Jan 14, 2013

1/13/13: Allstate 13.1 Los Angeles

Half Marathon #8 and my first race of 2013 is done! I have to admit that this is my favorite distance! With the possibility of me running the Surf City Marathon in three weeks, I wanted to use this half as a training run. I am still undecided if I will run the half or the full marathon but regardless of the distance, I will still be running it for my Dad. I am scared to death about the full marathon! It has been a while and I want to be 100% both mentally and physically before I take on Marathon#3!
It was absolutely freezing cold out there! My feet were frozen and I could not feel my toes for the first three miles! Supposedly it was 41 degrees but I swear it was more like 20 below zero! I have never worn running tights during a half marathon but I did this time. I also ran with a long sleeved shirt and a light jacket. It took me a couple of miles to get warmed up before I even took my jacket off. 

This course was flat for the most part and nothing beats running near the ocean in California. The recommended parking lot was located really close to the start and was about a three minute walk to the starting area. It was $10.00 to park but it was close and convenient so I didn't mind paying. There were also plenty of bathrooms in the parking lot and near the Start. There were also lots of homeless people on the Boardwalk where the race starts and they were yelling out some pretty nasty words to the runners that start with the letter "F".

There were a few things that I didn't really like about the course. I think the part that I disliked the most was running on the bike path but only because it was full of sand. All of the runners dodging the sand and I hate the feeling of sand in my shoes. There was a couple of small hills once you left the bike path and that was a little tough for me to get through having been on a flat bike path for quite a while. This is just a "Sandy" thing and some of you may not care but I get really anxious on courses where you have to pass runners who are already headed to the finish. It just makes me anxious because I want to be them! Caroline also warned me about a really bad smell around Miles 7-9 and she was right. It seemed to be coming from the bathrooms but I am not quite sure what it was but it was bad! I was holding my breath!

Miles 10-13.1 were pretty flat but running against the wind was cold and slowed me down a bit. I did notice a decrease in my pace the last few miles and I was really glad to be done because I was still cold after running 13 miles! I also had the chance to meet Monica who blogs over at Run Eat Repeat. I spotted her on the course zooming past me the last mile. I had to say hello to Monica at the finish line and force her to take a picture with me that she was nice enough to post on her blog.
My friend Maura also ran the half and her husband was waiting at the Finish with this masterpiece that he made for us.
The race was well organized and the volunteers were very enthusiastic. I brought my own water but it was provided on the course about every two miles. I didn't notice any gels out on the course so I am glad that I brought my own. I GU'd at miles 5 and 10 and that kept me going. This race was not a PR but it was decent run for my training. I kept the pace comfortable and felt pretty good the entire time. My results are as follows:
Here are my splits according to my trusty old Garmin 305 which is soon to be replaced with something much prettier!
The medal is pretty nice and the little logo in the middle spins around and around!
After the race, we headed home and I gave into All You Can Eat Pancakes from IHOP! 
 I think I earned it!

23 comments:

  1. Hey
    Congrats! Sometimes it is good to use those races for a nice training! Good luck training for your third marathon!

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    1. Thank you! I enjoyed the fact that I just ran the half and didn't push myself. This is probably my first half marathon where I didn't look like I was about to die in my pictures at the finish!

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  2. Congrats on a great race to use for training! Sounds like a pretty good course, well, except for the bad smell and the sand!

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    1. Thank You Abbi. I actually liked the race and now I know what to expect. Running by the beach is always fun and provides a great scenic view to distract me from the miles ahead.

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  3. Awesome half #8! Please oh please do the full! Would love to run with you - though you're apparently MUCH faster than I! :)

    Megan

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    1. Thank You Megan. I will make up my mind very soon before I am unable to switch to the half. I will still see you there even if you are taking on the 26.2 and I am not! I can't wait to welcome you to the 26.2 club!

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  4. Congrats!!! Must feel great getting a solid race under your belt for 2013.

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  5. You did great!!!! It's always more interesting with a few people heckling you at the start! :-)

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  6. great recap, Sandy........and great job on your first race for 2013. I'm not sure why you're worried at all about taking on a full......banging out a 1:48 in a half should be a HUGE confidence builder for a full. I'm just sayin'..........

    Sweet medal......and I bet those pancakes tasted GREAT!

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    1. Thank You Bill! I am not sure why I am feeling so resistant to run the full. I guess I want to do well if I run it and I have only gotten one 20 miler in that wasn't what I really wanted it to be. I guess we will see what happens...The pancakes were yummy!

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  7. What a pretty medal! Congratulations on a great race!

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    1. Thank You Suz! Running by the beach is awesome!

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  8. congrats on the race...the smell comes from the water plant (sanitation) you passed it on the way up to the turn at around 9 ish...

    so SC....half or full?
    I am going to the Expo at the opening on saturday am. I am not spending the night this time.

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    1. I am going to the Expo on Saturday too but still not sure if I am doing the full or the half. I have to make up my mind this week to see how my long run goes. If I do not run the half I will not spend the night.

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  9. Great re-cap Sandy!! You did great out there! You now have a solid 13 mile tempo under your belt going into Surf City. :)

    I ran this race a couple of years ago but, they changed the course since then. I don't think I would've liked running on the "Sandy" bike path either. ;)

    Looking forward to the warmer temps soon! See you soooon!! :) :)

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    1. Thank you for the encouragement Pam. I heard that the course was better before they changed it. See you soon!

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  10. Anonymous1/16/2013

    Congratulations! Great time!

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  11. Great race! That's exciting that you got to meet Monica. I love meeting other bloggers at races. My dream is to get some cool weather at my next race. 41 sounds great to me compared to anything in the 70s.

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    1. Thank You! I agree that cold weather is better than hot anyday! We are just not used to weather this cold in California so we are having to get used to it!

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  12. Awesome job! That's a great time.

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  13. I know it's not a PR but it's still a great time and sounds like you did really well. All the best for the marathon training, look forward to keeping up with your progress :)

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