I was able to finish that run in 2:07:44. While not technically my PR, it's the fastest half i've run during my "second wind" (the line in the sand being drawn at the Phoenix Marathon).
The course has an elevation loss of a little over 1800 feet, leading to my relatively fast time. Although it really doesn't, it feels like most of that elevation loss occurs in the first mile or so. I honestly felt like i wanted to fly through those initial miles, but not wanting to bonk before the end, i was cautious enough to keep my pace on the slower side (my slowest of the whole race, in fact), and ultimately ended up with a negative split.
Since i've done it before, and was essentially substituting the race for an 18-mile long run, i decided to up the intensity and "run-jog-run" instead of run-walk-run. I tried to keep my runs at a 9:15-9:30 pace and slowed down to around 12:00 for the jog segments. After the first few downhill miles, i definitely felt my quads burning... but i put my faith in my training and was able to finish with that strategy.
Hydration/nutrition wise, i carried nothing with me and merely used the aid stations. During training, i've drunk water but otherwise avoided fueling for around 16 miles (to train my body to burn fat instead of glucose/glycogen), so i was confident that i could do it.
Otherwise, not much to write home about. I'm happy i was able to keep my running schedule all throughout the trip, and was able to run some pretty routes all throughout. As an aside, despite the "high intensity" of my run, i wasn't terribly sore after, and was able to do an easy 6-miler after only 48 hours. Meaning: perhaps i can keep pushing. Perhaps.
RACE NOTES:
1. Packet pickup was straightforward: show up at the location, tell them your name, get the bib and shirt. No expo nor any real swag.
2. I was somewhat concerned about the temperature, which was projected to initially be 68 degrees, climbing up to a warm 80 degrees at the finish. In actuality, it was 65 at the start and 78 at the end. Notably, there were no heaters at the starting line, and the buses left immediately after dropoff. It felt a little chilly standing around, but tolerable. Still, note to self: don't forget the disposable sweater next time. The first 7-8 miles or so while heading down the canyon felt pretty cool. It only really warmed up once we got into the city. I don't know if it was the change in elevation, sunlight reflecting off glass (from the buildings), or just the lack of open airflow in the city proper, but the change in temperature felt really distinct.
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| Ready to go! |
3. Despite having a considerable net elevation loss, the are still a few uphills, most notably the gentle one leading up to the finish line. While it's not really much, it's worth it to prepare for. There's not really much more to say about the course, since it's not particularly picturesque. Interestingly, there was a lot of people camped along the sidewalks in the last mile or so... They were actually waiting for the Pioneer Day parade, but it kind of felt like they were out there for the runners.
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| Elevation chart |
4. The aid stations were appropriately spaced out, at miles 1.5,. 4, 6, 9, and 12. I recall there being Gu at miles 6 and 12. I never regretted not carrying my own fluids or nutrition.
5. Not much fanfare at the finish. Past the finish line, someone handed me a medal. After getting through the chute, there was a little food. I got a chocolate chip cookie then headed out.
7. Probably because of the Pioneer Day festivities, there were a lot of road closures and no place nearby to park, so there was about a half mile walk to the car.
8. No official photos. The was a smattering of "official-looking" photographers along the course (they had those long lenses on their cameras, at least), but for some reason, they seemed to be more interested in taking pictures of people who went before and after me.
I'd do it again. In fact, i might do it when i attempt to do a sub-2.
Next, Huntington Beach. Unless we get shut down again.
