Running Journal - 2024-07-27 (5K Fun Run - San Francisco Marathon)

San Francisco Marathon - 2024 Double-Up Challenge Medal

San Francisco Marathon mascot Sebastian the Seagull interacts with two children on Saturday, July 27, 2024

5k fun run (we walked) today in San Francisco Crissy Field. Awoke at 5:00 a.m., yogurt from Safeway for breakfast. Parked near Broderick & Jefferson, then walked to the start. Weather was misty with a cool breeze. Fingers went partly numb. Dawn collected her technical shirt. The first runners started at 7:10. We were probably the fourth or fifth batch of runners to start. We hung to the side and avoided runners zooming past. After about a mile the walk became peaceful. Enjoyed watching walkers with dogs. Some kids struggled: One boy protested by intentionally dragging his body against a concrete barrier; another boy insisted his father carry him, then immediately spurred him on: "Faster!" This was the first time we explored Crissy Marsh and areas. The turnaround was a bit before reaching the Golden Gate Bridge. We finished just under an hour. The organizers had run out of medals, but we got a tote bag and towels with the SF Marathon logo. Snacks were pretzels and water. As we walked to our car, we watched the kids queue for a 1k dash. The seagull mascot above was interacting with kids. Afterward, we drove to Fort Mason--initially to get coffee at Equator Coffee. When we arrived we joined the celebration in progress and helped ourselves to free coffee and pastries 😋 ☕ Puma was giving away cow bell rattlers. Garmin tabled with our watches. We got a donut and more coffee, then walked to the expo at the Fort Mason Pavilion Center. En route, I realized I had left my marathon bib at the hotel. 😝 Thankfully, the solutions desk gave me a stamp so I could collect my Double Up Challenge medal. The other SF/Oakland Challenge medal I think I collect after the marathon. The expo was busy. Dawn purchased a shirt with thumb holes. Collected free products: toothpaste, alcohol-free beer, energy drink, etc. Next we drove to Fisherman's wharf area to shop for pajamas. On the way we found ourselves near curvy Lombard Street, so once again has a fun drive down it. Shopping was uneventful. Dawn found pajamas. For lunch we went to Brenda's French Soul Food: red rice & beans, beignet flight, and ham Benedict. Ate back at the hotel while watching 2024 summer Olympics: beach volleyball and cycling time trials. Tonight is pasta dinner and hydration, relaxing, and tucking in early for Sunday.