Hi Everyone,

A fun race at the Surf City Half Marathon today. As for my “go slow strategery,” I didn’t keep my foot off of the gas as much as I should have, but I did take it a little bit easier than normal. But I will absolutely employ the slower pacing approach next month at the LA Marathon (it’s the smart way to go). Here’s the “skinny” on my run today:

Two nice surprises, at today’s race. The first was unexpectedly running into numerous friends. I bumped into a trio of my Team To End AIDS teammates (two of whom also ran 20 miles on Saturday) at the start line. During the race I crossed paths with my friends Donielle and Loan (we did stop to take a quick selfie). And at the finish line I saw my friend Chris (or should I say he saw me) who had also followed a more conservative race strategy (to a sub 2-hour finish). I also saw several Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs on the course.

The other pleasant surprise was an additional piece of bling. The “Beach Cities Challenge” consists of three races: Surf City, Orange County and Long Beach. Running all three races in succession nets you a bonus medal. I thought I wasn’t going to get my medal until OC in May. But as I walked past the medal table, one of the volunteers saw the Challenge Medal stamp on my bib. Next thing I knew, I had double the bling. Not too shabby.

Anyway, here’s a few photos from the weekend:

Seems like some short miles to me.

Lucky mile #13.

Please don’t let me wipeout.

Surf City “thumbage.”

Clothes make the runner.

Hanging with the Fanatics

Surf City Selfie.

Double bling is the thing!

All in all, not a bad way to spend running half marathon #37.

Have a great Monday… and Run on!

Review of the 2015 Surf City Half Marathon to be posted on Tuesday.