Today was the California Classic!! 13.1 miles from the ball park, through downtown, under the sea lions, past the giraffes, back downtown and across home plate!
I met up with my running girls to carpool down to the starting line–it was a balmy (and quite frankly, too warm) 62 degrees at 630 am.
Check out this gorgeous sunrise at the ballpark!
Here’s the finish line right across home plate–I was pumped to see that for real!!!
One awesome thing about my running friends is that they know SO MANY members of the local running community. Between participating in Team in Training, working in a running store, coaching running groups, promoting local bike stores, and hanging out with the cycling community, the two of them knew everyone!
Here’s all important pre-run selfie–thanks to my good friend (and race volunteer) for taking this picture. Like the shirt? The husband bought that for me yesterday after I was complaining saying that I didn’t have any hot weather short sleeve shirts, and tanks = chafing on my arms. UnderArmor Heat Gear. Worth every penny. Love it.
The race started beautifully.
Breezy, lots of people cheering, shaded, lovely. We ran through the downtown, arts district, and them through the park. The best part–the zoo! Here’s the best of the best–running through the cave under the sea lion cove.
Then came mile 8–the long stretch through the industrial part of the city. The long, hot stretch. I was still pretty good at this part–but man did it feel good to scale the overpass and know that part was OVER.
I hit a massive wall at mile 10. After *the sick* last week, I thought I was doing well–my legs felt strong, I was mentally ready, but I was not prepared for the wall of tired. Miles 10 – 12 were really mentally tough.
Then my body started to freak out. I was switching from hot hot hot to chilled to the bone to dizzy. (Did I mention it was HOT?) just before mile 13 I fell back from my group and slowed way down to quell the pukey-McNasty feeling that was taking over.
Half bock walk and I was ready or kick that last .1’s ass. I finished at a respectable 2:16ish, a minute and a half behind my group. I think I would have succumbed to feeling crappy much, much sooner if they had not been there to cheer me on. I am so very thankful them.
Overall. I was very pleased with my time and the whole experience!!! Half number 7 is in the books! I earned the best part of the day–this giant fountain Diet Coke!
Spin. Run. Sew. Repeat. 