2013 The WiPro San Francisco Marathon - Race Recap

Race Date: Sunday, June 16th, 2013
Start Time: 5:30 am
Start & Finish: Embarcadero
Expo: Concourse Exhibition Center

The San Francisco Marathon is usually held at the end of July. This year it was moved to June due to a conflict with the America's Cup, which is taking over the city later in the summer.


This was my third race in San Francisco . The first one was the Nike Women's (Half) Marathon last year. The second one was the Rock 'n' Roll San Francisco Half Marathon last April. To say that I LOVE this city is an understatement!


Saturday,  June 15th

My friend Tessa and I arrived in San Francisco at 8:35 am, after a short flight from San Diego.

Virgin America airlines never disappoints, 

We ran into Leslie and her husband from West Coast Road Runners and made a quick stop at at The Plant Cafe Organic for a healthy sunrise drink ( carrot, beet, orange, apple lemon). I love that they have healthy options at SFO Terminal 2.

We took the BART train to Montgomery Street Station where our friend Leo was meeting us. We dropped our backpacks at his apartment, where we were staying for the weekend, and walked one mile to the Expo.

We quickly picked up our bib, shirts and bags.  I like the design and color of our technical shirts and bag. However, the shirt's sleeves were 1 1/2 inches too short in all sizes.  I usually wear XS or SM, I ended up exchange it for a medium. I am glad I was able to do so without any issues. I must say they had great customer service!

I met Catra Corbett (DirtDiva) at the RunningSkirts both. She is running her 100th 100-mile race in a couple of months. Can you imagine running just one 100-miles (160 km)? Now multiple that by 100 times. What's her special diet? She is a frutarian. She eats fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, without animal products and grains. Amazing, huh?

I purchased a sterling silver replica of the 2013 Wipro San Francisco Marathon Finisher's Medal and the Signature Shoe Pendant from Engaged Running. They are very well made and simply beautiful! I love it! They also make pendants for other races. Check it out!

At the expo, we meet the rest of the group, the Medal Whores. We probably spent 2 hours there. It must be my new PR. No worries! I only purchased a pair of socks and this awesome necklace. Afterwards, we walked and walked and then we walked some more to the bus stop, which took us to my friend's Leo and Febry's Japanese restaurant, Kirimachi.

Miso soup with cabbage, mushrooms and bamboo shots,

After lunch, we walked to Little Italy and had some coffee at my favorite bakery.

Afterwards, we walked all over town in search for some arm warmers to wear at the race next day. I was freezing. I should have bought a pair at the expo. We stopped in Lululemon and Nike Town but they didn't sell them. I was ready to give up on the idea of wearing arm warmers when I spotted the perfect pair of men socks at Uniqlo, a popular Japanese clothing store similar to Gap. Bingo! Oh, we spent too much time at this store too!

My friend Venus at her own Uniqlo Marathon :)

For dinner, we carb-loaded at King of Thai Noodle House. I ate eggplant with curry sauce. I skipped the rice and pasta since I am following an NSNG lifestyle or No Sugars No Grains. I am pretty sure there was some sugar in the curry but it's ok. Everything in moderation! By the way, the food was superb.

It was a quick walk from this restaurant to the apartment.  See a pattern? walking, walking, walking everywhere.  I didn't go to bed until 1:00 am. I was excited. I was nervous. I was ready!

Sunday,  June 16th - Race Day

We woke up at 4:30 and left the apartment around 5:15 after a quick breakfast (2 boiled eggs. almond butter and yogurt).

The start of the race was at Embarcadero a nice walk from our apartment. We were supposed to start with corral 4 but ended up with corral 6.

When I arrived at my corral, I noticed that my Garmin was low on battery. How was that possible? No problem. I turned the RunKeeper app on my iPhone. Few minutes later, I noticed that my iPhone was also running low in battery. "WTH! Nooooooo!". This was my only source of music.  "No electronic devices for me! This is going to be a loooong race! Let's not panic!. You can do it!". I knew I could run without music but without knowing my pace I'd be lost. I told myself that I will rely on the clocks on the course, the ones that they usually have at the start line and then at each mile marker.

Soon after, we crossed the starting line. I ran side by side with my friend Febry for the first few miles, through the Fisherman's Wharf and the Marina. As we passed a couple of mile markers, I realize that there were no clocks available anywhere. I was totally bummed about this but I didn't let it get to me. I quickly shift gears. After all, my #1 goal for this race was to run it from beginning to end without any stops except for water. If I was able to do this, I'd be more than happy.

Miles 1-5  We ran through Fisherman's Wharf, Fort Mason, the Marina Blvd and up to the Golden Gate Bridge. It is the same route as the RnR San Francisco Half Marathon with the only difference that the RnR started a the bottom of the Fort Mason, which is mile 2 into the WinPro race. This hill is steep but very short. The real hill came at mile 4 -5.5 when we climbed to the Golden Gate bridge. It was hard. I was ready to stop at one point but I kept going while thinking about my goal.

Mile 6-8 - We were in the Golden Gate Bridge. This time around, we ran in the middle of the bridge (at the RnR SF Half we ran on the narrow sidewalks). This experience was again surreal. Every time I am here I think of ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes. Then the most amazing thing happened. He was there, running in front of me, on the other side of the bridge. Was I hallucinating? Maybe! Noooo, I was able to confirm yesterday that it was him indeed.  He signed up for the Worth The Hurt challenge this year which is 2 San Francisco Marathons back to back. "Grgrgr where is the camera when you need it". I also met my friend Tessa at the bridge and another friend from San Diego.

Miles 9-13 - I can't remember much except for hills, hills, hills, hills. At mile 13, I spotted a Pasadena Pacer who was carrying a 4:40 sign. "Great! I'll follow him to the end". He stopped few minutes later and started walking the hills. "WTH!". Soon after I reached the part of the course where the full marathoners and second half marathoners meet. At this race, you can choose to run the first half, the second half of the full marathon. It suddenly got very crowded.

Mile 14-18 were the toughest. I was struggling for a while. I spotted a fellow Marathon Maniac and followed her for a few miles around Lake Stow. I've already been warned that it was hilly around Golden Gate Park but I underestimated the hills. It was beautiful but hard!

Photo Credit: Inetours.com

Mile 19 - I was happy to finally exit the Golden Gate Park.

Miles 20-23 - We ran through Haight Street, Mission, Potrero and Mission Bay Districts. I saw Pretty, Venus and Julius at mile 21. They were doing the second half. They looked very fresh. It was mile 6-7 for them. I, on the other hand, was exhausted but happy to see them.

Mile 24 and beyond - As we passed behind the Giant's Stadium, I knew we were very close. I could see the Bay Bridge in the background and my friend May nearby. She had driven from San Jose to see me run. She was waiting for me with oranges and honeydew. What a friend! The oranges tasted amazing, needless to say. May ran with me for a mile and a half. I could now see the finish line. I had no clue what was my overall finishing time but I was super excited! I couldn't believe it. I've ran hilly San Francisco without a single stop. Hill after hill after hill after hill. When I crossed the finish line, I finally saw a clock marking 5:24. I knew I had crossed the start line at least 30 min after the first wave.  My official time was actually 4:51:07. It's not my fastest but I am very happy. Could I have ran it faster with a watch? Maybe or maybe not.

Today I ran the toughest 26.2 of my (short but intensive) running career. It was hillier than expected but I managed to accomplish my #1 goal without Garmin, without music. Today I ran by feeling! Did I mention that I am in LOVE with this city?

Thanks May for all the support!

BIG congrats to all my friends that participated in this race this weekend!


Race Summary

PROS
- Perfect running weather (mid 50s)
- Well-organized
- Most beautiful course I've ran so far!
- Lots of water stations.
- Great expo.
- Nice Finisher's Medal
-The Volunteers

CONS
- No clocks available. It would be nice if they had clocks at the mile markers or next to the time mats.
- (2013) Technical shirt's sleeves were too short

2013 Rock n Roll San Diego Half Marathon Recap

Race Date: Sunday, June 2nd, 2013
Start Time: 7:30 a.m
Start: Balboa Park. Finish:  (near) Petco Park
Expo: Fri 5/31 (11pm - 7pm)  & Sat 6/1 (9am - 5pm)





Friday, May 31st - Expo - Got Carbs?

I headed to the expo around 5:00 p.m, right after work. I met my friend Tessa and easily convinced her to sign up for the race. We stopped by the Brooks' new race expo booth  "Carb Happy, Run Happy". We  "ate" Brooks shoes a la carbonara hehehe.

I still haven't digested these shoe's soles!

Saturday, June 1st - Movie and Dinner. 

I won tickets to watch the world premier of the movie documentary "The Spirit of the Marathon II".  This movie is a MUST see for all runners and non-runners. It tells the story of seven different people and their big dreams and struggles as they prepare for the Maratona di Roma. The movie is inspirational and most likely will make you cry. It might also leave you with cravings for Mimmo's Pizzeria Il Podista. For those of you that are wondering, this movie is completely different than the first part. To me, it's more emotional and bigger in many senses. After all, all roads lead to Rome!

 As many of you now, one of my biggest dream is to run Maratona Di Roma. I was supposed to run it this year but I had to postpone. I am actually glad since they ran into logistical issues, due to the unexpected decision of the Pope to step down and the conclave happening on the same day of the race. However, after watching this marathon on the BIG screen and want to go there more than ever.

After the movie, I met some running friends at Cucina Urbana for dinner and tutus exchange. We were all wearing Boston's color's for the race.

Sunday, June 2nd -  Race Day

I woke up at 3:15 am to a delicious breakfast prepared by my mom, who is visiting from Spain. Toast with almond butter, chai tea, fruits .... I can't complain! I usually eat 1 banana and that's about it. I was feeling spoiled! I had strep throat and a horrible sinus infection but the breakfast really woke me up, making me feel way better.

Thirty minutes later,  I left home and arrived at  Qualcomm Stadium where I took the Trolley to downtown. I paid $5 for the round-trip.  We were supposed to do a transfer at Santa Fe Depot station but after waiting for 10 20 30  40 minutes, I decided to walk the 2-miles to the starting line. This was a good hilly warmup. Unfortunately, I didn't arrive on time to see my friend Edward before the full marathoners took off but we synced up later. He finished in 3:14, a PR. Amazing!

Say tutu

I had no expectations for this race. I've been training hard for the San Francisco Marathon ( June 16th). My legs were feeling strong but I could hardly breath ( chronic sinus).  "Lo que sera sera", I told myself.  This was also a new race course and I was excited to avoid highway 163 all together. I didn't really study the elevation course nor the route. I just wanted to be surprised.

We started off at 6th & Quince. As the race gun went off, my iPhone died. "Oh Great! As long as my Garmin is 100% operational, we'll survive!", I told myself.  We left Balboa Park and headed to North Park. There were a number of local bands, teenagers dressed up like Marilyn Monroe, school bands, drag queens and Elvi ( aha plural for Elvis).  There was even a Michael Jackson impersonator, which I believe I met at the "Awesome 80s" race last year. We ran through residential areas and unfamiliar business districts. Restaurants were opened for breakfast. Delicious smell in the air. Neighbors were coming together, sitting in their front yards offering beers and tequila shots to the runners. "No thanks,  perhaps later!". The atmosphere was phenomenal. Great support and volunteers too! I wish I could say the same about the course itself. It was very unattractive. San Diego is one of the most beautiful cities in the US but you would never know about it based solely on this race.

I ran the first 6 miles chasing a girl that was wearing a  "today is my birthday" shirt and another one wearing a hot pink tutu. They kept my mind busy until I lost them in the crowd. At many points during the race I worried that my finish time was going to be horrible since I almost had to come to full stops as the the street lanes were narrowing down in some parts of the course. Too many runners!

After running through El Cajon Blvd and other streets around Florida Gardens, we arrived in Balboa Park, on the east side. I had a big smile on my face as we ran though the Balboa Golf course. Many of the miles that followed I ran with my 7-year old daughter earlier on this year at the Hot Chocolate race. At mile 10-11, there was a great music band. They sounded like Metallica. Only 3 miles left and it's all going downhill.  I looked at my watch for the first time and last time during this race. 8:30 min/mile. "Really?" I suddenly turned into a human calculator:

 "Can I PR today? Let's see ...  if I keep this pace, I will sub-2... if I run 8:45 min-9:00 min/mile I won't be able to do a sub-2 but I'll PR ... if I run 9:30 .... Forget about all this! Just run!"

Do you ever do this?  OCD kicking in high gear! With these thoughts, I flew through downtown
crossing the finish line in  2:04:51 My new PR!! I almost cried! I haven't been able to run at my regular speed since last November due to piriformis issues. The RnR Portland Half Marathon, a couple of weeks ago, was my fastest this year (2:07). Today I PRed with severe sinusitis! This gives me confidence in finishing the San Francisco Marathon in an acceptable time.

These are my stats:
Overall: 5638 out of 18072
Division: 384 out of 1742
Gender:2307 out of 11041

Race Summary
-Well organized
-Great support from spectators
-Plenty of water stations

I would like to see
-Better transportation to the start line
- More scenic route