So glad I could get us off to a good start Feb 1!
Reposting a trip report I wrote on the DL Divas thread with all the details of the race. Now that I've gotten my first race over with, maybe I can put the Ohana team in my sig
There's a link straight to the pics at the end, if the reports a little
too detailed to read.
FIRST MARATHON TRIP REPORT
In researching potential races, it didnt take me long to realize that this marathon stuff could lead to some pretty nice vacations. I, of course, pondered the
Disneyland marathon for August 2008, but I just didnt have enough time to train. So I put DL on the back burner and found another race which was close, in Huntington Beach. It was perfect: in February so I had time to train, nice weather and a completely flat course. Plus, not a bad vacation destination spot to dangle as a carrot to inspire me to train.
I think I can say that I remained pretty focused and calm during my months of training. Stayed the course, put in the hours and hard work and didnt get too emotional about the whole challenge. I met my trainer two weeks before the event and he asked me if I was getting nervous and I just wasnt. I was calm and collected. Well that lasted about 5 more days and then, ah, I started getting SO anxious. Would my leg and foot bother me? What if I had to go to the bathroom during the race? What if I couldnt handle all the crowds? What if? What if? What if? And why did I sign up for this stupid race in the first place?
Funny, that last week, I couldnt even get excited about going on a mini-vacation. It wasnt feeling like fun, unfortunately. My mom told me to look at this race as a party, not a test which helped a lot. And she and grandpa were supportive and eager to take the boys and dog for the weekend. We flew out on Sunday at 11am on Jet Blue from Oakland to Long Beach. The flight was all of an hour, with individual tvs and I love the Long Beach airport. It takes all of two minutes to walk through the airport and get a cab and we were at the hotel about 30 minutes after the plane landed. The Hyatt was lovely. Our room wasnt ready, so they put us in a pool/ocean view room that was well appointed with mini fridge, large bathroom, king size bed and couch.
Immediately after bringing our bags to the room and then went straight to the expo to pick up my race number and tshirt. I felt really awkward not knowing what to do, where to get things, what I was supposed to get. I just wanted to already be experienced and know what to do and not feel so fresh. Plus, I was completely focused on my foot and leg, worrying that they were going to bother me the next day. My DH and I managed to navigate through the expo and get the shirt and number and all was pretty simple.
Then we had an afternoon just to relax and have fun. My DH enjoyed several beers, but I didnt have anything, as my trainer told me not to drink any alcohol the day before the race. I was drinking lots of water with electrolytes and had some protein and carbs for lunch to get some fuel in me. We then went to the hot tub where DH continued having beers and I had more water and tried to massage out all my aches and pains. From there we went to the beach and enjoyed a beautiful sunset. I was a bit preoccupied and singularly focused, however, and didnt even want to walk on the sand in fear that it might make my foot hurt more. Im sure I was an absolute joy to be with for DH.
Thanks to the several beers my DH drank, he fell asleep at 8pm, which was perfect as I could order my breakfast for the next morning, request a wake up call and get to bed by 9pm. I couldnt believe it, but I slept just fine and had a good 8 hours plus sleep before my alarm went off at 5:30 (and then the wakeup call at 5:45). I was told to get up two hours before the race to get ready, so I did. Had a bath to warm up and relax my muscles, did some warm up exercises and lots and lots of stretching. Pinned on my number, got my race tag on my shoes, and my little back pack filled up with water, iTunes and electrolyte snacks for the race. I also had a little map with all the distances marked off and the times I should be at those distances, assuming a 12 minute mile. Another GREAT tip from my trainer.
At this point, we braved the crowds. Wow, there were a lot of people. WAY more than those lines for early morning entry at DL I found my corral of people who had the same estimated completion time. I figured I could do the 13 miles in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. We waited huddled together and then finally it was our turn to start and we were OFF! I resisted the urge to keep up with others and stayed SLOW. My trainer had told me again and again NOT to make the mistake to start off too fast, so I let others pass me and kept my pace. It took at least a mile to feel warmed up so I could go a little faster. I didnt think I would enjoy running with so many people and unfortunately, I didnt. But it wasnt so bad that I would avoid another race. I just had to put on my music and focus on myself and my pace and how I was feeling and not worry about the others.
The first couple of miles I was still kind of nervous trying to get my stride. The next three miles were great. I was feeling a bit of a runners high and going faster and passing people and enjoying my music and the experience. I looked at my map and it didnt seem far until I would get to the turnaround point where I could go back toward the finish line. Unfortunately, that little map that I printed out was not to scale and that quick jaunt to the end of the street turned out to the longest 3 miles of the race. That was the NOT fun part of the half marathon for me. I could see thousands of people running in front of me, thousands of people on the other side of the street running the other way and if I peaked back endless people behind me. At one point I just stared at my shadow and refused to look at all the people and just ran step by step by step. It seemed to take forever until I reached the turnaround point. Fortunately, the race went smoother from there.
At this point, I had completed about 8 miles, so I was more than half way done. I had some aches in my foot and leg and hip joints, but nothing which prevented me from continuing my pace. My running was slow, but still strong, and if anything my pace was a little faster now, as I wasnt so worried about conserving energy for the race, since I had only five miles left. I just had to keep on running, keep on running, keep on swimming, uh, I mean running. My RUN RUN RUN soundtrack that DH made me was now over, so I put on a playlist of DISNEY tunes. And as I saw people on the side cheering the runners, I imagined my DISboard WISH board giving me a virtual cheer and ran on!
I had my own water in my Camelback, but it was starting to run low, so I started taking in the water and electrolyte drinks that volunteers were distributing. There were a LOT of very nice volunteers on this race who I appreciated so much. And all the people racing were kind and courteous. I kept on running and was feeling pretty strong and energetic and then I got to mile 10. Oh, that felt good! Only three miles left. I was almost done. At this point, the crowds werent as thick and we were running on the ocean side of the street, so there was a nice view. I decided I could pick up my pace a little bit, as there was no point in not using up all my energy this race. Well that faster pace lasted about ½ mile and then I decided to go back a little slower. This was definitely the FUNNEST part of the race. As you could feel the excitement grow, there were more people on the sidelines cheering us on, and the anxiety that I might not finish the race dissipated.
When I got down to the last half a mile, I started looking out for my DH. I wanted him to see that I was still energetic and going strong and to get a pic so everyone could see. Unfortunately, I just couldnt find him in all the crowds. Well I wasnt going to waste time looking around and just kept running in to the FINISH! I crossed the finish line trying to smile for the picture (which Im sure will be just awful despite my attempts and self delusion that I was looking OK) and within seconds someone handed me a medal, and then someone handed me an electrolyte drink and then I just kept on walking until after a few minutes I was back in my hotel room and it was done. I made the race in about 2 and ½ hours (dont know the exact time, but think that was about right according to my watch), called my DH and he left the crowds and came back to the room to find me and give me the snickers I had asked him to give me after the race.
I was DONE. I FINISHED! I had DH take a few pictures on the balcony of me and my medal and then proceeded to take an ice bath to tend to those inflamed and achy muscles. After that, it was a short swim in the gorgeous pool and then two beers and a greasy sandwich with a plate full of greasy fries. No more worrying about nutrition
I just ate what I wanted and drank more than I should and made it to the airport with a big smile on my face wearing my new Hunting Beach half marathon shirt!
And here are a few pics on Picasa:
http://picasaweb.google.com/Grinold/200902?feat=email#
WELCOME KATHY! We're glad you found us! 
We're looking forward to reading the Race Report and hearing all the details. Maria's right--you were the most active cousin yesterday, I'm sure. And you set the bar high for the rest of us! 
Awesome time, too! 
Thanks for visiting! I notice Vic has a Goofy logo.....another brave soul about to test previously untested waters....want some company? 
but my sister lives in SF, and I have cousins in Huntington Beach, so maybe one day...
I'm seriously considering Richmond or OBX as an alternative for a full if funds aren't available for Disney, plus the timing is much better with the Galloway schedule. I'll have all the big mileage done during the regular season, so even if I add a Disney race I can just keep doing more of the same. And Bruce was great last night! Even Annie, who wasn't expecting much from him, had to admit he was better than she expected!
Sorry to hear about the fender bender, but at least there were no injuries.
Thanks for visiting!
for a speedy recovery.
Actually, if we have the kids with us, we might put the baby in the jogging stroller and encourage the other two to try to run. I'm not sure how that will go over, so I really hope I can get a sitter. Are you ready for more snow today? 
