Sunday Streets: Penguins to Penguins

I started my half marathon training last week, and I'm trying something completely different this time. I'm not expecting to PR at the U.S. Half Marathon because the hills on the course are supposed to be large (no shock there), so I'm doing an advanced training program that incorporates 8x hill repeats, tempo runs, race-pace strides, 5k- and 10k-pace sprints, track-style workouts, and strength training. Unlike all the other running programs I've followed, this program removes cross-training and focuses strictly on running. Instead of training for a specific distance (e.g., Sunday's long run = 10 miles), it focuses on time (e.g., Sunday's long run = a 2-hour run at moderate intensity). I'm excited to give this new training plan a shot in hopes it'll make my first half here a little more rewarding -- in my head, a goal such a "finish 13.1 miles at a net uphill" sounds like a bigger accomplishment than what my watch reads.

My first long run of this new training program was to do a 90-minute run at 3/1 difficulty. I was to run the first 3/4 of the run at a moderate pace, then the final 1/4 of the run at a more challenging pace. Because I wanted to actually do this run without having to walk after the first mile, I knew not to head to the seacliffs or the hilly trails around my house. Instead, I headed to Golden Gate Park for an awesome gathering called Sunday Streets.

Every three Sundays or so, the city of San Francisco blocks off neighborhoods to vehicles and lets bodies take over the roads instead. Participants are allowed to do whatever they want -- run, bike, walk, skateboard, roller skate, dance, yoga, hula hoop, push strollers, throw a ball, etc. It's a great way to see new neighborhoods, meet local vendors and shop owners, scope out new stores and restaurants, listen to live music/other entertainment, and most importantly, get some free and safe outdoor exercise without the hazardous city traffic.

Today's Sunday Streets was called "Penguins to Penguins." From 10am to 3pm, the streets between the California Academy of Sciences (where they have a penguin exhibit) in Golden Gate Park, down the Great Highway, all the way to the San Francisco Zoo (where, surprise, there is also a penguin exhibit) was shut off to motor vehicles. The entire route, if one were to do it in both directions, is just over 10 miles.

A family takes a break at the silly Dutch Windmill.

Biker hangout with games, prizes, samples, and live music.

Running down the middle of the Great Highway.

This awesome circular bike thing had bubbles that shot out of the back -- hence the kids trailing behind.

Boys learning the Lindy Hop.

Girls doing the Lindy.

This was my longest run in San Francisco so far, and it'll be hard to top the fun I had today.

90(ish)-minute run splits:

1: 9:27

2: 9:14

3: 9:22

4: 9:45

5: 9:12

6: 9:15

7: 9:33

8: 9:20

9: 8:44

10: 8:50

.69: 6:03

Air Temp: 67F