191 Miles

Last weekend, May 3, 2014 I ran 191 miles. Not all by myself, with a team of twelve people. We ran from Calistoga to Santa Cruz. It was beautiful, fun, challenging, and surreal at times. Three days later, my muscles are still a little sore, but I'm filled with lessons from this journey. This is what I learned.

We started out early, leaving San Francisco at 6:30AM to travel by van to our starting point in Calistoga. Everyone in the car was sleepy. Waking up at 6:00AM on a Saturday is not my normal routine (surprise). When we pulled into the grassy lot to begin the journey, you could feel the energy. Vans full of runners gathered, ready to depart on a long run to Santa Cruz. This is a photo of us before the race. We look so happy.

There were two vans. My group was "van 1". Each van carried six runners. Each runner was responsible for three "legs" of the race. After van 1 runs their legs, it's van 2's turn. The exchange goes on that way the entire race. It took our team 29.5 hours to finish (about 9.3 minutes/mile).

Leg 1

This was no problem. I was still a little sleepy, but my first run was only 4.1 miles. My split was around 6.5 minutes/mile. I was listening to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. We finished this leg in a little over 5 hours. Then the waiting began. We stopped at Fremont Diner in Sonoma for brunch. This place is amazing. Keep it a secret. My friend ordered fried chicken and waffles. We needed calories. After lunch, we fell asleep in the van to the sound of live music and the light breeze of country air.

Leg 2

Darkness. By the time it was our turn to run again, the sun was setting. We were still in the country when we started, but by the time we finished, we were across the Golden Gate Bridge. When it was my turn to run, my adrenaline was surging. It was pitch black, I had Watch The Throne cued up on my iPod. This leg was 6.4 miles (my longest of the three). I had to wear a reflective vest and a head lamp. When there were no cars passing me on the road, I needed that lamp. At times, it felt like I was looking through goggles because everything but a small window of road was visible. It was a surreal experience.

Sleep

I've never been so aware of how much my body craved sleep than waking up at 4:15AM to drive down to Redwood City to begin the final leg of the race. I wouldn't say we got "sleep", but van 1 was able to rest our eyes while van 2 was running. We ordered pizza ahead of time so we could eat it when we got to the city. Calories.

Leg 3

My legs were sore. I never felt "out of breath" while running, but by this time my muscles were indicating they needed time to recover. They didn't feel like running the next 5.6 miles. My body was heavy, my pace was slower, my mind tired. All I could think about was my bed in San Francisco.

Finishing

When van 1 finished our third leg, we drove the rest of the way to Santa Cruz to await van 2's arrival. We had more brunch, and one of the best tasting mochas of my life at Verve (I'd hadn't been consuming dairy to avoid muscle cramps caused by lactic acid). Then we waited. It was approaching 3PM when the last runner of van 2 rounded the corner and onto the last stretch of beach before the crossing the official finish line. All twelve team members ran across the line together. Here's a photo after we finished. We still look happy, but we definitely look tired.

Lessons

The race was a test of patience and energy more than physical endurance. Staying alert was hard. Timing trips to the bathroom was hard. The running was the fun part. The trail represents a challenge. Collectively, our team of weary joggers overcame 191 miles, hunger, and sleep deprivation and we arrived at our destination.

Why would anyone do this? That's what I was thinking when I started my first run, but I soon realized that aside from the social and physical components of the relay, it represents something much larger. Growth. Challenging yourself with seemingly ridiculous obstacles might make you sore, but the pain is temporary. This is how we learn.

Why Startup Founders Should Learn To Surf

I have never felt the rush of riding a surf board.  I haven't had the blissful feeling of catching the illustrious "perfect wave".  But, I know someone who has.

Surfing is often referred to a meditative sport.  Frequent surfers usually will attempt to translate the experience as "it was just me, and the water", or some other overly zen-like expression.  But it's true.  When you are focused on not drowning, you're probably not thinking about those unanswered emails waiting in your inbox.

And, now that I've given myself "surfer-envy",  it has dawned on me that surfing is a brilliant metaphor for launching a company.  Startup founders, take note.

1.) Conditions
Wind, temperature, surf, current--all things surfers consider before paddling out to the big blue.  Assessing the conditions including the less obvious factors such as current is essential for a safe and successful day at the beach.  No waves?  No market.  Strong current?  Unseen market forces and possible danger.

But--to continue the metaphor, let's say, "surf's up!"  Now what?

2.) Timing

An idea and a market are not enough.  A wave and a board are not enough.  You have to have timing, rhythm, the sixth sense, when to take the wave, and when to wait.  Begin paddling too early, and you will find yourself buried under six feet of water as the wave crashes upon you like an unsuspecting bug wandering through a parade.  Wait too long, and you will find yourself watching your friends ride all the way to shore on "the perfect wave".  It's a dance.  You have to have rhythm.  You have to be patient, and when you do begin to paddle, you have to commit. 

3.) Persistence

Once you do begin to catch waves, you will quickly discover that catching and riding are two completely different concepts.  It takes persistence to be in control of the surf.  At some point in the evolution of a surfer, the wave no longer dictates direction, the wave becomes the propulsion for cutting in and out, performing exotic tricks, and emerging victorious from an endless tube. 

Aside from market conditions and timing, you have to be in control of your board.  You have to persist.​

​4.)  Presence

According to my surfer friend, the board is the most dangerous thing in the water (sharks not included).  Many surf injuries are incurred from collisions with your own board!  Collisions with the board, why does that sound strangely familiar?  But essentially, you must be mindful.  You must be present.  Why do you think surfers spend hours waxing their boards, aligning their fins, and making sure they are not too cold in the water.  When you build a beautiful board, to catch the "perfect wave", you really do become you and the water.  The board is no longer a piece of equipment, but an extension of your body, helping you navigate the always changing force of nature that is the big blue. 

Happy surfing.  Also, special thanks to @Dom​ for sharing his surfer wisdom.