More On Running the Surf City Half Marathon

A little more details now that I have the time. As I mentioned yesterday, race day was great. The day before - well - the unSoCal weather was more than a little dampening. The evening drive to our OC area Hotel from Las Vegas crazy. Yet, in the end, I woke up today wishing I could run it all over again.

First, the Friday night drive. It typically takes us 4 hours, and actually less if traffic, weather and no potty breaks happen in a perfect alignment of traveling family bliss. We have four kids from ages 4-10. Potty breaks? Well, they happen. Snack breaks as well. Lets just say we know the places to snack, drink, dine and potty between Baker to Barstow, Ca. Trust me there is not much. Yet, on the way home we are enjoying the fantastic Strawberry Shakes at the Mad Greek in Baker.

We hit really nasty weather just out of Victorville, Ca. Lots of rain and FOG! Nasty dense Fog going over the Passes. Lots of traffic - there usually is on Interstate 15 between Vegas and SoCal. Two really bad and tragic looking accidents seen. One had just happened as we came upon it. Still praying all are well. Based on what we saw, it did not look good. The weather was pretty relentless right into the OC as well. We finally got into our Hotel, but our 4 hour trip took 5.5. At least we were safe!

The next day was all about the rain, finding my Sisters Family, finding Friends and Co-workers of my wife (remember she grew up 3-4 miles from Huntington Beach), and of course the Expo. We ended up seeing all of them at the Expo at one point or another. Family meet up planned. The friends meet up just happened by sure luck.

The Expo itself? Well, after the two Rock and Roll Expos in a row, and the Disney HM (which was really similar to the Rock and Roll ones) - Surf City was much smaller and laid back. They did a great job of keeping the whole thing dry with the canopies. It was actually set up as one long tent at the Beach Parking lot. It was a little claustrophobic for me at times, and especially our little kids. Yet, we got in some nice photo's on the surf board, and of course got our bibs. So, what more do you need? Right? Well, not much to be honest. I kinda liked the smallness of it compared to Elite/Competitor Group Rock and Roll events.

The rest of the day was spent having lunch and dinner with family and friends. My wife got to check out the house she grew up in again and Mile Square Park (which was pretty well flooded Saturday). She used to play in the park all the time growing up, or at the beach. Her hometown has changed a lot since. Yet, most of what she loved growing up is still there. She misses living in that area I can tell. Who wouldn't. For the most part a great place to grow up and live. I know she would love to move back. Cost of living keeps us frequent visitors instead of permanent residents though.

It seemed like it rain all day Saturday. Everything was soaked. Very sad to hear about the mud slides in La Canada as well. I was pretty laid back about it though - the rain. I ran a Seattle Marathon (my first full) 13-14 years ago in a torrential downpour. That was mis-er-able!! I vowed never to do that again. So, my feeling was if I woke the next AM to rain - no race for me. It is just not worth it to me to relive that again.

Ahhh, but the next morning was PERFECT! Blue skies with only a few clouds here and there. Temps perfect and slight breeze off the ocean that hit me perfectly at times. Overall, it was fun. The start was a little vague with the wave start. Most had no clue which wave they were in, or should I say be in. Yet, I think that was part of the charm. It was a very nice laid back California Beach locale run. I took off fast, at least for me, and immediately had to make a potty break a few blocks from the start. Thanks for having the Portapots at the perfect spot Surf City. Yet even nicer - no lines for any of them!!

Anyway, back to the race. I did not scout out the course ahead. No drive through like Phoenix. So, cold turkey run. First 3 mile or so flat. Here I had the surf and beach to my left always in sight. Along with Full Marathoners, wheelchair finishers and the elite or fastest HMer's on the left as well. You take a turn into a residential area to the right after 3.5 miles. Than another right at mile 4 for the Hill.

Yep. A hill. I never believe Race Directors anymore when they say a course is flat (except Vegas HM). However, I took the hill pretty strong and fast. I found myself passing quite a few runners here (woohoo big ego boost for me). You half circle around on more hill to a beautiful lookout spot. It was actually before this I noticed all the snow on the peaks to the east. It really was a fun sight once at the top looking at the mt. snow to the right (East) and then out to the beach left (West). I am sure Glenn (Running Fat Guy) could tell me what the name of the Mts I saw were.

From there, my memory is a little fuzzy, but it was pretty much a downhill back towards the Beach area then a right heading North on the PCH again. Past the wetlands and over another slight bump in the road which was a bridge over a slough or canal. All through this portion was HMer's going North passing other HMer's heading South from the turn around point.

Okay, here is where things begin to breakdown some for me. I was moving at my fastest race pace in over 13 years up till the turn around. In other words the first 7-8 miles very fast for me. Very strong. Yet at about the turnaround, I slowly started to wear down. I tried a Hammer Gel. Unfortunately, it tasted strange. It had a sour/bitter taste to it. They don't have an expiration date on package - yet I am starting to wonder? It did not help or pick me up. Water in the Camelbak and Hammer Endurolytes I feel worked well. Yet, I was needing energy I did not have anymore by the time I passed mile 9. A band playing on top of a flooded street corner did give me a boost. Yeah, I was wondering about electrocution as well (they were right above lots of water), but oh they hit into my favorite song by The Blasters - Marie, Marie! Perfect uplift for me. Well at least for a 1/4 mile.

I just did not have it in the last 3 miles. I had wonderful breezes from the ocean here to my right. It felt so good, but I was losing gas fast. Seeing the Full Marathoners on the beach pathway helped some as well. Great inspiration for me as I was looking for my Sister or Nephews. I got to the final two and wanted so much mentally to step on the gas. Yet, the body had nothing left in the tank. It was odd. My mind kept saying go go GO! But, nothing. The last 3 miles were amazingly slow compared to the first 8 miles. Almost two different races, or runners all in one event.

Regardless, I finished with my fastest HM since I started running again. I do need to remind myself - 13-14 years ago at the same distance - 18 minutes faster. Age, injuries, not eating what I should and not running have left me happy with my three minutes increase since this past Labor Day. The course was beautiful. Had the perfect mix of hills, flat and of course beach/surf to soak in. This was maybe most favorite HM yet. I will do this one again, and again.

The finish was spent on a cool wind swept beach off the corner of the intersection of the PCH and Huntington near Jacks Beach Concessions. I have to admit by this time I was far more excited to hear about my daughter finishing SECOND for all the girls in the fun run. I love my kids. So, happy and proud of her. Thanks Surf City for making it a family event as well. My kids had a blast with the Fun Run.

I finished ahead of my Sister on her umpteenth million Full Marathon run. She has slowed over the years, but still amazes. Her boys finished an hour ahead of her. Yet like me, she was just happy to do this event with her kids. After some wind swept cool weather at the beach we had a nice meal, then hit the road to come home.

Great running event. I met some new peeps along the way as well. A couple of barefoot runners, several others running their first running event ever as well. They did amazingly well for a first. My wife's co-worker did her first Half ever. She rocked it! Great job!

Well, now what?

I have an HM Trail run for mid March. My body feels pretty good overall. Strange - 20 minutes (two bottles of water, and banana) after the run yesterday - I was ready for more!! Yet, I still have that popping/crunch feeling in my left foot. I need to follow the advice and take some time off. I will rest this week. I will make an appointment to have the foot looked at first hand. Only so much a friend who knows can see via a phone call from Texas. It doesn't hurt. It just keeps popping early AM and after sitting for awhile. It goes away walking and running on it pretty quickly. It just feels odd though.

I am still looking for an April HM. Anyone have suggestions?

Cheers!