Dan Diego Marathon (part II)
[Brett] Marathon #3 is in the books. Of the 50 states I’d “like” to do, CA, NC and AZ are checked off the list. I’m not 100% that I’m setting the goal of running a marathon in all 50 states, but I’m leaning that way. Does IM Louisville count as a marathon? I’d like to accomplish an IM and check Kentucky off the list at the same time.
Some quick thoughts and notes about San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon 2008:
I’m sure San Diego is pretty and I know Kristen and I will come visit, but the course was nothing all that special. All in all, there may be no prettier and friendlier courses (and easy) as OBX Marathon. There were parts of this course that I loved (the north part of the course above Sea World) and parts I absolutely hated; there were several times where you ran for a long stretch on the side of a hill where one leg was considerably higher than the other. The most notable part was during the 5-mile climb up the highway, the grading of the road and off ramps was so severe that it took a nasty toll on my hips and ITB. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only time the road was steeply graded; I estimate 25% of the course wasn’t level. I don’t mind hills, but I’ve never met anyone who can tolerate running on the side of a slope. The other part that I really didn’t like was the frontage road and turn-around from 20.5 to 23. The road was tight, hot, congested and bumpy… and annoying at the absolute worst time (for me). I lost my mental focus while I was complaining to myself during this period. It was “interesting” finishing the race at an Air Force base. It was annoying for the spectators to wait 45 minutes to get checked and the commute in and out was delayed, but the cool part was it kept any bandits out of running to the finish line; there were armed guards checking for bib numbers before entrance into the base for the last 1/2 mile. I most likely wouldn’t choose to do this course again, but promised Matt I would run next year if he does. If so, I hope they change the course considerably.
The logistics of holding an event with 20,000 runners are amazing, and I think Elite Racing did an wonderful job. There were plenty of port-o-potties, all the water stops were very well stocked and it felt like everyone was pulling together to put on a great event. No amount of effort on Elite’s part can offset the crush of 20k running on the roads, and the course constantly felt jammed. Part of the course being so tight had to do with the fact that the traffic into downtown was so bad. Since there was “no” parking at the start, folks had to figure out a drop-off method. Matt and I were gridlocked about 2 miles from the start, so I had to walk to get there in time. The race actually started while I was in line at the port-o-potties and I started the race in corral #24… the very end of the pack. There were 20,000 people in front of me, including the walkers. I spent the first 3 miles trying to find some space to run, and never came anywhere near to an actual “pace” until about mile 8 (during the 5 mile climb on the highway). I’ve never seen that many “runners”, and I was always in a sea of people - it’s a “big city” race, and it’s to be expected. I wish I had started farther forward, but that’s my fault for not getting there sooner (as it was, I woke up at 4:30am!).
*Updated*
My original post had some undue criticism of Team In Training (TNT) because there was an absolute “sea of purple” around me. I took some criticism myself in a comment and decided to do a little bit of research on TNT myself and have changed my stance. TNT is doing an awesome job, and I will support them at any event where I am a race director or participating.
Posted: June 2nd, 2008 under Uncategorized.
Comments: 2
Comments
Comment from DaveSalvas
Time: June 3, 2008, 3:40 am
I am a coach for TNT. I think, because of your poor planning on your part by getting there late and being at the back of the pack you need to blame someone or something for your poor planning. I teach my runners to respect other runners as I used to be very competitive and hated it when runners would walk or run three or four across. You seem to have an excuse for the whole day. The road is not flat, they wouldn’t let bandits cross the finish line (duh), special treatment to purple jersey’s, is there anything you liked about the race. If a coach got in your way and impeded your finish I agree they should be talked to. You never said they got in your way, just that they were on the course. I am also a race director and if some group told me they were bringing over 5,000 runners to my race, don’t you think I would do something special for that group! (You would also). I have done marathons across the US and Europe and hear the same complain, “There were slow runners in front of me”. When you figure out how to control that let the world know, because people lie about qualifying times and jump in corrals they don’t belong in etc, so it will continue to happen. You talk about a congested road. Boston marathon starts on a two lane road in a small town in Mass and doesn’t get much better for miles, but we know that up front. Unless you are planning on winning money or prizes go to races to enjoy the people and the fun you can have running 26.2 miles. Go with a positive attitude to enjoy, because it sounds like you went with a positive attitude to complain.
Comment from Brett
Time: June 3, 2008, 10:10 am
Thanks for the comment Dave! I re-read my post, and it seems that you and I are generally on the same page regarding the ‘08 San Diego Marathon, but you mistook my gripes about the course and my generalities about TNT a little the wrong way. I am proud of EVERY PERSON who runs a 5k all the way up to a marathon… every one.
This entire reply is below, but WAY too long. Here are my bullet points:
- I didn’t like the side-sloped portions of the San Diego course.
- I was an idiot and got there late, because of that I was at the back of the pack.
- There is PLENTY to like in San Diego, and the Rock & Roll Marathon was run by a class organization who did a great job (as I stated in my original post). I didn’t like several sections of the course.
- I do not like being behind walkers, and will try not to be back there again.
- I was a little too critical of TNT in my first post, but am wary of any group that becomes an overwhelming majority.
- TNT seems like a fine organization and admirably donates to charity, I prefer donating to The V Foundation as 100% of donations go directly to cancer research. I did not see the same statistics on TNT’s site, but I may be wrong.
My post was in no way about making excuses or just to complain, I was just giving an honest view from my perspective. My failure to plan well is my own fault; I was at the back of the pack because I didn’t get there early enough - totally my fault. Obviously 20,000 people managed to get there before me so it couldn’t have been that difficult to get there on time… and I didn’t. This was the first time I’ve ever run from the absolute back of the pack, and it was an unpleasant experience - that’s the point I was making with my post. I’ve never been mixed in with the walkers during a race, and when there are so many of them walking 4-5 wide it is no fun for anyone (except them). They absolutely have a right to be there, they have the right to amass in any formation they choose - they paid their entry fee and have the same rights as anyone else. Anyone who wants to enjoy *running* the race will not enjoy being behind them… lesson learned. I also think that because there was no half marathon, a lot of people opted to go for the whole 26.2 and were conservatively pacing themselves at the back of the pack. Kudos to them for making the leap!
I do not have ANYTHING against TNT in particular, and I can see how my post missed that point (even though I stated “I’m all for TNT” empowering people…). Actually, as a race director myself I had TNT at my races in ‘07 and they were great folks across the board that I enjoyed dealing with. TNT has seen exponential growth in the last few years, from a handful of purple shirts at most tris to an overwhelming presence at San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon. My point is simple; when a single group becomes a majority then they will invariably use that leverage to benefit their own interests - that is human nature. I truly and sincerely hope that TNT remains true to its mission regardless of their size and clout.
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