Hello! I just ran the Surf City Half Marathon and am here to share my results, recap and random race day shenanigans. You know. First can we have a moment of thankfulness for this weather? It was hot for running, but perfect for living. I took this pic before I stepped on the shuttle bus.
Last night I set out all my stuff for race morning. I never do a ‘flat runner’ you see on Instagram because I’m a flat runner every day with these A cups.
Ha.
Pre-race must haves:
- Water
- Fuel
- Rehydrate
- O2 Gold
- Ricola
- Visor
- Sunglasses
- Paper towel
- Bib / Safety Pins
- SpiBelt & Baggie for my phone
- Ear phones
- Prayers
I also pack a few Ricola to have right before the race.
Confession… I bought this top to be a race throw away recently but wore it last weekend considered keeping it.
Confession #2…I think I have an under arm sweat gland disorder.
I got there just in time to hit up the portas and get to the start. I was probably in the third corral I think? It was hard to tell because I couldn’t hear.
The race:
I love the Surf City Marathon and Half Marathon. It was my first full marathon. I love that it’s on Super Bowl Sunday. I love that it’s near the Pacific Ocean. I love the surf city theme of the expo and medals.
It’s not the best course just because of the out and backs for the full marathon. That is kind of a psychological F you because you’re already tired when you have to turn around and go back in the opposite direction of the finish line. Plus there are not a lot of spectators on that part of the course. It’s rough for full marathon runners – no cheering, no shade, going away from the finish. I was glad not to run the full this year. But I appreciate a hometown kinda race that I can sleep in my own bed and drive to in the morning. So I’ll be back.
The half is good. Mostly flat, a few small hills nothing crazy. It’s gorgeous at the end running toward the finish with the ocean in view off to the side. That part actually reminds me of the LA Marathon too.
Surf City Half Marathon results: 1:52:39
Average pace was about 8:36 per mile.
I found a few friends after the race too! Pam spotted me right as I walked out of the chute. I saw Charlotte aka CCCLBC too.
Thank you to everyone who said “Hi!”. I’m actually really missing SR and have been super bummed about her moving away. It was nice to see people!!
Now for the BEST part of the entire thing…
The Surf City medal this year is AWESOME!! It spins AND has a stand. So you can set it out on your desk or on a table or something to display.
Check it out on Instagram to watch me spin it!
Congratulations to everyone who ran the Surf City Half or Full Marathon this weekend!
Or any other race – I saw some great pics on Instagram. Congrats!!
Question: What was the BEST part of your weekend?
Surf City Marathon & Half Marathon 2021 Discount Code: MONICA10
It’s Chinese New Year on Monday and Tuesday (actually it’s 15 days from Monday but we get 2 days off work!) – so it was merry making and lots of eating since Sunday!
Great job on the run Monica! I miss SR too. 🙁
Great race! That is such a cool medal.
I’ve got to go look up the article about Damon, too. Did you see how ripped he was in the Bourne trailer that played during the Super Bowl? I never watch the game but did this year to see that trailer. My hubbie totally busted me when he realized why I was watching with him. 🙂
It was awesome getting to see you! We really do need to plan a run and tie it around a meal! I love the pic of us… I just posted it.
what kinda watch is that? i need a new one.
It’s the Moto Sport 360. So far it’s good!!
Congratulations on a great race! Did you see the Runner’s World article about Matt Damon running this race on Sunday? I’m guessing you didn’t see him or you would’ve told us all about it!
DIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m dying. He is my favorite. I need to look this up.
Congrats on the race, looks beautiful there!
The best part of my weekend was the Liege waffles my boyfriend made after our 5k on Sunday. They were amazing!
What SR moved? Wow some online stranger friend I am, ha!
Congrats on race!
Congrats on the race and your great finish time. I have a question…..why the Ricola?
I must have missed a post where you said that SR moved away. Where did she move? 🙁
I miss her blog!
Good job on your race also!
Great job racing! The best part of this weekend was the Super Bowl commercials I thought they were so much better this year! I really like your watch, which one is it?
That second out and back yesterday KILLED me. I was flying and well on my to a PR until that point. So long, boring, hot, and shade-less. The ocean was too far away to distract me, so all I saw were parking lots, the random people handing out beer and bacon, and my dreams being crushed. By mile 21 I was over it and my splits show it. It was just too effing hot. I also suck at drinking out of those paper cups so 2/3 of the water ended up on my face. #fail Never doing that full again. I’m not doing any more marathons until Boston 2017. 13.1 for life!!!
Congratulations on the marathon!!! I love half marathons though 🙂
This looks like a ton of fun! I would totally struggle though doing the full and having to turn around midway. I bet the views were gorgeous. Congrats on crushing it!
elainea
toast the girl almighty
It’s seriously such a kickass medal – I love it, even though it wasn’t the race I wanted!
BUT an engagement at the finish line trumps a PR any day!! 🙂
Congratulations!!!!!
Well done! My husband ran the full (his first full) and paced at 9:07. When I saw that rad medal and the bitchin long sleeve T, I wished I did the half. The medal is one of the best I’ve seen!
i dont have the armpit issue…but i happen to know they make armpit pads…dont ask me why i know that 🙂 best part of my weekend was couples night at main event. the place we went for dinner sucked but the company was awesome!
Congrats on the race! It would have been a very hot day to do the full marathon. But at least the scenery there is gorgeous and they gave out great medals.
Congrats on the race!! Such a cool medal! How’s your toe by the way?! Feeling better?
Best part of the weekend was my friend’s Super Bowl party last night … So much wine and so many good snacks 🙂
Having fun with my boyfriends kids. They are 10 and 12 and I totally impressed them by doing the moonwalk. Then they taught me a few dance moves. It was fun.
That medal is really cool! Congrats on choosing the half 🙂
Thanks for the tip on the ricola and for pointing out that the medal stands. I didn’t even notice. And wow you practically run a whole hour faster than me! I want to run as fast as you, or at least do a 9 min mile pace. Maybe someday.
#flatrunnereveryday
Why ricola? Just cutious
My SIL told me she used to use them when we waited tables to keep her throat moist and clear sinuses. I tried it and totally agree.
What a fun medal!
The best part of my weekend was yesterday. We did absolutely nothing and it was phenomenal!
I think that’s the coolest race medal that I’ve ever seen! I want one that spins too. Great job in the race!
Best part was my long run on Saturday – 10 miles! Working toward my 1,000 miles in 2016 goal.
In other news, I’m pretty sure I have an underarm sweat gland disorder, too. No anti perspirant works. Ever.
Seriously. I didn’t want to make the whole post about my armpits but I wasn’t even warm this morning and my armpits were sweaty in that very light hoodie.
Yes!! And my right is worse than my left. Every time.