When it comes to running, I’m one of those people who needs a goal, something to aim for, to make me run. If I don’t have an event planned, I struggle to force myself out for a run, especially during the week after work. It was over a year since the last main event I’d done (13.1 mile run as part of a relay team doing the Half Ironman Santa Cruz), so the intent behind signing up for the Santa Clarita half was less about achieving a PB and more about making me run regularly.
Make me run, it did. Although with a few nagging ankle and knee issues (not to mention a modicum of laziness), I was going into the Santa Clarita half marathon a tad undertrained. Which left me very unsure of what my goal time (and therefore my pace) should be. I plumped for 2 hours 5 minutes, thinking that any time between 2 and 2h10 would be respectable, and anything under that would be – shall we say pie in the sky.
I like to set off a little behind the pacers, to give me a bit of leeway. With the adrenaline pumping in the first mile, I sailed past the 2h10 and 2h05 pacers and by 2 miles in I found myself smack bang between the 4h marathoners and the 2h half group. My strategy: tuck into the pack to reduce the effect of running into the wind and stick with them for as long as I could. As hills are not my strength, I knew I would lose pace on the long steady climb from miles 6 – 9, which would give me a long shot at only dropping back as far as the 2h05 pacers.
Sure enough, the first sign of an incline and the 2h pack dug deep and maintained pace, while I gritted my teeth and kicked myself for not training harder. Over the next 3 miles, I gradually dropped back but most importantly, I could still see them up ahead. And as we started the descent with 4 miles left to go, I thought maybe, just maybe, I could catch them.
I don’t think the pacers realize what a fantastic job they do. I didn’t need to worry about looking my watch or checking my pace, I just had to leg it. I just had to stay focused on the 2 girls way ahead of me, their 2h signs held aloft, and to oh so gradually reel them in. No mean feat – my heart was racing, my lungs were on fire, my feet felt bruised and pounded to a pulp and my legs… well my legs were screeching, screaming, yelling at me to slow down (“2h05 you said, what do you think you are doing, this is ridiculous, we don’t have to do this, let the pacers go – they’re better than you, they’re quicker than you, you’ve got nothing to prove. Just… slow… down”). They don’t let up whinging those legs of mine. 3 and a half miles they kept that up for, as I continued to push them and they brought me within spitting distance of those pacers.
Within the last half mile, there are two bridges. Which means two hills. Short but steep, it was at this point my thighs sneered at me “told you so – you know we don’t do hills”, as the energy drained from my body, and my poor exhausted legs refused to propel me in an upwards direction. Meanwhile, the 2h pacer girls disappeared off into the distance.
Rounding the final corner, I saw the official clock still said 2:00 and some seconds, spurring me into a final surge over the finish line. Luckily for me, I had that buffer of starting a little way behind the pacers… my official chip time: 1:59:49!!! 13th out of 83 in my age group. Ecstatic!
Another one to add to the collection 😉
I felt I’d earned my reward: an afternoon at the beach with the Basecamp (oh, and Darren) :-). The running conditions earlier had been ideal (unless you’re solar powered like me) – mostly overcast and cool. But now down at the beach it had turned into a gorgeous autumn day, sunshine and blue skies galore. Carpinteria (near Santa Barbara) is a great spot to camp because you not only have the beach right on your doorstep, you also have a smattering of drinking establishments close by.
Almost a sea view… Basecamp on the left, ocean on the right!
In true post-event style, the beer and medal pic is a must do. After our initial beer toast in the campground, we quenched our thirst at a local cidery. (Not sure that’s a real word, but I’m sure you get the picture). The Apiary is a cider and mead tasting place, simple vintage décor, and quite refreshing as a first stop.
Think we’ll save the yoga for another visit
Beer tasting (and yahtzee) followed at Brewlab, after which we grabbed some take out beers from Island Brewing. Out came the camping chairs on the beach, and we chilled out with beer and nibbles (including British crisps, courtesy of Sue, oh yes!), watching couples strolling and dogs frolicking at the water’s edge as the sun dipped towards the ocean.
After sunset, the temperature dropped quickly and it was back to the cosy BC to rustle up a hearty one pot chili, which totally hit the spot. But the combination of a 4am start, a little run earlier in the day and a few beers, meant we could barely keep our eyes open. Game over and lights out.
P.s. I’m writing this the next day and I can barely walk. And those damn legs are quietly mumbling smug I told you so’s…. Maybe I should pay a bit more attention to them next time!