I had contemplated skipping this race for this year. I was injured late in 2015 and had a rough year of racing in 2016. It wasn't until mid November where I finally felt like I was getting over my injuries. I had just run a better race than expected at the Honolulu Marathon. It would've been great to end the year with that result. It was also going to be an issue for me getting to the race. However one of my good friends registered for the race and was able to give me a ride since we live relatively close to each other. Goes to show that sometimes even a Marathon Maniac will from time to time try to find any reason not to run a race.
We arrived at Dockweiler Beach pretty early, before 6 am. Parking was $8 cash this year. We parked in the designated parking lot and waited in the car for a while as they were still setting up. It was a pretty chilly morning, so after we picked up our bib and race shirt, we went right back to the warm car. The regular start for the race would be at 7:30 am, so at about 7 am, I went to use one of the portapotties. I got ready and went to warm up the old hip and stretch the IT band. It was also to check out the new pair of shoes that I had worn for this race. Even though I wasn't supposed to wear anything new on race day, I just wanted a fresh pair of shoes to deal with the cement bike path. During my warm up, I got grabbed for the customary pre-race Marathon Maniac photo.
Marathon Maniacs
I went back to the car to grab my friend. I almost forgot that she was waiting for me back at the car. We gathered at the starting area. There were last minute race instructions right before the race started. However I couldn't hear a word the race director or Sam, the race founder, was saying especially when a plane flew over. I guess they were telling us how we would be released in waves as the course wasn't a closed course.
Latino Heat
First half
The race started and apparently we started with the first wave. Since both my friend and I were not in optimal running shape, we ran at an even pace at about 9:40 minutes per mile. We made it to the first turnaround at about mile 4. Our pace started to drop off at about mile 7 as we got back on the cement beach path. One of our friends running in the half marathon caught up to us. They started talking, so I took off a bit to run with a longer stride and quicker cadence. After passing the start/finish area, the southern section of the course was again a chore to run with all of the sand drifts. With the faster pace, I was able to catch up to the Marathon Goddess.
Start line
Marathon Goddess
The second turnaround was before reaching mile 11. I caught up to the "Evil twin" who had taken the earlier start. I ran a little bit with her while we talked about running some race in Vegas and other random stuff. She has run way more marathons in a year's time that I have. There's always someone more maniacal out there! I got through the half in about 2:15.
Evil twin
Second half
The course for the second half was just a repeat of the first half. I didn't have the same zip or freshness in my legs as I did in Honolulu, so I slowed the pace down and was hoping that my friend would catch up. I plodded along at a slow pace and took many walk breaks as the cement bike path continued to wear out my aging body. I grabbed a gel at the aid station at the turnaround at about mile 17.5. I took my time eating it as I just didn't feel like running.
Mile 16
On the way back, I saw a huge flock of seagulls. I'm pretty sure they had just found some food. I stopped to take a picture of one. My pace really slowed down at about miles 19 and 20 as I was dealing with the usual leg cramps.
And the seagull came and said, "this is this and that is that..."
I was able to get the cramps to subside a little bit, but they came back after another mile or so. The short little inclines felt so steep during the second time and running over those sand drifts felt like running over sand dunes! This time I took the time to stop and take some pictures before hitting the turnaround at about mile 24.
Sand drifts
The last two miles or so to the finish line was such a grind. I was able to speed it up a bit in the final mile only because I wanted to get it over with as soon as possible.
Finish
Finish: 5:13:13
Click here for my Garmin data.
After crossing the finish line and getting my medal, it was pretty cool to catch up with some old running friends that I haven't seen in a while. I stuffed myself with a banana and some water as my legs were cramped up big time! After trading many races stories, it was time for us to go our separate ways.
Shirt and medal
Friends at the finish
On our way home, we stopped by The Olde Ship in Fullerton to eat lunch. They served traditional English food which I really like. I have found that good English food is hard to come by in the Southern California area, so I'm glad that my soccer loving friends had introduced this place to me a few years ago. I went with their bangers and mash on this visit. Good stuff!
Bangers and mash
As another year of running comes to an end, I always enjoy reflecting on the stats and my finishing times for all of the races that I've run. I've listed the number of races that I've run for each distance and my best times for the year. It was definitely a more difficult year due to injuries, but that's all a part of being a Marathon Maniac and having a passion for running.
1 mile: 1 (6:55 PR)
5k: 3 (24:01)
8k: 1 (38:35 PR)
10k: 9 (48:35)
7 mile virtual run: 1 (1:11:36)
Half Marathon: 15 (1:52:42)
Marathon: 15 (4:43:36)
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