City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day Half Marathon 2024

Sunday 5/26
I left the house at about noon and headed down to Laguna Hills to pick up my race bib for tomorrow's race and to meet up with an old buddy from college. First, I stopped in at In-n-Out Burger to eat lunch. This was one of the larger In-n-Out Burger restaurants and still the place was packed. I ordered the usual, 2 Double Doubles, both with raw onions. The order taker was a bit surprised that I didn't order a drink, so I asked for a cup for water. Then I found a spot to sit down and wait for my order. Once I got my burgers, I searched for an open table. I found a small 2 seater over in the corner.

Double Double x2

Once I was done with my food, I hopped back in the car and drove over to the nearby Road Runner Sports to pick up my race packet. I was hoping to run into my friend and there she was right there at the entrance greeting runners and shoppers. After saying hi, I moved on to the pick-up table in the back of the store. I had to sign a waiver form before being assigned to a bib. I then walked over to the other table near the entrance to pick up my race shirt. Before leaving, I did a lap around the store to check out their merchandise. The only item that I could possibly buy was a new belt that can hold my cellphone and race bib. The one that I'm currently using is a bit worn out. Unfortunately, I did not find a suitable replacement. Before leaving, I dropped off my ticket in the raffle box for a chance to win a $100 gift card. Only those that picked up their bibs early were given a ticket for the drawing.

Andrea

Race shirt

Back of race shirt

I then drove over to the nearby Starbucks to meet up with my old college buddy, Sam. I used to only see him in Seattle when I was up there for the now defunct Rock n' Roll Seattle Marathon. He had moved away from there several years back. Before going in, I ordered a grande white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew on the mobile app. Since I was there a tad early, I found a table inside to wait for him to show up. We caught up a bit and talked about work. He wanted to know what it was like working in data as he was trying to switch careers.

Grande white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew

Monday 5/27
I got ready and left the house at about 4:45 am and arrived at the starting area at just before 5:30 am. I didn't have to show up so earlier since I had already picked up my race packet yesterday. However, I always like to arrive early just in case. Normally I would prefer to park in the Nordstrom Rack lot, but the entrances to that lot were blocked. As a backup, I opted to park in the lot that was closer to BJ's. While parked, I noticed that people that had arrived just shortly after me were beginning to park inside the Nordstrom lot. I was a bit too lazy to move my car as it wasn't that much closer to the start line.

At about 6 am, I exited my car to go use one of the portapotties before it got too busy. I bumped into Andrew just as I was ready to head back to my car. We were both parked in the same area, so we walked back together. Along the way, I bumped into my friend Willie.

Bumped into Willie on the way back to my car

I met up with my friend Albert. After I shed some layers and grabbed my handheld bottle, we headed over to the starting area. He got in one of the long lines for the portapotties. Since I had already gone earlier, I started heading over to the starting corral. Along the way, I bumped into Ward. He was checking in a gear bag. While waiting in the corral, I bumped into Marcia who would be running the 10k. Then with about less than 15 minutes to go before race start, Robert showed up.

Found Ward dropping off a bag at the gear truck

Marcia

About 15 minutes before race start

Robert

I positioned myself just behind the 1:50 pacers as that was around my current level of fitness. Since the first mile was slightly downhill, I got ahead of them. The second mile took us out onto Paseo de Valencia. The third mile had a little bit of climbing before reaching a nice stretch of downhill to the 5k mark as we made a right turn onto Alicia Parkway. The 4th mile was another downhill mile. I eased off on the pace a bit as the next mile had some climbing involved. I was passed by Ward and then the 1:50 pacers. I always make it a habit to check out the race course and/or the profile in the days leading up to the race. However, I failed to notice that this year, we got off of Alicia Parkway a bit earlier as we made a right turn onto Pacific Park Dr before reaching mile 5. This sort of threw me off as I was used to making the turn onto Aliso Creek Rd. It was interesting to run on a section of the course where I had always run it in only the other direction. The turnaround point was at about mile 8. The remaining 5 miles or so would be a very gradual climb all the way back to the Laguna Hills Community Center. I was pretty much running on fumes when I reached that last final short steep climb. There was a little cute dog wearing a plaid vest that was running with me up the little climb. Once I got over that little bump, I tried to muster up a quick dash through the final stretch to the finish line.

Course map

Finish: 1:51:13
Click here for my Garmin data.

This was my 13th time running one of my favorite races! This was where I ran my very first half marathon back in 2005. It was also where I ran my first sub 2 hour half marathon in 2008. The course has changed slightly here and there, but it still remains relatively the same. I was quite pleased with my run today as I was able to set a new personal course record.

2023: 2:15:37
2022: 2:13:06
2019: 1:57:55
2018: 1:57:44
2016: 2:10:15
2015: 1:51:57 former course record
2011: 2:12:38
2010: 1:58:45
2008: 1:57:44 first time finishing a half marathon in under 2 hours
2007: 2:02:57
2006: 2:27:21
2005: 2:20:49 first half marathon

After receiving my beautiful finisher medal and taking a post race selfie with it, I continued down the finisher chute. I grabbed some post race snacks and drinks before making my way over to the usual spot at the top of the last climb to cheer on my fellow runners and to wait for my friends to come through.

Finish line

Finisher medal

Post race goodies

The first friend that I saw run through was Robert. What a beast! I hardly ever finish a race ahead of this guy! I was only able to today because he had run the Nanny Goat 6 hr on Saturday covering 27 miles. He followed that with Running for the Rescues Half Marathon on Sunday. He was still able to run a sub 2 hour race today on a tough hilly half marathon course!

Robert

Richard finished not to far behind the 2 hour pacers

Andrew pacing 2:20

Mitch was another beast just out here running a "recovery" half marathon after having run 75 miles at Nanny Goat! Ultrarunners are just a different breed of runners. Thank goodness, the marathon distance is plenty long for me. I will rarely run a race longer than a marathon. I only have a handful of 50k finishes under my belt. I'm happy to stick to the shallow end! :)

Mitch

Albert

Luis

Amador

Willie

Karen

After my last friend came through, I headed over to use one of the nearby portapotties. I then walked up the hill to catch a bus ride back to my car. Once I got my stuff in order, I drove over to Balvina's Mexican Kitchen to get some breakfast. After I was seated, I ordered coffee and their steak and eggs. I then went to use their restroom before my food came out. I'm always looking for places that serve good steak and eggs. This place certainly fits that bill, so I'll most likely be back. It was a nice quiet spot to enjoy a meal, so I just might have to make this place my go-to post race stop before going home. I only found this place because it was listed on the website for the AAdvantage Dining Program.

Coffee

Steak and eggs

Medium rare

A bee hitching a ride

La Jolla Half Marathon 2024

Friday 5/17
After working a couple of hours, I hopped in the car at about 10 am to drive down to La Jolla to pick up my race packet over at the Ellen Browning Scripps Park. Originally, I had booked a one night stay at the La Quinta in Carlsbad using Wyndham Rewards points. Cash flow has been tight lately with unforeseen costs going up with stuff such as the renewal of homeowners insurance. I'll need those points for one of my trips out to NYC to complete the 9+1 program. The drive down took a little over 1.5 hours. At first I tried finding street parking on Ivanhoe Ave. I didn't find any so I made a left turn onto Prospect St to go look for parking on another street. Fortunately, just as I made that turn, I came upon a 15 min parking spot right in front of Starbucks. It was a tight squeeze, but it was too good to pass up! I took the small narrow little alleyway down to the park. In addition to picking up my race packet, I also picked up for 3 of my friends. I didn't have time to dilly dally in case the meter maids were out on patrol. As soon as I got everything, I headed back to my car. I liked that the race shirt had sublimated graphics. More races should do the same!

Tote bag

Goodie bag

Race shirt

Back of race shirt

Short cut via narrow alleyway

The roads were super congested around that area making driving difficult. From there, I headed up to Escondido to meet up with my friend's wife to drop off their race packets. Originally, we had planned to meet up at the Shell gas station on El Norte Parkway. Since I wanted to get something to eat, I changed the location to the nearby Starbucks at the corner of El Norte Parkway and Centre City Parkway. Also for today, drinks at Starbucks was half off after 12 pm. On the mobile app, I ordered a bacon, sausage & egg wrap and a grande white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew.

Bacon, sausage & egg wrap and grande white chocolate macadamia cream cold brew

My friend's wife had 2 young kids with her, so she texted me to meet her out at her car. Once we made the transfer of those 3 race packets, I hopped back in the car and headed up the 15 freeway for home. I seldom take this route as driving up the 5 freeway is a thousand times more scenic.

Saturday 5/18
In the days leading up to this race, I was considering parking near the finish line over at the La Jolla Cove. However, come race morning, I was feeling pretty tired. I opted for parking at the dirt lot at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. I left the house at about 3:15 am and arrived at about 4:50 am. Since I was there pretty early, I got a nice spot right near the pedestrian underpass tunnel.

I walked over to the start line area to use a portapotty. On my way back to my car, I bumped into a couple of familiar faces. After a brief chat with them, I headed back to my car to grab my handheld bottle and to get ready for the race. Before queuing up in the corrals, I walked around to take selfies with my friends. I briefly exited the starting corral as they had brought up some guy to lead us with some goofy warm-up moves. Nothing new on race day, right?

Start line

Allan and son

Jim and Tracy

Almi!

Started in wave 2 with 1:45 pacers

The race started on time at 6:30 am. Instead of starting in wave 1, I opted to start in wave 2 with the 1:45 pacers. I believe they were banking time on the easier miles because they left me about 20 meters behind with me reaching the first mile in 7:56 minutes. That first mile on Via d la Valle took us to the first incline up to the left turn onto Camino del Mar. The next climb would be at mile 3 at the train tracks on Coast Blvd. It would be a gradual climb until the steepest section as we made a left turn onto 4th St from Stratford Ct. Once we made a right turn back onto Camino del Mar, we would reach mile 4 and get a nice stretch of downhill with a beautiful ocean view. However, I knew to not overdo it just yet with my troublesome lower back and the Torrey Pines Park Rd climb looming just up ahead. The hardest part of the climb would go for about 1 mile. Although it would flatten out a bit, we wouldn't reach the highest point of the course until we hopped onto Torrey Pines Rd at about mile 7. Even then, we would still be running some gentle rollers. At about mile 8.33, we made a right turn to stay on Torrey Pines Rd. With this being my 10th time running this course, I knew that there wouldn't be anymore climbing until the final mile. From here until we veered onto La Jolla Shores Dr was my favorite section as I got to run along the western perimeter of my alma mater. It's always crazy to see just how much the campus has changed since I was an undergraduate student here. The stretch on La Jolla Shores Dr is one steep downhill. I still couldn't take too much advantage of the free speed as I was afraid that my lower back wouldn't hold up. Nearing mile 11, we made a right turn onto El Paseo Grande and then hopped onto La Vereda at La Jolla Shores. I dislike this section as I hate the sand. It was also here that the 1:55 pacers caught and passed me. I was relieved to leave the sandy path and made that left turn onto Avenida de la Playa followed by a right onto Calle de la Plata, and another right onto Paseo Dorado. At about mile 12, the course curved into Spindrift Dr which was the beginning of the last difficult section of the course. It would be a short steep climb up to Torrey Pines Rd. After making the right turn onto Torrey Pines Rd, I was very much tempted to take a walk break. However, I pushed on, going at about the same pace as the cars in the lane next to me. For some reason, the climb up to Prospect Pl wasn't as bad as I had remembered. As we veered onto Cave St which turned into Coast Blvd, I tried to take advantage of the downhill, but I was unable to comfortably speed up a whole lot as it was just too steep for my rickety body!

Starting my climb up Torrey Pines Park Rd

Running along La Vereda with little less than 2 miles to go

Speedy youngsters smoked me in that final stretch!

Finish: 1:57:00
Click here for my Garmin data.

I was pleased with how I ran this morning. In the 10 times that I had run this half marathon, this was only the 2nd time where I had finished in under 2 hours. The only other time was back in 2009 which was and still my personal best for this course. I knew that I had a chance of meeting or beating that time, but I came up about 31 seconds short. I was just thankful that my lower back was good enough for me to even show up! I threw my back out the day after returning from Solvang. Sleeping on that lumpy Murphy bed really did a number on my lower back! In 2010, I was in much better shape and should've also finished in under 2 hours. However, I had just run a little over 20 miles the day before in Nashville, TN where the marathon was cut short due to inclement weather. Overall, my progress in recent races are giving me hope that I could actually train to run a BQ.
2023: 2:19:50
2019: 2:04:29
2013: 2:16:24
2012: 2:21:17
2011: 2:23:27
2010: 2:00:04
2009: 1:56:29
2008: 2:17:55
2007: 2:13:06

Finisher medal

After collecting my finisher medal from one of the volunteers, I continued down the grassy finisher chute and picked up a banana, a Nature Valley peanut bar, and a chocolate milk. I finished what I had left in my handheld and then refilled it with water from the huge water dispenser. That made me think of the runners that didn't bring their own drink bottle for the race. A reusable SpeedCup was included in everyone's race packet. However, there's nothing speedy about it. From what I saw, you would have to break stride and stop to get your cup refilled by a volunteer at an aid station. I did notice that some of the last few aid stations did have cups. Thankfully, there was overcast, so although it was a bit humid, it wasn't too warm. I was glad that I was very accustomed to running with my own handheld bottle for distances that were at least a half marathon.

Finisher medal and post race goodies

Cup-less aid stations. Runners given a reusable SpeedCup in race packet

After I recovered a bit, I headed over to the final stretch of the race to see if I could catch my friends coming in for the finish line. By the time I found a suitable vacant spot along the railing, I think my friends had already run by. I waited until my friend that was pacing the 2:20 group to come through before I left to catch a shuttle back to my car.

Big beautiful dog!

Allan and son

Almi

After getting back to my car, I drove up to Tip Top Meats in Carlsbad to eat some brunch. I had been wanting to check this place out for quite some time. They're a full service meat market and a deli eatery. It appeared to be a popular spot for breakfast as the parking lot was pretty packed. Fortunately, I was able to find a rather tight spot in the front lot closest to Paseo del Norte. Here's a PDF of their menu. There were 2 prices listed for everything with the lower price being the discounted cash price. Before getting in line to order, I first used their tiny restroom. When it was my turn in line, I ordered the steak & eggs with the steak cooked medium rare and the eggs sunny side up. I got it with white toast. It also came with home fried potatoes. For my drink, I got coffee. After paying for my food, I grabbed a coffee mug and found an open table to sit down. Coffee was self served with the black handle being regular and the orange handle being decaf. Food was good and very reasonably priced. I'll have to make this place a regular stop whenever I'm in the area!

Lucky #13

NY steak and eggs, home fried potatoes, toast, and coffee