Race Review: Surf City Half Marathon 2013

My weekend went like this:

Friday
11:00 PM Start packing for Surf City 32 hour trip to So Cal
12:30 AM Go to bed

Saturday
5:00 AM  Wake up
6:00 AM In taxi headed to SFO
6:30 AM COFFEE and little food at the airport
9:30 AM Arrive in Orange County and wait for the Oregon crew to arrive
11:00 AM Expo for packet pick-up where we saw the rest of the blogger world as well.
12:00 - 2:30 PM Hotel check-in and lunch at some Vegan place that had Phad Thai so I survived
2:30 - 6:30 PM Back to the hotel where the group sat around and talked about all things triathlon, racing, running etc... yes for 4 hours straight!
6:30 - 8:30 PM Dinner & Beer at Yard House
9:30 AM Bed Time (Wake up at least 18 times throughout the night)

Sunday
6 AM Wake up at get ready for Race Day
7 AM Out the door to walk a mile to the start
8 AM Cross the start line
10:08 AM Cross the finish line
10:30 AM Pick up Beach City Challenge Medal
11:00 AM Back at hotel to shower and pack
12:30 PM At the OC airport gate starving and getting anxious about the flight being delayed and missing the Superbowl
3:30 PM Sitting on a friends couch in SF watching the Superbowl (with my suitcase in the corner b/c I couldn't be bothered to drop it off at home)
9:30 PM Finally get home and CRASH!!  Holy crap I was tired.

Portland Tri Club Reunion at start line! Pic Credit: TriTreats

Needless to say it was a whirlwind trip and although I loved being back in SF for kickoff, it would have been nice to enjoy the beach and the perfect weather a little more.  Plus since the 49ers lost it wasn't nearly as exciting being in town post-game:(

The race its self was awesome!  I feel like I always say that but I would put this in my top 5 easily and definitely the best out of the three Beach City Challenge Races.  I would say: Surf City, OC and then Long Beach in terms of ranking but this one blows the other two out of the water.   The course actually is along the water for the most part, flat, good support etc... For 15,000 runners it had a local vibe and didn't feel overcrowded at all which was a nice surprise.  The expo was easy to get in/out of.  There is a HTC like party in the beer garden afterward.  I didn't attend because I had to get my ass on a flight but it looked pretty rad.  I love the surf/beach shack theme and the weather was perfect. There is one out and back that is a little draining but you're by the water so it didn't bother me too much.   I am not crazy about it being on Super Bowl Sunday but depending on who's playing , I would make this an annual trip. I highly recommend adding it to your race bucket list if you haven't.  It does sell out so make sure to register early! Plus check out those medals:

The Niners may not have but Surf City definitely Won The Day!

2:08 Or Bust

I mean it's just such a reflection of who I am when it comes to endurance sports!  Do just what it takes to meet your goal but not an ounce more.  Last year I wanted sub-2 half marathon so I ran a 1:59:59 and in Surf City I wanted to run a 2:08 and I ran a 2:08:01 (I guess technically that one second makes it so I didn't meet my goal:(.)  Heaven forbid I push myself or overachieve by the slightest bit. I am either extremely in-tune with what my body is capable of at any given time or I don't have that mentally tough competitor in me that pushes for more.  Unfortunately at this point I think it's the latter; but it's a process and training  the mental part is as important as the physical training.

Last night I was giving MFR the run down on the race and I said, "I know I can be faster I just can't get out of my head."  And his response (which was said with complete conviction) was, "yeah of course you can be faster, you are an 8:45 min/mile runner, you just don't like getting uncomfortable and pushing yourself." WHAT?  I had so many questions.  Why 8:45? How the hell does he know that?  But he was so confident with the whole thing.  Now in reality, MFR has no data to back this up or any idea what he's talking about but his approach was this:

When I train for real and do speed workouts I get faster and quickly.  (I went from a 2:10 to a 2:00 in two months).  But even when I do train I never "really" take it seriously.  I don't pay attention to nutrition or tapering or stick to a schedule.  I miss workouts all the time and never make it a priority because I act like it's no big deal.  I am never going to be a BQ'er or anything close because of minimal lung capacity, lack of discipline and just not being built that way.  However, if I did take seriously and stopped self-sabotaging my training and races, I could probably get down to an 8:45 min/mile!

It kinda makes sense right?  I don't know if it really is possible but it gave me hope that the person closest to me thinks I am capable.  Something to strive for!

Back to that 2:08!  Although I know I could have done more I feel pretty good about that 2:08 because my times are heading in the right direction again, but I did have to work for it.  I didn't have a perfect race by any means.  I went out too fast, I had GI issues  (that 2:08 does includes a 3min bathroom break) and my lower back was killing me the entire race.  I don't know what's going on with my back but I need to get it checked out or maybe just a massage but it's still killing me 24 hours later!  My legs are definitely sore but my back is what really feels like I ran 50 miles yesterday...ughh.

 Splits

3 Mi:	27:17 Pace: 9:06 (went out too fast)
6 Mi:	55:59 Pace: 9:20 (started to try and slow down, back started aching)
9 Mi:	1:27:06 Pace: 9:41 (bathroom break at 7, started to walk the aid stations + a little more)
11 Mi:	1:45:45 Pace: 9:37 (knew I was cutting it close but still walked more then I should have)

To summarize my performance I would say all in all I had a successful race day where I met my goal, ran fast in intervals, didn't totally bonk (to some extent I did) and worked through some annoying aches and pains.  Most importantly I didn't throw in the towel and sabotage my race like I've done so many times before.

What I learned: GI issues play a big part and take away a lot of time so I need to eat/drink better the day before a race. Maybe beer, pad thai and cobb salad w/ bacon and blue cheese is not the ideal pre-race day diet.  Maybe!  Something is tweaked in my lower back and the right side of my calf.  Both need to be watched and taken seriously.

What I would have changed: Obviously aforementioned aches and pains; also my thighs were pretty sore after 10 miles which just told me I needed more long runs (duh).  I would have worn a short sleeve shirt (I was really hot in long sleeve) and I still a lot of work on my  mental push & strength.