Usually on running blogs, people recap their races. I plan to do this with my future races, and also decided to write about my past race because…well, there’s only one past race, so if I just write about the one, I’ll have all my races documented here in a lovely organized fashion.
In 2008, I decided to run the Santa Barbara Wine Country ½ Marathon, and I convinced my friend Jeff to run it with me. I thought it would be great because it sounded like a beautiful course (running past vineyards, etc), and at the end they give you a wine glass and free wine. Plus it ended in the beautiful town of Solvang, pretty much the cutest town in America.
My training wasn’t much, I was already running 5 miles 5 days a week, so all I really did was add weekend long-runs, and that seemed fine.
My friend Jeff ended up getting injured, so I had to run the race myself…with no one cheering me on. Yep, that was awesome.
It was a long time ago, and I don’t want to bore you with the details, but here’s what I remember:
Beautiful course. Gorgeous. Running past vineyards, farms, and horses. I honestly can’t imagine a better course, with the exception of running in Big Sur.
There were no mile markers. And I didn’t have a way to track my mileage, so at every aid station I would ask. I eventually realized how very off the aid stations were when their reports of where I was at meant I had just run 2 sub-7 miles. Nope. So then I was paranoid, because I didn’t know how close or far I was from coming in sub-2 hours. (My goal).
They had our names on our bibs. I love that. I found it to be so encouraging and kind when people yelled my name, especially since I was running this thing with no friends or family there to cheer me on. (However, I had registered as “Rebecca,” so they were cheering for me with a name I don’t use, which made me a little sad).
There was one hill. It was hard. But my only goal for the hill was to not walk, and I didn’t. And plenty of my fellow racers ended up walking that hill, so I was proud.
I made the mistake of drinking strongly-mixed Gatorade towards the end and nearly puked all over myself. So. Gross.
I was not pacing myself nicely. I was in the restroom when the gun went off. So when I finally got to the start line, the slow people had already taken off. My first mile was spent trying to get around strollers and walkers. I went faster than was ideal from a pacing perspective, but I couldn’t handle getting trapped behind large groups of chatters, so I thought it was worth it. Then for the last mile or so I was BEAT, and went rather slow I believe. I was so exhausted. I must have looked it because a kind runner came and told me I was getting close to the finish line and to keep pushing.
Somehow I made it to the finish, and within my goal of under-2 hours. 1:54:59 to be exact, but I think that was the gun-time, so I don’t know my actual time. I remember being super proud, exhausted and a little sad because I didn’t have anyone to share the moment with.
Along with medals, they gave us wine glasses and a bunch of local vineyards were there offering up free wine to finishers. I drank a little wine at the post-race celebration. But I was by myself and it was lonely, so I quickly left after just having a few sips.
In conclusion, it was a great race. I know the course has changed a lot from when I ran it, but I’m sure it’s still beautiful and would be a really fun race to run. I think the wine party would have been really really fun for anyone who had friends or family there.
How did they not have mile markers?! That is crazy! I hope that they have invested in them by now. 🙂
I want to run a 1/2 in wine country somewhere, sometime. I don’t care if it is in Napa or in OR. I just want to run one someday.
Oh yeah! I would recommend doing a race through wine country if you got the chance! It’s so pleasant!
I honestly didn’t realize how bad it is to not have mile markers! (Since this is my only race). I just ran comfortable and it worked out. My goal time was not super ambitious, but I can imagine that if it was, I would have been frustrated to not have any idea of how I was doing!
oh a wine run. I live for that!!! xx
That’s awesome, you ran so fast and smashed your goal!!! Can’t wait for you to run Leavenworth!!
Yes, I only run races in small cute towns! Next up: Fredricksburg, TX. Just kidding. Sort of.
Fredericksburg, TX is super cute! Have you been there before? Do they have races there? If we ever move back to Texas, I might have to try a race there!
😦 I’ve been at the finish area alone before and it was super lonely and depressing. I got a sad face reading that you were alone at the end of your first, and only, race. When’s your next half marathon?
I think I have one in August…I’m married now, so I have an obligated fan! 🙂
I had one race my husband and kids didn’t meet me at the finish line because it was very difficult for them to get to. I am the one that suggested they didn’t show up. I’ve never made that suggestion since!!