we got free pics (most of the ones they took weren't great because of the rain)
Finally writing my Pasadena 10k 80s run recap! Let's get right to it!
I was down at Disneyland super early to make sure I got in for the 60th and headed back to LA around 2 but traffic was HORRIBLE. This was the same day as the brush fire on the I-15 so I'm not sure that had much to do with it. I was able to head to package pickup and be in and out in 5 minutes and back home so I could relax and head to bed early. I had pasta for dinner and called it an early night.
I got up at and got ready. The weather was insane that morning. It had been predicted to rain for 1 hour the whole weekend (the hour of the race!) but spoiler alert-it stormed BAD the entire day. Basically the more I checked the forecast, the worst it got. I was just hoping to start the race before the rain started. And I'm debating throwing away the shirt I ran in because it has been worn twice in races and both times it has rained!
I left my house in plenty of time to head down to park. Pre-sale parking passes were not sold and I was not about to pay 10 dollars to park so I parked across the street (after getting yelled at by a cop he tried to tell me I was imagining people parking and walking across the street) and walked over.
The first thing I noticed was the great costumes people had on! Some people really got into it! I used a real restroom inside the Rose Bowl and went to the start line to get ready. We soon realized they wanted us on the opposite side which caused problems as the course map posted online went the opposite way we actually ran.
We did some fun warm ups and then Merle from Walking Dead showed up! He was about 5 people in front of me and was so gracious. He took a picture/selfie with every person that asked, which of course slowed us down.
As the delays continued, it turns out it was because they wanted to drive a DeLorean up and couldn't because of the confusion on where the start line was. Once that got figured out, it finally looked like we would be ready to go.
Right before we took off, I spotted Greg and we chatted a bit and then FINALLY started as it was sprinkling. 20 min late-ugh. At least it wasn't as humid when the rain started.
The course was crowded at the start and the air felt heavier than I would have liked. My legs were HEAVY and I think that was from wearing saddles around Disneyland the day before (not too smart on my part!). I also didn't time my restroom stop correctly as that extra 20 minutes of waiting around did not help. About halfway through, I realized I wouldn't PR and would stop to pee on the second loop.
The course was boring. Nothing and no one was out-probably because of the rain. The mile markers were also about .1 off. The water stops were about halfway through each 5k loop and even with the rain, I had to pour water on my head.
Around the first water stop was when the fast 5k people started passing us which is always interesting. As we finished the 2nd loop, I realized the way we were running was pretty much uphill then downhill so towards the end I felt much better.
As we finished the first loop, I stopped to pee and felt much better and was able to perform well even with the rain coming down harder (thank goodness for my hat!) and lightning. Can you believe there were golfers still playing on the golf course with lightning in the distance?? So dangerous!
As I finished the last 1/4 of the race, I caught up with the end of the 5k pack with crazy costumes, strollers and more. I was able to go completely around them and weave as well as I finished strong!
I finished in 1:00:35 (:59:39 without the potty break). My Garmin was .1 off so I'm not sure if the course was short or not. I quickly got my picture taken, some snacks and headed out FAST. The rain was really Coming down and I wanted to get back to my car quickly. I was soaked by the time I got in my car and proceeded to put my heater on for the drive home.
I was able to go home and dry off, eat breakfast and nap. I had to drive to a reunion with my classmates through crazy thunderstorms but I'm glad I went-so much fun!
Now the big question is if I would run again. Honestly I am not sure. The race is a bit too unorganized for my taste (815 is too late in Pasadena when it is usually warm) and I basically paid over 50 bucks (it would have been more if I had to pay 10 bucks to park) for a course I run all of the time for free. The course entertainment was basically non-existent outside of the festival. I think it would depend on the theme and if I could get someone to run in costume with me.
Have you ever done a fun run before?
I was down at Disneyland super early to make sure I got in for the 60th and headed back to LA around 2 but traffic was HORRIBLE. This was the same day as the brush fire on the I-15 so I'm not sure that had much to do with it. I was able to head to package pickup and be in and out in 5 minutes and back home so I could relax and head to bed early. I had pasta for dinner and called it an early night.
I got up at and got ready. The weather was insane that morning. It had been predicted to rain for 1 hour the whole weekend (the hour of the race!) but spoiler alert-it stormed BAD the entire day. Basically the more I checked the forecast, the worst it got. I was just hoping to start the race before the rain started. And I'm debating throwing away the shirt I ran in because it has been worn twice in races and both times it has rained!
I left my house in plenty of time to head down to park. Pre-sale parking passes were not sold and I was not about to pay 10 dollars to park so I parked across the street (after getting yelled at by a cop he tried to tell me I was imagining people parking and walking across the street) and walked over.
The first thing I noticed was the great costumes people had on! Some people really got into it! I used a real restroom inside the Rose Bowl and went to the start line to get ready. We soon realized they wanted us on the opposite side which caused problems as the course map posted online went the opposite way we actually ran.
We did some fun warm ups and then Merle from Walking Dead showed up! He was about 5 people in front of me and was so gracious. He took a picture/selfie with every person that asked, which of course slowed us down.
As the delays continued, it turns out it was because they wanted to drive a DeLorean up and couldn't because of the confusion on where the start line was. Once that got figured out, it finally looked like we would be ready to go.
Right before we took off, I spotted Greg and we chatted a bit and then FINALLY started as it was sprinkling. 20 min late-ugh. At least it wasn't as humid when the rain started.
The course was crowded at the start and the air felt heavier than I would have liked. My legs were HEAVY and I think that was from wearing saddles around Disneyland the day before (not too smart on my part!). I also didn't time my restroom stop correctly as that extra 20 minutes of waiting around did not help. About halfway through, I realized I wouldn't PR and would stop to pee on the second loop.
The course was boring. Nothing and no one was out-probably because of the rain. The mile markers were also about .1 off. The water stops were about halfway through each 5k loop and even with the rain, I had to pour water on my head.
Around the first water stop was when the fast 5k people started passing us which is always interesting. As we finished the 2nd loop, I realized the way we were running was pretty much uphill then downhill so towards the end I felt much better.
As we finished the first loop, I stopped to pee and felt much better and was able to perform well even with the rain coming down harder (thank goodness for my hat!) and lightning. Can you believe there were golfers still playing on the golf course with lightning in the distance?? So dangerous!
As I finished the last 1/4 of the race, I caught up with the end of the 5k pack with crazy costumes, strollers and more. I was able to go completely around them and weave as well as I finished strong!
I finished in 1:00:35 (:59:39 without the potty break). My Garmin was .1 off so I'm not sure if the course was short or not. I quickly got my picture taken, some snacks and headed out FAST. The rain was really Coming down and I wanted to get back to my car quickly. I was soaked by the time I got in my car and proceeded to put my heater on for the drive home.
I was able to go home and dry off, eat breakfast and nap. I had to drive to a reunion with my classmates through crazy thunderstorms but I'm glad I went-so much fun!
Now the big question is if I would run again. Honestly I am not sure. The race is a bit too unorganized for my taste (815 is too late in Pasadena when it is usually warm) and I basically paid over 50 bucks (it would have been more if I had to pay 10 bucks to park) for a course I run all of the time for free. The course entertainment was basically non-existent outside of the festival. I think it would depend on the theme and if I could get someone to run in costume with me.
Have you ever done a fun run before?
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