Event #15 of 30 - US Half Marathon 2

I remember running the fall version of this race in 2005. But I didn't remember that it was this challenging. Yes, I'm about 5 years older, so that might be part of it, but the weather conditions this time were quite different and I'll blame it on that. My time was consistent with 5 years ago: 1:47:03 on Sunday vs. 1:45:00 in 2005.

The course was beautiful-- sweeping views of San Francisco and the Bay, while running through Chrissy Field, Ft. Mason, through parts of the Presidio, and over the Golden Gate Bridge and back. The hills, the strong wind gusts, and running through gravel/sand near the end of this course made it a challenge to remember.

I considered slowing down to a walk at about the 10 mile mark, but my iPod pushed me further. "Uprising," by Muse, which was a last minute addition to the running playlist, fired me up to finish running the whole thing.



One more song played after "Uprising," but then my iPod ran out of juice! Oh well, I shook it off and started chatting with a runner next to me. He told me near the 11 mile mark that he was breaking a personal record of the longest distance he had ever run. I remember that feeling and actually experienced that in the same spot on the same course 5 years ago. I congratulated him and we ran for a mile or so together.

Since the weather was crummy, there weren't too many spectators at the end of the race, but the organizers put on a good reception with organic hot dogs and beer. That was a good combo at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, after finishing half of my 30 events for my 30th year.

Here are my stats from the 2010 Us Half Marathon 2, in San Francisco:

Summary
Number of Finishers: 1,438
Number of Females: 743
Number of Males: 695
Average Time: 2:08:15

Jesse Kelsey
bib number: 826
age: 30
gender: M
location: Oakland, CA
overall place: 241 out of 1438
division place: 74 out of 257
gender place: 187 out of 695
time: 1:47:03
pace: 8:11

Now it's time to switch gears and focus my training on the Hy-Vee Triathlon in June with my dad, brother, and two cousins!

Much thanks to Jen and Mike for hosting us for this race!