After getting a much needed haircut in the morning. I made the drive out to Fairmount Park in Riverside to pick up my race packet. I parked at the lot that was the closest to the address that was given in the final instructions. The lines were organized by bib numbers. Besides the usual bib, race shirt, and tote bag, I had a choice between antlers or a Santa hat. I went with the antlers. Inside the tote bag were 2 bars and a sample packet of Nuun tablets.
Race packet pick up
Race packet
Race shirt
Sunday 12/2
According to the final race instructions, we were instructed to park in downtown Riverside. From there we would catch a bus to the starting area. The bus pick-up spot was on 3rd St between Market St and Orange St. I parked in the lot 33 parking lot just next to that spot. The instructions weren't too clear on whether or not if parking was free. Just as I was ready to board the bus, I bumped into my friend. He had run this race last year, so he was able to verify that the parking was free.
After the short ride and being dropped off at the park, we made our way over to the area with all of the food trucks to sit down and relax at one of the tables. I started to go through my regular routine at about 30 minutes before the start of the race. I used one of the portapotties and checked my bag at the gear check tent. There were enough portapotties that I didn't have to wait at all!
Ho, ho, ho!
While wrapped in my mylar blanket, I walked around looking for my friends. Eventually I found them right before we took the Half Fanatics pre-race group photo in front of Santa. It was my first photo as an official member of the club.
Latino Heat
Pre-race Half-Fanatics photo
After the photo, I made my way over to the starting corral. My friends were going to take it easy, so I wished them a great race and made my way closer to the front. Even though I was having lower back spasms, I wanted to see if I could run at a decent pace and finish in under 2 hrs.
Start line
The lower back spasms slowed me down as it shortened my stride a bit. The stride also felt very awkward and uncomfortable. Thankfully the back felt somewhat better as it warmed up a bit, but it was still sore for the duration of the race. There were a couple of out and backs, so I got to see a lot of the usual suspects. I was struggling a bit during the last 5k so I had to take a couple of walk breaks. I eventually cramped up, so I had to walk most of the last uphill before heading down to the finish line.
Course map
Yea for free race photos!
Finish: 1:56:00
Click here for my Garmin data.
After crossing the finish line, I got my medal and a small bottle of water. I then stopped by the gear bag tent to get my bag so I can free up my hands. After I got my bag, I headed over to the Lexus booth to get a free plastic water bottle. I also stopped by the California Half & Full Marathon race series booth to collect my challenge medal. With this race, I had completed 9 races out of the series. Unfortunately I needed 1 more race to earn the 10 race challenge medal, so instead I had to settle for the 7 race challenge medal. That's good enough for me!Relive 'Lexus LaceUp Reindeer Run'
Finisher medal
California Half & Full Marathon Series 7 race challenge medal
Next I went over to the Baby's Badass Burgers food truck to get a cheeseburger. There was quite the crowd there already. It took a while before my food came out. I had to put on my jacket as it was starting to feel chilly. After I got my food, I found a table with empty chairs so I could enjoy my burger. Before I was finished, I spotted one of my friends that also runs a lot of races.
Baby's Badass Burgers
Cheeseburger and finisher medals
After shooting the breeze for a while and meeting new people, I excused myself to go back out on the course to watch some of my friends finish their race. I walked up to the mile 13 marker. I was there in time to see most of my friends run by on their way to the finish line.
Eviltwin, Coconut Boy, and Latino Heat
I then made my way over to the post race area to catch up with my friends. They noticed that I was wearing an extra medal. I told them that they should check to see if they had qualified for a California Half & Full Marathon challenge medal. Good thing they did because they both qualified for a medal. When we made it over to the food trucks, I was spotted by a couple of friends that I have not seen at a race in several years. They had been busy getting married and becoming mothers. Although we're all friends on Facebook, it was good to catch up in person.
Reunion with a couple of my friends
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