Race Report: San Diego Holiday Half Marathon (Dec)
One last Race before the end of the year? Sure, why not.
A few of The Ladies and I headed down to San Diego for the inaugural Holiday Half Marathon. It really didn't take much to hook our group. Our prerequisites are: roadtrip + race + celebration (or prerace) cocktails. Not necessarily in that order. This trip fit the bill.
Saturday we met up, grabbed our coffee at Starbucks and headed down to the expo at Road Runner's headquarters. Although a large warehouse style store, it was packed with Runners registering, trying on shoes, picking out apparel, etc. Seeing this, we quickly picked up our packets and got out. Packet pickup was pretty seamless, really, we just didn't want to wait for 45 minutes on an impulse purchase (i.e.cute running pants). Even with 20% off the entire store that day.
Off to the hotel for some "carbo" loading (aka: lunch and cocktails). Sunday's race was considered a Training Run so we weren't too worried about time. Besides, you shouldn't change your routine before a Race... so a glass of wine it was!
(Remember kids, do as I say, not as I do)
We booked our room at the Host Hotel, so Race morning was super easy with the start literally 200 yards from our door. Quite honestly, I have no idea on the port-a-potty situation at Start because we never needed it. After meeting up with our gang, we walked to the start and lined up in our "corral".
Here's the observation we made: This Race had some serious Runners. Not the beginning/bucket list/leisurely/"Wear the Race Shirt at the Race" type Runners. But Runners serious about time. More specifically Runners serious about qualifying for a spot to New York Marathon (qualifying time = automatic entry to New York, no lottery). Runners who looked lean and fit.
With this observation, our group moved toward the back of our corral.
In a matter of minutes (and without the National Anthem), the announcer mimicked the sound of an air horn through the mic *insert giggle* and we were off.
Thankfully Jorge gave us the heads up on the course which didn't match our expectation. We thought this was a fast, slightly downhill course. We weren't expecting Fontana, but we also thought this would be a breeze. Per Jorge, the course would be a nice gradual downhill but expect a hill and some rollers throughout. That save me some brain damage. Especially when we turned left after the start, and hit "the hill" (yes, singular) for the Race almost immediately.
My strategy for this "Run" was to get in under 2hours. Seeing the "1:55" Pace Group, I figured I'd just hang with them. Great idea! If I'd been at the level of fitness.
Needless to say, I was dropped at Mile 2 when I decided to take my Jeff Galloway walk break and they kept going. Fine by me. This was a Training Run.
The course overall was pretty good. For the most part we are on a Bike Path starting at Carmel Mountain and ending down in Torrey Pines (yup, point-to-point). The highlight for me was Running by a barn and dropping down into a secluded wooded area that took you past a creek.
As with all inaugural there were a few hiccups. Nothing that gave me a poor taste in my mouth, but the aid stations certainly had opportunities. Several lacked enough volunteers and/or weren't prepared with handing the waters out. One station I ran past, a cyclist actually stopped to help, offering to stay because they clearly were understaffed. Tis the challenges with having enough volunteers (note to self: volunteer for a race or two this year).
The last few miles of the course were relatively flat. Our group was prepared for a headwind given we were running towards the beach. Truthfully, I think my legs were just tired and I can't blame any sort of headwind. Turning left for a quick out and back, I saw the "1:55" Pace Group! Unfortunately, they were finishing and I still had 1/2 Mile to go. Drats!
The Finish is a quick, I'd say, uneventful end to the Race. After Running towards the coast for over a quarter of Mile, you take a left into a parking lot. With about 100 yards, you finish. I guess my point is, if you expect a huge crowd, banners and scaffolding... you'll be disappointed. Think more: charming finish with lots of noise...
Medal in hand, I wobbled around the Finish Expo listening to the live band.
Pros of the Race:
All in all we had a great time! San Diego Holiday Half succeeded with their first year. And we celebrated with a quick stop at In N' Out on the way home!
On my scale, I give this Race an 8. Fun way to end the year.
A few of The Ladies and I headed down to San Diego for the inaugural Holiday Half Marathon. It really didn't take much to hook our group. Our prerequisites are: roadtrip + race + celebration (or prerace) cocktails. Not necessarily in that order. This trip fit the bill.
Saturday we met up, grabbed our coffee at Starbucks and headed down to the expo at Road Runner's headquarters. Although a large warehouse style store, it was packed with Runners registering, trying on shoes, picking out apparel, etc. Seeing this, we quickly picked up our packets and got out. Packet pickup was pretty seamless, really, we just didn't want to wait for 45 minutes on an impulse purchase (i.e.cute running pants). Even with 20% off the entire store that day.
Off to the hotel for some "carbo" loading (aka: lunch and cocktails). Sunday's race was considered a Training Run so we weren't too worried about time. Besides, you shouldn't change your routine before a Race... so a glass of wine it was!
(Remember kids, do as I say, not as I do)
We booked our room at the Host Hotel, so Race morning was super easy with the start literally 200 yards from our door. Quite honestly, I have no idea on the port-a-potty situation at Start because we never needed it. After meeting up with our gang, we walked to the start and lined up in our "corral".
Here's the observation we made: This Race had some serious Runners. Not the beginning/bucket list/leisurely/"Wear the Race Shirt at the Race" type Runners. But Runners serious about time. More specifically Runners serious about qualifying for a spot to New York Marathon (qualifying time = automatic entry to New York, no lottery). Runners who looked lean and fit.
With this observation, our group moved toward the back of our corral.
In a matter of minutes (and without the National Anthem), the announcer mimicked the sound of an air horn through the mic *insert giggle* and we were off.
Thankfully Jorge gave us the heads up on the course which didn't match our expectation. We thought this was a fast, slightly downhill course. We weren't expecting Fontana, but we also thought this would be a breeze. Per Jorge, the course would be a nice gradual downhill but expect a hill and some rollers throughout. That save me some brain damage. Especially when we turned left after the start, and hit "the hill" (yes, singular) for the Race almost immediately.
My strategy for this "Run" was to get in under 2hours. Seeing the "1:55" Pace Group, I figured I'd just hang with them. Great idea! If I'd been at the level of fitness.
Needless to say, I was dropped at Mile 2 when I decided to take my Jeff Galloway walk break and they kept going. Fine by me. This was a Training Run.
The course overall was pretty good. For the most part we are on a Bike Path starting at Carmel Mountain and ending down in Torrey Pines (yup, point-to-point). The highlight for me was Running by a barn and dropping down into a secluded wooded area that took you past a creek.
As with all inaugural there were a few hiccups. Nothing that gave me a poor taste in my mouth, but the aid stations certainly had opportunities. Several lacked enough volunteers and/or weren't prepared with handing the waters out. One station I ran past, a cyclist actually stopped to help, offering to stay because they clearly were understaffed. Tis the challenges with having enough volunteers (note to self: volunteer for a race or two this year).
The last few miles of the course were relatively flat. Our group was prepared for a headwind given we were running towards the beach. Truthfully, I think my legs were just tired and I can't blame any sort of headwind. Turning left for a quick out and back, I saw the "1:55" Pace Group! Unfortunately, they were finishing and I still had 1/2 Mile to go. Drats!
The Finish is a quick, I'd say, uneventful end to the Race. After Running towards the coast for over a quarter of Mile, you take a left into a parking lot. With about 100 yards, you finish. I guess my point is, if you expect a huge crowd, banners and scaffolding... you'll be disappointed. Think more: charming finish with lots of noise...
Medal in hand, I wobbled around the Finish Expo listening to the live band.
Pros of the Race:
- Registration costs were decent - I registered late and paid $95
- Registrations vary from $40-$150 depending on the course
- Course was a point to point, ending in Torrey Pines
- One Hill - then rollers or flat = fast(er) course
- Expo was easy, quick
- In the spirit of giving, the Race organized a Food Drive for the needed- bring cans and nonperishable foods to drop off.
- Expo at Road Runners Headquarters allowed for any last minute purchases at 20% off
- Relatively small Race (about 2000)
- Folks decked out in Holiday cheer
- Crushed on the man dressed as a wrapped present!
- New York Marathon qualifier (no lottery)
- Mostly on bike path, opening up better scenery
- Seemed Spectator friendly with several places where folks lined the course (numerous times) to cheer us on
- Band and expo at finish
- Bag drop looked relatively seamless
- Cool Medal
- Long sleeve dry fit shirt with registration
- Actually saw they had a "drone" cam - pretty cool: http://vimeo.com/83620520
Things that sucked about the Race:
- Aid Stations
- About 50% of the stations lacked enough Volunteers to actually hand you the water vs having to grab it off the table after it's been poured
- Lack of preparation (probably due to lack of Volunteers) so you waited for a cup of water to be poured
- Water Dixie cups were only 1/2 filled (come on, I'm on Mile 11 can't I have a full cup??)
- Shuttle system seemed limited to (2) buses at first but we realized the traffic caused a "mild" backup
- No Beer Garden :(
All in all we had a great time! San Diego Holiday Half succeeded with their first year. And we celebrated with a quick stop at In N' Out on the way home!
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| Most of the gang at the Finish line |
On my scale, I give this Race an 8. Fun way to end the year.
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