Race Report: San Diego Rock n' Roll Marathon (June)
Oh my! This just goes to show you how sad I was about my performance at the San Diego Rock n' Roll marathon... I didn't provide a Race Report.
Well, better late than never.
San Diego RnR was my very first Marathon. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for this Race. It's local. It's run by the well known and well run RnR organization. And since it's local the cost for travel is pretty minimal.
Just before finishing St George last year, I got an email from one of The Ladies. There was a discount rate for San Diego RnR and a few Ladies were on board for running it. Not one to sit out, I quickly pulled out my card and signed up.
I won't lie. I had visions of revisiting the course I loved so much, that started my crazy addiction to both running and tri's, and killing it. In some ways I could race the old me, and give it a lesson on being a "seasoned" runner.
Well, here's how it went:
Approximately two weeks before the Race, my Plantar Fasciitis flared up so bad I had to tape my foot and rest. But even before that... approximately three months before the Race I lost motivation.
Yup, the evidence is in the previous blog entries. At first it was Hill Repeats, Mile Repeats, and GMPs. But then, it became more skipped weekday runs and challenging (barely hanging on) Long Runs.
Next thing I know, I'm standing at the start line. Hurt, under trained and scared. Cursing myself, I toed the line and pushed off. Here we go...
The Race itself was a blur for me the first 8 Miles. Plugged into my iPod, I tried to focus on my target pace. The problem was I didn't have one. Going into training, my goal was an 8:30. However, my last Long Run was lagging at about 10:00 (huffing and puffing). Although I don't remember that actual course, during that first 8, the thing I do remember is going too fast - like an 8:15.
Time to panic, right? You'd think.
There was the loaded iPod with amped up music + the adrenaline + the flat course = the false security I gained by all these things added together. I really thought I could hold that pace.
Miles ticked away, and minutes per mile lengthened.
The thing I don't like about the RnR races I've completed (San Diego and Seattle) is they tend to push you onto a freeway. Which means your running on a slanted surface to help with runoff during the rainy season. Not too mention the concrete is a little less forgiving. So although it was cool to run (marathoners on one side and half marathoners on the other) with both distances, my knees (ITB in particular) was aching quite early in the race.
Once you bottom out on the hill, you turn onto a smaller street for an out and back. Quite possibly the longest out and back. Ever.
Finally wind your way down to Mission Bay to run on the Beach Path. At points it was windy and you hoped the headwind would turn on you - but it didn't. Instead you plowed, head down, towards the finish.
About 1 -1 1/2 mile out and you turn right towards a small island to do a quick loop. For me, this was painful. The headwind had really picked up and I was low on fumes, motivation and speed.
Around mile 24 1/2 I tried to encourage another Runner in hopes of getting the same in return. Nope. She wanted nothing to do with me or my encouraging words (I think she actually thought I was mocking her - while I was walking beside her). Perhaps she felt the same pain and frustration I did... I'll never know. She broke from her walk break and that was the last that I saw of her.
Finally off the island and turning right (finally) wobbling towards the Finish Line. The beach path lined with Spectators encouraging you in... I felt a sense of relief it was over but also sadness that (yet another) marathon had (yet another) poor showing on my behalf.
After collecting my medal and grabbing some post run food. I made my way over to the Beer Garden + Concert. Grabbing a cold beer, I sat on the curb and licked my wounded ego while listening to Donavon Frankenreiter. That at least made me feel better. Beer + medal + live music.
Pros:
I give this race a 5 out of 10.
Well, better late than never.
 |
| San Diego Expo |
Just before finishing St George last year, I got an email from one of The Ladies. There was a discount rate for San Diego RnR and a few Ladies were on board for running it. Not one to sit out, I quickly pulled out my card and signed up.
I won't lie. I had visions of revisiting the course I loved so much, that started my crazy addiction to both running and tri's, and killing it. In some ways I could race the old me, and give it a lesson on being a "seasoned" runner.
Well, here's how it went:
 |
| Houston we have a problem! |
Yup, the evidence is in the previous blog entries. At first it was Hill Repeats, Mile Repeats, and GMPs. But then, it became more skipped weekday runs and challenging (barely hanging on) Long Runs.
Next thing I know, I'm standing at the start line. Hurt, under trained and scared. Cursing myself, I toed the line and pushed off. Here we go...
The Race itself was a blur for me the first 8 Miles. Plugged into my iPod, I tried to focus on my target pace. The problem was I didn't have one. Going into training, my goal was an 8:30. However, my last Long Run was lagging at about 10:00 (huffing and puffing). Although I don't remember that actual course, during that first 8, the thing I do remember is going too fast - like an 8:15.
Time to panic, right? You'd think.
There was the loaded iPod with amped up music + the adrenaline + the flat course = the false security I gained by all these things added together. I really thought I could hold that pace.
Miles ticked away, and minutes per mile lengthened.
The thing I don't like about the RnR races I've completed (San Diego and Seattle) is they tend to push you onto a freeway. Which means your running on a slanted surface to help with runoff during the rainy season. Not too mention the concrete is a little less forgiving. So although it was cool to run (marathoners on one side and half marathoners on the other) with both distances, my knees (ITB in particular) was aching quite early in the race.
Once you bottom out on the hill, you turn onto a smaller street for an out and back. Quite possibly the longest out and back. Ever.
Finally wind your way down to Mission Bay to run on the Beach Path. At points it was windy and you hoped the headwind would turn on you - but it didn't. Instead you plowed, head down, towards the finish.
 |
| 2012 Race Course |
Around mile 24 1/2 I tried to encourage another Runner in hopes of getting the same in return. Nope. She wanted nothing to do with me or my encouraging words (I think she actually thought I was mocking her - while I was walking beside her). Perhaps she felt the same pain and frustration I did... I'll never know. She broke from her walk break and that was the last that I saw of her.
Finally off the island and turning right (finally) wobbling towards the Finish Line. The beach path lined with Spectators encouraging you in... I felt a sense of relief it was over but also sadness that (yet another) marathon had (yet another) poor showing on my behalf.
After collecting my medal and grabbing some post run food. I made my way over to the Beer Garden + Concert. Grabbing a cold beer, I sat on the curb and licked my wounded ego while listening to Donavon Frankenreiter. That at least made me feel better. Beer + medal + live music.
Pros:
- The Rock n' Roll series know how to run a well organized Race.
- Ample port-a-potties before, during and after the Race
- Although a crowded Race, the start corrals and area were extremely easy to navigate
- Bag Drop was extremely easy
- Mile Markers easy to find
- Yes, bands every mile - if you don't listen to an iPod while running, this could be fun (sadly, a miss for me)
- Runners generally were very friendly
- Huge support for Team In Training - it's a sea of purple (however, for some this can be a negative)
- Course is known for being relatively flat, fast
- Beer Garden!
- Beer Garden + Live Bands at finish line
- Depending on which hotel you stay at - HOTEL shuttle service was fantastic both before and after the race!
- Appreciated the "virtual" race course shown at the Expo - helped give Runners an idea what the course would look like
- Expo was big with plenty of vendors and Mo Farah signing books
- Running the highway starting at Mile 10 - it's both a steep downhill and at a slant
- Mile 15-18 was an out and back - mind blowing
- Last few miles the course pushes you onto a little "island", be prepared for some headwind
- Finish line was a bit tight on space
- If you went with the Race Shuttle, be patient - lines are long. Our hotel shuttle made it a breeze
I give this race a 5 out of 10.
 |
| Night before all smiles. |
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