2016 jetBlue Long Beach Half Marathon Weekend

October 8-9

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Long Beach Marathon has a bit of history for me, as it was my first Marathon back in 1988. I've never run the course since, and even the time of year had changed (was May, now October). I needed to come up to the Orange County area for the weekend, so why not make it a racecation. A 5k on Saturday would make it my normal 2 race weekend. Although I could have picked up my 5k bib on race morning, I figured I could make it to the Expo before it closed at 7 pm on Friday. I left work early at 3 pm, thinking that it would be more than enough time to get to Long Beach. Traffic was bad, really bad. Parking wasn't much easier either. I finally got to the Expo at 6:40 pm, but wasn't able to see much, since my parking meter was limited. The convention center where the expo took place was right near the start line, so it was a good opportunity to get familiar with the area.

Hotel in Best Western in Westminster, about 13 miles away. Wasn't sure about parking for the race, so I left early on Saturday at 5 am for the 7 am race start. Found parking for $8 at the Aquarium Parking Structure.

Left earlier at 4:30 am, even thought the race started later at 7:30. Parking free on Sunday, but very difficult to find a spot. Finally found one, about a mile away near the finish. At 5 am, still early, but Marathon started at 6 am, and I wanted to meet some friends, so I headed straight over.