Wharf to Wharf (38:26/6:31 pace)

Wharf to Wharf…whew, there’s a lot to unpack on this one. Final yr, I had an ideal race. I shocked myself and ran 6:46 tempo on a hilly 6-mile course. I believed I’d be within the prime 100 ladies. I wasn’t…I used to be 106th. The highest 100 at Wharf to Wharf get a cool hoodie, and I used to be bummed to not make it. It’s exhausting to make such a fluid purpose, since you by no means know who will present up race day and you can also’t management that. Like final yr, I had an ideal race and I used to be actually happy with it, however quicker ladies confirmed up.

Wharf to Wharf will get me by means of quite a lot of summer time coaching within the Mojave Desert. It’s a 6-mile race from Santa Cruz to Capitola. It could possibly exhausting to coach in the course of the summer time, however having one thing enjoyable (and with cooler climate) will get me by means of. In 2025, they needed to change the Wharf to Wharf course on account of not having the ability to cross one of many bridges. I used to be joyful they had been nonetheless having it.

The race itself is quite a lot of enjoyable, however the promise of good climate up north for a weekend is all the time thrilling. I do know I’m in the most effective form I’ve been in since 2019, however it may be exhausting to truly imagine that. I knew there was no motive I ought to run slower than final yr, however you by no means know.

It was a solo journey as much as Santa Cruz, and I stayed the evening in Paso Robles earlier than. The day earlier than was one of the vital enjoyable I’ve had in months. I wanted it, and I really spent from round 4 p.m. to eight p.m. simply hanging out, studying, and enjoyable in my resort room. It was great.

After I awakened simply earlier than 5 on race morning, I felt refreshed. That doesn’t occur usually, so I’ll take it when it does. I did some writing within the morning after which began a warm-up to the Wharf to Wharf race begin. I had opted to remain in a resort that I may simply run to the beginning (and actually the Wharf to Wharf end too).

Wharf to Wharf Race: 

This yr, the Wharf to Wharf race begin was far more crowded than regular. It was exhausting to actually get to the place I wished to be. In the end, I simply determined to begin additional again. The issue is, the highest 100 is completed by the primary 100 individuals to cross the road, so actually you wish to begin as far up as you possibly can with out being within the mistaken spot.

I attempted to not fear about it. We had been off at 8 a.m., and I did really feel a bit of hysteria as a result of it was 10 seconds earlier than I really crossed the Wharf to Wharf begin line. After which it was like I used to be a bat out of hell. The primary mile was crowded, and someway I nonetheless ran a 6:23 mile 1. I used to be shocked contemplating that’s about what I’ve taken 5Ks out in, and this was no 5K.

The subsequent two miles went and not using a ton of notice. I began to settle in, and I used to be feeling fairly good. I simply targeted on operating my very own race, wanting forward, and attempting to move any ladies I may. I felt clean and I ran a 6:25 and 6:30. I hit the 5K just below 20 minutes, which felt satisfying contemplating I’ve been attempting to hit that for years earlier than this yr.

I knew miles 4–6 had been hillier, and I simply wished to complete robust. I bear in mind being so proud final yr that every one my miles had been beneath 7. I hit mile 4 in 6:31 and advised myself: deal with the tip. The final two miles felt like they had been taking endlessly. Throughout miles 4-6, particularly miles 4 and 5, I questioned whether or not I used to be within the prime 100, as a result of I had no clue. It felt like I had taken the race out too quick (I in all probability had) and there have been loads of ladies passing me. I believed I used to be catching as much as pack of girls in entrance of me, however finally they dropped me.

As we started the rolling hills of mile 5, I simply advised myself: nearly there. I used to be really counting down but additionally attempting to push it. As soon as I noticed the massive downhill to the Wharf to Wharf end, I simply pushed. I ran a 5:52 push downhill, which isn’t dangerous, however I do suppose I may have pushed tougher. I’ve been capable of common 5:30 for steep downhills earlier than.

I crossed the Wharf to Wharf end line in 38:26 and because the 77th girl total.

Wharf to Wharf Ideas:

I’m pleased with my effort and it was an excellent race. I had wished prime 100 so dangerous, so I’m joyful to fulfill that purpose. I do know I’ve been coaching exhausting and am in a lot better health than I’ve been in years, so it’s enjoyable when that’s rewarded. In fact you by no means know who exhibits up on race day and the lower off this yr for prime 100 ladies was 6:37 tempo. It’s enjoyable how briskly ladies’s distance operating is getting.

You may see Strava right here and all race recaps right here.