crissy Fields where the sky was purple as the sun set. Wow – even in real life the Golden Gate Bridge looks like a painting. Passed another runner wearing an "Ironman Coeur d'Alene Finisher" shirt. Said hello and told her that I did that race this year. Stupidly asked – "Did you?" Um, duh. She was wearing the shirt. Anyway, along the dirt trail to Hopper's Hands as the sky went dark with four surfers still in the water swimming out under the bridge to find a few last waves.

Turned tail and headed back. At Crissy Beach, watched about 25 people watching about 10 people calling for their dog that seemed to have drifted out to sea. Or so I think. They kept calling out to the water and started to seem pretty desperate. I've never understand why people let their dogs swim in the Bay… Then back along the Marina to North Beach where I passed Gary Dankos – a spot where Lena and I enjoyed a $300 dinner once and didn't pay a dime. Back to the edge of the Wharf and saw Gavin Newsom leaving the Hyatt. Thought about saying hello but decided against it.

Then past the Holiday Inn where I met with the CIA years ago about working for them in the business intelligence program in Kazakhstan. Just like in "Blowing My Cover," we talked over a blasting TV to make it all seem very spy-like and exciting. From there, helped a couple of tourists figure out that Union Square was very far away and that they were heading in the wrong direction. Told them I was headed that way and they were welcome to run with me over there if they liked. They declined. Hung a right on Powell Street and up a steady hill through Chinatown, back down Powell and to the Marriott.

All the while, I didn't get a single weird look about my tights. Kind of disappointing. But then again, I was in San Francisco so I probably appeared normal to everyone.

I saw all of those things listed, except for one. Can you guess which one is a fib?

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Morning Commute

Posted on November 2, 2010 | Leave a comment

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Tim, Me, and the Napa Half-Marathon

Posted on October 31, 2010 | Leave a comment

My very good friend – Tim from Vegas (a buddy since we were 15 years old…) – decided on Saturday’s Napa 1/2 marathon at Bothe-Napa Valley State Park as his first half-marathon. I officially elected myself as race sherpa, race guide, and designated “Ain’t No Way I’m Letting You Quit” dude. This was his most difficult physical test since freshman year of college on the soccer team. His longest training run was 8 miles. (I was a little nervous for him but kept telling him in the weeks leading up to race day – “Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.” Admittedly Machiavellian of me…)

Looking at the elevation profile, I told him that he couldn’t have picked a tougher course for his first 1/2 marathon. Turns out it was even more difficult that I thought. It’s not really a 1/2 marathon – it’s more like a 13.1 trail run… Lots of elevation gain, narrow trails, rocky paths and a 2-loop course that gives one the option of dropping out at mile 6.5… Weather was damp and cool – some recent rain main the trail wet and muddy in parts.

I packed my running belt, Garmin, hip belt, and prayers to get him through the thing. The first 2-3 miles are a climb, then the second half of the loop is mostly a nice downward slope with a few hills mixed about. We walked the steep hills, jogged the flats and descents once we caught our breath. I talked him into lap 2 at the break after a shirt change and a little water, and we finished in a blazing 3:00:59.

But as the marathoner we saw after the race – the guy that finished ahead of us (yes – 26.2 miles in less time than our 13.1 miles) told him – “Dude – you finished and that’s all that matters.” Loved the positive energy out there. The Enviro-Sports races are nice and laid back – very fun.

Got up this morning and asked him – “How do you feel?”

“I feel good!”

“Want to go for a run this morning?”

“Not that good. But you know what? I did a half-marathon yesterday. And pretty much every else in the world didn’t.”

At our Black Bear Diner breakfast, he told me he’s hooked – going to do a 10k Turkey Trot back in Vegas and maybe the Vegas 1/2 marathon early next year. Good news – we got one more in the club. ;–)

Congratulations Tim!