Here’s an assortment of images that struck me at the USATF National Club Cross Country Championship at Golden Gate Park, San Francisco. I’m working on some putting together some thoughts on my race, but until then have a peek at what it looked like to be there.
Chasing The Bike. Early leaders of the Women’s 40+ race set the pace.
Watch This, Young Fella. The start of the Men’s 60+ Masters race.
Flying By. Cally Macumber (210), Laura Thweatt (148) and the women’s open leaders about 1K into the race.
My Kind of Beach. The women’s open field race over the sandy track that surrounds the Polo Field.
That’s A Wrap. Amy Van Alstine takes the tape at the women’s open 6K.
One Second. Two-time defending champ Laura Thweatt is one second back this year. She now sets her sights on the Olympic Track Trials.
Straight Outta Jersey. My new teammates from adidas Garden State Track Club get ready for Men’s Open 10K. They would finish 7th overall.
Ups And Downs of XC. Before the Open Men’s 10K, each has his own style of warmup: one hops, one stretches and one dons Will Ferrell’s headband from Semi-Pro.
Where You Lead, I Will Follow. Before the Men’s Open 10K.
Eyes On The Prize. You need a clear mind to run a cross country race. And perhaps, a mustache.
Tough field? Put it this way, 800m Olympian Nick Symmonds started in the third row.
GOING,
GOING,
GONE.
Watch Where He’s Going. Runner checks his pace during Men’s Open 10K.
Through the Shadow. The sun was shining bright by the time the Men’s Open 10K neared midrace.
This Only Looks Downhill. These guys are actually running a slight uphill, just before the turn that brought them back toward the ocean.
Keeping Order. The USATF clerk’s desk provided answers all day long.
The Leader of the Pack. Head Honcho Irene Herman ran every race without breaking a sweat.
Just For Pretty. Anyone know what this is, other than beautiful?
HOKUS POCUS. Hoka One NAZ Elite take men’s open title, Boston Athletic Association second and Boulder Track Club third.
Queens of the Golden Gate. Amy Van Alstine stands head and shoulders above the top 10 women finishers in the Open Women’s 6K.
I Never Saw These Guys. But apparently they (and just about everyone else) beat me in the men’s masters 40+ 10K race. Bowerman Track Club, West Valley and Boston Athletic Association took the top medals.
Best Moment of the Weekend. I had the privilege of listening to this legendary coach and the honor of shaking his hand when he completed his remarks. Coach Bob Vigil, who among other achievements, helped transform Deena Kastor into possibly the greatest American female distance runner of her generation, was featured in the national best-seller Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.
Taking Mulligans 
Okay, so all these elite runners all look so skinny!!!! They must have negative body fat and ever ready batteries inside their legs.