Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego 2012

About a year ago was my first Half Marathon.  I have never been a big runner and still do not really consider myself a “runner”.  I do enjoy it occasionally but, mainly do it to relieve stress and stay somewhat fit and healthy. 

My goal time for a half marathon has been 2:20 for some time now.  My first one a year ago at Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego 2011 was my best time for about 11 months at 2:23:48.   I was happy I finished that first race and have been trying to beat that time ever since!  Since then I have done 7 other half marathons with an average time of about 2:26.   I always have in my head that I want a 2:20 and start doing the math about mile 10 to see if I will make it – but always a little off.  Last week at Laguna Hills Half Marathon on Memorial Day I ran a 2:21:53 and was so close to my goal time!  So was off to try again where it all began! 

We had our alarms set for 3:20 and 3:30… and it was very difficult to get out of bed.  Larry made us peanut butter bagels which we ate on the way out.  We had a friend who purchased the Fast Pass and wrist bands so we said we would drive for the better parking which was awesome in the end because we were parked at the finish line and did not have to wait for another shuttle!  Thank you so much!  We got down to San Diego at about 5:15 and after parking and taking the shuttle got to the start area about 6.  I prefer to go to the port-a-johns before I start rather than having to count that time in my run somewhere so we waited in a ridiculous line – and took a before picture!

I heard the National Anthem and knew Larry and the others were not going to make it into wave 2.  You do not officially start until the timing tag on your chip crosses the line so we were still good.  I was in Wave 16 so I didn’t have a problem continuing to wait.  Finally got threw the line and still had to drop off my bag/warm clothes.  By the time I was headed to my corral I only had about 5 more waves to wait until it was my turn to go!  I asked someone to take a picture and Larry walked by – you can see his hand on the side with the pink wrist band!  This actually worked out really well jumping into the corral later on.  I did not have as much time to stand there and get cold or nervous before the start and think I may do this again for the next one!

 Then it was go time.  I have my playlist to have slower songs in the beginning but it is so difficult to pace myself and let people fly past me.  I just tried to remember that I would catch up to them again or pass them later on.  It was going pretty well.  I was already hungry by about mile 2 wishing I could stop and eat the wonderful breakfast food I smelled!  I keep my pace under 10 minutes for the first 4 miles then it shot up to almost 11 minutes for miles 5 and 6.  There was a hill there and I walked a bit to get some sports beans and water.  At about mile 7 the drums started by Naruwan Taiko!  My pace started to pick up to about 9:30 for the mile I could hear them!  They are truly awesome and very motivating. 

At mile 9 I started to go down again averaging about 10.30 minutes/ mile.  I really started to feel it for miles 11 & 12.  Once I was doing the math I knew I was going to have a personal record (PR) and that even if I had to walk the last mile a bit I would still be doing really well.  I made the last mile almost a 10 minute mile and was so happy when I cross the finish line!  I knew I had done really well!  My time was 2:14:59!  Almost an 8 minute improvement on my PR!  I was SO happy!   As I walked through the end I was trying to figure out where Larry would be.  I took my time getting through the finish line picking up as much snacks and goodies that I could hold.  I was able to grab my bag and meet up with one of our friends the wait for the others to finish.

   I was glad I had some warm clothes to put on and was so happy to see Larry come through the finish area!  He looked really good and I was so proud of him for running the whole thing!  He is in the bright orange! J

 I am so happy that we do this together!  It was a great day and I am so pleased with my results!  Here is a picture of us after in the beer area.  It was hard to get up after sitting for a minute!

My Medal

My Results!

Now my next goal time is 2:10…. This will take some work!