Big Sur Weekend

This past weekend I flew in to Monterey, CA to run the Big Sur Half Marathon. I arrived Friday night, was picked up by the elite coordinator, Steve, and arrived at the host hotel for the weekend, Pacific Gardens Inn. I met my fab roomie, Jeannette Faber, and we headed out to a meet and greet with race officials, sponsors, and volunteers. The food at the event was great! I had my fill of seared ahi, california rolls, and dried fruits/nuts.

Christina, Jeannette, and I

On Saturday morning, a few of us girls went out for a run and to catch the beginning of the kids’ 3k race in downtown Pacific Grove. The weather was gorgeous! Cool and sunny. For the rest of the day, I just chilled in the hotel  room. Christina arrived at noon, so we had fun eating and watching Real Housewives. We had a dinner to attend at 5pm. I knew that whatever the restaurant was serving, I wouldn’t be able to eat, so I made some rice, chicken, and sweet potatoes at around 3 pm and ate some toast and rice when I got home after the dinner.

Race morning, I felt awesome. I knew this would be my day! My body felt relaxed, I slept well and I was just excited to race! Forecast was 70% chance of rain, but it only rained before we warmed up and after the race! Wow, were we lucky!

I ended up not having the best race. I started slow: 5:51 first mile. I was confident that I would catch many of the girls as they all went out super fast. After Twin Cities 10 mile, I knew that I could not get sucked in to going too fast that first mile. I started catching most of the girls by mile 5. However, I was running alone. Magdalena  Boulet and Blake Russell were the two front-runners, followed by Jeannette and Tonya Nero who I thought were going too fast for me. I did catch up to them for a mile or so, but I was not feeling so hot and they got away from me.

I ran by myself in 5th place until mile 11 and Kelly Calway passed me, she was looking so strong! I had passed her in the beginning and she gave it right back to me.  I thought to myself, “Ok, now I am in 6th place, not bad” Then I heard a spectator shout “Good job ladies!” LADIES??? What? I thought I was alone! At this point, I am pretty proud of myself because I was giving everything I had to speed it up so I wouldn’t be caught.  Nicole Aish caught me in the 12th mile. I was so tired!

So, although I ran a new PR of 1:16:27, 5:50 per mile average pace.  (Results here- I was definitely *not* at a 5:33 pace through 8 miles, that is a mistake, lol!)  I am a little disappointed in myself. I should have run a faster time. I should have gotten a pack together. It was stupid to run in the wind for so long by myself and try to hold the pace. I also was not expecting the course to be as hilly as it was. It was beautiful, but I should have asked to drive the course on Saturday. I love hilly courses, but I think that knowing the course would have really helped.

Looking back, I feel like I need racing experience. I just don’t have it down yet. I was so afraid of blowing up that I didn’t stick with a pack. But, if I did, would I have done worse? Who knows. Ahhhh!!!

The awards and swag that we got were awesome! I won some $, an awesome shoulder bag, a glass plaque and best of all...WINE! We were also given “Big Sur Elite Athlete” jackets that are super nice! I love this race and will definitely run it again. Steve and Greg, the elite coordinators were so awesome! Next time I will also stay for the afterparty. I highly reccommend this race. Pacific Grove is beautiful, and the race is spectacular!

How awesome are the race medals? Each one hand made!

I will be running a 5k in San Diego this weekend, and am hoping to run a new PR. I am back to 100 + miles this week after dipping to 75 for Big Sur. I am still loving training and excited about how far I have come this year. I will get over my crummy feelings about my poor racing strategies and just work to improve on them.

Jeannette and I with our wine, yum!

Post-race mimosa brunch at Rosines.

My Elf breakfast- 3 maple syrups with a side of pumpkin pancakes

Bag swag

Greg, Me, Christina enjoying the view before heading to the airport