This race wasn't on my original schedule for this year, but I'm considering it "insurance." I'm still doing the race-a-month routine, and staring down the prospect of a triathlon on the 27th. I'm 99% sure I'll do it, but it's that 1% nagging at me that got me over to Stern Grove this past Sunday for the Dolphin South End Runners Stern Grove 4M (4 miles). That and Big Bob, whom I recruited to be my chauffer, running coach and brunch buddy.
Bob's much more serious than I about the whole running thing. He geeked out on me with talk of calibrating his race watch and getting there early to do a substantial warm up in order to increase the odds of a p.r. I told him, "Duuuuude. I just wanna run." In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to Big Bob's training regimen shaving minutes off my time, but after having done a big brick training workout the day before (over two hours of swim, bike, run, bike, run) I really did just wanna run. I was able to be convinced to do a bit of a warmup, and then shortly after 8am we were off.
DSE races are usually as flat as pancakes. Mmmm, pancakes. With syrup. Wait a minute, where was I? Oh, right. Flat courses. NO, not for this one. Surprise! Hills -- big hills! Steep, steep climbs, as well as descents you had to take carefully to prevent yourself from careening into a face-plant. So much for the nine-minute mile. I had to reset expectations and shoot for different goals: a sub-40, and having no one pass me once we got going and the pack thinned out.
For the first half of the race I was biding my time behind two guys - one obviously coaching the other. (After some words of encouragement, my coach had taken off like the wind.) As luck would have it, right around mile 2.25, the coach friend picked up a nearby branch and gave his buddy a friendly "crack of the whip." It got me going too -- and I kicked it into gear to pass them and kept that pace going for the rest of the race (monster hills not included).
For most of the second half I was running behind two women -- one in a bright red top, the other in blue. So I decided to play a little game: Red for Republican, Blue for Barack. The two women kept trading places with each other, and I pretended they were representing the candidates' standings in the polls. I had to keep up with them to see who would win! Thankfully, it was blue. Let's all pray for the same outcome in reality.
I came to the home stretch and was really feeling great. Steep hills behind me, I was cruising! I'd achieved my goal of "no passing," and when I spotted the time clock, the other goal was in sight. Mission accomplished: 39:39.
After the race, Big Bob and I headed over to Presidio Social Club, which now serves brunch Saturdays and Sundays, 10-2. There were beignets to start -- the same light, fluffy ones they serve for dessert at dinner, with maple syrup for dipping.
No fillings like my faves at Brenda's and Magic Flute, but still a great warm-up to the main event -- Rum-Soaked Challah French Toast with Bananas and a side of bacon for me, Scrambled Eggs and Hash Browns for Bob. I would have hollered for thicker challah, but what I got was still quite good. One of my favorite bites of the meal was a crispy edge of Bob's hash browns.
It's also worth noting that the service was prompt and very friendly. So if you're looking for a new brunch option in San Francisco, join the Club!
Presidio Social Club | 563 Ruger Street, San Francisco, CA 94129 | 415.885.1888 | presidiosocialclub.com
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