Rock 'N' Roll San Diego

Half Marathon number 2! And just 3 1/2 weeks after OC! RNR San Diego was a beautiful run! I stayed with my Aunt who lives in Oceanside, so this made the drive a lot easier for me! Of course on race day, I woke up at 3:30 AM and prepared for battle. I drove to Sea World and parked my car...Sea World was the finish line for this race, but I was a smart guy and bought the Race Day Fast Pass! I boarded the bus which took us to the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. I arrived at the start village and picked up my bib, stretched a little and made my way to Corral 29. The gun went off and away we went! This was my second race, so I was way more comfortable with my pacing and endurance. This made this race much more enjoyable. We raced through Hillcrest and ended up in Balboa Park around mile 4 and 5. Now, I've been to Balboa Park serveral times, but to run through it was just beautiful. Especially as the sun was coming up! Talk about amazing sights.

    

The race took us on the highway and around the University of San Diego neighborhoods. I had a little difficulty around miles 11 and 12. Mostly because it was a switch back and no one likes to see that they have to run uphill at the point they are nearing exhaustion. But I digress. As we approached Mission Bay (where Sea World is located) my energy spiked! I was finishing my second race and I knew my time was light years faster than my rookie race! I saw my cousin and my brother at the finish line and gave hi-5's. I crossed the finish line at 2:15:41. I had shaved 10 minutes off of my rookie race. This was a new PR (personal record)! I made my way through the racer's chute and was BEAT! I remember almost falling over from the adrenaline drop haha. But I made it! This was a beautiful race! I like San Diego as a city anyway, so how could I not enjoy?

he OC Half Marathon May 6th, 2012 - The Rookie Run That Started It All

So here it was. Race day. My first 13.1 mile half marathon. What had I signed up for? What was I thinking? How am I going to do this? All thoughts that went through my head as I was shuttled over to Fashion Island, the start line for the OC Marathon and Half Marathons. I hopped off the bus and made my way to start corral C. C obviously stood for crazy! I have never raced before! I found my place among the other runners and tried to keep a look of confidence on my face, when in fact I was really nervous and anxious. Before I knew it, off we were. Leaving Fashion Island behind and making our way through Newport Beach. After the first 3 miles I started to gain confidence. Running on Pacific Coast Highway was quite a rush. The scenery of the Southern California coastline was inspiring. I was also inspired by all of the spectators along the route. Families came out of their homes and cheered us all on. We didn't even know these people! The support was awesome! You know what else was awesome? Gatorade at a LOT of the water stops haha.

The views were spectacular! I don't know if it was because I was experiencing 'runner's high' or what, but everything was just so fantastic! Although right after the Clif Bar food stop around mile 10...there was a HILL! Worst. Hill. EVER! It was unexpected and it appears to have gotten the best of everyone. But it didn't stop us from running our asses to the finish line at the Orange County Fairgrounds! I saw the mile 13 sign and literally sprinted like a cheetah was coming for me! I LEPT across the finish line! I was in so much pain from muscle cramping (needed more water and vitamins) but I did it! 2:25:19 was my finishing time! I met up with a friend of mine, JJ at the finish!! It was an awesome first race and an amazing experience! If you can, do this race :)