Giants Race 2013

The Giants Race in San Francisco is a ton of fun. This is my second year running it. In 2012 I ran the 10k. It's a large race with several options to meet your running needs. This is the 4th annual Giants Race Half Marathon, 10k, 5k, & Kids race. The money raised benefits Project Open Hand a non-profit to provide meals, groceries, and nutritional counseling to individuals who are homebound with critical illnesses, and seniors in San Francisco and Alameda County.

The Expo
Considering how large the race is, the expo was efficient and well laid out. There were a couple free samples: FIT popcorn and Snapea Crisps. The expo wasn't amazing nor wasn't bad either. The check in for necessary race items was quick with little to no lines. One of the benefits of  this race is receieving a bobblehead. This year is Sergio Romo, pitcher for the San Francisco Giants.

The Course
This was my first year running the half. I would have liked to say that this race was completely flat but I would be lying. There were 3 hills to climb at mile 4, 5, & 9. To make up for it you run by the water, Fisherman’s Wharf, Ghiradelli Square, see the Golden Gate Bridge, gorgeous, exclusive neighborhoods, green parks, and end up by the water again. 

The Stations
There was water and Gatorade every few miles along the course. Except for mile 8 when I desperately needed it they were out. I will say, the Gatorade hit the spot. Definitely buying blue raspberry from now on. I walked through the water stations along the last half of the marathon.


The Finish
It is a totally fun race full of people who love San Francisco. Even as a Dodger fan I enjoyed it and will continue to go back.
At the finish there were reusable Safeway bags that you could fill with bagels, bananas, water, and yogurt.
The finish line is in center field of AT&T park with a huge Jumbo tron capturing runners as the run in. If you're like me you wished the Jumbotron wasn't there to catch the terrific face plant over the chip tracker. But oh well, YOLO. By the time I was finished it was chilly and misty. A towel or sweatshirt was needed.

My only complaint is the finishers technical tee ran small. At least 1 whole size.

The Summary
Overall this race is fun and worth doing. Weekly email updates were sent out buy the organization with recommendations. The last two years running this race we stayed at the Hilton with a efficient shuttle system transporting to and from the race, every 15 minutes. The location can't get any better with unlimited restarurants to eat at, Sarbucks on every corner to pick up your daily joe, and shopping to empty your bank account.

See you next year Giants Race!

Two Cities Half Marathon 2012

 

At the beginning of November I ran my 4th half marathon. It was my 3rd half with Two Cities in Fresno, California. There were about 7,000 participants this year, fewer than the past couple years.

The last minute entry fee for this race is $110.00 and $95.00 for the half.

Expo
The expo was downtown at Chuckchansi Ball Park . The way it was set up was designed for the participants to walk by each booth in hopes that they would purchase the latest goodies before race day. I ran into a good friend as she was working at the Fresno Heart Hospital booth.

I didn't have to wait in lines to get my race info. Although, they had multiple steps in order to receive everything needed before race day. One station for bib number, another to pick up bib, and then across the concourse in order to pickup shirt. so yeah, kinda inconvenient.

Race
I decided to run this race a week before the actual event. A good friend, Skinny Chick sent me a text asking if I wanted her bib because she was injured. This is the second year I've ran Two Cities under someone else name and without training. The most I trained was 3 miles. Not to mention I came down with a cold three days before. Fantastic. When I do train, I usually run with a local training group, Sierra Running Company.

This is the first year that Two Cities created a Clovis and Fresno Half marathon. I would have chosen to run the Clovis route if it weren't for the colored bibs for each race. Little too obvious.

 

My mom and cousin were out at Copper River Ranch to support me at mile 6 and mile 10. Thank goodness for their support before the Godzilla hill at mile 7.

 

The Finish - 2:31

The finish line was inside Woodward Park. It is a slight incline barricaded with cheering fans. Runners were greeted by volunteers handing out water, medals, and a sweatshirt. I dig the fall colors this year.

 

 

The Summary
Overall, I enjoy this race since it is local and practically in my backyard. I think I will continue to take advantage of half marathons within my city since they're cheaper than most and convenient to get to.

Read my race review from last years Two Cities Half here.

Two Cities 1/2 Marathon Review

The 10 year tradition of the Two Cities Full/Half and Ultra Marathon was this past weekend; Next year the race will be on November 4th, 2012. This race always draws a pretty large crowd of competitive runners. This is my second year participating in the race and I loved every minute of it.

Expo
Friday and Saturday was the race expo downtown at Chukchansi Ballpark.

The expo was held on the concourse, entering on one side and exiting on the other. Most expos tend to be very crowded with runners anxious to get their bibs, and any last minute gadgets and goos before the race. It was well organized but cold.

Race

Let me start off by saying, this year I was not nearly as prepared for the race.  My training was down due to a demanding amount of school and work. Not to mention I signed up on Wednesday, 4 days before the race. I ran into a friend who knew someone that injured her knee a few weeks prior so I gladly paid a discount for her bib.

The Course
The course wasn't bad until the last 6 miles where there was a steady incline to the finish. Throughout the race there were plenty of water/gatorade stations. I was surprised, at mile 5 there was a fruit stand handing out fresh cut fruit! There were a lot more spectators lining the streets this year. It always helps to have a crowd cheering you on!

The half marathon was an out and back. The full and ultra traveled through Clovis. *Hint* Two Cities.

The weather was perfect. This was one of my main concerns not knowing if it was going to rain or not. I lucked out! Usually I sweat when it snows, so I try and tough it out in cold races by wearing shorts and a tank. There was no way that was gonna happen for this race. I survived in a long sleeve with running pants.

Mile 5 1/2

Mile 10

My brother (Marshall) and sister-in-law (Courtney) dominated this race, finishing under 2 hours!

Friends, Gary & Nicole did an awesome job running too! This is Nicole's second year with Two Cities!

Mile 12. Almost finished!

Finish

The finish line was interesting... kind of a bummer if you ask me. Spectators stand behind barricades and cheer you on for the last mile but can no longer see you once you pass the finish line. The food was provided by Pardini's Catering and it totally hit the spot. After grabbing my food, medal and hideous sweatshirt I jetted out.

Heather for the day!

The medal this year was almost identical to last years, besides the ribbon. 

Overall, it was a great race. I know I would have regretted it if I didn't run. My knees and shins killed during the last three miles but I finished strong in 2:11:49. It is really nice having a local race within 3 miles from my house. I didn't have to worry about traffic or parking. I will definitely run it again.

I Survived!

the 3.1 hellish miles...

Leaping over fire, creeping along quivering cable, crawling through tangled nets, hurdling over barricades then crawling under barbed wire, and swimming under muddy mayhem are a few of the obstacle course challenges proceeding a well deserved beer at the finish line.

After signing my life away, I knew it was official.

There were many participants who took this a lot more seriously than I did, decking themselves out in costumes or choosing to wear hardly anything at all. This is my only regret of the day. Better believe, I will be fully equipped and ready to impress next year. 

So the race started off with 1.5 miles of running, praying you didn't fall into a ground squirrels hole. 

Then came the rugged obstacle course. 

I didn't have a specific time to finish but merely just TO finish. And I did, 41:22!

I swam through the mud pit hovered by barbed wire and passed the finish line with a reasonable time only to find out my shower afterwards was a fire hose. It blasted the group of finishers in attempts to remove the thickness of mud clinging to us.  

This gentleman was educating me on how to hose off. I tried my hardest not to stare at his spandex.

My clothes made the trash and my shoes were donated to a charity. 

The Warrior Dash  was one of the best races I have ever done. It was by far one of the most organized events as well. I encourage you to sign up for a good time! See you next year!