The 2nd Rose bowl Half Marathon took place last weekend in Pasadena. Nearly at the last minute (Friday at 2pm), I decided to head down Interstate 5 for the Saturday morning race. I wasn't registered for the race, or had a hotel room for the night; but, I reasoned that would work its way out. It did! Traffic was light and I managed to get down to Pasadena in time to register by 7pm. After a quick registration process at the New Balance Athletic store, I walked next door to Houston's Restaurant to see about a carbo load meal. I had always wanted to go to this restaurant in San Francisco; this seemed like the perfect time. Unfortunately, after glancing at the menu, I discovered that I wouldn't be able to find what I needed for the race. I had a glass on red meritage (Mi Sueno), and a fellow sitting next to me mentioned an Il Fornio Restaurant located around the corner. I thought that would be perfect, and scampered off to find the restaurant.
I must have misunderstood the directions because within a few minutes I found myself walking on a sparsely populated street somewhere in Pasadena. I walked several long blocks; briskly in the cool night, all the while figuring I'd find Il Fornio. Needless to say, I never found the restaurant but luck was on my side as I stumbled upon an establishment called Gale's restaurant--an Italian restaurant. As I approached the place, I noticed a full parking lot but hardly any windows to peer through to check out the crowd. The entrance was oddly on the side of the building, and as I entered, a crowd from the parking lot seemed to follow me in. The place was packed. I asked for a seat in the bar and discovered it was full. I decided to wait for a seat. I finally got a spot at the bar after a short wait, and after meeting Bill the bartender; I asked him for a menu recommendation. He recommended Rotini Bolognese. I went with it and it was just perfect! When I got the check it was under $20 and I said to Bill "I feel like I'm stealing from you." He laughed as I exited the door. I found a place for the night at the Pasadena Inn.
The next morning I shot off looking for the Rose Bowl and the start of the race. Figuring it would be easy (finding the Rose Bowl), I followed the signs but after about 20 minutes of getting to know Pasadena (lost), I made my way down the street that leads to the Rose Bowl; one of many!
I parked in the cavernous lot, and headed to the staging area. It was a cool morning, and I was determined to dress lightly so as to not re-experience my calamitous gear malfunction in the Healdsburg Half-Marathon in October. I warmed up for a few minutes then headed over to the start.
Standing at the start line, I felt good but wasn't confident in my training (mostly bike). Nonetheless, I established a good pace over the first few miles winding through a neighborhood adjacent to the Rose Bowl. As we gathered onto Orange Grove Blvd. (Rose Bowl parade), I began to see where we were headed, a long straight away. I started aiming for the orange cones as mental benchmarks, and picked up the pace slightly to avoid listening to a conversation taking place loudly between two runners. As I cruised onto the downhill of Rosemont Avenue, I was feeling pretty good, and again found myself running past the Rose Bowl as the course headed back behind the Stadium. Shortly thereafter, I hit the dirt trail portion of the run with a direct route up to Devils Gate Reservoir. I welcomed the trail but was feeling sluggish. The trail, mostly along dry stream beds, and under overpasses, was littered with rocks, and negotiating fair landing ground came with the territory. As I climbed the last portion of the trail segment to the top of the Reservoir, I asked a fellow runner if that was the most difficult hill. It was. Relieved, I began figuring that I had to reassert myself, as I had been passed by several runners on the way up the hill and in the first segment of the trail. I started to pick up the pace but wasn't feeling energetic, yet. I grinded through a dull parking lot portion of the run, crossed a small bridge, and re-entered another dirt trail segment through a fenced gate. I ran swiftly down the ensuing hill, and started my move. Earlier, I had engaged in a mini-competition with another runner (not uncommon), and for a few minutes we took turns passing each other; he had passed me long ago, but I could now see him in a group of runners a couple of hundred yards ahead. I made him my target!
Over the next three miles (9-12), I enjoyed my finest running of the day and passed many runners that I had set as intermediate goals between my target goal and me. I don't know where the energy had sparked from but I was rolling. Loving the run and enjoying myself as I hit mile 12, I wisked passed a guy carrying an American flag, and my target was just two runners away about 20 yards in front of me. I was taxing my lungs but remained steady as I moved within 5 yards, and passed the runner separating the target and me. We were about a 1/4 of mile from the finish, but I couldn't see the finish, yet. I began the process of strategizing my position. Meanwhile, I didn't want my target to know that I was there, and kept a bit back while I decided whether it was time to make my kick. My target must have sensed my presence and floored it! I tried to go, too! But was unable to keep pace: the target destroyed me! He took me or rather I was unable to overcome him in the last 300 yards. He caught another runner in the last leg, and that runner ended sandwiched between us at the finish!
I was slightly disappointed not finishing ahead of my goal but pleased with my effort. Later, I discovered my target was 10 years younger than me in addition to being stronger at the end. It was a nice memory for me to at least make a challenge! I was happy with the effort I gave in nearly reaching my goal, and inspired for future efforts. I finished the race in 1:50: 27 seconds good for a 8:26 per mile pace. I enjoyed the experience of a well organized, memorable event and look forward to returning next year!