JMT9: Krispy Kreme

For today only, Krispy Kreme gave out a dozen graduation themed donuts to high school and college graduates who repped their schools, all for free. When I set out from Mounnow - my name for the top of Old Railroad Grade - I had my imminent trip to San Francisco for my dozen on my mind.

I cruised downhill almost to the bottom, where I turned off of Old Railroad Grade and up onto a short, steep climb called Horseshoe Hill. It may only be a quarter mile, but it definitely makes you work. The highlight of today’s run came today when I neared the top, huffing and puffing, and a lady carrying her dog (yes, carrying her dog) started cheering for me like I was Desean Jackson running towards the end zone in the Meadowlands with no time left. If you understand that reference, you’re my new favorite reader. Anyways, it was a very funny moment, and honestly some much-needed encouragement. When you run alone as often as I’ve had to the past few months, the little interactions with random people, even the silly, seemingly insignificant ones, become much more meaningful than ever before.

The top of Horseshoe Hill meant that I had arrived at cruising altitude atop Blithedale Ridge, the chunk of mountainside that separates Mill Valley from Corte Madera and Larkspur. It rolls on for a couple of miles, fluctuating between uphill and downhill so often that I almost forgot which was which today. Towards the far end of the ridge, there is a cool spot called Mayor’s Lookout, named for its all-encompassing view of Mill Valley. Unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture, but part of me knows that this is because I personally don’t think that Mayor’s Lookout is all that great: in truth, the entire ridge offers the same awesome views of what lies below and beyond. Alas, I still forgot to take any pictures after Horseshoe Hill. I guess you’ll have to use your imagination.

I exited the ridge onto a street called Elinor, which gets you down onto Mill Valley streets in a hurry. From there, I took the long(ish) way home, running down West Blithedale before turning up onto Magee and up to my house. Unfortunately, I got home to find out that Krispy Kreme was somehow OUT OF DONUTS, but I’ll get over it. See you tomorrow!

👊✌️

Jonathan