Last Sunday I ran the US Half Marathon “Other Half”.  I ran the first “half” of the Marathon back in November.  (Read about it here)  It was probably one of my least favorite runs because the organization putting on the run was horrible.  No medals, horrible “traffic” on the bridge, running up a mountain, etc.  I really didn’t want to run the second half because of that experience but I decided to run because I wanted the “other half” of the medal.  It’s advertised that the two medals fit together into one medal.  I figured, I’d give them another chance and get my completed medal.

Number pick-up was at Sports Basement in the Presidio.  It was organized and very quick which I appreciate.  I got my t-shirt which is a nice women’s running short sleeve shirt so that was great as well.

Sunday morning the race started at 7am about a half mile from my apartment so I figured I’d run there, it would take about 5 minutes.  I actually had to run 22 miles that day as it was my last “long” run for my Eugene Marathon training.  I got up a little later than I planned 6:15 and wasn’t very organized the night before so I didn’t have anything ready to go.  Opps!  I left my apartment at 6:54 for a race that started at 7am.  Turns out I wasn’t the only late one, quite a few runners coming down Van Ness were also headed for the start.  As I neared the starting line the race began.  I was able to jump in line and start right on time!

The first 3 miles of the race are flat and easy.  The race then makes a left into the Presidio and from there on out it’s pretty much uphill through Mile 10.  You travel up and down hills in the Presido eventually up to the Golden Gate bridge.  I was having horrible pain in my calves through the hills.  I have no idea what the deal was but my calves were so tight.  I stopped to stretch them 4-5 times but it wasn’t helping.  It was so frustrating!  I knew that I was killing my “time” but I needed to try to stay healthy, I still had another 9 miles to run when the race was over.  The Golden Gate Bridge experience was much better this time.  Both sides of the bridge were open to us so we went out on one side and returned on the opposite side.  We went on a dirt path down under the bridge and then back up another big hill and back on the bridge.  The views were gorgeous but I didn’t stop to take any pictures.  (I want to check out that path on another run so I can take some pictures)  We headed back through the Presidio but now it was downhill and then flat.  The last few miles were okay, I was struggling, it wasn’t an “easy” run day for me.  I was keeping a 9ish min mile pace which was where I wanted to be given it was a 22 mile run.

Running over the Golden Gate Bridge

The race finish was fine, overall organized.  We got plastic reusable water bottles to fill instead of plastic disposal bottles.  (Very green, very San Francisco)  I was then handed my medal and instantly bummed.  It doesn’t latch together with my other medal, it’s just a duplicate. I know it’s silly to get bummed out about a medal but I do love my collection and was really looking forward to my unique 2-in-1 medal.  Here are some pictures of the medals.  If you place one top of the other they do kind of look like one but it’s not the same.  Oh well….

US Half Marathon Medals

One on top of each other - I guess they make one medal....

I most likely won’t run those races again.  Been there, done that.  They are nothing to write home about.  It’s great cause it’s 5 minutes from my house but I’d rather spend my money on other races.

I ended up running the race in 2:00:19.  A bit hard to swallow because it was my first race with a finish time over 2 hours since my first half marathon.  I know that it was correct to run that pace because I had 22 miles to run but I still prefer to see a 1 instead of a 2.

After the race I took a quick break and then headed out for anther 7-9 miles.  I ran 3.5 miles out to AT&T Park and then back along the Embarcadero.  I felt okay so I added on another 2 miles on my run home.  After the race I took an ice bath, my quads were sore from the hills so I felt like the bath would help. I then showered, FaceTimed with my family in NH at Easter and headed out to meet my CA cousins for brunch.  After brunch I was on the couch the rest of the night, just the way I like it.

In other news, it’s been a fun last few weeks.  Lots of fun work events like the Opening Day Viewing Party we hosted at AT&T Park and the PGA Golf Tournament this week.  I’m off to see one of my favorite bands Zac Brown Band at the Shoreline Amphitheater tonight.  Tomorrow I’m running the Presido 10 – another run over Golden Gate Bridge.  It should be another fun weekend!

View from Tee-Off at PGA Event