Word of the Day: Flights

#MedalMonday #MondayMotivation

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As I answer questions about my recent trip to California, the main word that comes to mind is “flights.” You might think flights mean the airplane flights from the East to the West Coast or the number of flights of beer we tried at unique breweries. Instead, flights refer to the number my watch counted I ran during the Big Sur Marathon’s 11-miler.

The day before the race, I drove from Monterrey to Big Sur to see what it looked like since I wasn’t starting at the beginning but rather 15 miles beyond it. I had heard how beautiful it was, so I had to see it on a clear, blue-sky day. The hills were numerous, and the one near the Bixby Bridge was huge. I knew I was right when I decided to drop to the lower mileage due to my hamstring strain.

As I took a long, winding road from the main thoroughfare to the ocean so I could walk on the beach, my ears popped often. Once at the bottom, I realized my run would be hillier than I thought, but I enjoyed staring at the breaking waves over rocks jutting out from the sea bottom, mesmerized. The thought of running a hilly race didn’t seem necessary, as the ocean captured me.

The next day, I was up early to catch the 5:30 a.m. bus to the 11-miler start location. In the back seat of the bus, my stomach indicated to me the bumpiness of the route. Still, I didn’t worry. I was ready to run no matter what. At 7 a.m. sharp, the horn sounded, and off I ran with others in a rainy, misty, dark atmosphere. The ocean was barely visible, but it could be heard. The sky got lighter as we ran to the finish.

With my hamstring straining, I could run down all the hills but had to walk/run up the inclines. I didn’t care; I was there for the experience, not a PR. After crossing the finish line while waiting for my husband, I was awarded the unique handmade clay medal and stopped my watch. I didn’t notice the time as much as the number of flights I climbed running—76!

After hiking Yosemite trails the following week, the highest number of flights climbed was 40, almost half of the Big Sur Marathon’s 11-miler course. This gives you some indication of the challenging California race, which I suggest you try one day. It was very well organized with breathtaking views, excellent volunteers, music, scenery, and, of course, flights of inclines worth the challenge.

P.S. What are the most “flights” you’ve run before?