I solely signed up for the America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon the Tuesday earlier than the race. I used to be actually uncertain if I needed to run after being sick with a minor chilly and simply feeling a bit bleh. Over the past couple of weeks, I had minimize down my mileage as a result of I do need to begin coaching for a marathon quickly. You’d assume which means I felt superb, however my legs had been form of in that part the place they felt heavy and drained. I wasn’t tremendous nervous about it, and my objective for the AFC Half Marathon was to run objective marathon tempo (round 7:10). I hoped that may really feel “doable” on drained legs and with the hills of the San Diego half marathon course.
The America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon course profile is 2 miles of rolling hills, then 1 mile of downhill, adopted by a really steep mile of downhill. Miles 5–10 are fairly flat with a few small hills, then 10.5 to 13 are very hilly with a .1 downhill end. It is rather straightforward to take the AFC Half Marathon out too quick and undergo the final 5k as a result of the hills on the finish are brutal. So no, this isn’t a straightforward San Diego half marathon.
Earlier than the America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon
I considered driving all the way down to San Diego the Friday earlier than the race, however I wanted some downtime that evening and determined to drive down Saturday morning. If I had identified what Saturday would deliver, I’d have pushed down on Friday. In the end, they closed down many of the lanes on the Cajon Move, so I needed to go up and round Los Angeles to get to San Diego. It took about 5.5 hours for the usually 3-hour drive. I nearly stated, you realize what, it’s not value it, however I made it down there with about half-hour to spare earlier than packet pickup ended.
I needed to get to mattress early as a result of the AFC Half Marathon begins at 6:15 am and the final bus leaves the resort at 5:30. I used to be up the following morning at 3:30. I felt groggy and drained, however I figured some adrenaline would enhance me. I arrived on the race begin round 5:30ish. It’s actually exhausting to heat up on the America’s Best Metropolis begin line as a result of it’s at Level Loma, so I simply determined I’d skip a warmup. For a half marathon the place I used to be going for a objective time, I’d in all probability make one thing work, however I wasn’t too involved right here. Plus, my objective was to take it out straightforward which is less complicated to do whenever you haven’t warmed up. Was this the neatest transfer? Perhaps…possibly not.
America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon Race Recap
The race went off, and instantly I may inform my legs didn’t really feel good. I knew it will be a wrestle every step of the way in which. I hoped I’d not depend down the seconds till the end line. Fortunately, I believed the race glided by fairly quick.
The final time I ran America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon was in 2021, shortly after transferring to Edwards. I had forgotten the primary two miles are literally rolling hills, not downhill. I ran a 7:07 and seven:08 respectively. I knew that was proper the place I needed to be, however I additionally knew there have been some critical hills on the finish.
The subsequent two miles are downhill with mile 4 dropping over 200 ft. You’re feeling such as you’re “so quick,” and I centered on holding again as a result of I didn’t need it to chunk me within the butt later. I ran a 6:44 mile 4, which was superb. I didn’t really feel like I exerted a lot effort that may come again to harm me later. I used to be attempting to not evaluate it to my earlier time operating the AFC half marathon course and how briskly I ran it.
The subsequent 6–7 miles are fairly flat. There are a few small hills however nothing loopy. I noticed I form of needed to pee (my hydration technique the day earlier than was not the best after spending 5.5 hours within the automotive). So I figured I’d try this someplace alongside the way in which. From miles 5-10, I ran anyplace from a 7:02–7:06, minus once I stopped to make use of the lavatory and ran a 7:33 (round mile 7.75).
Throughout that loo break, the 1:35 pacer handed me…which I believed was unusual as a result of I used to be nonetheless underneath that tempo. I’ve come to study the pacers on the AFC Half Marathon wish to financial institution time, so that they had been fairly far forward of schedule. (I keep in mind being handed final time by the 1:30 pacer once I was operating a 6:25 mile). I believe they finally got here in round 1:34:15. Anyway, from there I used to be simply trailing them by about 20 seconds.
Miles 6–8 are in all probability probably the most stunning of the AFC Half Marathon since you are proper alongside the San Diego waterfront having fun with the views. It’s humorous, I acknowledge a lot extra since dwelling right here for 4 years, issues I simply bypassed in 2021.
Mile 9 got here with some hazard. I don’t know if the half marathon was lacking a cone, a volunteer, or each, however we needed to cross oncoming site visitors coming off the freeway unprotected. Then we had been simply operating on the aspect of a busy freeway with no cones. The issue is, that site visitors was coming to the airport, so many had been unfamiliar with the world, and it’s straightforward to get distracted. Plus, it was off an exit ramp so that they weren’t going sluggish. It was probably the most harmful factor I’ve seen at a race in an extended whereas…possibly ever?
After that, I used to be in a little bit of a funk and I knew the hills had been coming, so I simply pressed ahead. I crossed mile 10 of America’s Best Metropolis Half in 1:11, and I hoped to common underneath 8-minute miles for the final 5k. That sounds nuts, however the hills usually are not sort. There’s a prepare crossing at mile 10.5ish, and I used to be truly the final particular person to make it throughout earlier than the prepare got here. It’s not an extended prepare, and I may have used the ten-second respiratory break, however I used to be pleased with myself for (safely) hustling throughout.
From there have been simply the two miles of hills, every with steep climbs round 100 ft. I simply centered on one foot in entrance of the opposite. I truly wasn’t feeling horrible. I ran a 7:39 and seven:37, which was quicker than 4 years in the past. I handed a few individuals, and by the point I knew it, round 12.5, we had been on the high of the hill in Balboa Park. From there I simply centered on the end.
After I noticed mile 13, I pushed as exhausting as I may and ran a 5:57 last .1. I’m pleased with the trouble and I’ve been engaged on my kick. I crossed in 1:34:39 and as sixteenth girl total.
America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon Ideas
I’m pleased with the trouble and assembly the objectives I set out. It’s additionally good that I simply ran a 1:34:39 half on drained legs, on a troublesome San Diego course, and actually didn’t assume I used to be placing a ton of effort into it. In fact, I used to be working exhausting, however I wasn’t maxed out or feeling good. I’m wanting ahead to stacking some fall coaching and seeing what sort of health stage I can get.
In the event you’re contemplating operating the America’s Best Metropolis Half Marathon, simply realize it’s not a PR course. However in order for you a ravishing, difficult half marathon in San Diego that showcases the waterfront, Level Loma, and Balboa Park, that is one value including to the record.
You’ll be able to see Strava right here and all race recaps right here.
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