Long Beach Half Marathon

The Expo
What expo? It took about 1 1/2 hours to drive the 35 miles to Long Beach. Checked into the hotel and headed out for the short walk to the expo. I picked up my bib, tech-t, and goody bag and got the heck out of Dodge. I hate crowds! Remind me not to sign up for any more of these massive races.

The FE
Met up with PYTM, Charlie and BIL Kevin, JHong, DaTortoise, Roccco and Renee, Kwikkchic, OCMom and OCDad, and the wonderful Pony at Nino's. This was my first time officially meeting JHong, DaTortoise, and OCMom and OCDad. My husband and I split a pizza, which was surprisingly yummy.

The Race
I was hoping to run this as hard as I could. I knew my elusive sub-2 was not going to happen, but I figured sub 2:10 was doable. I started in Wave 1 because I was there and I felt like it. I knew I'd never find Wadia in the huge crowd anyway. I hit my 9 min/mile pace and was cruising along comfortably. I saw Charlie flying the other way on the first switchback. Then came Mile 2. There was a major clustersmurf at the first water station, but I was already off to the right as far as possible. The 3:40 pace group nearly trampled me (did I mention I hate these huge races?) and there was a short, not too steep hill that managed to take out my hip. I was thus reduced to 10+ min/miles for the rest of the "race."

I saw the traveling cheer section featuring PYTM and Renee at about mile 4.5. I was still able to "run" at this point, and was hoping to get a second wind. Then came the concrete. To make a long story short, I spent miles 5-9 looking for a way to cut over to the other side of the course. It really sucked being able to see all the fast folks heading back along Ocean Blvd. while my 80-year-old granny hip was suffering along on that dang concrete! I briefly considered running in the sand, but I am a total neat-freak and couldn't bear the thought of all that sand in my shoes. I resisted the urge to cheat and finally made it back onto the wonderful asphalt. At the Marathon/Half split at Mile 10.8, I pulled off onto a little grass area and stretched the heck out of my stupid hip. I was trying hard to resist the urge to walk the rest of the way, when along came two crazy women on a bike honking a horn and screaming. I laughed so hard I nearly ate the asphalt. It was just what I needed to keep me going.

I made it to the 12 mile marker and knew I would run this one in. As I approached the final turn to the finish line, my own little motorcade came along to give me an escort. OK, I know it wasn't for me, but a girl can dream! It was the marathon winner! He flew past me on the final 100 meters. I got my medal and a mylar blanket, then jumped over to the marathon side and got the heck out of there. I found my husband in front of the Convention Center and headed back to the hotel for a hot shower.

Post Race
This was not my day. My hip was not into it, but at least my mental game seems to have come back, thanks to the Ojai Half last week. And now, I have no idea what will happen next weekend at Nike Women's, but as long as I've got my mental mojo back, I know I will HTFU and make mincemeat of all those hills, if only in my mind.....