2013 San Diego Half Marathon at Petco Park

The San Diego Half Marathon at Petco Park is one of my favorite local races. I ran the inaugural in 2012 and had the best time. This is also my half marathon PR ( 2:06:08). For 2013, I had a different goal ( not necessarily a PR) but to conquer the infamous Washington Street hill ( mile 9-10). As for the rest of the course, I just wanted to enjoy it. Afterall, I ran the Rock N Roll New Orleans Half Marathon two weeks before and my legs had not fully recovered.


Saturday, March 9th - Expo

Last year the Sport, Health & Fitness Expo was located at the famous Petco Park. This year, they moved it to Port Pavilion on the Broadway Pier next to the USS Midway Museum

 

We arrived at the Expo around 2:30 p.m. There was a lot of traffic in the area so ended up parking at Seaport Village, a beautiful 10 minute walk to the Expo.

We quickly stopped by the West Coast Road Runners (WCRR) booth to greet my running coaches.  They were the official pacers of the race, once again. How exciting! We picked up our bibs, our legacy shirts and our goodie bags which included a free ticket to the Midway Museum. Soon after we left the expo.


Sunday, March 10th - Race Day

I woke up at 4:45 a.m, left home a half hour later and drove to the Westin hotel in downtown to meet my  friends. We walked from there to the starting line where I met WCRR coach and 2-hour pacer, Sharon.

The gun went off at 7: 15 a.m.  The first few miles around downtown and Pacific Highway were flat and fast. I was averaging 9:15 min/mile ( slower than last year). Still, I was feeling good, keeping up with the 2 hour pacer.

 
I remember the course very well except for the sandy terrain around Liberty Park. My feet didn't like it very much and I started to slow down, 9:20... 9:30... 9:35. This didn't keep me from smiling as we passed the Bikram Yoga Old Town studio at mile 7. I remember thinking "The best is yet to come". No kidding! Soon we passed the first small hill, under a bridge. Lots of people walked it. I ran it. I remember thinking "Oh if you are walking this small hill, you are definitely walking Washington Street. No way!" and few minutes later "There it is. OMG! This was my goal for the day, from the bottom to the top!".  Sharon was running at 9:18 min/mile speed while I was rapidly going from 9:40 to 9:45 to 10:00 to 11:00 to 11:35 minute/mile. "Grhrhrhr. I might as well walk", I thought. I stopped 3/4 of the way. Nooo! Mission unaccomplished! OK, there is always 2014! Need more hill training!


At the top of the hill, there was my favorite neighborhood, Hillcrest. Running here at this early hour is torture for me. It's smelled sooo delicious that all I wanted to do was to EAT. Forget about running! The rest of the course is all downhill. I smiled as I remembered experiencing an incredible runner's high last year. 

2012 SD Half Marathon

My last mile was a fast one, 8:45 min/mile. Unfortunately, I've wasted too much time in Washington Street.  Also, the race this year finished in 5th avenue. It was not the same. The Petco Park ending last year was waaaay more glamorous.  My finishing time 2:13.

Race Review
- Very well organized.
- Beautiful course with challenging hill.
- Best Post-race snacks including Chuao chocolates.

- Nice legacy shirt.

-Beautiful medal

Post- race - Cafe 21

After the race, I celebrated with my friends at Cafe 21. This is one of Bobby Flay's favorite brunch restaurants in the US. The food was outstanding.