I had been wanting to run the Oakland Marathon since the first one 15 years ago, so when the calendar finally cleared way for it, I jumped at the chance and signed up. Having lived in the Town (as it’s affectionately called) in my 20s, it’s got a special place in my heart.

We’ll deal with what we got, put our best foot forward and give it all we got! I know it’s not gonna be a great race – I hadn’t ran more than three miles in the past two weeks. Lungs felt somewhat heavy with a suppressed dry cough. Body felt weak. As I get to the top of the hill around mile three, turn right and head toward the beach, I finally know how this race is gonna go. And it’s not gonna be pretty.