Last race of 2012 done and done 
This morning I ran the Santa to the Sea Half Marathon in Oxnard. Oxnard is about 2 hours north of Orange County so I cooked up a plan weeks ago to talk Skinny Runner into coming with me. Added bonus: She drove! Thank goodness she has a SmartCar so the gas was only $.03 or something. 
The 2 hour drive meant a 4am wake-up call though. That’s not horrible, but I have been fighting off a sore throat since I got back from Vegas on Monday. I woke up feeling less than 100%, but the show race must go on. 
Drive drive drive.
We got to the parking area right on schedule and jumped outta the car to grab our costume accessories and get on the shuttle. (I pieced together my outfit last night at the Goodwill.)
The course is point to point (starts in one location and finished in another), but there was a long line of buses waiting for the runners to fill ‘em up! We were on in minutes.
We had some time to kill at the start so we killed our cameras…
(Image source: Skinnyrunner.com)
The Race: The course is completely flat except for one short overpass at mile 6. Loved it! Even though it’s a smaller race the cheering support was great! A lot of people came out and it was really appreciated.
I had a good race, started out too fast, but didn’t completely die. I ran 10 miles yesterday and was wearing a dress and stockings so I wasn’t expecting a PR. I’m here for a good time, not a long time 
Half Marathon time – 1:48:46 pace – 8:17
Skinny Runner was done in 90 minutes and looped back around to be my personal race photographer! This saves about $226.00 for one 8×10.
(image source: www.skinnyrunner.com)
What the heck was I wearing?
SR told me she was going to dress up like a candy cane so I figured I would just be a hungry girl chasing her, but I knew a.) no one would get it and b.) I would never really catch her so I should just bring my own candy.
So, I went to the Goodwill and ended up as Santa’s Helper. 
Not Santa’s Little Helper:
(image source)
Costume situation: I went to the GoodWill last night with an open mind. I didn’t have much time and figured I would ‘make it work’. I saw the hat on the floor under a display… mine now. And then spotted the dress and nylons. I was going to put a belt with it, but it lifted it up too much.
I have never run in a dress or tights before, but it was okay. The dress was a bit much considering I’ll never wear it again, but I got a lot of compliments on it so I think it was worth it in the end. Total costume was under $14.00.
Add those amazing holiday socks ProCompression sent me (which I will wear everyday until Jan 5th) and Santa’s Helper is ho ho ho ready to go! 
On the way home we stopped at Whole Foods and attacked the place.
Final Thoughts: I had a blast! The course was flat (hello, love.) and it was a smaller race with solid support. I would definitely do this race again.
Post Run Thoughts: My throat feels like it’s swelling up so I’m taking some Ibuprofen and a cookie I got at the finish line. A cookie a day keeps the doctor away. Or something. 
Question: Did you run this weekend? Where? Have you ever dressed up for a race?
I was looking for you as I knew you would be at this race. I didn’t realize that I had seen you and skinny runner, but I was so focused on the cute costumes, that I didn’t even realize it was you! Major Fail. Hopefully I’ll meet you next year!
Oh no! Next year or at another SoCal race!!
Dear Lord, how could you possibly run 13 miles in tights!? I can hardly survive a day through them-much less a half! Awesome job, sista!
Love your outfits, ya’ll look adorable!
hey I saw you at the race and even got a pic of you.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gouki_cookie/8259501540/in/set-72157632207171217
I ran on the treadmill this weekend. We had a blizzard here in MN! No running outside for me for a while. 🙁
Do you not wear your ring for races? I stopped wearing mine during them because I’m terrified of it slipping off! I just noticed that it wasn’t on at the Vegas race and this one. I’ve heard of it happening…no fun!
Yeah, I’ve never worn it for races because my engagement ring is kinda loose. I wear my handheld water bottle on my left hand and cannot wear my rings with it. Plus, I’ve been known to just rip off my handheld at races and toss it! Dangerous.
You looked so cute, and really fit! And you ran it fast! Hope your sore throat feels better soon. I’ve been dealing with one for a week… so not fun! Manuka honey helps… it’s super expensive, but I just use it medicinally, so it lasts forever.
Instead of running this race, maybe you should have given your bib to the winner of your give away. Not cool.
Technically you aren’t supposed to give away bibs…
Hi Erin, Thanks for your concern (even though I am curious how you even know about it)…
I tried my best to take care of it, but it didn’t work out. I’m giving her another option. However, you are not supposed to give away bibs and I would have been ridiculed for that too. Guess I can’t win, so I’m going to try and make it up to the winner another way.
<3, Monica
Looks like fun. Your costume turned out well!
I’ve never dressed up for a race but I am dying to!
Next year you can pace me for that race since I’ll be living in Ventura 🙂
I would totally pace you! When are you moving?
Around the beginning of February. But things might turn and I move to San Diego. Who knows.
Nice time. You are getting consistently fast. You are gonna make me work on my speed. Sole Runners start hill repeats this Tuesday in Long Beach.
I’m pretty sure everyone in the world has this freaking cold right now! It’s quite suckish.
I hope you get better fast.
LOVE the outfit!
I can’t visit Santa Monica without thinking of you and Christmas. That’s the point, right? Feel better!
🙂
You guys look like you had so much fun…and I’m mostly impressed that you wore tights for 13 miles. I don’t even like wearing them for 20 minutes 🙂 I’m doing the Holly Jolly Half up that way next weekend, but luckily I have somewhere to stay the night up there to cut down the super long commute!
Well done on a great time! Also – fun outfit! I’ve never raced in fancy dress…I’m afraid it would make me even slower…if that is possible 😉
How fun! I’ve never wore a costume for a race before, i’ll have to try that next year!
great job! just curious why you ran 10 miles the day before though? isnt it better to taper? or was it bc the race was just for fun?
Yeah, the race was just for run. I am all about taper for races I train for.
Yup – training runs on Saturday and Sunday; taking tentative steps to ease back into things since I tore my hip flexors 2 months ago. Yay!
You gals look cute!
great job Monica!! you two looked super cute! 🙂
Thanks Pam! How did you race go??
I ended up not racing. The family & I were @ Cerritos College watching my daughter’s CIF regional final football game (we won btw & we’re going to state finals this Sat!!). Anyways, didn’t get home till after midnight & we were pretty tuckered out. Good thing I didn’t pre-register!! Looking forward to 2013 race schedule!! 🙂 🙂
I ran 10 miles for the first time today but now my hip flexors (I think) hurt when I walk. Any tips to get rid of them? I foam rolled and stretched, maybe I should just keep doing this and give it time.
Yeah, keep doing that – just baby it and give yourself a few days to recover. We have to be patient with our bodies when they’re asking for rest 🙂
Cute costumes!
Your finish time is rockin’ AWESOME!!!!
My cousin and uncle ran that race too! Maybe I’ll join in on the fun next year…it’s a bit of a drive up from San Diego but looks like fun!
Awesome!! I’m going to start running! Your blogs are truly inspiring and a joy to read!! KEEP IT UP!
Love the costumes! You ladies look great!
That race looks super fun! We went to Oxnard to the Embassy Suites with my in laws when we were in CA last August and I wish I was back on the lounge chair overlooking the beach right now. I ran a 5k this morning here in Denver and have never had to run in so many layers. It was under 20 with icy patches on the course to slow us down and kill our goals. Fun times.
I ran the Tucson Half Marathon this morning. PR’d with a 2:00:37, but just missed my goal of a sub-2. Oh well, next time!
Next Sunday I’m running the Iron Girl 10 miler here in Phoenix. I plan to take it easy and wear a holiday themed outfit. My husband but a limit on my pro compression budget (I had taken it a bit to the extreme), so I couldn’t justify the holiday socks. I did, however, pick up a pair of red/white striped knee socks with fur cuffs at Target that I’ll wear instead 🙂
Did 18 Saturday morning….10 weeks from my FIRST marathon!
1:48 is good in my book, especially in a dress 🙂 I ran the half today too! Im an hour east of the race. Thought I saw you two at the start, but didnt want to be a creeper. Also sported some procompression candy cane sleeves. I ran a PR by a little over 2 min, so I’m a happy camper…redeemed myself after a disappointing run at the Santa Clarita half last month.
awesome job, I want those socks!
That sounds so fun. Being in Utah there aren’t any half marathons in December just lame old 5k’s 😉 I love the costume and I LOVE the socks!! So cute. I better start eating a cookie a day, I much prefer a cookie over an apple!! I hope you feel better!
You two are adorable.
I ate all weekend and gained at least 5 pounds..so sad I know! The blizzard and being home bound today didn’t help either…no matter how full I felt the cookies still found a place in my mouth..then stomach…then straight to my hips/butt.
Both of y’all are so cute in your running costumes! Sounds like it was a fun race. Hope you kick your sore that before it turns into anything major – maybe some wine with the cookies (alcohol kills all germs)!
Great job on the race! My ProCompression candy cane socks arrived yesterday! 🙂
I’ve dressed up for a few races – Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day, and the Disney Princess half. I ran five slow miles on the treadmill. I wasn’t feling it, but I’m glad I ran!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Love the outfits 😀
You’re costume was great and way to be super speedy! We ran a 10K Jingle Bell Run on Saturday. My next half is the Santa Hustle next Sunday. I bought the same skirt at Target that SR is wearing in these pictures but I’m going to try to put some sparkles on it. There is a chance of flurries and the temp will only be around 30…so I’ll be wearing tights under my skirt which I’ve never done before. Actually I’ve never done either of those things: worn tights or worn a skirt. YIKES
Good job!!!
Hope you feel better!
I ran the Surf N Santa 10 miler in Virginia Beach, VA. Great weather for it, and friend waiting at the finish equals a great final race of 2012 for me too!
Looks like a fun race! Cute medal, too.
Totally spotted you and SR at the race today but chickened out before I could say hi! Your costumes looked great! So glad you both headed this way for a smaller race 🙂
Awwww, you should have said Hi! Next time 🙂
Love your costumes:) you look great!
Congrats on the race! It seems like everyone was running a 1/2 this weekend. I, on the other hand, did absolutely nothing after being struck by the worst flu ever! Ugh, still not feeling right after 3 days of a high fever. 🙁
Oh no 🙁 Feel better!