I kicked of my 2016 race season with what has proved to be one of my all time favorite courses in Carlsbad, CA!
I always love the Expo for this race and typically end up leaving with one or two extra (completely necessary) long sleeve running shirts! I mean, how many is too many?!
On my all out sprint to the clothing section at the expo I made a quick pit stop for a photo booth style photo-op with some cute props!
The tech shirt they gave away this year was white and honestly had a bit less flare to it than they typically do but still a good addition to the collection none the less!
Race day was freezing, as usual! By freezing I mean Southern California “freezing” as in 40’s-50’s. Prior to the race I was wrapped in a hideous old blanket of my Mom’s that I later tossed to her as she was there as a spectator that morning! That ugly, plaid blanket made one loud fashion statement as I spend the morning waiting in port-a-potty lines!

My goal for this race was to come in under 1:43. My previous PR (also set on this course) was 1:56, that was before my boys were born, and oddly enough I am a much stronger runner now. I was excited to push some limits and see what I could do.

This course is beautiful! The scenic running views and crisp January air are key components for this being a favorite course of mine! I am NOT a hot weather runner!

The course is mostly flat with a few rolling hills, but don’t worry those don’t really come into play until you’re good and tired! They gut punch ya right around mile 8, just in time to knock you down a peg when you’re thinking you’ll likely PR!

Around Mile 10.5 my head was giving up. The rolling hills had hit me, I was working at faster paces than I had ever raced at before, and without having a pacer to run with, well, I wasn’t sure how this would end. After passing through Mile 11 the song that came on my playlist likely saved me. Thought I was givin up the ghost there for a minute, whew!

I ended up crushing my previous PR and even came under the goal I had set for myself by almost 3 minutes when I crossed that finish line at 1:40.

The medal this year was a beauty too!

See you in 2017 Carlsbad!