Race recap: Rock 'n' Roll Portland 1/2 Marathon

Race details:

Date: 5/19/2013
Distance: Half Marathon
Location: Portland, OR

The main reason why I chose the Rock n Roll Portland run was to visit my friend that lives in Portland, OR. So I planned my Portland visit around my run for the Rock n Roll Portland half marathon. This race was my 4th half marathon but the first time I ran in Portland. Its also my first time visiting Portland, so this run was a great way to have a scenic tour of Portland. Weather was great during the run and thankfully it didn't rain during the run. WOOT!

Much like every Rock n Roll race, this race was well organized. There were plenty of water/Gatorade station every mile and half. The race started and ended along the water. 23 corrals and released in intervals of 2-3 minutes in between corrals. At the end of the half marathon, you receive your runners medal! Also the standards post-run snacks and drinks; bagels, banana, Greek yogurt, chocolate milk, water, Gatorade.

Overall I had a great experience on Portland Rock n Roll. And I would love to do this run again. :D

Look who I found at the expo!

Start line...

Race Recap: San Francisco Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon

Race details:

Date: 4/7/2013
Distance: Half Marathon
Location: San Francisco, CA

San Francisco Rock'n'Roll was the inaugural race in the Rock n Roll series. Previously it was called The “Other” SF Marathon. I’ve also signed up for the 2014 SF Rock n Roll at the expo. Personally I like the races where I participated at the inaugural race and then every year after. With each race I want to see how I’ve progressed since the last race, especially to compare the time it takes to  complete the same run. Naturally, if training continues and I continue running, my time and pace will improve.

Finisher medal :)

Breaking personal records are always a great confidence booster as well. With this race, I broke my previous 1/2 marathon time (at the SF Marathon in July ‘13) completing this SF RnR at 02:36:33 hours. :)

This race was the first time I had someone go with me and be there to see me cross the finish line. In the past I’ve had friends pick me up from finish line, only if the finish line is away from the start line. My personal disappointment was for my big run, Nike Women Marathon in Oct ‘13. At the time I was single and didn’t ask any of my friends to 

He was wonderful to come pick me up in San Jose and drive me to San Francisco, in addition to his 40 minute drive from the East Bay to my house, and wait till I was done. It was a HUGE confidence booster. He sent me text messages right as I was having trouble keeping pace and at the 10 mile marker. He knows how to put a smile on my face. I let him know that I was on my last mile and was on the home stretch. Knowing that there is someone at the finish line waiting for me definitely help me in the home stretch. Of course he was right there with a cow bell and cheering me on :) *happy dance*

Overall it was a good run. Granted running up hill is never fun, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. Weather was good; not too cold/foggy and just a little bit warm enough at the end of the race. As part of the course, I ran across the Golden Gate Bridge which was amazing! I’ve never walked across the bridge (only drove over it) so it was great to see such huge landmark.

Race Recap: Nike Women's Marathon

Race details
Date: 10/14/2012
Distance: Full Marathon
Location: San Francisco, CA

This was my first FULL marathon and it was my 2012 New Years resolution.

Overall it was a great run! Scenic and beautiful tour of San Francisco. I might not do the full again but the half I would be more than happy to.

Who doesn't like seeing handsome men in suits waiting for you at the finish line, handing out Tiffany's necklace? And they will take pictures with you?! JACKPOT!!

Here is my long story:
My NY resolution was to run the Nike Full, since I had seen my friend run it the year before and I wanted the same bragging rights they did. When I made that decision, I had not ran in 10+ years (since high school PE). I was at a point in my life that I wasn't happy with my health and wanted to do something about it. What better way than to register for such a prestigious race?

I was crazy enough to do a half marathon the weekend before Nike and (of course) when shit hits the fan, shit REALLY hits the fan. I was sick leading up to Nike and was faced with the decision that I might have to forego the race or give it to a friend to run in my place. Neither was an idea I liked. I trained for months for this race and it was my ultimate goal. Sorry for being all dramatic about it, but at the time it was like it was going to kill me if I didn't run Nike.

The one blunder I made with this race, that I should have been more aware of was that I didn't have someone meet me at the end of the race. Of course not Nike's fault, but after running 26.2 miles you want someone there at the finish line cheering you on and driving your tired ass back home. Nope! I didn't have someone there waiting. I was single at the time. Truth is I was pretty upset that I didn't have someone waiting and see me finish. It was more about having someone see me complete such a BIG accomplishment then driving me home. BIG mistake on my part :(

I'm thinking if I want to do the half in 2013, but I'm still undecided... But if I can train for a full marathon in 7 months and complete the race, you can do it too! :) Good Luck!

Finisher necklace!!

DONE!!!

Race Recap: Rock n Roll Half Marathon San Jose

Race details
Date: 10/7/2012
Distance: Half Marathon
Location: San Jose, CA

I ran San Jose Rock n Roll Half in 2012. It was my last run before my full marathon the following weekend, the Nike Women Marathon in SF. I originally signed up for the mini-marathon, but after seeing the half marathon medal I switched. LOL

The course is mostly flat with a few "hills" (they are actually underpasses, but can be just as challenging as hills). This was my first Rock n Roll event, but I had several friends run San Jose's in years past. The course starts and end in Downtown San Jose, by HP Pavilion/Shark Tank. You run through Japantown, down the Alameda and almost to Santana Row/Valley Fair.

Unfortunately I got sick the night before so didn't do well. I added an hour to my usually half marathon time, because I kept using the bathroom and had a horrible foot & leg cramp. This was my 2nd half marathon so I wanted to improve on my personal time.

I signed up for the 2014 half marathon and hope that I will enjoy the run this time around. And my boyfriend will be running with me this year :D

Got my finisher medal!