Greetings Leggers! Heres what I know about the Long Beach Half...are you in? Will we see you there? First: BRING A HAT, VISOR and/or SUNGLASSES! (See Mile 6 to 9.5 for the reason why). Since the Half starts at 7:30, I plan to be in my parking space by 6AM and to the Leggers tent by 6:30 AM. The Leggers tent is in an area south of Shoreline Drive (behind chain link, I believe) designated as the Running Club Area. To access the Running Club Area, you will enter Marina Green from Linden Avenue and head south (walk through the Charity Village). You CAN access the area via the beach path, but it isn’t the best way. I will head from there to the back of the pack at about 7AM to help gather Leggers so they can group themselves. Look for the blue LEGGERS balloons! Ill hang onto these as long as I can so you can find us during the race if you stop for a restroom break or something. Im pacing 11.5s, but the balloons are there for all to rally around! The 11.5s will be running a strict 2x2 for the first several miles of the race because of the crowds! Find a buddy and be ready to line up behind your pacers. There are basically four parts to the Half here in Long Beach...this is how they break down, and what you need to know about them... START to Mile 2 -- Big crowds, rough roadway, loads of places to turn your ankle here. Stay 2x2 and youll be just fine. We also want to stay 2x2 so we don trip up people behind us. Well be calling out hazards here, and well start pretty slow until the crowd eases up. Dont worry...well make up the time in the home stretch! Mile 2 to Mile 6 -- The really scenic part! The field stretches out here, and its a great place to take pictures. Also: public restrooms all over here...the lines for those are short or non-existent. Mile 6 to Mile 9.5 -- This is often the toughest part of the race because youre running up the beach towards Belmont Shores...and into the sun. Its staring you right in the face! Make sure you have a hat or sunglasses to deal with the sun here! Thats the key to having a good race...the sun can really zap you here if you let it. Keep hydrated and protect your eyes! Mile 10 to Finish -- Now youre in the city...CROWDS! They help a lot! If its a warm day, go ahead and slow down a bit if you want. Make sure youre comfortable during this stretch. Just have fun and say THANKS to the spectators. At the end of that long straightaway (Ocean Blvd.) is a BIIIIG left turn around Mile 12.75 or so...almost home! BUT BE CAREFUL! Theres a downhill here...take it easy! Dont get too excited on the downhill...you can sprint when it levels out again! After the finish, head back to the Leggers tent for a picture and a snack.
Posted on: Thu, 09 Oct 2014 03:54:42 +0000
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