Friday - Packet Pickup
This was the smallest expo I've ever been to, but I didn't mind. The volunteer handling my letter (L-M) spent the entire time talking to a friend, which I always find a bit rude, but I got my packet and was on my way. They had a mat set up to make sure your timing chip worked, then I picked up my shirt. I had paid a little extra for long sleeve and really like it.
Dinner, of course, was pizza. We went to Aviolo's in Covina. I had my normal two pieces and lots of water.
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| Wearing my Life Is Good "Gotta Run" shirt! |
We checked into the DoubleTree hotel in Monrovia. This was about 9 miles from the start line. We were given a little information packet and told that breakfast bags would be available at 4:00 a.m. That was an unexpected surprise and while I didn't eat what was in the bag before the race, the water, apple and Nutri Grain bar really hit the spot on the drive home!
Saturday - Before O'Dark Thirty
As usual, I didn't sleep great. I was awake about every 30 minutes from 11:30 on and finally got up for good at 3:00. We had to be on the buses for the marathon between 4:00 and 5:00. Because there was a problem at one of their earlier races this year, I wasn't going to take a chance on missing the bus! We left the room just before 4:00, grabbed our breakfast bags and headed to Azusa Pacific University.
Les walked me to the bus then headed back to the car. He waited around until about 5:30 then got on his bike. Because he knows the back roads, his plan was to ride to the intersection of highway 39 (that we would be running) and East Fork Road. We weren't sure if it would work, but I got to see him at mile 15! Since the road was closed to all traffic, there were no spectators on the course, so that was an awesome moment.
I sat next to Tom on the bus ride. He ran Canyon City last year in 4:02, missing a BQ by 2 minutes since he is 61. His plan was to run the first half aggressively and hope to finish a little faster this year. He, along with every other runner I talked to, was so friendly. I ran with many people throughout the morning and the camaraderie/commiserating on the course was awesome!
We were at Crystal Lake Cafe by about 5:30 and everyone made use of the gloves and blankets included in our packets. I had an extra layer that I planned on donating to the road at some point and was glad for it as well. All drop bags had to be on the truck by 6:45, then it was just 15 minutes until go time.
Because I wanted to run my first half a little faster, I talked to the 3:45 pacer. She said she planned on doing about an 8:25 pace. I felt comfortable with that for the start and hung out with the group that was going to run with her. Many had the same goal as me - sub 4:00.
Without any fanfare, right at 7:00 we were off! I hung with my group but felt like I was really working hard. I looked at my pace and saw 7:55! Uh oh. I know I'm not that fast. My fastest recorded time was 6:32 (probably for about a second) and I dipped below the 8 minute/mile range during 9 of the first 10 miles.
I let the 3:45 group go after about 3 miles and just got into my own rhythm. I felt good but didn't want to blow up. I blew up anyway! I hit the halfway point at 1:54:28, 8:44 pace. But the road turned up and my legs were too beat up to respond like I wanted them to. I walked and ran, walked and ran some more.
My stomach did really well. I felt nauseated a couple of times, but not too bad. I stopped twice to use the port-a-potty and once to re-tie my shoes, but other than that I was able to keep moving. Sometimes at a snail's pace, but moving closer to the finish line.
The next official time check was at 23.1, I ran those ten miles in 2:09:06, a 12:54 pace, bringing my overall pace to 10:32. The final 5k was a disappointing 42:57, 13:51 pace! According to Strava, my first 5k was in 25:18!
There was a small 30 foot climb during mile 26 that felt especially cruel, but then there were 2 right turns with 30 feet of descending to the finish line! I found the energy to run the last 0.2 at a 10:04 pace.
I loved the finish line - they had two mats to cross, one that got your name to the announcer so that when you officially crossed you heard your name. Then there were the humongous medals, followed by water and towels that were dripping with ice cold water!
After taking my official PR photo, I collapsed in a chair and Les took my shoes off for me! I have a couple of small blisters, but nothing like the giant one I got when I did my training run up there. I put mole skin on my heels before the race and I'm pretty sure it saved me.
Best foot massage (by the best husband) ever!
I was really impressed with the organization of this race. I love the free pictures, especially since there was no way for spectators to take any. (I'm still waiting for my finish line shot, hopefully I can post it tomorrow.) The volunteers were fantastic. At one of the later water stops, a volunteer was holding a large jug of water and yelling, "I'll top of your water bottle for you!" That really helped. I've stood pouring water from cups into my water bottle more than once. It warmed up to about 70 by the end, so I made sure I took in plenty of fluids. My overall energy was good - my legs were just too beat up to maintain the pace I wanted.
Official time 4:46:31, 10:56 pace. 7 minutes and 2 seconds faster than my previous best - Ojai to Ocean in 2012!
