Santa to the Sea
So, after being shut out of the Rock Canyon Half (sold out), it seemed like a good idea to fly out to LA this weekend and race in a small, quirky half marathon. California typically is a great place to race due to cheap airfare, lower elevation and reasonably mild temps this time of year.
I left early Saturday morning, avoiding any security lines and blessedly having a row of seats all to myself'-which makes for great napping! Though I have flown a hand ful of times since my unfortunate frostbite incident (and ensuing neuropathy), I have yet to derive the courage to actually race after flying. Most folks endure some swelling when flying, but WHOA! My poor little piggies turn into tightly packed sausages that are ready to explode, causing extra pressure on my too sensitive nerves. Thus the necessity for the early flight out...7 a.m. early.
Arrived in LA ahead of schedule, picked up the rental and headed to Oxnard, about an hour or so north of LA in Ventura County--apparently known for strawberries, onions and Santa !http://www.santatothesea.com/Santatotheseaweb2/sttsvid.html Despising onions, I was sure that Santa and the strawberries would surely be worth the trip.
Went straight to the race expo at the host hotel near the finish...ok, well actually it ended up being packet pickup, no expo, but at least near the ocean. Found out that there would be no "gel" type stuff out on the course, so obtained directions to the nearest "Gu" symposium. the volunteers at packet pickup were extra special friendly, as was the race director.
Too early to check into the hotel, made my way tot he local mart to buy yummy treats and healthy items for lunch. Pre-emptively bought mint choc covered oreos (post-race snack of choice) to help me visualize success. Besides investing time and money into racing, the only guarantee that I will actually wake up and finish an event is the promise of these tasty morsels. if you have not yet enjoyed them, you should. But be warned--I am pretty sure they are laced with crack, as I can not stop eating them whne I have them, and I crave them when I don't. Don't say I didn't warn you...
Checked into the hotel extra early and opted for a nap, as I was sure that the swelling would be unbearable tonight, and I wanted to ensure that I had at least some rest. Napped wonderfully and went for a shakeout to explore just how far from the start line I actually was (rce brochure stated half mile, but in reality it was more like 1 mile). Glad that I scouted this out, as crossing over the expressway was somewhat treacherous and a bit like frogger.
Ran right past the start line...which is amazing, as you can see the giant Santa from the freeway--how did I miss that?...and explored the neighborhood. This part of Oxnard is vivacious, though ruggedly poor. Many migrant field workers have settled into this area, eventually bringing over families to join them. The community was alive, as many parties were already starting to "jump". Pseudo lawn areas were sprinkled with "jump castles" for the kids and fences were replaced by elaborate systems of tarps strewn to demarcate one household from the next. Most dwellings were smallish prefab type tenements and, it seemed, that most of the inhabitants were outside enjoying the unseasonably warm weather and laughing at the strange gringo gal running past.
Pre-race bonus! Found a hidden port-a-potty just about 200 m away from the start area on a construction site. Oh happy day!
Ran back to hotel, showered and went to order takeout at a nearby Olive Garden. Went to a store to buy a Christmas present, as the race doubles as a toy drive AND scholarship resource for the residents of Oxnard. Enjoyed my meal back in the hotel, while watching Indiana Jones--ok, stayed up way past my pre-race bedtime to see the ending-whcih I have seen at least 1000 times before...
Woke up at 6 ish to eat oatmeal warmed with milk from my in-room microwave and banana, chased by several swigs of gatorade and water. Played dress up in my race clothes and checked the cuteness factor. Opted for bright pink racing shorts and white and pink singlet. Covered self in layers and headed toward the lobby to meet up with strangers that might also be heading towrad the race.
With no one to hitch a ride from, jogged over to the start with a visiting marine, and as payment for his escort, shared the location of my secret porta potty. Jogged around from the start line to check out the "competition" (OK and the guys!). Made several jaunts over to my private commode, even if I didn't need it, just to feel special. Was already sweating...uh oh?!
Lined up in about row 5 to thwart off thoughts of taking out the race in a 5:30 pace (which would have lasted for 200m tops!) and made conversation with a gent wearing basketball shorts and talking himself up wonderfully! He was very enthusiastic, as this was his first, and shared his training secrets with me.
Right before the start, a waif of a young girl stepped ahead of me. That would be the last time I would see her, as she finished UGH about 10 minutes ahead of me...
Had fun dodging the locals that truly did not know that walkers were not supposed to start up front and watched the race unfold. i was impressed that noone bad mouthed the walkers and joggers for starting out of place, as everyone was very jovial at the start.
Race plan was to just break 1:30, so set myself up for 6:44's. had some difficulty finding my rythm for the first half mile, and as the temperature began to rise, was very happy that I went with summer racing apparel.
Ran with a few peeps here and there, but could not find any that really want to talk...
After mile 3 decided to start stretching the legs a bit, as there were a few lady gals ahead of me and I did not want to underestimate anyone--not knowing what the local talent might be. Probably spent myself a bit, throwing in some surges to see if the competitive juices would start flowing, when I realized what was missing. This was the first half marathon (post-frostbite injury) that I was actually rracing! I have paced people in probably 20 halfs in various paces from 1:40 to 4 hours, but had yet to actually rce one for myself! No wonder I was lonely and trying to make friends...
At some point, the spectators were at one block saying I was 2nd fe, and then 4th fe all at the same time. i was very confused on my place and had settled into the realizing that the skinny waif was out of my league and thta 2nd would feel pretty good. Right around mile 7 (following an overpass run), my legs started to tighten and the heat began to play tricks on me. Up until then, 6;40's were very acceptable and I was toying with some faster paces coming out of turns to really try and stress my healing ankle a bit. As I began to feel myself slow, I was intermittently passed by a couple of very fresh looking lady gals.
I surged again, hoping to vamp some of their energy and use them to block the headwind that was directly hitting us from the ocean, but my legs (and probably more so) my mind were not fully responding. opted to take a potty break and, worried that with the now 90 degree temps I was not taking in enough fluids, opted to walk the water stations to drink more (I really suck at drinking and running...). More lady gals were closing in and I realized that there was no way I would not fight for at least a podium place. i had my work cut out for me, as i slowed to a miserable jog at this point, but realized that if they were passing me when I was going this slow, they also must be going quite slow themselves.
Buckled down for the last 2 miles and passed a few more lady gals but was still confused by the fresh looking ones that had passed me around mile 7 (that I still could not see). Passed and broke one poor gal and settled in behind a spandex covered dude that was wearing a santa hat. Figured as long as I ran right behind him through his sprint, no one was likely to pass me near the finish.
Kinda picked it up near the end, accelerating to 5:50's (not a very big sprint at all...sigh...) and as I was finishing was announced as the 3rd fe to cross. Smiled for the camera and immeidately went in search of chocoalte.
I was perplexed as a few other lady gals surely were in front of me...but waited to see the results. Finished in 1:33:58 (chip-gotta get credit for those 2 seconds right?) and proceeded to find an official to point out their counting error in the results.
Silly me--found out that there was a relay going on at the same time and that the few lady gals tht looked fresh, were just that! At mile 7, they were merely half mile into their leg. ALSO, silly me for surging with them and wasting what little energy was being sapped by the 90 degree weather...lesson learned!
Post-race analysis--I have lost my racing edge! After several just barely winning finishes over this last year, i realized that I am a lazy competitor! I merely have been running fast enough to place to get some schag, with as little pain as necessary. When i pace folks in workouts, I back off and go to other groups just as things get interesting. I have been using the excuse that I am afraid of the pain that will come later tht night in the form of my neurapothy, but in reality I am just weak minded.
I thoroughly enjoyed my racing experience, but realize that I could have gone much, much harder and kept backing off from the discomfort. (backed up by the fact that some of my training runs are about this same pace...though in not so hot of temperatures).
Won some great race schwag to include a bright blue hoody adorned on the back with the running santa and with "1st place winner" on the front to denote my masters level win.
All in all a great weekend hwere I truly just had to worry about myself and no other runners that i coach. I enjoyed both my alone time and my idle chatter with the many great strangers that I met along the way.
Might return next year (as long as the Collegiate All American -Senior-that smoked me opts NOT to return...sigh... |