A 15 mile run across the Golden Gate Bridge is practically a requirement when 14,000 Cisco employees descend on San Francisco for this year’s Global Sales Meeting (GSM). Why? Because the Cisco logo is fashioned after the bridge!

About 40 runners woke early and met in front of the Ferry Building (Clock Tower) at the end of Market St. (across the Embarcadero) at 5:45am. This was the 6th annual GSM run. After taking the ceremonial photograph, we were off. I ran with two employees -- Suzanne and Aaron -- whom I know from previous runs. Suzanne kicked my butt last year in Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas. Aaron almost qualified for the 2004 Olympic Marathon Trials. Needless to say, our pace was fast!

The route took us along the San Francisco wharf, past the fat stinky sea lions at Pier 39, followed by the fresh smells of the sourdough bread bakery, thru the Presidio, and finally across the Golden Gate Bridge. The timing was perfect because the sun began to rise just as we hit the bridge which provided a picturesque start to the day.

We touched the signpost on the far side of the bridge and turned around, retracing our steps for a total of approximately 15 miles at about a 7 minute mile pace.

There are rumors that next year’s Cisco GSM will be in Barcelona! Maybe we will be running with the bulls!

Aquatic Park, San Francisco!!

I haven’t swam since my car/cycling accident and shoulder surgery almost a year ago, but I would never turn down an open water swim opportunity in Aquatic Park, San Francisco with my work buddies.

Aquatic Park is a small lagoon nestled between Fort Mason and Fishermen's Warf. It’s nearly encircled by two piers with a small opening out to the Bay. The water temperatures range between 53 and 62 degrees. However, it can drop as low as sub-50. Today seemed warmer than past swims, but that didn’t stop Matt, Stu, Adam and me from slipping on our wetsuits and grabbing our goggles before wading into the San Francisco Bay waters. Stu and I had insulated hoods as well.

Other swimmers were in the water with nothing but bathing suits. In the past we have been taunted by 75 year old ladies who happily leap into the Bay with minimal apparel all year long. Yea, we are east coast wimps!

Within the lagoon are buoys that mark an out and back 800’ish meter course. With some ripples on the water and a slight breeze, we swam toward the line of buoys, turned parallel with them and headed toward the far end of the park.

It felt great to be back in the water swimming. Plus, the added buoyancy of the wetsuit combined with the salt water allowed me to effortlessly glide over the water. We swam a little, then stopped and chatted. Happily, I stopped after one lap (14 minutes). The others completed another lap. Back on the small beach we rinsed off, changed into dry clothes and following tradition, we walked one block uphill to the Famous Buena Vista Club for two rounds of awesome Irish Coffees!

The trip to San Fran was now a success!