Was it better in this direction? Did this provide a better warm up before climbing up? Was this route better for running up?
It was really good I thought. A bit of rolly power line trail with a couple of punchy climbs allowed a bit more warmup than usual. By the powerplant there was a little trail you could climb up to get to the Grassi Lakes trail (rather than running all the way to the Grassi Lakes parking lot). This climb was a bit steep but relatively short. Overall I liked the route and this would make a nice longer run of the Highline if you started from this end. And maybe those who really struggle with the first big climb we usually do would be less challenged by running the Highline. There is still a bunch of climbing though so hard to tell.
Agree, that's why I decided last minute to join the caffeinated group. I thought it was a great route choice.