My half marathon actually began 48 hours earlier on Friday as I finished my last tapering run and began preparing myself for the Sunday race. Good sleep, good diet and plenty of water got me primed and ready. I woke up at 5AM Sunday morning, and after taking a little time to wake up and become alert, I ate a banana and protein bar, drank more water and finally dressed and got my back packed. I waited as long as I could to give my bowels a chance to move, since my greatest worry was having to deal with the port-a-potty lines before the race, or worse, having to find one along the race route.
By 6AM, I couldn't wait any longer so I left Rancho Bernardo and began the drive to Carlsbad. I worried about the traffic congestion on SR-78 at the mall exit where the start line was, so I decided to come in the back way, from San Marcos Blvd. It seemed I made a good choice, until I got to within about a mile of the mall on northbound El Camino Real. I sat through 5 cycles of the traffic light a couple of blocks away without hardly moving before I decided to jump out of that line and find a parking spot from which I'd walk the rest of the way. It was around 6:50 by then and the start time was 7:30.
I parked in a shopping area across the street and had about a mile walk to the staging area. The walk was a good chance to limber up. The air temperature was chilly, probably around 60F or a little less: not bad but not cozy either. I was scheduled to begin with Wave 3, so once I saw where that was, I joined the throng to find a port-a-potty. All I had to do was urinate, but the lines were taking forever and I was worried as we got within the 15 minute window. I still had to stash my sweats and check my bag. I'd run the checklist through my head many times already, so I felt I knew the script. And now here I was falling behind.
Fortunately, I got in and out of the potty area with 10 minutes to spare, checked my knapsack and then had some time for some warmup drills along the starting road. At 7:32, the first wave with the elite competitors headed off, while the rest of us moved up to take their place. Wave 2 went two-and-a-half minutes later and at 7:37, it was Wave 3's turn.
I thought I'd feel a rush of adrenaline, but I didn't. It was very relaxing. The mob didn't bolt, but started out at a comfortable pace with a cheer. I spent the first few hundred yards trying to find space to run. We turned onto Jefferson and headed away from the mall, leaving the Expo, crowds and commotion behind. I was struck by the peaceful pitter-patter sounds of the hundreds of runners around me. There were few voices. I'm a lonely solo runner, so it was a nice to be both amongst a large group of runners yet be able to lose myself in my own sensations.
The first 5 miles were incredibly enjoyable. I was loose and felt no strain. We marked our way over I-5, through a residential section and through the seaside village of Carlsbad before fronting the coastal bluffs of the beaches of Carlsbad. The sun was now creating a golden morning glow against a blue sky, and the ocean was spectacular with a strong wind swell hitting the beach breaks with empty waves. I was in heaven. 
I had suggest to Joan that she and the kids find a spot somewhere near the Cannon intersection, giving her an approximate time I'd be passing that mile marker. It was somewhere around 5.5 miles that I saw them and they saw me. For a few seconds, I had a cheering section. 
Actually, participants had a cheering section all throughout the race as spectators would yell encouragement to us all by name. This caught me off guard initially as I scanned the crowd looking to see who it was who knew me. But it was the name imprinted on our bibs that let those on the sidelines treat us warmly as familiars. I loved that. It was a nice touch that simply reflected the character of the whole event.
I made the turn still feeling strong and knew I was going to be close to my hope of a 1:50:00 time. The run back was a little more strenuous, but only because I had unwittingly picked up my pace. I didn't realize it at the time, but reviewing my splits afterward, I'd run an 8:23 minute mile pace up until 6.6 miles. I covered the 2nd half of the race with an 8:08 minute pace. I found myself getting a little more competitive and less attuned to the atmosphere during that latter portion.I passed Joan and the kids again, waved goodbye and pressed the final 4 miles to the finish. I started to feel my quads and ankles around 11 miles, and knew I was starting to strain. But with the finish so close, I didn't care and I didn't want to relinquish my hold on the 1:50 time goal.
I skipped the water stations over the final 2-3 miles. I was pretty diligent about grabbing water along the way even when I didn't feel I needed it. With 15 minutes left to go, though, I didn't feel the need even for the psychological boost water can bring. (I had a few Clif ShotBlock carb jellies in my waistpack too that I never used. I knew they probably wouldn't be physically necessary, but they tend to give me a psychological kick.)Once the mall was again in view, the spectator crowds became thick and I just focused on turning the corner toward the finish line. For most of the race, I'd acknowledged the crowd when they yelled, offering encouragement. By now, I just wanted to finish up strong and serious. I crossed the line and stopped my watch: 1:48:05. I was all smiles.
A volunteer handed me a finisher's medal as I beamed, having completed my first official half marathon in over 20 years...and doing it better than I had even dared imagine.
Next up is the Xterra 15K Trail Run at Black Mtn. I can't wait, but I'll not forget to enjoy the journey along the way.
