Aloha run 5k - September 7, 2013

Medal Options. Hula Girl or Tiki

The only reason I did this race was because I wanted the medal.  They were giving you the choice of a hula girl or tiki finisher's medal.  I thought the hula girl was adorable and wanted it.

The race was in San Diego.  This is the third race I've done this year in San Diego.  I got up at 4:00 a.m. to make the 2 hour drive down to Tecolote Shores Park.

I started having an 'ut oh' feeling when I saw the start line.  Humm, this didn't look good. It had a disorganized feel to it.  The start line was on a grassy hill in the middle of the park.   I was starting to flash back to the Wet N Wild 5k.

Oh well. I drove 2 hours to get there so I figured I'd just make the best of it.

They had three waves of runners.  The 7:30 a.m. wave was for the fastest runners.  Runners who could maintain a 10:00 minute mile pace.  LOL That's not me.  The 8:00 a.m. wave was for other runners and the 8:30 a.m. wave was for runner/walkers.  I was in the 8:00 a.m. wave.

Color coded bibs for the wave starts.

The race started on time.  Right away there were problems.  There was a block of people just standing at the start line when the race started (I think they may have been 8:30 runners).  They just stood there blocking the way for the 8:00 a.m. runners.

I cleared the road block and was off and running.  The course took us to the walking path through the park.  Problem being it was way too narrow for the number of runners on it.  Also it was open to everyone.  So not only was it over crowded with runners it was being used by non race participants.  That means folks out walking their dogs, people out taking a morning stroll, etc.  Yee gads, it was a mess.  Then to top it all off the race doubled back on itself so some of the runners from the earlier wave were running the opposite direction towards the finish line.

Course map.

Looking at the course map you wouldn't have known this was going to be a major flustercluck.

To top it all off it was hot and humid. I was sweating buckets and the sweat started to run into my eyes.  OUCH!  That stings.  I had to stop several times to wipe my eyes and face.  (Time to look for a good sweat band).  I ended up walking parts of the race.  I'm not happy about that.

I finished in 40:12.  I finished 836th of 1,263 runners and I was 55th of 86 in my age division.  Not one of my better races.

My cute finisher's medal.

But I got my medal!

Crossing the finish line.

Four hours in the car for a 40 minute race.  I must be crazy!