Bay to Breakers 12km, San Francisco

There was a run.

Yes, it was my holidays, but after we booked the Alcatraz tickets, I got a little email to warn me of possible travel disruptions on that day due to the the Bay to Breakers 12km run across San Francisco and the little Paula Radcliffe shaped angel on my shoulder whispered "you could, y'know...". A few minutes and a couple of click later and I was in. Down for a 7am start... Izzie is gonna LURVE me!

So the Bay to Breakers is a little 12km jolly from one side of San Francisco to the other... here's a little picture that I took with my watch when I ran (my love for my GPS watch will never fade).

I had to get up super-early, but lucky for me I was all jet-lagged and on African time, so it didn't really feel early at all. I sauntered down to the train station at 6am, feeling just a bit groggy and silly wearing my running gear on public transport so early. I needn't have worried. Waiting for the train was a Santa Clause, three ninja turtles, two power rangers and some middle-aged women in florescent leg warmers. I was impressed, I had heard that lots of people wear costumes for this race, but I hadn't reckoned on America's addiction to fancy dress. I would usually made the most of being outside the Maghreb and worn a sleeveless top, but sadly I had intense sunburn from the bike-ride the day before and so I had to keep covered up.

This is my excited-here-we-go, yeah-I'm-wearing-make-up, where-are-the-bathrooms face. There is a crazy tradition involving throwing around stale tortilla at the start line. I got involved, who am I to comment on tradition?

And then all of a sudden, we were off. It was brilliant. There were naked people, drunk people, live bands, loads of fancy dress, DJs, photographers, Students cheers, hanging out of windows. It was really brilliant. But I know what you really want to know, right? How were those hills? the legendary hills? H.A.R.D. They were so steep, people put their hands up at the top as if they were on a rollercoaster. My watch drew a picture of them too. Ready to see?

That's the elevation right there. What a burner. Ouchy. Thankfully there was lots of support through the tough moments, so they didn't feel so bad. But really, those hills are not for the faint-hearted.

I managed a smile, especially for you, at the finish time. I look pretty hot and rotten, but we got some coconut water, so that was pretty exciting. At this point you should know that I didn't shower for another 12 hours... mmm!