I ran this race as a test of my fitness (I'm pacing a friend for a Marathon in about two months) and it was an awesome challenge. Not all that tough, but there are definitely some hills upfront that will get your attention. But the good part is that you have a NICE, extended downhill finish to round out the race.

Race morning brought cool weather, which created pretty ideal San Diego race weather. Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego starts at 6am, which is definitely on the early side and a smart move. Any later and the Marathoners would be way too hot.

We had pre-race VIP, and that is SUCH an awesome option. Breakfast, parking (I think - we walked, but I know parking is part of other RnR VIP packages), private bathrooms right by the start, and tons of post race food, massages, breakfast AND lunch food, beer, and rubbing elbows with a bunch of running celebs like Meb and Des. So worth considering at future Rock ‘n’ Roll races imo. And everyone gets chocolate milk because, well, it's Rock ‘n’ Roll and they just get it. Chocolate Milk FTW!

The race course is hilly but fair, and anything you have to run up you basically get paid back on the downhill final few miles. There was also an incredibly powerful section that was taken over by wear blue: run to remember, so there were tons of American flags with a rising sun behind them and dozens of pictures of fallen service men and women. Total silence, and a good time to reflect on the sacrifices so many have made.

T-shirt and medal were great - Brooks T-shirt and a guitar-pick-shaped medal with a surfboard (so SD!). Expo felt big and with a lot of interesting vendors to check out, and it's at the convention center, which is super accessible.

My race went pretty well overall - ran hard and wanted to be between a 1:20 and a 1:25, and after pushing myself pretty hard I was able to squeak in just over 1:20 (as my picture shows, in classically ugly race-pic fashion, I was EXHAUSTED. Those hills!).

Had a great time running through the streets of San Diego, and I'd definitely go back!