Race Report: Carlsbad Half Marathon (January)

I wasn’t going to do Carlsbad.  It’s not that it's a bad course, it’s just unless it’s one of my favorites, I tend to scratch a race off my list and move on.  I’ve actually done Carlsbad Half two times before.  Both times I was disappointed the Race doesn’t have a Beer Garden.

This year, someone I knew couldn’t run the race due to an injury.  She generously offered her Bid…

Now, I should take a moment to say something responsible: 

Runners it is not proper etiquette to run under someone else’s Bid Number.  It’s even worse if someone Bandit Runs a race.  Please be responsible.  Sign up and support your local races.  Thank you.

And… back to the Race Report:

The Ladies I run with are training for the LA Marathon.  Their schedule called for 18 miles.  So their plan was to run 5 miles to the start, and THEN run the race.  I, on the other hand, hadn’t figured out my Schedule for OC Marathon.  So, I did what any Runner would do… I ran the 18 miler with them.  Partly because I could and partly because… I’m reluctant to give up LA as my Spring Race this year.  Either way, Carlsbad was going to be considered a Training Run.

Yeah, Training Run.  Right….  So gun goes off, and so do I. 

Course Highlights:

·        Awesome weather.

·        Awesome course through Carlsbad Village and down along PCH.

·        Runners wearing Cheese Hats, Hawaiian Themed Aid Stations, Cupid’s Aid Station… and someone dressed as PacMan (Seriously, a huge fiberglass thing with only his legs showing… he’d run behind you with “chomp, chomp” noises if you passed him).  I *heart* PacMan!

·        Great rollers throughout the course, starting with the first hill at mile 1ish– so be prepared.

·        Fun local bands intermittently on the course.

·        As far as a race that offers a Marathon AND a Half, the parking was pretty good.

·        The medal and T-Shirt were pretty cool this year.

·        I believe the registration fee is around $80-90.

Course *Opportunities*:

·        Let’s work on a Beer Garden folks (yup, I’ve got priorities)

After the race, off we go to ice the legs in the frigid hotel pool while enjoying a cold Corona (Thanks Sherpa!). 

Who says it’s not a Recovery Drink??