This has to become some kind of tradition, having dinner at our favorite restaurant after a race.
Today’s race was tough for me, mentally more than physically.
Of course I will do a full review, soon.
But in the meantime I’ll just tell you this.
After trying hard to get away from people, to keep my paces, to pass some girls that I’ve seen on other races (and they are fast for me), after having everything go great… at about the 14 KM mark we merged with all the 10K’ers.
There were a lot of them, and it was demoralizing to have so many people in front of me again, to start weaving again. I wasn’t sure we would stay on the same course until the end and I was afraid of missing a turn and going the wrong way. A lot of mental energy went into all of this, at a point in the race that I didn’t have much mental energy left.
This is a bit before the 14K mark, if I recognize the area correctly.. see there’s not a lot of people around me.
This is around the 18K… look at the masses! Tough shit.
I don’t know why I put my glasses up, everything was bothering me by now.
I still managed to PR, I know that. I don’t know what my official result is yet, but my Garmin’s time is 01:39:10 and it took me a few seconds to turn it off, so I’m a little below that. Garmin distance was 21.26, but that’s close enough, the difference is all corners and weaving.
Now if my official result could be 01:38:xx that would be awesome. Even 01:38:59.
Just so you know, I was hoping for 01:38:37, how random is that number. It came from the splits I was hoping for (05:10, 05:00, 4:55..) and the last .1 KM made the final time I was hoping for kind of funny. That result is not happening, but that’s OK.
It was a great race overall, I am so happy I ran it. It was well organized and everything went smoothly, including parking, start line (not as crowded as I feared), great energy, lots of aid stations, DJ’s, music bands.. quite an event. I want you all here next year!
Have you raced an international race? Would you consider running one?
2 Cups 'N Run 
That’s an incredible PR — congrats! I wish I could run an international race… would probably do one in Spain or Ireland.
Barcelona would be a great one! I love that city. Also Ireland actually, great reason to finally visit.
Great time, congrats on the PR!
I feel your frustration, during my last half marathon there was a “mini marathon” that merged with the us during the last half mile and there were groups of people walking! I had to weave around them and it was so tiring!
I’m actually looking in to the Maratoni Di Roma in 2015!
Seriously, merging courses should be banned! 🙂
Well done! It some seem odd that the two races overlapped like that.
Yes.. I talked to some other people that ran the race and they thought the same.
Alright on the PR! And yeahhh for dinners without cooking! And those are great photos … the running ones and the ones with the kids 🙂
Thanks! And I definitely need a break from house chores after a race (any other excuse works too).
Congrats on a well-deserved and fought for race!
The merging of the races late in your race seems inefficient. Congrats on the PR!
I’ve run two international races, one in Ireland and one in England. It was a great experience for me, and I PR’d both times (although I’ve since bested those times)
That’s great about your races! If you’ve posted about it I’d love to read it, especially dealing with international travel while getting ready for a race..
Well done. I’m running vicariously through you now so keep up the good work! 🙂
Thank you.
Well done on you PR.
International runs are great. I’ve run the Paris marathon as well as a handful of 5k races during summer holidays in Florida. It’s fun to run somewhere completely different.
That must have been so nice, the Paris Marathon! What a great city to run.
It was, and very special as it was my first. Going back for another go in 5 weeks and getting very excited!
Good job getting a PR! I would LOVE to run in an international race, but don’t see it happening anytime soon.
I hope you get to do it one day.
Fantastic time, well done! Especially in the crowded conditions, that’s excellent. I hope that official time comes back how you want it 🙂
Thanks a lot.
That’s a great time! Many congratulations!
Thank you.
Great job! You look strong in the pics. The merge in the middle of the race is a little strange. I suppose it was to give everyone a chance to finish at the same time but it seems that for people running a longer distance, you should have similar conditions all the way through. But you’re an athlete. I am sure you took it all in stride. I would love to do an international race next year. Maybe the reggae marathon in Jamaica 🙂
Yes, it was strange (for me at least, hadn’t seen it before), and I was surprised. It makes sense to have similar conditions, it was definitely a slow down for me.
I know there were some marathoners that also merged with us and with the 10K’ers and I feel really bad for them, after running for 3 hours having all those people in their way..
Great job on the PR! That would be mentally challenging to have all those other runners flood in later in the race. Argh!
I have yet to race outside of CA. International….hmmmmmmm
I hear you though. I have a race in a few weeks that is an hour away and I’m bummed… 🙂
Nice!! My international experience is limited to Canada – I definitely want to branch out a little more!
That’s good! You get to do an international race without having to travel too far (well depending on where you are, but at least no crossing the ocean).
Congrats on the PR! That stinks that the mental part was so tough! I would have been the same way. Can’t stand weaving around people. Part of the game, I know. Enjoy the weekend!
Thank you. You are right, it is part of the game. With 40000 people I’m sure they did the best they could.
Wow, awesome job! Such a great time!
Thank you, that’s very kind!
Congrats! Way to go. I know it’s tough in those conditions, I ran a 10k last year that halfway through merged with a 5k. Suddenly we were dodging people left and right, it was a bummer.
I’d love to run an international race. I’ve tried for several years to get into the London Marathon, but no luck so far.
I was wondering if that’s something that happens often in races, merging different courses. I really didn’t like it. 🙂
I didn’t know the London Marathon was hard to get into, well actually I don’t know much about international races.. better look into it.
Wow, great job!!! That is an awesome time, seriously, you should be so proud!! You’re a fantastic runner!! Enjoy your dinner out!! You certainly deserve it!!
Nothing like a nice dinner out. Add to that no cooking OR cleaning up. 🙂
Yes, you definitely deserve it all!! Great job again!!
Congrats on the race and on the PR, even with all of the annoyances.
Thanks. It was a good race!
Congrats!! Jesse and I are hoping to do the Berlin Marathon in 2015.
That’s a cool one! Great records this year.
I’d love to do an international race, I’m looking at a couple and I’m hoping I can make one work this year 🙂 congrats on your race!!
Thank you. Running an international race would be awesome, although I’m not crazy about combining racing and travel logistics. But the experience might be worth it.