Race Report - 2016 Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon Weekend
June 4-5
5K Saturday
No time to make the Expo on Friday, so I picked up my bib early Saturday morning before the race. Last year was the first time for the Saturday 5K, and I liked where I parked on the north side of the course in a residential area. Lucky to find a spot just east of the north turn around point. The official parking area for this race is over a mile from the start, so I'm much closer, and away from the crowd. Same lifeguard costume as last year, because this is San Diego. My bib was personalized with BAYWATCH SD. Saw a few people I know, including a fellow Elvi who ran with his daughter for her first 5k. Some fellow costume runners were suppose to be here too, but I could not find them.
I headed into the corral 2, my assigned corral, and looked around for anyone else I knew. The tall Goofy hat looked familiar, and as I headed over, I noticed Goofy Joe was doing a live interview with Allie Wagner of KUSI. OK, I guess I shouldn't interrupt, but I should take a photo for Joe. When Joe saw me, he introduced me, and I was interviewed for a few seconds as well (no recording of this story, so a few pictures with have to do). Started in my assigned corral 2, and took it easy. First part of the route took us north, then back south. Saw many runners I knew as I stuck to the inside to get a better view. As we headed back towards the start, the corrals were still being released. I finally find my costume friends, in the very back of everyone. As we headed back pass mile 2, and the next turnaround, I could feel my legs hurting slightly, so I backed off my pace.
Ann Wessling the announcer was just before the finish line, so I slowed to high five, then just stopped and chatted, then high fived the other runners coming in. Yes, I knew the clock was still running, but I was having fun (I was only there for about 90 seconds). As one of my fellow Elvi came in with his daughter, I joined him to the finish. Splits 11:09, 11:19, 12:21. Finish in 37:17 (12:00 min/mile pace). Slightly humid from the fog, so not great running conditions with a temperature around 60°F. I hung out in the finish chute to see if I could catch others I knew, but mostly to find my costume friends for a picture. I waited, and waited. Finally, still last, they came in. Little did I know, they planned on being last, to show off their costumes better. Only problem with that, was there were few people around to see them.
After I exited to pick up my gear, I remembered that I didn't get my race shirt yet, and since I waited so long, they were out of my size. Last year, we were allowed to pick up our shirt with our bib, but then everyone ended up cluttering gear check. I picked up my gear (a pair of flip flops), then walked back towards my car. Someone in the beer garden shouted my name, so I went there to hang out for a few.
Last year, I just showered at the YMCA in Mission Valley (half way to home), grabbed a quick breakfast and headed directly to the Expo. This year I decided to just go home, so that I didn't have to carry as much stuff in my car. The one advantage of getting to the Expo early was to get a good parking spot, but the Convention Center parking lot is large, and I figured by the time I got there people would be leaving.
Expo
Finally arrived at the Expo around noon. Parking was expensive at $15, but I would be there all day, and into the evening. It took my a while to find a spot, but when I did it was close to the stairs. Changed to Elvis in my car, so that I wouldn't have to carry anything around the Expo. One of my friends would be running her first Full marathon was working the Race Guard booth. I promised the TriClub of San Diego (I'm a member) I'd try to draw some people for a bit. Met another fellow Elvi, and another later. The three of us worked the Expo, and decided to go out for lunch, then signed up for the Toyota Ride 'n' Drive. For this event in addition to the Brooks merchandise certificate, they were also giving away Starbucks cards. There were 3 chairs in the Rock 'n' Booth area that were next to the stage. I think they used those for interviews. We hung there next to the Las Vegas banners, and did photo ops for anyone that asked, and there were lots of request. There was a promo video that played in the large screen in the back, and someone noticed my picture from a previous race (San Jose) showed up. The video cycled through several other cities, but we were able to catch an image of Elvis with Elvis.
I changed back in to my regular clothes back in my car, and went for dinner at 5 pm at the Old Spaghetti Factory with other Elvi. The other two Elvi were still in costume. Pretty busy at the restaurant, but that's expected with you have 30,000+ runners in downtown. Finished before sunset, so the drive home was easy. Most of my races have been in other cities, so this felt unusual to go home to get ready for race day.
Race Morning
As usual, I set my alarm(at 3 am), but I woke up way before at 2 am. I didn't prepare as well last night, so it took me a while to get everything ready. Since the finish was moved, the shuttle parking situation was not as nice as previous years. The official parking area (Horton Plaza) where the shuttles would take you to the start was over a mile from the finish. The shuttle use to be free (2 years ago), but $5 is a lot to pay when you'd have to walk anyway. I arrived downtown at 4:45, and found a spot between the start and finish on Grape between 1st and 2nd. There were already a few people walking to the start, so we formed a little group and chatted. By the time we got to the south part of the corrals, the buses were already unloading.
I walked up to the start area, and passed by the Gear drop and decided to just check in my stuff, so that I won't have to walk back later. One of our fellow running Elvi, Billie Hartford, passed away last year. He wasn't running when I started since the cancer at that point left him too weak to run. I never had the opportunity to meet him, but most of the other Elvi knew him. Each of the Elvi wore a memorial picture on our backs. The plan was to take a picture at the start with Mayor Faulconer at 5:45. Competitor Group grabbed us for a photo with Meb at 5:30. Various other photo ops, but no Mayor. As race time approached, we were informed to go back to our corrals, but most of us just went back from the front into corral one. We stayed to the right, so we would not hinder the elite runners. I never realized until after the race, that there was a barefoot runner I knew was just a few runners away from me. We'd meet later around mile 5. I sprinted at an 8 min/mile pace for a few hundred meters to avoid getting run over. There were some potties on the right, just after the start, but lots of runners were headed there. I had to go, but not right now, so I waited until mile 1, where there was no line.
The course was changed this year, the main difference being the Marathon and Half course were the same for 8 miles. The new finish was also further away, so although the bulk of the Half course in the same area, but went thorough different streets. Boob-loon guys still out there, always obnoxious and entertaining. Down under Georgia Street bridge early (1.5 mile). Last year, we went over the bridge, but the Full didn't. This year it's the other way. Run to remember, setup their memorial in Normal Heights neighborhood around mile 4.5. I slowed down to view and takes some pictures. As I got back to speed, I saw a fellow barefoot runner, who turned out to be one I met in 2013 after my first barefoot marathon. We had a nice conservation until the Full/Half split. This was his 70th barefoot marathon.
Another change in the course was to use University Avenue more, and eliminate El Cajon Blvd. This was great news for me as a barefoot runner, since the road surface on El Cajon Blvd the previous 2 years was quite rough. The use of 30th street was nice, since we never used it before. As we approached mile 9, I could hear the Takai Drums around mile 10. I stopped for a video, because I really like the sounds. Fellow Black Sheep played some Elvis tunes to keep me motivated throughout the course, as we were running around the same pace. With a few miles left, I was a little spent, and my legs slightly sore, but I've been felt worse. The downhill from mile 10 to 12 is where I finished the full marathon in 2013. I was so sore back then, I couldn't even take advantage of the downhill. This section of the course (it's used in other races, too) always brings back those memories. But today, legs stronger, so I picked up the pace slightly on this downhill. As we get close to the finish, and it was still overcast, but this had been a tough week for me with all the races. I had some strength, but not enough to finish the last few miles quickly. The light tunnel under I-5 was back, and my new GPS watch had no troubles tracking. Full/Half courses converged last mile, but only the faster runners (sub 3 hour Marathon) were there. The tall buildings messed with GPS signal, but that's expected.
Just before the last turn to the finish, there was a little hill (only a block long) that was unexpected. From there you could see the finish line a half mile away. I somehow managed to get a little energy to sprint in the last few 100 yards. Splits 12:37, 13:18, 10:03, 13:14, 13:12, 13:59, 13:03, 13:30, 13:27, 14:18, 15:08, 12:43, 14:24. Not really concerned about my time, with the official finish at 2:59:04 (13:40 min/mile pace).
Just after I crossed the finish line, a KGTV 10 reported asked me for an video interview.
Not the first time I was interviewed. In San Jose last year on
KTVU video. I talked about lots of stuff, the race, Elvis memorial, run in Blue, and barefoot. The final shot was to get my medal. This was a Remix weekend, so off to the Heavy Medal booth after the finish. As usual, I brought along a plastic bag to carry all my stuff. We crossed Trolley tracks to the Waterfront Park with great view of the bay. Unfortunately this was almost a half mile from the finish, and I didn't bring my backup sandals. Not much of a line at the Heavy Medal booth, I got my remix medal, but this was only my 4th Rock 'n' Race this year, and the heavy medal is still mailed. The Gear pick up was on the far north, but at least I could walk on the grass. Sure felt good to get those flip flops on.
Went into the beer garden, and saw some other friends. Pretty tired, and I was getting hungry. Although there were several post races social event going on, that would mean more walking and waiting. I decided to return home, and went through the Water Park, which I have not seen close up. Headed back to my car was along the course route, so I watched some of the Marathon runners finish. There were still a few walkers on the Half course, but the sweeper van eventually came. The sun was still behind the clouds, and I was still Elvis, so I stayed a while longer, in hopes that I would see more runners I knew. I took pictures to share, but by the 4:40 pacer the sun started to come out, and I would have to go. Once in my car, I changed back to normal clothes for my trip back home. As I headed to the freeway entrance going south on 1st Ave (towards the race course), the traffic started to back up, but luckily I was able to turn right on Hawthorn before the standstill and right on to freeway I-5 northbound. Of course the freeway traffic was heavy, since northbound 163 was still closed for the race. Once past I-8 (the 163 detour), traffic was normal again. Traditional beef refuel with a large hamburger, and I actual saw someone (the medal is a give away) who did the race in the morning. Being that we were 15 miles from the race area, that was quite a coincidence.