This is my third year with Rock 'n' Roll San Francisco. The only thing I'd really do differently is NOT run another half marathon the day before. (Okay, totally lying--I'd do Livermore again in a heartbeat.)

I'm thrilled with the design for this year's shirt and medal. The last year I did a ton of Rock 'n' Roll races was 2013, and the medals almost all had the same theme: round with something sticking out, or rectangle with something sticking out. Very boring. Also a lot of the 2013 shirts were yuck grey color. Not this year! The SF shirt was navy blue and had a sweet multi-color city outline design.

I missed most of the Expo because I was napping after the Livermore Half. I gave it 5 stars because I found some new and exciting vendors (I love Clinique. Don't judge.), and because Go Tape was there doing the taping. Go Tape is my favorite, and it sticks really well, so that was a bonus. Oh, also 5 stars because as usual, no lines for me!

Parking in SF is a challenge, but if you planned ahead it was super easy. Like last year, I pre-paid for a spot in a specific garage. Easy-peasy, no problems. Walked over to the finish line, boarded a coach to the start.

This race has hills. If you are looking for a flat, fast course, this is not it. The first climb starts not more than a mile or so in. With the exception of the bridge (which is curved, so you go up and then down twice) and the hill leading up to the bridge (which is long and steep), most of the hills were just a block and not too bad. Plenty of people walked them (including me).

The course shows off some of the nicest parts of the city, from the Ocean Beach area, across Fort Mason, past the Marina, and then down to Civic Center. Traffic disruptions are minimal, since Rock 'n' Roll series uses the "bus box" system to avoid having runners stop.

Because California is an over-regulated nanny-state, and because San Francisco is basically a 7 x 7 plot with residences crammed into every nook, there are not as many bands on course as you might expect at other races. Based on my experience with large events and the city, it's hard to get the required noise variation permits (because not everyone wants a rock band outside their window at 7:30 a.m.). To help with the tunes, Marathon Matt's pace team carries Bluetooth speakers to supply some music.

Selfie-stations included a 1960s-themed VW set up, complete with flower children and hippies, and an Instagram-style frame on the big hill with a view of the Golden Gate in the background.

Weather was amazing this year, with sun and clear skies. It is MUCH more fun to cross the bridge when you can actually see on all sides. Fog, while more San Francisco authentic, makes the bridge seem endless.

My only disappointment was that the concert ended pretty much right after I finished snapping a pic with the Quik bunny. I would have liked just a few more songs.

To see my Quik bunny photo, complete with my in-race mocha, go here: http://www.trainwithbain.com/rock-n-roll-san-francisco-threepeat/

Disclosure: I am a member of the 2015 Rock 'n' Blog team. While I don't think this has an impact on my race impressions and opinions, you might.