If you've ever wanted to run Big Sur.....



It was the morning of the race, and I awoke early, as I usually do for most races. I ate my breakfast, put my race gear on, and headed out the door.


Last year I wore a tank top with a long sleeve shirt that was my throw away. But I never ended up throwing it away because it was cool and windy. This year I chose arm sleeves and a short sleeve shirt. You never know what the weather will be, but I wish I would have had my tank top on instead this year because it was much warmer. Last year I opted out from taking a water bottle and held my phone the whole time. This year I purchased a flip belt and was able to place my phone in there. So I decided to carry a small plastic water bottle (8oz) then I was just going to throw it away when I was done so I didn't have to hold it the whole time and I could just stop at water stops when I needed. 

Because Big Sur is a point to point race you need transportation to get to the starting line.


 I arrived, I thought in plenty of time, used the bathroom and got to the starting line. Of course my GPS wasn't picking up a signal, and it was time to start. I didn't even get to put my head warmer on yet. It took me close to two miles to finally pick up a signal on my GPS. Between doing that and putting my head warmer on, I realized that I lost two GUs that were in my arm sleeve. I thought this race is not starting out to a good start. I finally got my groove and felt good. I didn't know my time, of course, since my GPS watch was behind, but knew I was doing ok because I was right behind the pacer for the first 8 miles. Luckily I had two more GUs in my other arm sleeve. After taking one of them and rolling my arm sleeve down my other GU fell out. I did have one more in my flip belt but knew I would need that one later, so I took a few steps back to pick it up. By this time I lost track of the pacer, which is fine, so I thought well I'm just going to enjoy it and take some pictures. 
 

These drummers were at the bottom of mile 10 and they did help me get up that hill.



While still climbing up the hill I couldn't pass up a perfect photo opportunity of the coast.




 Then I was crossing the Bixby Bridge and taking a great photo of the pianist at mile 13.


 I did feel the first half of the race went by fairly quickly. We didn't even have any of that wind we hear about for Hurricane point.  I remember last year the clock was set up to say what you're time was at the half way point. I was looking forward to seeing this since my watch was off.

 But when I got there, it said the time alright, it was the time of day. Later I asked the race director about that and he did say that it was an error and it should've said your time.

Still not knowing my time, I just ran on how I felt. By this time I was stopping about every other aid station for water. I actually walked through them while taking water (which I normally don't do) But I have to say, I got all the water I needed at the time, instead of spilling it on me, and I did feel much better once I started running again. I knew the strawberry stand was at mile 23, it couldn't come soon enough!


 Last year there was a sign that said please only take one. Well this year I didn't see a sign so I took three. I will say that this year looked like they had plenty more than the time before. Maybe they were on short demand  last year.

Next came mile 24. Every mile marker there was a fun saying like, Sounded like a good idea at the time and What was I thinking? I remember at mile 24 Bart Yasso's picture was on the sign saying Pain is temporary but crossing the finish line is an accomplishment you will always have. After meeting him at the expo, I knew this would be something that he would say. It kept me going.

Next it was the dreaded mile 25 that is straight up hill. I kept thinking get through this and then its a downhill stretch to the finish. While climbing up the hill, my quads were screaming. I just told them to shut up and keep going!  I also remember when Dean Karnazes spoke at the expo and said when the going gets tough, I just put one foot in front of the other, and that's just what I did. After finishing mile 25, I tried to pick up my pace during the last mile and finish strong!

 
It turned out to be a beautiful day! Even with my small mishaps in the beginning, the hard mile at 25, and taking pictures along the way, I only finished 5 minutes later than I did last year.
That is just fine for me. I got some beautiful pictures along the way. I am grateful to have the pictures rather than a few minutes less on the clock because that's what you are going to remember. Did I mention this was the hardest marathon I have run to date?


 
After crossing the finish line, I got right in line for a well deserved massage. These were complimentary (only ten minutes) but it was still nice. Then I headed over to the VIP tent for a great lunch and a glass of wine.



P.S  This is my bud Amanda. Big Sur was her first marathon and she rocked it at 3:39!
 
What was the hardest race you've ever run?

37 comments:

  1. Looks like a beautiful race! Congrats on your finish!

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  2. That is so cool there was just a guy on a grand piano in the smack dab middle of the race! I'm a pianist, so I love that! Congrats on completing such a hard race! I would love to run this one someday.

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    1. Yea, it was so neat seeing that at the top of one of the many hills. You knew you were at the halfway mark after seeing the piano.

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  3. Way to go Lacey!! This is a great recap, and I am so glad you got some pictures along the way!! I can't wait to do this race next year!

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    1. Thanks! Yes I did enjoy taking pictures along the way, especially the one that someone took of me right at the coast.

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  4. The photos are gorgeous! I'm glad you had a good time with the race even with it being so tough. I love that they had drummers and a pianist.

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    1. Because this race doesn't have many spectators, it's nice to see those along the way to help keep you going.

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  5. Way to go, and fight through the mishaps in the beginning. Those would've thrown me off and gotten me frustrated. Those strawberries look like heaven too.

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    1. Thanks! I tried not to let the things in the beginning bother me too much because I knew it would effect my performance on the course. And those strawberries were delicious!!

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  6. Way to go, Lacey! The time you took to take the photos was well worth it - they're absolutely gorgeous scenes!

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    1. Thanks. Yes, I agree. It was so nice that the person took time to take one of me at the coast as well.

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  7. Love the pictures! Looks like such a great race...congrats :)

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    1. Thanks! Yea, I was happy that I decided to take the pics.

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  8. A post-race massage and strawberries? Sounds awesome! You got some great photos-congrats on a great race!

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    1. Thanks! Yea, a free massage. I don't remember them offering it last year, but I was told they did. Last year I got redirected to the B2B tent(Boston2BigSur) so I didn't get one last year.

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  9. Congrats Lacey !! l liked reading all about your experience and seeing the amazing pictures. See you soon !

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    1. Thanks Jane. And thanks for reading. Good luck this weekend at the Flying Pirate's half marathon in Outer Banks!

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  10. Congratulations! That is a tough course but you are even tougher. Nice job!!

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    1. Thanks Shelley! Yes it was very tough. It felt more challenging than last year, but I got through it!

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  11. I wonder if the hard winter hurt the strawberry crop. Regardless, that's a NICE little pep in the course.
    I love there's just a random piano out there :)
    I'd freak out thinking, "I've been out here 8 hours?" seeing the time on the clock! :)
    Great job!!!

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    1. Thanks! Yea I was a bit disappointed seeing that the clock said that. And those strawberries did give me that extra boost to complete the final three miles.

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  12. Great recap! this race is definitely be added to the bucket list. Big Sur is so gorgeous!

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    1. Thanks! Yes I think this race should be on everyone's bucket list. Just go into it with an open mind knowing that a PR will not be done, but to enjoy the beautiful scenery!

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  13. Great job! I love this race, I would do it every year if I could! Love your re-cap, and all your great photos!

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  14. Thanks! This is the only race I have run with my phone to take pictures. As beautiful as the course is, I don't think I would say I would do this one every year:)

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  15. What a fun race! I love the piano!! And strawberries! Congratulations on a great pace and great pictures!

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    1. Thanks! Yes they are something to look forward to along the course.

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  16. Congrats, Lacey! It looks like a beautiful race to run!

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    1. Thanks. It is a beautiful course, even though it was tough. The scenery was great!

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  17. Congrats! this one is definitelyon my bucket list but the difficulty level is what scares me! It looks so beautiful though!

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  18. Thanks! Yes, I think this was the most difficult course I have run but most beautiful. I always say the scenery out weights the pain:)

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  19. Sometimes you just can't win with figuring out how to dress! Congratulations on the finish!

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  20. Wow looks beautiful! Hare hills though so not sure this is on my bucket list lol

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  21. Awesome job!!! Wow, what a beautiful course though!! :)

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  22. The Big Sur Marathon is one of my favorite marathons that I've run, but I was surprised at how painful a lot of down hill running can be - especially because I trained in mostly flat south east Texas. Congrats on completing the marathon!

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  23. Congrats on another great marathon finish :) Looks like you had a great time (minus those mishaps in the morning, but you fared quite well!).

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