Every runner goes through different stages and relationships with running. What we want out of running and the runner we want to be often changes as life and our priorities change and evolve. These days, running for me is about empowerment and purpose. Every run I go on has a purpose. Every workout has a meaning. Every mile is designed to accomplish a goal, even when that goal is simply to enjoy the moment and have fun. This past week, my purpose was to recover from the previous weekend’s goal-smashing half marathon race. With my next race (the Albany Marathon) just 5 weeks away, proper recovery is key to being ready to tackle 26.2 as safely and successfully as possible. My purpose this past week was to run easy, to move in different ways and to simply have fun recovering.

As luck would have it, I got to spend my recovery week in my favorite state: California. Although work was the reason I found myself out west, I was able to spend a long weekend exploring the California coast and doing some pretty epic running. Running in California simply makes me want to keep running and exploring my relationship with running. I was so incredibly inspired by the beauty and magnificence I experienced last week that it is hard to put into words. These are the runs and images I’ll be (California) dreaming about until the next time I can get back on the west coast.

Running in California: San Francisco

I spent 3 nights in San Francisco. Although holed up in a hotel conference room most of the time, I was able to get out for an evening run on my last night in the city. I did an out and back route from my hotel on Market Street along The Embarcadero where the famous Ferry Building and infamous Fisherman’s Wharf reside. I also got to do this California Crusher upper body workout before leaving to drive the coast.

If you find yourself in San Francisco, check out these rave runs:

• Run along The Embarcadero (at times that are least crowded since this is a touristy destination). You may consider running from Fisherman’s Wharf down to AT&T Park where the Giants play or visa-versa. If you’re brave, veer off onto some of the side streets to experience the massive hills this city has to offer.
• Run (or rent bikes) and head past Fisherman’s Wharf toward the Golden Gate Bridge. There is a great path that will lead you along Crissy Field and the Presidio to the bridge. For longer runs, continue over the bridge to Sausalito or all the way to Tiburon (for long runs 20+ miles). There are ferries you can take back to the Wharf area. Beware of heavy winds and pedestrian traffic on the bridge at times.

Other must-do activities in San Francisco include: Visiting Alcatraz and taking the guided audio tour, renting bikes and riding over the Golden Gate Bridge if you don’t do a run in this area, exploring the Ferry Building (including the Farmer’s Market if there is one scheduled) and eating lunch at Hog Island Oyster Bar (best clam chowder on the planet), catching a Giants game when they’re in town, taking a cheesy 2-hour bus tour to see the sights, having a drink in the lounge area at Sir Francis Drake Hotel and trying the homemade pasta at Perbacco on California Ave.

Between Runs: The California Coast

After leaving San Francisco, we headed south down the California coast via Highway 1. I don’t know what I was expecting this drive to be like, but the only way to describe it is “epic.” Although we spent most of the day in the car, we were in and out oohing and ahhing at the incredible scenery, and I must have remarked 100 times about how great a run would be “here, or here or here.”

If you’re driving down the California coast from San Francisco to Big Sur, here are some must-do activities:

• Stop in Half Moon Bay to catch some of the best surfers working their magic and enjoy a picnic lunch on Francis Beach.

• Make a pit stop at the Highway 1 Brewing Company in Pescadero to try some of their local brews. If they have the French Mexican War, order that. It is the most amazing beer I have ever tried that is infused with jalapeño. We tried to buy some but they don’t sell it in mass or outside their restaurant. Major sad face. The beer alone is reason to come back. If you’re hungry, try the meatloaf sliders that are served on mini biscuits with mashed potatoes and a smoky tomato sauce between the layer of meat and bread. I ate them before I could even take a picture of them.

• Do the 17-mile drive through Pebble Beach (or run it) and spend some time outside of your car at Seal and Bird Rocks. For the best photo opportunity, be sure to pull off at the Cypress Lookout to see cypress trees that have lived through the most challenging conditions and epitomize overcoming hardship. Toward the end of the drive, stop off at The Lodge for a glass of champagne overlooking the 18^th hole. It costs $10 to get into Pebble Beach for the drive.

• There are tons of viewpoints and areas to pull off along the coast. Stop. Take your time. Snap photos. Enjoy the views. Take it all in.

Hiking & Running in California: Big Sur

We spent 2 nights in Big Sur and decided we never wanted to leave. I’ve already added the Big Sur Marathon to my racing bucket list and I can’t get back to this special place fast enough.

Although not technically running, Mr. rUnladylike and I spent a day in Big Sur hiking, which could have easily been experienced as trail running for the more adventurous runners out there. We started our day at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park where we did a 4-mile hike, including a view of the famous McWay Falls and a breathtaking view from the top of one of the mountains/hills overlooking the coast.

Later that evening, we explored Pfeiffer Beach to see the sunset, which may be my favorite vacation moment of all time. The sky lit up like fire.

Running in Big Sur is a little challenging if roads aren’t closed for a race. Most of Big Sur is along Highway 1 that doesn’t have a very safe shoulder for running and is windy with limited ability for cars to see you. If you want to run in Big Sur, I’d suggest going on a trail run in one of the state parks, or park your car at Pfeiffer Beach and run the 2+ miles uphill to Highway 1 (very challenging) and then back downhill to the beach where your reward is the greatest view you will ever see. We opted for an outdoor hike and an indoor treadmill run while in Big Sur.

Other must-do activities in Big Sur include: Have dinner at Ventana (arrive before it gets dark and sit outside by the water if it’s not too cold), hike at Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park or any of the nearby parks, watch the sunset at Pfeiffer Beach (be sure to bring a bottle of wine/bubbly and appetizers to snack on to make it more romantic), enjoy a three-course lunch at Post Ranch Inn, pop into the many art galleries around the area and have a meal at Nepenthe.

Running in California: Carmel/Monterey

We capped off an incredible long weekend in California in Carmel and Monterey. After an early gym workout before hitting the road, we spent the afternoon wine tasting and carb loading in the Carmel Valley. We then caught the sunset near Carmel-by-the-Sea where we were able to walk out onto some rocks and also watch surfers finishing their day (there was also a great running/walking path along the coast that would have been amazing for a run).

The best run of the trip (and quite possibly ever) came in Monterey along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail. I have run in some pretty amazing places and destinations, but I think this is my favorite run to date. The only thing I would change about it is I wish I had more time to run farther. Mr. rUnladylike and I ran 8 miles from Old Fisherman’s Wharf to the end of the trail in Pacific Grove and back. I never wanted to stop running. It is not every day you see seals and crashing waves while out for a Sunday run. The entire trail is about 18 miles, which allows for many options for lots of distances.

Other must-do activities in Carmel/Monterey include: Rent bikes and explore Cannery Row and the Monterey Bay Coastal trail, spend an afternoon wine tasting in Carmel (be sure to stop at Bernardus and Chateau Julien), if you haven’t already, drive the 17-mile drive at Pebble Beach and spend some time exploring or enjoying The Lodge, hike in Point Lobos nature reserve, shop and walk around Carmel-by-the-Sea.

Recovery Week Workout Recap

Monday: 3-mile slow recovery run + 15 minutes of ab work
Tuesday: 30-minute stationary bike ride
Wednesday: 5.5-mile easy run in San Francisco along the Embarcadero
Thursday: California Crusher upper body workout + 20-minute ride on the stationary bike
Friday: 4-mile hike in Big Sur
Saturday: 3-mile slow recovery run + 15-minute stationary bike + 15-minute ab workout
Sunday: 8-mile run along the Monterey Bay Coastal Trail (faster than I should have run … oops)

Have you ever run the Big Sur Marathon? If so, what did you think? Where is your favorite place to run in California? How about your favorite place to run anywhere?