Brazen racing around the Bay Area

I've been busy, busy, busy and as a result, a slacker on blogging about my running races and triathlons... well, time to "cowboy up" and share a bit about these events because the Northern California bay area is full of racing gems.

Part of me wants to keep these as secrets as they are so much fun with small crowds and without the fear of selling out weeks before the event but they are just too much fun to keep all to myself. I'll start my 2011 experiences with a little bit of brazen fun. This is, what I believe, the second year for race organizers Brazen Racing. I'll start with the fact that I love the name. These races are not for the faint of heart. While some are a bit more mild on creek trails and bike paths, most have more than a bit of hills (how about 1000 feet of climbing in a 5k!), a lot of mud if the rains come (which 2011 has already had more than it's fair share), some obstacles and whatever the weather has in it's bag. But, did I say, gorgeous views, spectacular courses, great T-shirts and medals, and all you can eat goodies (like ice cream sandwiches and pumpkin pie) at the end.

These are races where I can gain weight after competing :-)

The Brazen team increased their calendar this year so my hopes of doing all the races in the series quickly went away when I saw the sheer volume. That said, I've done six this year and am signed up for this Saturday's Bad Bass 5k at Lake Chabot -- with the best logo I've seen in a long time.

The first race this year was Jan 2nd at the Brazen New Years. I did the 10k at lake Chabot with the big, steep hill at mile 3. It had been raining for three weeks straight and let's just say I slipped and slid my way through the race. My husband's comment afterwards "did you run through a horse barn"? Not my best race, couldn't place in my age group due to my poor mud form.

In February, I did the Bay Breeze, a.k.a the "Bay Freeze" which was a mild course on a bike path along the bay in San Leandro. The views were beautiful but it was hard to concentrate on the view when being pelted by driving rain and hail in 40 degree weather. I ran it sick (never a good idea) and muddled my way through a 25 minute 5k but I can say the hot coffee never felt better and the T-shirt designs were awesome.

March brought the Western Pacific 5k out at Quarry Lakes in Fremont. Another mild course from Brazen -- relatively flat dirt trails around the quarry lakes. Great food afterwards. Didn't have my best day of running (not sure why) but enjoyed the full race and still snuck an age group win given that the field was spread over a 5k, 10k, 1/2 and full marathon.. .lot's of choices... Next year, I'll take on the 10k as I like this course

The last two Brazen races I've done have been fantastic. I've felt stronger as a runner and they have been great courses. The first was the Wildcat Canyon and this was an amazing, gorgous, brutal course. 1000 feet of climbing in a 5k. You went up, up, up, then steep down, then more up, down, u-turn and do it all again. But the reward was amazing sweeping views across the East Bay to San Fransisco, and then, ice cream! Almost got the overall women's win but a much younger and speedy runner who I almost caught on the last up hill had some very fast downhill speed and my knees were not up to task...

Lastly was the Hellyer 5k. Again, another atypical flat course for Brazen but a very pretty venue down the Coyote Creek trail in South San Jose. Saw a lot of run club friends at this one and really enjoyed the race. Won the age group but did get beat by some fit 50+ runners.. always something to respect ! Once again, finish was greated by ice cream, fruit and lots of great snacks.

Missed the June races -- Sanborn Park and Nitro trail -- due to triathlons but I'm really looking forward to Bad Bass.

Go Brazen! http://www.brazenracing.com/