I’ve decided to re-enter the blogging world with a race recap. Oddly, race recaps are not my favorite to write or read, but this race was such a good experience I felt the need to share. Maybe it will inspire someone to start running and register for a race. 

This was my first IRL half since the pandemic and I was so happy to be on the streets with my peeps. A few years ago I registered for the OC half but didn’t run due to a 24 hour bug. I did however run it a couple years later but had a horrible time. (My phone died, no music for about 10 miles, got a migraine, I couldn’t find my car or my friends.)

This year was a whole new experience. And that my friends, is why we keep running…every run is different…some are truly great.

The Expo

The expo was held at the OC Fairgrounds. My only complaint is the parking fee of $10 (which had to be paid for race day too), that $hit should be free for the day. Anyhow, my daughter likes expos just like me so she was happy to go with me. It had a decent amount of venders which was a nice change considering I feel like expos have downsized in recent years making everything virtual, even before COVID. 

We entered a couple of raffles (something I don’t normally do because I’m pretty sure they just want your email to send a bunch of crap but I have a delete key.) 😉 I spun a couple wheels and won a lip balm from OTF and a $15 gift card from Athleta. (I recently purchased Athleta’s Venice Jogger in abalone grey…love them!)

I checked out the Girls On The Run booth. It just so happens I looked them up a couple weeks ago to see how to get involved, I talked to the lady and left my contact info, no word yet. 

We stopped at the Surf City Marathon booth. My daughter got caught up in the expo vibe and took a card with the intent of possibly signing up for the half. I ended up signing up. She didn’t. It’s all good. 🙂

Then just before heading out, there was a Heineken table with samples of their zero alcohol beer. We both tasted it, it tastes like beer. I’m not a beer drinker, so…yuck, but they were giving 8 packs away so I got one for my husband.

Race Day

I slept well and woke up feeling good. With the time change that morning I got an extra hour of sleep. Woohoo! My phone, Jaybirds and Garmin were all fully charged, so with Cliff bar and coffee in hand I headed out. I got to the parking area with plenty of time to catch the shuttle to the start. (And this time I made a mental note of where I parked my car.) Prior to race day runners had to schedule a time for the expo and shuttle to avoid crowds of people but no one was really checking schedules and there were plenty of buses so I got on early. 

The weather was just slightly chilly, maybe high 50’s, so I checked my bag with my jacket right away. I don’t usually check a bag for fear of it getting lost but ya gotta learn to trust at some point. UPS was doing the bag check and they were very organized. So far, everything seemed very organized.

The National Anthem was sung (one of my favorite parts of race day!) and we were off. The race started at Fashion Island, making our way through fancy upscale coastal neighborhoods of Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, along the bluffs and marina’s and around Back Bay and back to the Fairgrounds. I have to admit I had forgotten how many hills were involved, but I felt good and only walked through the water stations (they were at every mile I think. I stopped at every other one) and halfway up the hill at mile 11. 

Runners received a long sleeve half zip tech pull over and a short sleeve tech finishers shirt at the expo. I saw A LOT of people wearing these. There is no way I would wear the half zip on race day. First of all it was thick and I would’ve been hot in the first 10 minutes. Second of all, there were way too many chances of it rubbing me the wrong way…NOTHING NEW ON RACE DAY!

As for the short sleeve shirt there was less of a chance of it rubbing wrong because it was super soft but the back did say “Finisher”. Just saying. And since we’re talking about race day faux pas, people are still wearing their number on their back. I saw 3 people. Why do these 3 people think that they have it right and everyone else is wrong? Did their friends tell them to put it on the front and they were like “No. You’re wrong. This is how you wear it.”? 

At mile 2 some guy yelled “You’re almost there!”.  Almost where, to mile 3? Did he really just say that? Maybe he thought he was at mile 12. Maybe he was joking. I guess I’ll never know. 

There were a few runners wearing masks, one guy had his just over his nose. Whatever floats your boat.

The course had lot of spectators, some dog walkers and an old man in his robe standing on his driveway waving at people.  I saw some pretty clever signs, none of which I can remember now, and a lady giving out, what I assumed, was her left over Halloween candy. Isn’t racing fun?! 🙂

The Finish Line

I felt like I finished strong. I chased a lady for about a mile and a half, trying to pass her because I think she was in my age group, but I never caught her. I was going to look for her and get her bib number to see where she placed but I completely forgot. 

The finish line had plenty of the usual refreshments. Bananas, power bars and electrolyte water. And they provided a little bag to put stuff in, which was nice because I usually end up with my hands full and no where to put anything. 

They had a couple different backdrops for pictures, food trucks, beer and a band. I walked around for a bit, took a picture and headed to my car.

Leaving the parking lot was the usual cluster when you leave a big event. I used the time to call my Dad and patiently waiting for my opportunity to merge and head home.

Overall it was a great race and well organized. Lots of support and nice swag. I would definitely do it again but the 2022 race is May 1st (this years was pushed to Nov due to COVID) and with races returning I’d rather do a different race rather than a repeat.

Have you done a race IRL this year? Are there races you do every year or do you prefer to change it up?

Thanks for reading my race recap!

Denise

I’m linking with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday’s Topics. Thanks ladies for the link up. It’s been a while for me and I’ve missed it. 

I’m also linking with Debbie, Deborah, Lisa, Jenn and Laura for Runners’ Roundup. Thanks to you ladies too!