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OC Half-marathon

I'd recommend the OC Marathon for any of my friends who may be thinking about running such a course in the future.  (www.ocmarathon.com) It's a scenic course with easy rolling hills and, important: easy parking on either end of the course and well-managed. 

I understand this was only their second event.  And, when they did this last year for the first time, they pulled in about $300k -- almost unheard of for a first event, I understand.  This year I understand they were expecting something on the order of about 25,000 runners and pulling in even more for charities and community events than what they pulled in last year.  But, those reasons alone aren't why I recommend it.

The course starts at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach where there's plenty of parking.  The course then winds through picturesque areas of Newport Beach, then Irvine -- all the while getting to run in the middle of the street. (That's one of the main reasons I run it.  Well, that and to get a new shirt.)  Through Irvine, the course runs along the water canal and, at one time, by a lake in the Woodbridge community.  (I know this b/c I have a real estate business.)  ;-)

It's a well-managed event with water stations -- some with 'gu' -- at every 2-3 miles.  (What's Gu?)  And, the display they use for the race results is pretty up there with Star Trek.  (Race results - Mel.) <-- Proof that I did run and finished the race.  :-)

OC half-marathon (the day after)

I ran the OC half-marathon yesterday.  My wife and I were bummed that I did better than expected.  (??) 

Though I'd be the first to tell you I'm very much an amateur in the runner's circuit (I'm strictly a pack runner at 9.5-minutes-a-mile), I think I'm safe in saying that most avid runners would probably agree that something different happens when you're running in a race.  You run better.   

For some folks that could mean 'faster.'  For others it could just easily mean longer, or with better endurance, whatever.  Maybe gravity and atmospheric pressure was optimum in Newport Beach yesterday, but I think, too, that all the people on the sidelines cheering us all on, the pacing with other runners, and perhaps a little 'drafting' behind others all contributed to me finishing the race at about 45 seconds faster than my normal solo-pace.

The end-result of this was that when I came around the last corner and "kicked it up a notch," I was lookin' good, I was feelin' good, I was stridin' good... and my wife with our camera and camcorder were nowhere to be seen; I finished much sooner than she expected.  :-( 

My wife and I were bummed that I finished sooner than expected.  :-( 

OC Half-marathon

The Orange County Marathon is set for tomorrow.  There are different events.  In addition to the full marathon (26.2 miles), there are also the half-marathon (13.1 miles), 10k (6.2 miles) and 5k (3.1 miles) events. 

As a training warm-up for the upcoming L.A. Marathon (which I committed to run on behalf of The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County), I decided to register for the half-marathon.

I picked up my race pack today.  That's the bag that contains: the micro chip you tie to your shoe so they can record your time, your runner's bib that has your number, your T-shirt and a host of other little goodies (energy bars, "gu", commercials, etc.).

Afterwards, I drove the course.  Very nice, scenic course with easy rolling hills.  I'll have more to say after tomorrow's event but so far I think I'd be comfortable recommending it to anyone thinking about running in the OC Marathon next year. 

The course starts at the Fashion Island Mall in Newport Beach (kitty-corner to Roy's restaurant) and then ends at the Irvine Spectrum Center.  Lots of parking -- and shopping for spectators -- on both ends.  And, it appears there are lots of easily accessible vantage points for spectators and supporters along the way.

Feel free to email or call me with questions.  I'll be happy to share my impressions about organization, course management, etc. after tomorrow's event.

In the meantime, I'm still training-away and would be thankful for anyone willing to help me support The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County as I run in the upcoming Los Angeles Marathon on March 19, 2006.  (Click here.)

14 Miles in the Rain

Training for the upcoming Los Angeles marathon just got a little more "accountable" for me.  Although I registered for the run last week, that alone doesn't really hold me accountable to actually running it.  After all, I could simply decide not to go.

What I did do, however, is pledge to a non-profit organization that I would run for their benefit.  (The Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County.)  Yup, I put it up on my web page and everything.  Yup... yup.... (That was a good idea, right?)

Today it rained.  ALOT!  It was wet and it was cold.  And windy.  Did I say it was wet and cold?

Today, I was scheduled to run 14 miles on my training program. 

Yup, accountability is a good thing.  (It is, right?)