I've run this race from 2005 to 2008, so about 11 years has passed since I last returned for this race. From what I've heard, this race went on hiatus starting from 2010 mainly due to another race encroaching on their well-established race. It would return in 2015, a few years after that other race went defunct.
Mentally I don't feel 11 years older, but my body sure tells me otherwise. I was definitely not looking forward to the early morning drive out to Santa Barbara. Before I started the 2 hr drive, I first stopped at the gas station to fill up the gas tank. I rolled into the Leadbetter Beach Park parking lot at about 5:30 am. Per the final race instructions I drove all the way to the western end of the parking lot to take advantage of free parking.
I wasn't sure how early I needed to show up as the race was scheduled to start at 7 am and I needed to pick up my race packet. Thank goodness for race day pick-up. It would turn out that I was among the first to get there, so I was there with plenty of time to spare. After I picked up my bib and race shirt, I went back to my car to relax.
Free reserved parking
... and the seagulls came
Dawn's early light
Race shirt
Back of race shirt
At about 6 am, I got out of the car to use the portapotty and to walk around a bit. I went across the street to the Santa Barbara City College parking lot. That used to be free parking when I last ran this race. Now there were signs stating otherwise.
Great ocean view
Not free anymore
While waiting in the start area, the size of the field was noticeably smaller since that last time that I've run this race. There was a delay of a few minutes before the start of the race. The course started west on Shoreline Dr which turned into Meigs Rd. Even though it was much easier breathing at sea level, the first 2 mile stretch was a steady uphill climb. I was able to run fairly well, but the left Achilles was still feeling rather sore. I didn't quite make it to the left turn at Elise Way when I had to pull over and take a quick walk break. I resumed running and made a left at Oliver Rd. That was followed by a right turn on Edgewater Way. Once again I was laboring with the pace, so I went off to the side to take another walk break after making a right turn on Mesa Ln. After making a right turn on Cliff Dr, I was finally able to sustain a decent running effort as it was now a downhill back to the start line. Unfortunately for me, sustained downhill running continues to create discomfort in the arch of my right foot. Although the course flattened out, I had to take a lot of walk breaks to help alleviate the discomfort. The remainder of the course was pretty much and out-n-back to the Santa Barbara Cemetery. Shoreline Dr turned into Cabrillo Blvd. At about mile 8, the course veered off to Channel Dr with the turnaround at about mile 9. Just as I reached the turnaround, I came across a cyclist that was definitely upset with runners being on the bike path. Learn to share the road, bro!
I'm lovin' it!
Heading back to the finish line
I sort of caught my second wind during the last 4 miles on the way back to the finish line at Leadbetter Beach Park. Still I made sure to take a walk break whenever I felt like I was overheating. A little after mile 12 at Bath St, the course hopped onto the bike path. I was sputtering a bit on that last mile. My legs were starting to cramp up. A fellow runner that was around me felt a bit lost as the course wasn't very well marked near the end, so I led him to the finish. I guess it helped to be familiar with the course. I was glad that I had just enough to get in under 2 hrs.
Finish: 1:58:49
Click here for my Garmin data.
After I crossed the finish line and got my finisher medal, I stuck around the finisher chute for a few moments to give high 5's to a couple of the runners that finished just behind me. I was leapfrogging with a few of them for a while. There was one female runner in particular that was encouraging every runner that she came across. I thanked her for the encouragements.Relive 'Santa Barbara Half Marathon'
Finish line
Finisher medal
They had people making breakfast food at the end of the finisher chute, but I didn't take any. I normally have to wait a while before my appetite shows up. However honestly the food didn't look very palatable.
After using the portapotty, I was ready for the drive home. However I had to sit a spell as I was having horrible calf cramps. Once they had subsided, I hit the road.
This race was a bit larger back in 2008 when they had 1279 finishers. I think there were only a few hundred for this year. If possible, I want to run this race every year. I think the course is one of the better ones for a half marathon. However instead of a quick 1 day trip, I'm looking into taking the Amtrak and coming up a day earlier to explore the area. These days, I find myself looking for opportunities to leave the car at home.
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