OC Half Marathon 2016 Recap

Yesterday I ran the OC Half Marathon. It was a really good race even though SkinnyRunner my long time partner in crime at this race was not there (this is me trying to make her feel guilty). I usually run the full marathon but since I haven’t been running long lately I decided to keep it half style this time.

Pre-race: The night before the half marathon I set out all the stuff I need for the race and after the race. I usually pack a bag with the basics like water, change of clothes, flip-flops…

Since Ben is here he offered to drop me off at the race. The OC marathon/half is a point to point course which means it starts at one place (Fashion Island)  and ends somewhere else (the Fair grounds in Costa Mesa). You need to park at the finish and take a shuttle to the start which requires an extra early wake up call to get all that done.

I got to the start with just enough time to hit the bathroom and line up as the gun went off.

I was sporting my Surf City Marathon tee as my throw away, but didn’t need it. It wasn’t that cold and I could have been okay without it. I hate when I waste a throw away!

The race: I love the OC half (but I am partial to SoCal races). There are a few small hills, but it feels like a lot of downhill too in the beginning. There is one steep hill at mile 11. There is an aid station right on the hill to distract you, but it’s so steep it never distracts me. I felt really great the whole race until the top of that hill. I ran it (I walk a lot of hills lately) and at the top felt like my legs were super heavy and done. Luckily, I got it back and kept chugging away.

I am pretty happy with my finish time since I feel like I have been slower than usual lately  – 1:46:56. With an average pace of 8:10 I’m super excited about that! I have been really just slogging along lately listening to audio books and thinking about life on my runs.

I grabbed a banana and hitched a ride home (Ben picked me up). Local races are the best, it’s just so much easier to coordinate.

Aaaaaand I signed up for a marathon at the expo that I’m super excited about! I am not even 100% sure I can do it since it’s out of town and I am not sure of what’s going on in my life over the next three months but I am still excited and going to plan for it to happen. Boom.

Next up: Tinkerbelle 10k and Half Marathon this weekend! I need to get my costumes ready!!

Question: Do you have any travel plans for this year? I never know how far in advance to plan stuff!

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