I originally had planned to volunteer at this race. That's the honest to God truth. I sent in my volunteer info at least a month out and never once received a response from the coordinator. As the race got closer, my body felt great. Since the legs responded much better than I had hoped for at the Pasadena Marathon, I was very much curious to see how much the legs can handle.
This is one of my favorite half marathons. Mostly because it is done in remembrance of those that fought for our freedom. I have ran some of my worst half marathons here, but it was also here that I first ran a sub 2 hr.
Race morning, I showed up at about 5:15am to the parking lot next to the starting line. This was actually the first time that I've had to register on race day. I filled out a scan-tron and went to pay for the race. Since I was the first person, the volunteer coordinator at the late-reg tables used me as an example. So technically, I helped with volunteering. :) They were able to take credit cards at this race. I bumped into a few of my friends before going back to my car to shed some layers.
Right before the race, they had a little Memorial Day tribute. After the presentation of the colors, there was a moment of silence for remembrance. The national anthem was sung and it was time to run 13.1 miles.
My goal for this race was to finish in about a 2:10. The time was not important, I just wanted to test things out and finish without any additional damage. I didn't want to wreck myself about a week before the race in my most favorite city, the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon.
The race
This is one of my favorite half marathons. Mostly because it is done in remembrance of those that fought for our freedom. I have ran some of my worst half marathons here, but it was also here that I first ran a sub 2 hr.
Race morning, I showed up at about 5:15am to the parking lot next to the starting line. This was actually the first time that I've had to register on race day. I filled out a scan-tron and went to pay for the race. Since I was the first person, the volunteer coordinator at the late-reg tables used me as an example. So technically, I helped with volunteering. :) They were able to take credit cards at this race. I bumped into a few of my friends before going back to my car to shed some layers.
Right before the race, they had a little Memorial Day tribute. After the presentation of the colors, there was a moment of silence for remembrance. The national anthem was sung and it was time to run 13.1 miles.
My goal for this race was to finish in about a 2:10. The time was not important, I just wanted to test things out and finish without any additional damage. I didn't want to wreck myself about a week before the race in my most favorite city, the San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon.
The race
Right from the start the legs felt great. But I knew I could not sustain that effort since aside from races, I've been running 0 miles a week. When I saw my split at mile 1, I told myself to slow down. There was a steady climb at mile 2 and a nice downhill down to mile 3. I was somewhat tempted to turn off at the 5k finish line. But man, the left leg just went dead after I took my first walk break. I took off my arm sleeves as it got pretty warm. The next several miles were rollers until we get to the dirt trail section. The uphills felt better than the downhills but I could not push. I took a S-cap at about mile 6 and a gel at mile 8. Once we leave the dirt trail, it is a couple of miles on a bike path to the finish. I took another S-cap about 1:30 into the race. I kind of gave up on mile 11. But I tried to run with my coworker when he passed me. That helped get me closer to my goal of 2:10 for this race. If he hadn't been there, I would've finished in the 2:20 neighborhood. The little hill coming up to mile 13 was a doozy, but I've ran this race enough times that I was not surprised by it. The finishing chute was super crowded as usual with no passing room ending with a 90 degree left turn for the finish line.
1: 7:39
2: 8:08
3: 8:09
4: 9:24
5: 10:12
6: 9:20
7: 10:01
8: 10:01
9: 11:32
10: 11:09
11: 12:57
12: 11:23
13: 11:35
13.1: 1:08
Finish: 2:12:38
As for my race strategy, it was definitely not a smart one. I wanted to perform a stress test on the legs. Turns out with my current level of fitness, my legs can only sustain that kind of pace for about 3-4 miles. Too bad there's 10 miles left. But knowing this will help with my race in San Diego. I definitely will not be running those sub 8 and low 8 paces until I am healthy enough to start putting in the necessary training.
Post-race
1: 7:39
2: 8:08
3: 8:09
4: 9:24
5: 10:12
6: 9:20
7: 10:01
8: 10:01
9: 11:32
10: 11:09
11: 12:57
12: 11:23
13: 11:35
13.1: 1:08
Finish: 2:12:38
As for my race strategy, it was definitely not a smart one. I wanted to perform a stress test on the legs. Turns out with my current level of fitness, my legs can only sustain that kind of pace for about 3-4 miles. Too bad there's 10 miles left. But knowing this will help with my race in San Diego. I definitely will not be running those sub 8 and low 8 paces until I am healthy enough to start putting in the necessary training.
Post-race
After getting my medal, I made my way over to the table of refreshments. I picked up a piece of banana and a bottle of water. On my way over to the t-shirt table, I picked up a Zico drink. I chugged that Zico as my calves were burning and cramping. I then headed over to the finishing chute to watch and cheer on the runners.
After congratulating my friends, I walked to the shuttle stop to get a ride back to the mall for my car. By the time I got on the bus, it was standing room only. Our bus driver dropped us off in the weirdest location taking a gazillion turns in the parking lot. So it was a nice longish walk back to my car.
I stopped by Santouka at the Costa Mesa Mitsuwa to eat ramen. My race is not finished until I eat my ramen. :) The food court was not open yet so I bought some snacks to munch on while I wait. My calves were still burning and cramping. Ouch. When I finally ate my ramen, that took care of the leg cramps.
Chicrunner finishing with Kristy
After congratulating my friends, I walked to the shuttle stop to get a ride back to the mall for my car. By the time I got on the bus, it was standing room only. Our bus driver dropped us off in the weirdest location taking a gazillion turns in the parking lot. So it was a nice longish walk back to my car.
I stopped by Santouka at the Costa Mesa Mitsuwa to eat ramen. My race is not finished until I eat my ramen. :) The food court was not open yet so I bought some snacks to munch on while I wait. My calves were still burning and cramping. Ouch. When I finally ate my ramen, that took care of the leg cramps.
Santouka - Shio ramen & natto set
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