As promised (and only slightly behind schedule), I'm writing my post-race report. A week ago, I ran in the AFC (America's Finest City) Half Marathon in preparation for my marathon this October. I had lofty goals for a PR (that's personal record for you non-running friends and family), but ended up changing my focus at about mile 4 due to some characteristically serious pre-race stomach issues and some uncharacteristically hot weather here in San Diego.
The morning started at 4:15 AM (Have I mentioned that I HATE getting up when it's still dark outside...) so that I would be ready for my friends Tammi & Jenna to pick me up at 4:45. Why so early? The race starts out on Point Loma at the Cabrillo National Monument and the only way to get there is via bus. We boarded the buses (still in darkness) near the finish line at Balboa Park and headed off on our journey.
Tammi - This is where I will put some of our fun pre-race photos if you will ever email them to me!!!!
After all the lovable starting line traditions (even the standard port-a-potty lines) we headed off down the road with beautiful views of San Diego harbor and the sea of runners.
I learned a lot out on the road that morning ... a few of my favorites:
1) Despite the fact that San Diego has mild, cool, and beautiful weather almost every single morning of the year, there ARE occasionally days where it is hot and HUMID.
2) Running without my Fuel Belt is a BAD idea. Especially when it is hot and humid.
3) I can run long distances by myself. Before the race, I was absolutely certain that I "couldn't" run that far alone. I had to be with friends. Or so I thought ... After leaving my friends around mile 2, I ran the rest of the race solo. It was definitely a big boost to my confidence despite the fact that I didn't make my goal. For the record, I finished in 2:25... but was happy about it.
4) I work with a lot of really cool people. Literally dozens of my co-workers participated in the 5k and half marathon. Read more about it by visiting the Active Weekend Warriors Blog. It was great to see so many familiar faces out on the road and great to know that so many of them were racing for a cause of their own. "Team Active" raised over $17,000 for San Diego's Monarch School.
5) The support of friends and family means more than they'll ever know. Knowing Lloyd, Sean and Dan were there to cheer for me helped me for several miles before and after the few second/ minutes I spent saying hi to them near mile 10. Getting their hugs and a bottle of ice water certainly helped too! Seeing Liz & her husband Scott at the finish line (they stuck around after she finished the 5k) added to my joy!
All in all ... it was a great experience and I'm REALLY looking forward taking on Nike in a couple of months. More to follow soon (when I'm not so sleepy) about my fundraising progress, this weekend's 15 miler, and the amazing generousity of a total stranger!
Thanks for your continued support!
The morning started at 4:15 AM (Have I mentioned that I HATE getting up when it's still dark outside...) so that I would be ready for my friends Tammi & Jenna to pick me up at 4:45. Why so early? The race starts out on Point Loma at the Cabrillo National Monument and the only way to get there is via bus. We boarded the buses (still in darkness) near the finish line at Balboa Park and headed off on our journey.
Tammi - This is where I will put some of our fun pre-race photos if you will ever email them to me!!!!
After all the lovable starting line traditions (even the standard port-a-potty lines) we headed off down the road with beautiful views of San Diego harbor and the sea of runners.
I learned a lot out on the road that morning ... a few of my favorites:
1) Despite the fact that San Diego has mild, cool, and beautiful weather almost every single morning of the year, there ARE occasionally days where it is hot and HUMID.
2) Running without my Fuel Belt is a BAD idea. Especially when it is hot and humid.
3) I can run long distances by myself. Before the race, I was absolutely certain that I "couldn't" run that far alone. I had to be with friends. Or so I thought ... After leaving my friends around mile 2, I ran the rest of the race solo. It was definitely a big boost to my confidence despite the fact that I didn't make my goal. For the record, I finished in 2:25... but was happy about it.
4) I work with a lot of really cool people. Literally dozens of my co-workers participated in the 5k and half marathon. Read more about it by visiting the Active Weekend Warriors Blog. It was great to see so many familiar faces out on the road and great to know that so many of them were racing for a cause of their own. "Team Active" raised over $17,000 for San Diego's Monarch School.
5) The support of friends and family means more than they'll ever know. Knowing Lloyd, Sean and Dan were there to cheer for me helped me for several miles before and after the few second/ minutes I spent saying hi to them near mile 10. Getting their hugs and a bottle of ice water certainly helped too! Seeing Liz & her husband Scott at the finish line (they stuck around after she finished the 5k) added to my joy!
All in all ... it was a great experience and I'm REALLY looking forward taking on Nike in a couple of months. More to follow soon (when I'm not so sleepy) about my fundraising progress, this weekend's 15 miler, and the amazing generousity of a total stranger!
Thanks for your continued support!
