Surf Metropolis Half Marathon Race Recap

I ran the Surf Metropolis Half Marathon this weekend. Listed below are the highlights from the race and expo. Scroll to the underside of this submit for hyperlinks to my operating gear.

Surf City Half Marathon 2023 Race Recap Run Eat Repeat

I’ve run this race 9 occasions now! I knew I’d finished this one loads, however didn’t understand it breaks right down to operating the total marathon 5 occasions and half marathon 4 occasions. The half marathon is my favourite race distance, however I’ve picked the total over the half for this race as a result of it’s a reasonably flat course, the climate is normally gentle, logistics are simple and it’s an area race. However, I’m not in full marathon form proper now (and whereas the course is flat there’s additionally an out & again portion in the previous few miles that’s psychological torture).

I took Diego with me to the expo. It’s within the Huntington Seashore car parking zone close to Principal Avenue, which is an excellent cute space in the event you’re not conversant in the world.

Surf City Half Marathon 2023 Race Recap Run Eat Repeat expo

Surf City Half Marathon 2023 Race Recap Run Eat Repeat expo dog

I helped my mother watch my nieces Friday night time and most of Saturday. We celebrated my Dad’s birthday, coloured, performed Guess in 10, watched Zombies 3, went to the park, acquired mango on a stick…

Principally, I didn’t have time to consider the race till Saturday night time after I realized I wanted to format my flat runner for the race. So, I wasn’t as effectively hydrated or mentally ready as I prefer to be, but it surely was only a half marathon so I wasn’t nervous about it.

I used to be nervous about attending to the race though- final time I ran this one Kristin drove (and discovered all of the logistics). I made certain to get there additional early in case I used to be incorrect about road closures.

I made one incorrect flip although and ended up in an extended line into the car parking zone.

Fortunately, I had loads of time to spare! However… it felt like I parked MILES away from the beginning. I figured it was like a lil heat up earlier than the race (as a result of I don’t truly heat up).

Surf City Half Marathon Race Recap and results

I met up with Pam earlier than the race and we tried to pack in hours of catch up tremendous quick as a result of we weren’t planning on operating collectively.

Surf City Half Marathon Race Start Line 2023

Round mile 5 Elise discovered me and we ran collectively for just a few miles. It was enjoyable to speak! I ought to’ve been capable of sustain together with her, however on the flip round level I began to fade. I failed on my fueling technique and generally it’s superb, however in the present day it wasn’t.

I assumed they’d the identical gasoline they’ve had prior to now (Clif Gels – which I really like) so I didn’t carry any with me. Nicely, they’d one other gel which might have been superb however I COULDN’T OPEN IT. It was a twist off not a tear away and my palms had been chilly and sweaty… so I attempted for a bit after which tossed it.

Surf City Half Marathon Race Sparkle Skirt

This may have been okay if I had been grabbing electrolytes on the support stations main as much as this and after… however, my helpful dandy future telling machine is within the store – so I didn’t have this data.

Lengthy story brief… I began to decelerate and couldn’t choose it up.

Then, I began to get a cramp in my hamstring. The cramp was means up excessive, underneath my butt too – one thing I’ve by no means felt earlier than, so it scared me. Because it was a brand new ache and so near my butt I considered stopping to stretch, however wasn’t certain how… so I stored going and prayed I might hold it collectively till the end. [I think the cramp was caused by some new strength and conditioning exercises I started this week. They’re things that will help in the long run, but I shouldn’t have done so many new moves so close to race day.]

I centered on pumping my arms to assist my legs hold going and figured I might stretch out previous the end line. It labored! I completed (not quick or robust, however I completed).

My end time was 1:52:49, which is a median tempo of 8:36 per mile. It’s not a superb time for me, however the gasoline and cramp factor threw me off my recreation bodily and mentally. I attempted to maintain management of the psychological facet of it and was capable of KIT (hold it collectively). That is one thing I’ve been engaged on and actually consider is the important thing to operating sooner, stronger and higher. So, it feels good to have issues go incorrect and never allow them to takeover your mindset.

General: I have to work on my fueling and my hamstrings. I did effectively with retaining my head within the recreation when issues had been going incorrect.

Surf Metropolis Half Marathon end time: 1:52:49

Surf City Half Marathon Race Review Medal

The Surf Metropolis Marathon & Half Marathon medals have a lil stand on them, so you’ll be able to stand them up (or dangle them like typical). I really like that!