Latest reviews by Ashley
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
This is the second time I have run the SLO Half Marathon,
and it was still as good as I remember.
This was my very first race in 18 months,
thanks to my injury.
So, needless to say, I was nervous…
So nervous in fact that I got about 3 hours of sleep the night before.
Typical.
[rolling my eyes]
Fortunately for me, I live in SLO,
so I was able to roll over there at 6:30 for a 6:45 start time.
The weather (as per usual) was perfect for running.
Since I have run this race in the past, I knew what to expect.
The first few miles through our beautiful downtown area is always awesome,
(especially at 7 am).
The crowd was out in full force and all were cheering their heads off.
Around mile 4 is when we hit the hideous hills on Johnson.
Ugh.
That first hill is ALWAYS a killer.
(This is why I need to continue running hills)
Miles 5-6 were okay, still a little hillier than I would like…
but that’s just me.
I was hating life around mile 8,
which may or may not have had something to do with the
MONSTROSITY of a hill I had to climb.
But, I knew that once I reached the top,
it was all down hill…
(see what I did there?)
I am clever. I know.
Around mile 12, I knew I had like 1/2 a mile to go, and could push through…
And then I ran (literally) into one of my many Arch Nemesis’,
the Madonna Hill.
I freaking hate that hill.
But, knowing that my best friend,
a couple Bloody Mary’s and an ice bath
were waiting for me at the finish,
I pushed through to the end.
Overall, it was another great day for a race! I highly recommend it!
Overall
T-Shirts/SWAG
Aid Stations
Course Scenery
Expo Quality
Elevation Difficulty
Parking/Access
Race Management
I am absolutely in love with the expo at this race and I will definitely come back again and again for all the SWAG! I ran the 2nd Half in 2013 which was a great race! I trained for hills, so it was not nearly as challenging as I thought it would be. There are LOTS and LOTS of people, so if you like big races... this is a great one for you. The weather in SF in July is overcast, so it is perfect for racing. I love this race so much, I am coming back in 2015 to do the 1st Half (over the Golden Gate Bridge). I know... I am excited too. Stay tuned for my race review!