Thank goodness this race had packet pickup available on race day starting at 5am. I left my house about a quarter after 3am. It turned out to be a good thing that I got there a little after 5am. I parked pretty close to the starting line. I walked over to the packet pickup tables where I picked up my bib and race shirt with no fuss at all. I stopped by the restroom near the zoo entrance. There was never any line to use the urinals. I never had to use the portapotties during my time at the park.
Apparently people that did not get to the park as early as I did had a hard time getting to the park. From reading the comments on the race's facebook page, some even missed the race entirely since they shutdown the starting mats soon after the last person in the starting area had crossed the timing mats. I guess it's good that I almost always show up super early to everything.
I went back to my car and took a nap until about 30 minutes before the start. I got out to warm up a little bit and my left leg felt very awkward. I stopped by the restrooms again before lining up in the starting area.
I had a somewhat conservative approach to this race. I just wanted to get it done and be well enough to enjoy the zoo after the race.
Goal A: sub 2
Goal B: sub 2:30
Goal C: sub 3
The race
Apparently people that did not get to the park as early as I did had a hard time getting to the park. From reading the comments on the race's facebook page, some even missed the race entirely since they shutdown the starting mats soon after the last person in the starting area had crossed the timing mats. I guess it's good that I almost always show up super early to everything.
The Mustang parked across from me
I went back to my car and took a nap until about 30 minutes before the start. I got out to warm up a little bit and my left leg felt very awkward. I stopped by the restrooms again before lining up in the starting area.
I had a somewhat conservative approach to this race. I just wanted to get it done and be well enough to enjoy the zoo after the race.
Goal A: sub 2
Goal B: sub 2:30
Goal C: sub 3
The race
I don't know why I ended up lined up so close to the front. The 1:30 pacer lined up next to me. The first mile was mostly downhill running out of the parking lot. The first couple of strides felt really awkward but aerobically comfortable. I was running side by side with that pacer and was wondering if he was going a bit slow. My left leg started to bother me so I began to slow down. I then let the pacer go ahead and followed him until I saw the mile 1 marker looming ahead. By this point, there was a very noticeable discomfort in the left leg. It became worse on a section that was very cambered. I kept slowing down but it was uncomfortable for the rest of the race approximately 12 or so miles. I couldn't really enjoy the race with the pain. The only animals I remember seeing were a bunch of mooing cows and a flatten snake roadkill. I think they had a zebra in a trailer at the last out-n-back, but it could've been a truckload of manure since it smelled pretty bad. The last 3 miles were pretty painful. It actually felt much better to open up my stride and run the last half mile in.
1: 7:39
2: 8:53
3: 9:29
4: 11:06
5-9: 52:38 (10:32 avg)
10: 11:59
11: 13:00
12: 13:46
13: 12:51
13.1: 1:21
Finish: 2:22:42
Post-race stuff
1: 7:39
2: 8:53
3: 9:29
4: 11:06
5-9: 52:38 (10:32 avg)
10: 11:59
11: 13:00
12: 13:46
13: 12:51
13.1: 1:21
Finish: 2:22:42
Race shirt, bib, and medal
Post-race stuff
I'll admit that running this race was a mistake. The way I went about running it especially the first mile was reckless. I should've stuck to a more conservative plan. But I wanted to see how my leg would react to running a harder pace. It did not react well. But I was able to move around the park after the race without too much trouble. But I knew that I would be in pain for the next couple of days. I'm hoping I'm good enough to walk the NYC half marathon on 3/20, but I'm already making plans on being a spectator instead of a participant.
Lorina and her husband found me near the park exit. They were waiting to buy their "running with the zebras" picture. I went back to my car to drop stuff off and change before going back in the park to visit the animals. I love going to the zoo and this was one of the reasons why I signed up for this race. They gave free entry to runners. I really wish Disneyland would do the same. While I was at my car, I noticed that it was already after 10am and people were trying to get out of the parking lot, but no car was moving. They had said that the roads would be opened at 10am. I guess it was good that I had planned to go back into the zoo.
When I left the park, there was no problem getting out of the parking lot. No lines, no backup whatsoever. I drove up to Costa Mesa to have a late lunch at Mentatsu. I tried their stamina ramen. It was pretty good. I could've eaten 2 more bowls.
I would love to run this race again... preferably with two good legs. The course was challenging with a lot of rolling hills. I'm not a big fan of flat courses. I thought the organization was pretty good for an inaugural event. Mile markers 6 through 8 were missing since they had to make a late adjustment to the course. They gave out GU packets near miles 8 and 10. One thing the runners did not like was that the finish line was tucked around a corner. You could not see it running up to it. They gave out Powerade and other goodies right after crossing the finish line. The race shirt and medal looks good. One last thing, the race took place on a Sunday when we switched to daylight saving time. Fortunately for me, I'm a morning person so the time change did not affect me. But a lot of runners complained about losing an hour of sleep.
Lorina and her husband found me near the park exit. They were waiting to buy their "running with the zebras" picture. I went back to my car to drop stuff off and change before going back in the park to visit the animals. I love going to the zoo and this was one of the reasons why I signed up for this race. They gave free entry to runners. I really wish Disneyland would do the same. While I was at my car, I noticed that it was already after 10am and people were trying to get out of the parking lot, but no car was moving. They had said that the roads would be opened at 10am. I guess it was good that I had planned to go back into the zoo.
hmmm... I probably could've used a wheelchair
Running with Marty!
Gorillas
Nice bench near the gorillas
Elephants!
Mufasa! oooooo, say it again!
Timon!
Pumba!
Hyena
Vultures eating bunnies
Mentatsu's stamina ramen
When I left the park, there was no problem getting out of the parking lot. No lines, no backup whatsoever. I drove up to Costa Mesa to have a late lunch at Mentatsu. I tried their stamina ramen. It was pretty good. I could've eaten 2 more bowls.
I would love to run this race again... preferably with two good legs. The course was challenging with a lot of rolling hills. I'm not a big fan of flat courses. I thought the organization was pretty good for an inaugural event. Mile markers 6 through 8 were missing since they had to make a late adjustment to the course. They gave out GU packets near miles 8 and 10. One thing the runners did not like was that the finish line was tucked around a corner. You could not see it running up to it. They gave out Powerade and other goodies right after crossing the finish line. The race shirt and medal looks good. One last thing, the race took place on a Sunday when we switched to daylight saving time. Fortunately for me, I'm a morning person so the time change did not affect me. But a lot of runners complained about losing an hour of sleep.
1 comment:
You are such a crazy running nut Emil. I'm glad you finished mostly unharmed. Hope you recover in time for NY. Just think, it could be worse, you could have signed up for LA and have to do 26.2 miles instead of just 13.1. Looks like you made the right decision. Have a wonderful time in NY! I'm majorly jealous. Can't wait to see the pics.
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