San Diego Holiday Half RR
twinmom_112002
Posts: 739 Member
I recommend this race to anyone!
Pros:
Great communication from the beginning. Lots of emails with logistics. Race directors were willing to work with anyone who wanted to change where they parked (it was a point to point). Bib pick-up on Saturday was offered all day long and you could have someone else pick it up for you if needed.
We decided to make a date weekend out of the race. The host hotel was right across the street from the start. This was great because we stayed in our room until 5 minutes til start. No need to hit the porta potties when you have a clean warm hotel bathroom. When we went to the parking lot for the start they had patio heaters for each pace group (and anyone else who wanted to snuggle in). The race started on time and they did 5 minutes between groups to allow the field to spread out.
The course was mostly bike path with great views. Aid stations were a mile and half and filled with happy volunteers. Course started in the foothills and ended at the ocean.
Weather was amazing. Low 50s at the start and low 70's by the time I was done.
Cons: None really. They only had one porta potty at each aid station so the lines were long. The course was a little narrow in parts because bushes were overgrown but the field was pretty spread out.
My performance: Life got in the way for the last 6 weeks so I have been averaging 10mi/week and the hubby had been doing less than that (it was his first half). We decided just to enjoy our time together and settled into a run 1 minute/ walk 30 seconds. Finish time was 2:26:58. What is amazing about that is that it matches my PR from Mountain to Beach in May of last year. For that race I was well trained and ran 1 mile/ walked 10 seconds. Of course I pulled my glute med and had to start hobbling at mile 11 for that race.
Next half is in February. Hope to be better trained by then and do much better in the race. Today showed me that I do have it in me to beat a 2:20
Pros:
Great communication from the beginning. Lots of emails with logistics. Race directors were willing to work with anyone who wanted to change where they parked (it was a point to point). Bib pick-up on Saturday was offered all day long and you could have someone else pick it up for you if needed.
We decided to make a date weekend out of the race. The host hotel was right across the street from the start. This was great because we stayed in our room until 5 minutes til start. No need to hit the porta potties when you have a clean warm hotel bathroom. When we went to the parking lot for the start they had patio heaters for each pace group (and anyone else who wanted to snuggle in). The race started on time and they did 5 minutes between groups to allow the field to spread out.
The course was mostly bike path with great views. Aid stations were a mile and half and filled with happy volunteers. Course started in the foothills and ended at the ocean.
Weather was amazing. Low 50s at the start and low 70's by the time I was done.
Cons: None really. They only had one porta potty at each aid station so the lines were long. The course was a little narrow in parts because bushes were overgrown but the field was pretty spread out.
My performance: Life got in the way for the last 6 weeks so I have been averaging 10mi/week and the hubby had been doing less than that (it was his first half). We decided just to enjoy our time together and settled into a run 1 minute/ walk 30 seconds. Finish time was 2:26:58. What is amazing about that is that it matches my PR from Mountain to Beach in May of last year. For that race I was well trained and ran 1 mile/ walked 10 seconds. Of course I pulled my glute med and had to start hobbling at mile 11 for that race.
Next half is in February. Hope to be better trained by then and do much better in the race. Today showed me that I do have it in me to beat a 2:20
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Replies
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Great recap! Every race is a learning experience for sure. Good luck on the next one0
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I recommend this race to anyone!
Pros:
Great communication from the beginning. Lots of emails with logistics. Race directors were willing to work with anyone who wanted to change where they parked (it was a point to point). Bib pick-up on Saturday was offered all day long and you could have someone else pick it up for you if needed.
We decided to make a date weekend out of the race. The host hotel was right across the street from the start. This was great because we stayed in our room until 5 minutes til start. No need to hit the porta potties when you have a clean warm hotel bathroom. When we went to the parking lot for the start they had patio heaters for each pace group (and anyone else who wanted to snuggle in). The race started on time and they did 5 minutes between groups to allow the field to spread out.
The course was mostly bike path with great views. Aid stations were a mile and half and filled with happy volunteers. Course started in the foothills and ended at the ocean.
Weather was amazing. Low 50s at the start and low 70's by the time I was done.
Cons: None really. They only had one porta potty at each aid station so the lines were long. The course was a little narrow in parts because bushes were overgrown but the field was pretty spread out.
My performance: Life got in the way for the last 6 weeks so I have been averaging 10mi/week and the hubby had been doing less than that (it was his first half). We decided just to enjoy our time together and settled into a run 1 minute/ walk 30 seconds. Finish time was 2:26:58. What is amazing about that is that it matches my PR from Mountain to Beach in May of last year. For that race I was well trained and ran 1 mile/ walked 10 seconds. Of course I pulled my glute med and had to start hobbling at mile 11 for that race.
Next half is in February. Hope to be better trained by then and do much better in the race. Today showed me that I do have it in me to beat a 2:20
Thanks for passing that along. I'll definitely check that out next year.
Sounds like you (two) had a good time running. That's great!
Sorry to hear about the glute but injuries are temporary — your "can do" attitude will improve your life for years to come.
Here's to a speedy recovery!0 -
Sounds great. Congrats!0
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I heard a lot of good things about the course. Several of my friends were upset that this "downhill" course was not as downhill as advertised but I prefer a challenging course. What is your next race?0
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The course was a net downhill but that said there was a lot of uphill sections. Short and steep beginning at mile 2. At the end there were some rollers. Of course on our walk/run routine we somehow always ended up running the uphills.
My next half is the Mermaid Half at Mission Bay at the beginning of Febuary. Seriously considering the San Diego Half and getting a hotel room at the Omni. I am now spoiled by not having to wake up super early and then stand in the cold porta potty lines at the start. It was awesome rolling out of my hotel room 5 minutes before the race started.0 -
Great race recap good race to considered this year0
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Just realized the Holiday Half is the one that goes through my hometown. Practically in my parents' backyard! I wanted to do it this year, but it fell on my sister's birthday and I figured she wouldn't really want the day to be about me racing. Did you see that it's also the final medal run for the California Half Marathon Series? I can't make the Holiday Half next year, but I'm considering the series for 2015!0
