Coronado Bay Bridge Run

Each year for one day, foot traffic is allowed on the Coronado Bridge.  Today was the day for 2012.  Each year the San Diego Navy MWR (Morale, Welfare, and Recreation) sponsors a race that takes participants from the San Diego Convention Center to Tidelands Park with some of the best views of the city atop the Coronado Bridge.  Eric and I have participated three times.  Each time is yet another great experience.  It is also for a good cause as it helps fund the MWR, which supports the off-duty activities for our Navy personnel.

This four-mile walk (each year I run about a total of about….hmmmm…six minutes) allows for great scenery,  camaraderie and a chance to see young families working together.  Many young Moms and Dads are running alongside children of all ages.  Very cool.  It makes me wish I had exercised with my kids rather than just watching from the sidelines!  I truly was the athletic supporter rather than the athlete!

Eric and I walked most of the way with taking short sprints to break out of the crowd.  It always surprises people to see me run at all…I am not a gazelle….much more like a rhino running.  It’s not pretty, I’ve been told…in a manner that I’m sure came from a good place (?).  I also have huge feet which tend to trip over each other so I tend to take a wide stance so I’m actually more like a bow-legged rhino..with asthma. We did have to run a few times, however, to avoid the women with the wild arm swing….she came close to making Eric hit a falsetto.  We also ran to get in front of a woman who, in spite of having my body, opted to wear a very short walking skirt that allowed us all to witness her thighs battle each other for space.   It was also not pretty.  It reminded me that my knee knee-length shorts were a good idea.

We were not actually racing to get across the bridge but did try to keep up a good pace.  This is difficult when walking with 12,000 people.  Some amble…some carry on in-depth conversations….and the runners dodge in and out of the rest of us trying to hit their stride.  Apparently, when you are a seasoned runner, you become quite agile…most likely due to calling out “on your right” only to find the person on your left moving over.  I was surprised that I never saw any verbal altercations or more irritation.  Everyone remarkably seemed to get along on the trip.

While we weren’t running a race,  I do have to mention that one woman, in particular, put us to shame.  She ran past us right at the top of the bridge.  She was about 60 years old (or older)….and….blind.   Yes, it’s true, we were moving so slow that a legally blind senior passed us. She is my hero.  She ran while putting her hand on the divider and holding her white cane.  A runner in front of her cleared the path. She had a look of determination on her face that was truly inspiring and a little intimidating. Everyone moved – it was either get out of the way or get hit with her cane.

We finished the four miles in one hour and 7 minutes.  The fastest woman in my age group (45-49) ran it in 26 minutes.  I’m OK with this.  Maybe next year I’ll try running…in a very short running skirt…with a blindfold.  I better start training now.   Anyone up for a run?