Hi! I ran the Surf City Marathon this morning! It’s one of my favorite races in Southern California. Here are my results and recap…
The Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon is in Huntington Beach, CA aka Surf City USA. Most of the course is along PCH in HB.
The night before the race I did set out my clothes and broke the #1 rule of races (don’t try anything new on race day). I just bought some new running tanks and wanted to wear one.
Race morning always starts super early. I’m extra busted because I stayed out too late last night. Oh well, sometimes you gotta get out for a bev.
I did my usual pre-race rituals … clothes, sunblock, coffee, 02 Gold…
and I had my fuel ready to grab and go.
The best part of the Surf City Marathon expo…
There was a VW van club displaying their vans. Inside one of the cars was a MASSIVE pup. I love him.
Lil reminder for runners / walkers…
The pace teams plan in walking breaks for some of the groups. It’s totally okay to walk.
Surf City Marathon Race Morning
Race morning!
The full marathon starts before the half so the porta potties were empty. Boom.
Some of the course was on the beach bike path. I’ve heard people complain about this because full marathon runners turn away from the finish line to back track for a few miles on the path. That is kind of defeating. But, it’s on the bike path and it’s hard for me to complain about being at the beach 
My race…
My goal was to run slow for the first half of the race (I was thinking goal pace plus 30 to 60 seconds) and finish at goal pace. I was thinking about this and kind of hesitant because it’s super super hard to finish strong like that on a marathon. I don’t know if I’ve ever run a negative split race before. But, I know it was a smart goal so I told her I’d go for it.
Long story short… I didn’t hit that goal. I had a really hard to time running my slower pace, but I did really make an effort to keep it at an easy pace. It felt easy, but I knew I’d regret it later. I did. I was strong for about 16 miles and then started to slow down. I pushed myself in the last 6 miles but I’m just not in good enough shape to run fast at that point.
The good news is I can take this as an opportunity to learn where I am right now and what I need to do to train for my goals.
I felt super tight and tired and basically wrecked right after the race. So, I don’t think I could have done much better at the end of the race, but I could have run smarter in terms of pace and being more aggressive at the end. I gotta just say my mantra and get it together.
Also, I tried to run the tangents but still ended up doing 26.56. You never run 26.2 miles exactly but this was a little surprising since there aren’t a lot of turns on the course.
Best part of the course – views of the ocean.
Second best part – the Bacon and Beer Station!!!!
Someone was saying “have some sodium, get on the podium!” as I passed. I totally believe in tons of sodium (that’s what works for ME, don’t try this at home) so I loved that.
Surf City Marathon results – 3:47:18 – average pace 8:38
Surf City Marathon – Post Race Thoughts
Thoughts on Surf City half / full marathon… great course. It’s mostly flat. Near the ocean makes for cooler weather than inland.
Last year it was HOT. And there have been a few years I’ve run it and it’s been hot, so that’s a risk. But it’s a flat course and well organized.
Post-race party… nachos.
Ben came over to my parents’ after and brought nachos… for himself. But I ate some of them. Maybe most of them. .
Question: Did you race this weekend? When’s your next race? Did you have nachos??
UPDATE: Surf City Marathon & Half Marathon Discount Code for 2021
Get 10% off the Surf City Marathon or Half Marathon with discount code: MONICA10
Congrats!! Cheers for that amazing marathon. Very helpful info, and this reminded me of my old days!
Great job! You have worked so hard and been so diligent with your training so it is well deserved. A great example of how trusting in our training can help. Your post is really inspiring for all the runners. Thanks for sharing!
Congrats on staying strong throughout the race and the great finishing time! What an inspiration for all runners! Your race recap sounds like so much fun. Thanks for sharing!
The course was long. We turned around further down than we should have. If you email the organizers they will officially adjust your time. Mine went from 3:59 to 3:56 (rounded).
Congrats! I like that you posted about the walk / run. I’m doing that with my daughter this time as she prepares for her first marathon – the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach (which will be my next race). We do a pattern of run a mile / walk a minute and it’s made things really fun for us!
I love your tank top too!
I ran a 10k yesterday in Sacramento! I plan on running the surf city marathon next year!
Tell me about this O2 Gold stuff… Do you take it every day, or just race days? And do you feel like it makes a big difference?
GREAT job, btw. You totally rocked it! 🙂
Great job!
I know I put this on your Facebook, but my hubby and I saw you finishing yesterday! We run the Surf City half marathon every year, it’s our favorite! And, the weather was perfect for a long run!
Running negative splits is hard for me too, especially during a marathon. I’m a little better at it during the half, but thank God for my hubby! He’s great at it, and keeps me reigned in for the first half….
Again, great job yesterday!!
this looks like an ideal marathon course. also the medal is super cool.
Congrats Monica!! Cheers for that amazing marathon. My next race will be in March and I didn’t have nachos this weekend.
Beer and Bacon Station = Best Idea Ever!
Congratulations on a great race–you finished, you had fun, you didn’t die. Go, you!
Congrats!!
I ran a few trail miles with some friends. My next race is a trail 5k next weekend. I’m struggling with hip/hamstring issues so anything more than 3 miles feels like a marathon lately. Hoping I can recover soon.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now…………….that marathon looks like fun! My next race is a half on March 5…………starting line 2 blocks from home…………..super easy! And I did have nachos last night! Congrats on your race! I have only run 2 marathons and have not broken 4 hours yet, so I hope the full this November is my chance to do that! (4:04 and 4:28…………..my first is my PR, ha!)
I’m amazed at how fast you are – great job!
Congrats!!!
congratulations!! I love that tank top you’re wearing! The medals for that race are also super cool
The Bacon and Beer Station is awesome omg! And congrats on the marathon!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com