Surf City Marathon Race Recap

Yesterday I ran the Surf City Marathon. 

The start:

The finish:

The middle:

I ran a 3:19:14, 14th woman, 106 overall.

From the beginning…

PR CITY and I drove up to Huntington Beach together at 5am dressed in some gorgeous garb.  We just can’t turn our stylishness off.

{instagram: RUNEATREPEAT}

I was a little late getting in a corral so I ended up starting with the four hour pace group.  My first mile was a 7:50 as I was doing some major underwear basket weaving.

At mile 9 I caught up with Pam and we ran a few miles together and chatted which was a boost for me.  Love seeing friends out on the course.

The course is pretty since a lot of it is run besides the ocean on the Pacific Coast Highway, but from mile 11 on it’s two straight shot out and backs – really tough mentally for me.  11-13 you’re running down the highway away from the finish line, and then at 16 you turn around and do the same thing again.

My splits:

By mile 24 I thought I might be able to break 3:20 so I pushed hard and finish with 40 some seconds to spare.

Matt ran with me at the finish for a minute in this getup (he ran the half in 1:38 in it!):

He is the only guy I know who loves running in costume as much as I do.  (He also ran RNR San Diego marathon in a full-on Elvis suit with a wig and everything; I need to take some tips.)

After I finished I met up with the girls:

Sarah//Margot//Sheila//Kristina 

(Go check them all out for race recaps as well)

I’m blessed to be able to run quite a few races and although PRs and fast times are always awesome, my most fun races are ones where I’m with other people: friends and family.

As I told the girls yesterday, it was nice to hang out and talk for awhile afterwards instead of my usual “I have no one, no one likes me, might as get in my car and head home” post-race cool down.

Sheila//Kristina//Me//Sarah//Margot//Monica

AND MONICA HAD ANOTHER BIG PR!!

She has been on a streak since the fall, knocking minutes off her full and half times.  So proud of her.  She’s got her fueling and pacing and all that biz all together and just killin’ it lately.

Post-race I met reader Ruthie and a couple other gals (sorry, I didn’t get pics of everyone, I’m a loser).  Thanks to all of you who stopped and introduced yourselves.  I always love meeting readers.

For those of you who asked about the skirt, it’s by RunningSkirts.  They have different styles, and this one is a “running skirt”.  It has little booty shorts underneath it, and Gillian, no, I don’t wear underwear along with the skirt.  I’m sure you can, but I don’t.

I like these skirts because they’re not too short.  The waist goes up pretty high (to my belly button) so if you want a skirt with a little more coverage that doesn’t dig in at your waist or sides, check these ones out.  Sheila and I were joking that they’re kinda like Spanx: they smooth you out and suck it in.

They’re are on the pricier side ($59 for this one), but they have a code right now SHARETHELOVE13 for 15% off.  And they’re great quality: my mom bought me this blue one three years ago and it’s still in great shape.

Next post I have a giveaway so check back if you’re in it to win it!

Tagged as: blogging friends, race recap