Once again I spent most of the morning watching English Premier League matches. I didn't start getting ready until I was done with the match between West Ham United and the Spurs. Once I was ready, I first stopped in at Albertsons to buy water and some snacks for the short weekend trip down to San Diego.
Snacks and water
Then I stopped at Reef Tropical Fish in Anaheim to buy new fish for the aquarium at work. After stopping by work to drop off the fish, I started heading down to San Diego. I came across so much traffic, more than I had anticipated. I didn't come across any accidents, so I wondered where everyone was headed?
Black ghost knife
I was pretty hungry when I finally rolled into San Diego, but first I stopped in at Road Runner Sports to pick up my race packet before going to get food. The process was simple and quick. After getting my bib, I went inside the store to get my race shirt and a pint glass. They were actually giving out beer samples which I forego since I don't drink anymore. After using the restroom, I drove over to the nearby Mitsuwa Marketplace where I bought a chicken rice bento and a plum flavored rice ball. I found a spot in the food court to eat the food before driving out to my hotel.
Race shirt
Back of race shirt
Green Flash pint glass
Chicken rice bento and plum flavored rice ball
For this one-nighter, I stayed at the Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego-Del Mar. It was located off of the 5 freeway just South of Carmel Mountain Rd coming down Vista Sorrento Pkwy. The person at the front desk that checked me in to my room was very nice and friendly. I had a room on the ground floor. It was very spacious and everything was clean.
I relaxed a bit in my room waiting for the NLCS game 7 to begin. Unfortunately they didn't have the FS1 channel on their TV, so I had to use their WiFi to stream the game on the Fox Sports app. About midway through the game, I drove out to the nearby McDonald's to grab dinner and to cash in one of my winning game pieces. I used the game piece for a small strawberry banana smoothie. This McDonald's was a bit weird as the parking lot for the shopping plaza was practically empty. The inside of the restaurant was also pretty empty except for a couple of customers and 2 employees. They even had signs at the counter suggesting that you order from one of the kiosks. I placed my order via the mobile app. It took what seemed to be forever for my small order of a McDouble and a cheeseburger to come out.
Strawberry banana smoothie
McDouble and cheeseburger
I listened to the game on the radio on the way back to my room. I ate my food while watching the rest of the game. I also took the time to lay out my flat runner for tomorrow's race. It was such a relief to see the Dodgers handle the Brewers rather easily after 6 tough games.
Dodgers win NLCS game 7
Another trip to the World Series
Flat runner
Sunday 10/21
I got ready and left the hotel at about a quarter after 5 am. Per the race instructions, I drove out to the parking lot near Green Flash Brewery by entering from Genetic Center Dr after turning North from Mira Mesa Blvd. The parking lot was pretty empty as I was among the first ones there at just before 5:30 am. A few of us were looking for the pick-up spot for the shuttles. We followed the line of buses and finally found it on Top Gun St. The bus dropped us off at Camino del Sur just off of the 56 freeway. The start area including the portapotties were all along Torrey Santa Fe Rd. After using one of the portapotties, I decided to go wait inside the nearby Circle K as there was a little bit of a chill in the air.
Start line
As the start of the race approached, I went back outside and got into the starting corral where I bumped into one of my fellow Marathon Maniacs. She's also a frequent racer that I get to see at a lot of my races.
Pre-race photo with Maricris
Having run this race before, I knew that the first half along the 56 freeway would be fast. While this section of the course was somewhat undulating, it was mostly downhill. I made sure not to overdo it as there would be plenty of long climbs during the second half. I did okay with the two small climbs at miles 7 and 8, however I totally forgot how long that climb was at mile 10. I only made it about halfway up the climb when I started laboring with my breathing even though I was barely jogging. I decided then to just walk it. By the time I got to the top, my legs were done and I was running on fumes so I couldn't really take advantage of a short downhill section. The final climb up to Top Gun St and to the finish line was every bit as cruel as I had remember it to be!
Finish: 1:53:01
Click here for my Garmin data.
Besides that one long walk break while climbing up Sorrento Valley Blvd, I ran a pretty good race. Coming into this race, I wasn't sure that I could finish in under 2 hrs as I was pretty wrecked when I ran this course during their inaugural year in 2016. It felt bad enough that I did not return last year.Relive 'Craft Classic Half Marathon'
Finish line
After getting my finisher medal/magnet, I picked up a couple of snacks and a banana before heading over to the Adidas Solarboost VIP lounge. In order to get inside the lounge, I had to RSVP for it back in late August. I also had to be wearing a pair of Adidas to gain entrance. They had someone there at the entrance checking for your name on a clipboard and your shoes. They had a nice spread of desserts and fruit which I did not partake. I instead opted for one of their chorizo burritos. They were also giving out massages which I also did not do.
Finisher medal
Adidas Solarboost VIP lounge
Post race snacks and chorizo burrito
Snack spread in VIP lounge
I didn't stay in the lounge too long. Shortly after finishing the burrito, I left the lounge and walked over to the beer garden to give it a quick look. It looked to be much more organized and less chaotic this year. I was about to head back to my car when I recognized the voice of the race announcer. I stopped by to say hi to my friend before leaving.
Green Flash beer garden
My friend, the race announcer!
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