Per their website, packet pick-up on race day began at 5:30 am. I timed it so that I arrived shortly after 5 am. I parked at the parking lot next to the Riverside Convention Center on Orange St. I was somewhat surprised to find the parking lot pretty much empty. Packet pick-up was located on 6th St near Market St. Even though I was a tad early, all of the volunteers were ready. First I had to use one of the computers to looking up my bib number. After getting my bib, I got a small tote bag and my race shirt. I liked that the shirt had sublimated graphics.
Parking map
Where I parked
Race shirt
Back of race shirt
Before heading back to my car, I decided to swing by the Starbucks at the corner of 3rd St and Market St. Along the walk there, I had 2 fellow race participants asking me if I had seen any portapotties. Then I had one possible homeless person ask me for a cigarette. When I told him that I don't smoke and was running in a race, I believe he asked for my shirt. When I reached the Starbucks, the security guard opened the door for me. Such a sad case to see that a security guard was required. I ordered my usual grande blonde vanilla latte to go with my pre-race CLIF Bar.
Blonde vanilla latte
After finishing my little pre-race breakfast, I headed back to my car to relax a bit before getting ready for the race. For this race, I was finally going to drink the Dodgers themed PRIME hydration drink that my friend gave me knowing that I was a Dodgers fan.
My race fuel
As the start of the race grew closer, I got my stuff and started heading over to the start line at the intersection of 3rd St and Market St. I used one of the portapotties near the start line area. I then bumped into the usual suspects that I would see at most of my races. Almi was pacing the 2:10 group.
Almi
Start line
Dexter
Pace vehicle
The race started promptly at 7 am. While tempting, I resisted following some rabbits that went out a bit too fast. I was pacing myself to see if I could run it in just under 1:50. I wasn't sure if my legs were up for it as I had run a marathon on 3 consecutive weekends. During that first mile, I overheard another runner listening to a familiar worship song on his portable speaker. That was pretty cool. I was somewhat surprised that I was able to run just under 8:10 for most of my miles in the first 9 miles. Although this was my first time running this race, I was familiar with the course as it was similar to the one used for the defunct LaceUp Riverside Reindeer Run. I faded a bit during the 10th mile. It didn't help that we joined up with the 10k runners. Thankfully, the road at that section was wide enough so it wasn't too bad getting around them. The climb up Palm Ave nearby got my legs to cramp up. For some reason, I thought that the finish line would be on 3rd St and Market St. However, we made a right turn and continued on Market St for a few more blocks. The final turn was a left turn onto Mission Inn Ave for the finish line.
Finish: 1:48:13
Click here for my Garmin data.
File this one under old man gains. I trusted the training and proper pacing. I refrained from chasing those rabbits in those early miles. Instead, I passed them in the later miles. Finally, I was able to crack the 1:50 barrier at a non-downhill course for this current rebuild. I tend to do better on courses where there's some elevation changes versus a purely flat course. However I was definitely not ready for that late hill! Also, I continue to do well when I drink a Starbucks latte before the race. Now I hope to stay healthy and continue to work my way back down to where I could run a sub 1:40.
After receiving my finisher medal. I picked up some post race goodies, a Larabar, a couple of fruit, and a water bottle. I went through the little post race expo just after the finish line, but there wasn't much being handed out. Before heading back to my car, I stopped at the corner of 5th St and Market St to wait for my friends to run through.
Finisher medal
Post race goodies
Flyer
@Blingwhore
Doggy
2:10 pacers
No comments:
Post a Comment