Palm Desert Half Marathon 2019

Saturday 2/9
The drive was much better heading down the 15 freeway from Vegas to Palm Desert for half marathon number 2. The drive took about 4.5 hrs nonstop. I rolled into Cathedral City at a little before 5 pm. It wasn't until I was almost at my destination that I finally realized that I had left my running shorts hanging behind the bathroom door back at the hotel in Las Vegas! That was a bit of a bummer as it was one of my favorite pairs. Oh well, I guess you always lose something whenever you go to Vegas! :)

I was staying at the Travelodge on E Palm Canyon Dr in Cathedral City. It actually looked a bit like a creepy motel in your typical horror movie. I was tired and it was only for one night, so I shrugged it off. After checking in and picking up my keys from the front desk, I hauled my stuff from the car up to my room on the second floor. Everything looked okay, but pretty much everything in the room was starting to show its age. One of the tiles near the bathroom was loose.

I then walked over to the nearby McDonald's to pick up a quick dinner. Once again I used the mobile app to order two Quarter Pounders with cheese with the 'buy 1 at regular price and get a second one at 25 cents' deal. I took them back to my room to eat.

McDonald's

Quarter Pounder with cheese x2

After I finished my burgers, I laid out my flat runner while watching some TV before going to sleep. While I was trying to sleep, I could smell marijuana. None of the windows were open, so it must have been coming through the air conditioning wall unit. It looked like the folks downstairs were listening to some music while getting baked. Thankfully they weren't out there smoking too long.

Flat runner

Sunday 2/10
It was still pretty dark when I rolled into the Palm Desert Civic Center Park a few minutes before 6 am. Per the instructions, I entered from Fred Waring Dr, turning left on the 1st street after San Pablo Ave. I found a parking spot near the start line and was looking for the race packet pick-up location. A couple of us had to ask the guys setting up the start line for the location. It was in the gazebo just past the lake. After picking up my bib and long sleeve race shirt, I went back to my car to stay out of the chilly morning air.

Race shirt

While waiting in my car, I noticed that there was a lack of parking directions. A lot of the drivers were frustrated and some were panicking, not knowing where to go. Eventually they did station someone near the entrance to help direct the drivers.

As the start of the race approached, I got my stuff ready and headed back to the gazebo area to use the restrooms. The park restrooms weren't opened yet, but they had set up a small row of portapotties. Thankfully I was there early enough as the line grew very quickly! I bumped into a bunch of familiar faces as I headed back to the start line.

Start line

My friends Dan and Karen

Latino Heat and Scott

I started the race at a much better pace that I had anticipated. I felt very in control through the first 8 miles. However this race did not end very well. I started laboring during mile 9 and it just got progressively worse. After getting to mile 11, I had trouble running in a straight line. I was getting dizzy every time I tried to run. I could tell that I was having electrolyte issues, but my handheld bottle was empty and I didn't bring any salt tabs. I had to keep alternating between walking and jogging in those last 2 miles to avoid passing out and falling over. Thankfully I was still able to finish in under 2 hrs despite one epic bonk!

Almost at finish line. Photo from Latino Heat

Finish line

Finish: 1:58:40
Click here for my Garmin data.

Relive 'Palm Desert Half Marathon'

I don't run too many half marathons back to back, but it was good to know that I could still put out a good effort in the second half marathon. However if I choose to do another double, I'll remember to bring a salt tab or gel of some sort to prevent another epic bonk.

I hung out with a couple of my friends while eating some orange slices and a banana. I wanted to make sure I was okay before I started heading home. Before heading out, I gave away my free beer ticket to random race participant.

Medal and post race snacks

Before hopping on the freeway, I stopped by a Chevron gas station on Bob Hope Dr to fill up the gas tank. During the drive home, I actually drove through a little bit of a rainstorm near the Riverside area.

Fill 'er up!