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Latest reviews by Ky
Ky recommends this race
(2015)
"A “truly EPIC (hilly) San Diego course”"
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Good: An overcast morning. Great weather, but wished for a tailwind or two along Mission Bay. The neighborhoods came alive and cheered us on. They had beer, fruit, frozen pops, signs and high fives.
Bad: Plastic cups at aid stations. A few had paper, but for a machine like "Rock 'n' Roll", they could've done better. This course is full on hills...rolling, false, and gradual, you'll see and feel them! They'll prepare you for mile 19.4.
Ugly: Running up Hwy 163 for 2.4 miles and looping 10th Ave to University. From 10th to Park Ave is one long incline. If that wasn’t enough, they threw more hills until Mile 25.5. They made us work for our medal!
At the expo, I took advantage of their discount and registered for RNRSD 2016. During tough spots, I'd ask myself, "Am I really coming back to this?" Yes I am. I love hills and a good challenge. Join me!
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Ky recommends this race
(2015)
"BUCKET LIST RACE! "
Overall
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Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
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54,000 runners...my largest marathon ever! First things first, if you're looking for a runcation, this is it. The expo rivaled Chicago Marathon's expo. A walkway divided two expos, the second had more destination race sign ups. I felt like a kid in a candy store. Race Day: Took the Metro to the Arc de Triomphe, the train is packed w/ runners. By the time we started, 14,000 runners already took off. Finally it's our turn, 30 minutes later. I hung w/ the 3:45 group. I liked their pace and the crowd gave us great energy. The course had a few tough spots along the way. I had to remind myself why I was here and what I wanted...to run & have fun. It wasn't about time. I got it together and ran my own race, finishing w/ 3:49. Also, they made runners work for their finisher tees. They gave it to you just before your medal. Overall, fun, but challenging course.
Ky recommends this race
(2014)
"My 20th 26.2...still learning lessons."
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Ventura was my 20th marathon. I was excited to run and hopeful for a PR. The pace groups were awesome. They kept the encouragement going w/ helpful pointers along the way. I hung w/ the 3:35 pacers until mile 11 and broke off. Now I'm regretting it, but hey, lessons learned! There's a couple of false inclines, but nothing big until the overpass/bridge at mile 9. The aid stations were fully manned, cheering runners and making sure we remained hydrated. Breaking off at mile 11 caught up to me at mile 17, the overpass/bridge. I kept on and walked at mile 21. By now, it's hot and feels like we're in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully, the course was full on aid stations. Even spectators set up their own stations with ice cloths, fruit and Gatorade. Toward the end, the 3:40 pacers caught me and wouldn't let me fall behind. I finished w/ 3:39:17 (per my gps) and felt great. I didn't PR, but now I know, "Stick with the pacers at least until mile 20!" Overall, it's a 4 star race. It would've been 5 had the aid stations had paper instead of plastic cups. Runners can't tip it! Even w/ the cups, I'd come back for this one. I want that bridge again!