This past weekend, I ran the OC Half Marathon in southern California. Of the three half marathons I have fun thus far, this one was my favorite for a few reasons.
My plan was to drive out Saturday and drive home Sunday after the race. However, my parents didn't want me driving out alone, so they offered to come along to keep me company. (I'm so glad they did because all I wanted to do was sleep on the way home!)
My plan was to drive out Saturday and drive home Sunday after the race. However, my parents didn't want me driving out alone, so they offered to come along to keep me company. (I'm so glad they did because all I wanted to do was sleep on the way home!)
We arrived at my friend Kari's house around 7pm. She offered to house me since she would be running the same race. (I have known Kari for 15 years. Back in 2000, she offered to house me when we were marching the Pacific Crest Drum and Bugle Corps in the colorguard together. I didn't know her before this, but she and her family, welcomed me. I spent my summer living in their motor home located in the backyard. It was one of my best summers ever. We have remained friends over the years and were even pregnant at the same time while being 600 miles away.)
Kari was kind enough to pick up my race packet and she also bought me the shirt on the right (which I'm currently wearing). She took me out to dinner and we gabbed for the almost two hours until she suggested we get some sleep. Considering it was almost 9:30 and we were waking up around 3:00 am, it was probably a good idea.
The next morning, we were in her car and driving to the race at 4:00 am. Considering how many runners there were (close to 10,000) it didn't seem overly crowded or chaotic. There were A TON of portos, which was really helpful and the lines were never too long. The marathoners were out of the gate at 5:30 and the half started at 6:15.
The next morning, we were in her car and driving to the race at 4:00 am. Considering how many runners there were (close to 10,000) it didn't seem overly crowded or chaotic. There were A TON of portos, which was really helpful and the lines were never too long. The marathoners were out of the gate at 5:30 and the half started at 6:15.
Going into the race, I had a goal to finish at 2:17 while maintaining a 10:30/mi pace. Kari said she's stick with me as long as she could, but that I should go ahead to PR. But after a few miles of a 10:45-11:00/mile pace all while enjoying the gorgeous scenery of ocean and mansions, I threw trying to PR out of my mind. I was having such a blast with my dear friend and enjoying her company that it was more important for me to have fun with her, than to PR.
There were more hills than I expected, but the one that I was dreading was at mile 7. I had heard that it was a b*tch of a hill, so mentally I was preparing for a steep incline. We could see it coming up and once we reached the top, I turned to Kari and said, "Was that it?" It was much less horrifying that I had pictured! (The hill I'd practiced on here at home was MUCH MUCH worse!) After climbing that hill, we read the top of a cliff and ran along it overlooking the ocean. Just before seeing it Kari tells me, "This is when it gets pretty!" Like it hadn't been already?
There were more hills than I expected, but the one that I was dreading was at mile 7. I had heard that it was a b*tch of a hill, so mentally I was preparing for a steep incline. We could see it coming up and once we reached the top, I turned to Kari and said, "Was that it?" It was much less horrifying that I had pictured! (The hill I'd practiced on here at home was MUCH MUCH worse!) After climbing that hill, we read the top of a cliff and ran along it overlooking the ocean. Just before seeing it Kari tells me, "This is when it gets pretty!" Like it hadn't been already?
There was a smaller hill at mile 9 which was a little steeper and that one seemed worse than mile 7, but then we hit another hill at mile 11 which was the toughest one yet. There was a water station at the base where Kari and I both took some water. She told me to go on a head because there was still a chance I could PR. With her permission, I said goodbye and that we'd meet at the finish. Thankfully, that was the last hill and the remainder of the race was slightly downhill for a bit and then flat to the finish. At this point I was running closer to 9:45-10:00/mile trying to get in before 2:23:00.
About 3/4 of a mile to the end, I felt someone come up and smack me on the bum. It took me for a surprise, and when I looked, it was KARI! She had caught up to me. She said that she had me in her sight the whole time. We were running pretty fast the last bit (8:45/mile) to the finish. We crossed at the same time, finishing at 2:21:07! Not only did I PR, but she did too...by an HOUR! I was so proud of her, much more than I was for myself. I did get a little emotional, but didn't let the tears fall!
About 3/4 of a mile to the end, I felt someone come up and smack me on the bum. It took me for a surprise, and when I looked, it was KARI! She had caught up to me. She said that she had me in her sight the whole time. We were running pretty fast the last bit (8:45/mile) to the finish. We crossed at the same time, finishing at 2:21:07! Not only did I PR, but she did too...by an HOUR! I was so proud of her, much more than I was for myself. I did get a little emotional, but didn't let the tears fall!
We picked up some treats and and ate some goodies after the race, stretched a bit, then went to get some coffee before meeting our friends, Stephanie & Caryn, for brunch at Plums Cafe.
Brunch was delicious. I wasn't sure what to order until Stephanie showed us a picture of the biscuits and gravy that her friend had eaten just before our arrival. It looked SO good that I had to order it. We bought a bottle of champagne and the server brought us a side of orange juice for mimosas.
Stephanie had also told us about a delicious donut shop called Sidecar. Luckily for us, it was only about a 5 minute walk, so we took a stroll over to get some. (I ate two of them for dinner last night.)
We headed back to our cars and it was time to say goodbye. Kari drove me back to her place where my parents picked me up to drive back to AZ.
I had such wonderful weekend and I'm so thankful I was able to see my friends as well. This race weekend will be one to remember!
I had such wonderful weekend and I'm so thankful I was able to see my friends as well. This race weekend will be one to remember!