I got ready and left early enough to get to the race at about 5 am to pick up my race packet. I parked in the dirt area along the side of the road. I walked over to the Iron Horse Trailhead to pick up my race packet. Before I was given my race packet, I needed to filled out a waiver form. I hopped back in the car and drove across the street to get coffee at Starbucks. Before going inside, I placed my order on the mobile app for a grande blonde vanilla latte. Per the usual of late, I ate my CLIF bar with my coffee as my light breakfast before the race.
Bib pick-up
Lululemon bag and legacy patch
Legacy patch
Race singlet
Back of race singlet
Grande blonde vanilla latte
After finishing my coffee and using their restroom, I hopped in my car to park it in the Pacific Western Bank parking lot across the street. The race instructions told us not to park in The Shops at Tourney lot. I then shed some of my layers, grabbed my handheld bottle, and walked across the street to make my way over to the race.
I bumped into the usual suspects at most of my southern California races. I found my name on the participants name wall and then got ready to position myself in the starting area. I even bumped into a couple of old friends from San Diego that I haven't seen in a while. After some last minute instructions from the race director concerning the course marking, it was time to start the race. The majority of the race would be along the Santa Clara River Trail.
My name on the participants name wall
Friends from San Diego
The race started at just a few minutes after 6:30 am after one of my friends sang the national anthem. I started the race off following a runner wearing an orange Hyland's shirt. His pace was a bit too quick, so I dropped off a bit. This was my 3rd time running this race, so I knew not to overdo it during the first 5 miles as it would be a gradual climb up to the turnaround. It was nice to run downhill for a bit and see some of my friends. I was able to cruise at about a 8:30 min per mile pace through the next few miles. I was finally able to pass a runner that I had been following as we approached the aid station at around mile 9. Unfortunately, by now the weather was starting to cook. I had to drop my pace a bit so I wouldn't pass out from the heat! It was nice to finally see The Lost Boys Bridge as I crossed it for the finish line.
That Hyland's runner was too quick for me to follow
Climbing up to the turnaround
There I go
I followed that guy for a long stretch. Passed him near mile 9.
Last mile
Crossing The Lost Boys Bridge
Finish: 1:53:34
Click here for my Garmin data.
Even though I had faded in the heat during those last 4 miles, I was content with my finishing time. It was nearly a 17 minute improvement from last year's time. On a cooler day, I should be finishing right at or just under 1:50.
2023: 2:10:12
2022: 2:11:08
After getting my finisher medal and taking a finish line selfie, I made my way over to the tents to get some post race goodies and cold drinks. I then headed over to the Ben & Jerry's truck to get my coveted post race ice cream. I went with the Milk and Cookies ice cream. While eating my ice cream, a little girl ended up holding my leg for balance. She thought my leg was her dad's. She started crying when her daddy asked her whose leg she's holding. That was cute and funny! While my friend and I were checking out our medals, I noticed that mine was missing the glitter piece at the top. I went over to the finish line to exchange it for another. Unfortunately, I found the first replacement to have a lanyard that was coming apart. Luckily, the second replacement wasn't defective.
Finish line
Finisher medal
Finisher medal and post race goodies
Milk and Cookies ice cream
I then ended up chatting with my friend and getting some post race selfies and photos. She's still working her way back from an injury, so this was one of those few races where I finished ahead of her. After that it was time for me to head out.
Mei!
We might have lucked out with the nearby Gorman Post Fire that started in the afternoon. Depending on the direction of the wind, the air quality could quickly take a turn for the worse in the surrounding areas.
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