Oakland Triathlon Festival – Sprint Run Course Preview

You practice stuff so it isn’t as ugly on the actual event.

And today was a great example of that. I drove down to Jack London Square to get a feel for the run course this morning, and felt great on mile one. And then my stomach decided to give me the middle finger.

Well, this was my version of following a map. I also got sidetracked giving Tri-Valley Triathlon Club directions.
Well, this was my version of following a map. I also got sidetracked giving Tri-Valley Triathlon Club directions.

I’m trying not to take my feelings on this course too seriously. I was really feeling fine as I was exploring the course for the first mile, and then I felt really awful. I think you know the feeling I’m talking about – my uh, ‘stomach’ had decided it needed to take care of business right now.

The crossing at 10th street by Laney College will be pretty interesting. There’s construction going on blocking what Oakland Triathlon Festival’s website depicts (below).

See? Just a little different. And also with more purpose. You can see where I got confused and where I just couldn't follow the course.
See? Just a little different. And also with more purpose. You can see where I got confused and where I just couldn’t follow the course.

It’ll be great! I’m so excited to race. It was funny, running this course and getting to know landmarks, even though my body was angry I was so much happier doing a 5k versus a four mile sand run!

During the run, I ran into other members of Oakland Triathlon Club – those guys are doing the Olympic, though – and a crowd of Tri-Valley Triathlon Club. Those folks were looking at the swim exit where I ran into a rock (whoops), so I directed them over to the new swim exit. Can’t wait to see all these fantastic athletes descend on Oakland and have a great race! As a friendly reminder, this is an URBAN course. The scenery may not be typical lake-side views, but you’ll still get to see some great stuff.

Like this view. I get to wave hello to a giant Boxer and know that I'm 3/4 of a mile away from the finish!
Like this view. I get to wave hello to a giant Boxer and know that I’m 3/4 of a mile away from the finish!

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