Whiskey Hill Redwood Run 10K

I took a break from the monumental winter we've had here in New Hampshire and headed to the sunny skies of California last week. My dear friend, Smiti, lives in the Bay area and has been begging me to visit for years now. I finally took the plunge with the help of Zeb's frequent flyer flies (all those business trips paid off) and headed west.

Of course, I couldn't help myself but to look up what races might be going on in the area while I was there. I found the Whiskey Hill Redwood Run 10k (and half marathon) less than an hour southeast from San Francisco. I decided that the 10k would be the perfect “I’m going to going on vacation to drink wine but I still want to feel like I accomplished something” race and signed up.

Representative of my pre-race hydration strategy
(and if you're in Fulton, CA, I do highly recommend Fogline Vineyards)

The race was on a Sunday. Smiti and I just spent the past two days before exploring Sonoma County. We indulged on excellent food, and sampled lots of Pinot Noirs plus some excellent aperitifs from the fruit of Smiti's yard at Sonoma Aperitif. While not the best pre-race strategy but, hey, it's just a 10k. Right.

Sunday morning we headed to the race. While most of California is experiencing drought conditions, I wouldn't have guessed it when I entered Huddart State Park. The trees were dressed in a lush green moss and a drizzly rain was coming down. But who I am to complain? There was another snowstorm back home the day before so really a little drizzle is nothing.

At the start, trying to stay dry before the race.

Overall, there were about 70 runners between the 10k and half marathon. The half marathoners started off first and then 10k’ers left about five minutes later. The race started with an uphill, a switchback, followed another uphill. Repeat. It was like this for the first couple miles. I forgot that outside of New England, that most trails have switchbacks and took some adjustment with my footing. But I will take that over post holing back east any day. The trail was fairly smooth packed earth with very little to worry about as far as tripping. And to be in the midst of the mighty redwoods was just simply amazing.

Can't help but smile running through the forest
Photo credit: Mary Bersen Photography

Finally, I got to a point where the trail diverged where the half marathoners would go to the left and continue on an uphill course while the 10k course flattened out. I was thankful that I stayed to the right. From that point to the finish was a series of downhill switchbacks. I gleefully picked up my speed and made the rest to finish where Smiti and her husband, Partha, greeted me.

My time, well, it was definitely not my best 10k time at 1:22:19. Next time, I will plan the wine tasting for after race.