Hidden trails

Today was a perfect running day in San Francisco. At 10am it was just about 70 degrees with not a cloud in the sky. I met up with GGRC at the usual spot (Warming Hut at Crissy Field) and there was a surprisingly big group today (surprisingly because of the 3-day weekend). We broke off and I wound up again with the "speed boys" (my unspoken name for them anyhow) with a planned 9mi run. We wound up doing 10.4 but it was beautiful and worth every step. Here's the course:
From the Warming Hut to the bridge
Under and around the bridge over to the path over Baker Beach
Down the stairs to the beach and up the other side
Up to Legion of Honor
Over on the Sutro(sp?) bath trail to Lion's Gate (BEAUTIFUL!!!)
Back through the park to the planks
Around the old hospital over the planks and up through the campground
Through the graveyard to Sports Basement
Along the water to the Warming Hut

If I were ever asked to lead that run again I'd get miserably lost. It's amazing how many hidden and unknown trails there are in the city.

Trails aside, throughout the run we all kept noting our surprise and awe at this great city - where else can you run along the beach, up flights of stairs, through trees with no buildings in site, through richie rich houses, and down through city streets.

Now, ice on my knee and hip propped I'm paying for the run ... paying for it and looking forward to the next.