2015 Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Half Marathon

Remix Challenge

Two races, one weekend. There have been remix challenges in other cities, but 2015 is the first for San Diego. 5K on Saturday, Half and Full on Sunday. There's an option to pick up the 5k bib on race morning, so I went to the expo on Saturday, instead of Friday. Bike to Work day was also Friday (delayed a few weeks due to rain), so getting to the Expo on Friday on a work break would have been difficult without a car. If I had been flying into San Diego, I would have gone to the Expo on Friday, but I live here, so I saved an extra vacation day at work.

5k Saturday

No free parking on Saturday, well actually there is, but they were on the streets where the race course was setup, so no parking there. The designated official parking lot was 0.9 miles from the start, no thanks. The close metered parking was available, but only for 2 hours starting at 6 a.m. I arrived early at 5 a.m. since the registration area was suppose to open at 5:30. I know the neighborhood well, since I grew up here years ago. As I was looking for parking, something got caught in my tire, and I heard a loud click-click as the wheel rotated. I did not need a flat just before the race. I found some free residential parking about a half mile north of the start area. I examined the tires, but did not see anything, but it was still a bit dark. Whatever it was, can wait, I had a race to do first. The walk to the start was actually on the race course, but the roads were not closed yet.

I arrived to the staging area about 5:35, but the packet pickup was still waiting for the volunteers to arrive before opening. After a bit of a wait, I finally got my stuff, but I was parked too far to take it back to my car. Instead, I used the gear check to hold my stuff. As of a few days ago, I was not sure what (if any) costume I would be wearing, so my bib was personalized with "BAREFOOT guy". I decided on Friday that I would be a lifeguard, but instead of the rescue can, I used a red inflatable guitar. Red hat, red tank, red shorts, red hip pack, red whistle, and no shoes. All but the shorts have a lifeguard symbol.

Around 3000 runners, and the corrals were based on pace time. I jumped into 9 minute pace group, knowing that I couldn't keep that pace for very long, but wanted to give more people the opportunity to see my costume. I knew lots of people in this race, one of the advantages of running in your hometown. First part of the race course was out (pass where I parked) and back, so it was nice to see everyone, though not too many in costume. I got the announcer's attention both at the start and end of the race. One thing nice about the guitar, wave it over your head, and you can easily be picked out of the crowd. I kept the effort easy, since I would be running the next day. Mile splits were 12:14, 12:18, 13:26. Finish in 39:39 at a 12:43 min/mile average pace. Used the whistle a few times, especially as I was coming in to the finish.

I hung around the finish area for a bit chatting with fellow runners, but did not want to stay too long since I needed to get to the Expo. If I got there too late, I may not be able to park at the convention center's underground parking, and be forced to the outside parking further from the main building. As I went back to car, I remembered that there was still something in my tire. Even with the daylight, I didn't see anything. There was a gas station a few blocks away, so I decided to drive there to inspect further. As the car got up to speed, there was a clunk in my wheel well, and then no more noises. Yea, just a rock that got wedged in the tread. No more worries.

Expo Saturday

The Mission Valley YMCA is on the Marathon course, and I could see all the road closure signs for the Sunday race as I was headed there. Even the freeway that I took was part of that course. A quick shower, then a quick fast food breakfast. So nice to drive in your hometown, you know how to get anywhere from any place. Parking at the Convention Center is $15, so I planned to spend most of the day in the area to get my money's worth. Changed into Elvis in my car, so that I wouldn't have to carry much at the expo. Stops for picture request granted as usual. I purchased a new running hat, Rock 'n' Roll San Diego 2015, to use during training or races when I'm not in costume. Stayed for the interview with Harriette Thompson who would complete the Marathon on Sunday at 92 years old, setting a record for the oldest women to finish. After a few hours, I changed back to normal clothes since I was getting hungry, and didn't want to walk around downtown as Elvis. I when back to the Expo briefly just to look around as a normal spectator, and bumped into another running Elvi. I met a large group of Elvi last year (my first Elvis race), but really haven't seen many of them since then. A small group of Elvi (a local Elvis and his wife, and one Elvis from Florida, so just the four of us) went to the Old Spaghetti Factory early at 4 pm. I had been thinking (but did not commit) to another group (RnR Tour Pass holders) for dinner, but they were going to Filippi's Pizza Grotto (not on my list of favorite restaurants in San Diego). That group is much larger, and normally stay out later in the evening. There will be other RnR cities this year, so I opted to dine with the Elvi since it's only a few times a year we meet in the same city (Las Vegas is the other Elvi meetup). We shared origin stories on how we became to be a running Elvi. The wife was going to be organizing the running Elvi from now on, so hopefully future meet ups will be more organized. This year the ball got dropped, and not much was planned except for the race start photo op, which I didn't find out about until Friday. Got home before sundown, but I still had to unpack my stuff and prepare for Sunday's race.

Sunday Half Marathon

With the busy Saturday, I didn't read the race instructions very well. I forgot that they started charging for the shuttle from the finish to the start on race morning. You had to buy a limited number of wrist bands at the Expo for five dollars. This is a new policy started last year. Normally shuttle were free, but I guess by keeping count, they know how many buses are needed. I parked between the start and finish (about half mile from the start, and a mile from the finish). Actually kind of nice just walking to the start, instead of waiting in line for the bus. I arrived in time to see some buses unloading, so I'm right in there with everyone else.

As I headed to the start area, I saw two runners dressed in Elvis costumes. The Father and daughter were first time Elvi, and first time costume runners, too. I explained to them about all the attention they would get, and the large number of photo requests. With the official start line Photo Op coming up at 5:45 am. we headed over there, with more photo stops along the way. The photos are kind of a snowball effect, since other runners see the photo taken, and they want in on the action, too. The Marathon started first, so we had to clear the area to allow the runners to assemble. I run over to check in my gear, but the truck are lined up alphabetically by runners last name, and the first truck is for W-Z, I have to pass 20 or so trucks to get my stuff checked in, and end up far from the start. A bit of a wait in the potty line as they sing the National Anthem for the Marathon start. I headed back to the start area as the last of the corrals for the Marathon are leaving. I find the running Elvi group, and we line up in front in preparation for the Half Marathon start. Yes, still more photos.

The wheelchairs and Elites were before us, but both were small groups. I checked to see if I had everything secure before starting. Phone, check. ID, check. Energy Gels, what? Missing? Krud, left them in my checked bag. One of the other Elvi offered me some extra gels, but I passed, since they hand out gels on the course, and provide energy drinks. The weather was cool and cloudy and would remain that way the entire race. One of the Elvi was pushing a stroller with the speakers for the Elvis music. I take off like a rabbit, since we were in the middle, and I needed to get to the right side where I wasn't in anyone's way. Several Elvis shout outs, some who remember me from other cities like DC and San Francisco. This is my 7th time running as Elvis which all started last year at this race last year. 2014: SD, SJ, LA, 2015: AZ, DC, SF, and now back in SD.

It was nice starting up front as more people could get a chance to see me. The other Elvi were far ahead. I told them not to wait up for me, as I was running pretty slow. There was a much larger Elvi group for the Half last year, but 4 of them ran the Marathon this year. The usual pauses or realignment for selfies, and spectator shout outs, usual starting with "Elvis", then "Barefoot Elvis" as they notice the lack of blue suede shoes. The surface texture varied, but I adjusted my speed to be comfortable. Nothing really bad, but I did the course last year, so I knew I would just have to take it easy when the surface gets rough so that I would not stress my muscles. A few little hills, and I did feel my pace dropping as the miles wore on. My left lower calf had been sore the past week, and there was some slight pain, so I didn't push very hard.

Mile splits were 12:08, 13:08, 13:10, 14:44, 13:08, 13:30, 13:32, 13:34, 14:54, 14:12, 16:10, 14:24, 14:38 with two potty stops at mile 3 and 10. Official finish time 03:04:38, 14:05 min/mile pace. Not as fast as my last RnR Half (2:58:50), but I didn't run a 5K the day before that one.

The pick up for the Remix medal was in the Petco Park Baseball stadium a few blocks away. This is also where the post concert was playing. Construction around the area closed some of the sidewalks, so all the runners were forced to corral once again to get to the finish festivities. As we pass the gate to get into the park, we are met with a 3 story stair climb. Not something you want to see after running a race, and some of the runners just finished a Full Marathon. The band O.A.R was already playing by the time I got there. I picked up my Remix Challenge medal, and sat down to listened to the band and changed out of my Elvis outfit. I take a few photos of my new medals (I carried my 5k medal with me during the half so I would have all my 3 medals at one time). The walk back to my car took me out of downtown, and didn't feel too bad since I was wearing my cushioned flip flops.

The nicest part of parking so far away was that there was no traffic to deal with as I exited. As I walked on the overpass of the freeway, I looked down at I-5 north and it was very congested. OK, there's one freeway to avoid. As I was headed to the other freeway (163 North) to get back home I realized that it's still closed since the Marathon was not over. I detoured around, actually going on the now opened Half marathon course on El Cajon Blvd to get to 805 North to finally get home.