Pasadena Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon

Posted by Nicole

This morning’s race was great! I woke up at 5:15, heated up the pre-made oatmeal, and waited for my mom and David to pick me up. We parked in the Rose Bowl parking area and waited in the car from 6-7. It was very cold outside, but we shivered our way to the porta-potties and eventually to the starting corrals.

The race started right on time… I love when that happens. Rock ‘n Roll is always so on top of their schedule. It’s like they have organized a race or two ;)

Miles 1-2 were perfect. The course travelled out of the Rose Bowl area and onto Orange Grove Boulevard. I loved being surrounded by palm trees and looking at the beautiful houses/mansions.

I saw the famous “Pasadena Tournament of Roses” mansion.

Miles 3-7 travelled down California Boulevard along houses, restaurants, and fancy stores. I ripped off my long-sleeve at mile 4 because it was starting to get toasty. After a few switchbacks on side streets, the course eventually turned around back on California Blvd at mile 7.

Miles 7-9 followed California Blvd. back towards the Rose Bowl Stadium. I had a Chocolate Gu at mile 8.2 and it rev’d me through mile 9. I was actually ahead of the 2:00 pacer up until mile 8.6, but I fell behind afterwards. (My goal is to one day sub-2 hours and knowing I was this close was pretty exciting!)

Into mile 10, my legs turned into Gu themselves and my whole body went into slow motion.

Mile 11 looped around a golf course and I was getting very hot and was anxious to see the finish line. I tried and tried to get faster than a 10 min/mile pace, but just couldn’t. This has never happened to me, but I wasn’t surprised considering my lack of long distance training runs.

Miles 12 and 13 were painful and tiring, but that made crossing the finish line all the better. This wasn’t my best half marathon time, but it also wasn’t my worst! Considering the circumstances, I’m proud. My official time is 2:05:44.

Elevation and Splits:

I was so happy to chug water, drink Jamba Juice, and grab free snacks at the end of the race. The post-race area was in the parking lot/grass area next to the stadium.

While my mom and David finished up the race, I picked up the swag bag, sampled some green smoothie Naked juice (SO DELICIOUS), and then watched the finishers for a while.

This pack of Elvis impostors was hilarious. I can’t imagine running in a pantsuit in the LA heat.

Eventually, the matching couple came around the corner.

Then it was time for a few photos.

This was such a beautiful race! The gorgeous houses, downtown tree-covered streets, and open views of the surrounding canyons gave this race a lot of scenic diversity. Looking around while running made the time pass by quickly. I actually think I was smiling like a doofus until mile 9. I might have also been singing along to my music a little bit ;) (Music selections will be in tomorrow’s Musical Monday.)

***

We didn’t get to hangout at the expo for long because I had to get back at school for a quick shower before the women’s basketball game. Good thing I made a broccoli and egg omelette before the game, cause I was at the Galen Center from 12:15-4:15!

The basketball team wore pink in honor of breast cancer awareness, but we stuck to black, red, and gold. This was an exciting game for me because I had three special spectators in the audience: my mom, David, and my aunt Cori.

Having my personal cheering section also meant that I had some personal photographers ;) My aunt snapped some hilarious pictures of the team mid-hair-flip.

Dancing after a half marathon is not an easy task, but I’m glad I was forced to stretch my legs out instead of just veg-ing out for hours and ending up more sore.

After the game, the four of us went to Freebirds for burrito bowls. My bowl had lettuce, and also mexican rice, black beans, fajita veggies, guacamole, and a few salsas. Yummmmm… though I’m still partial to Chipotle. I also had an obscene amount of Diet Dr. Pepper because I was craving soda like a maniac.

We hung out at my apartment for an hour and then I unfortunately had to take a trip to LAX to drop them off for their flight home. :(

I’ll be home in 2.5 weeks though!

Today was exhausting and now I need some sleep. Monday is going to be filled with homework, reading, and group meetings.

Hope your Sunday was great!

- Nicole

Question: Did you race this weekend? If yes, how was it? If no, when is your next race?