Ironman 70.3 & Carlsbad 5000

Last weekend I spent a lot of time in North County both volunteering at a race and running a race. I volunteered at the Ironman California Oceanside 70.3 race on Saturday, and then ran the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday.

Ironman Oceanside

Oceanside, which is about 45 minutes north of San Diego proper, hosts an Ironman branded 70.3 race (aka a half Ironman) every March. I had heard about this race last year and it had crossed my mind to volunteer, but something must have come up and I forgot about it. As this race rolled around this year I contemplated volunteering again, but wasn't sure what role I'd want to fill and was a bit turned off by the long volunteer shifts. I shelved the volunteering idea again until my friend Kathryn asked if i wanted to volunteer with her. Sure! I took her request as a sign.

Ironman Transition Volunteer

We looked at various options based on time commitment, time start, and requirements. I wanted something that didn't start too early (so I could run first) and that wasn't messy or strenuous. I was instantly drawn to  aid stations (handing out water is easy right?) but Kathryn was attracted to the "finish line catcher" position. Um... exhausted and sweaty athletes collapsing in your arms as they cross the finish line? Are you kidding me? I am a major germ freak and didn't want to touch anyone! I mentioned wanting a less hands-off job and Kathryn found another one that seemed hands off and met her requirement of something that showcased the multi-sport aspect of the race .... T2 bike checkout!

With Kathryn at Bag Check

Essentially we'd be making sure that everyone leaving the transition area was taking their own bike out. The bikes are numbered as well as the athlete's helmets and body. Easy right? Look and match numbers? Aka stay clean and read numbers!  I could totally do that! I was excited for the position and was looking forward to race day. On race morning Kathryn ended up getting to the volunteer area first and told me she was actually in bag check not transition, and was helping unload a bag check truck. Hmm okay, no problem. I got there and instantly started helping people unload huge boxes with large bags containing smaller bags with the athletes' gear. We started unloading the "morning clothes" bags which were the dry clothes that the athletes had come in.

Organized Chaos

It seriously seemed like the bags were never ending. We'd unload and arrange a whole section, and then more came. And then more. And then more. I was exhausted and tired and totally unprepared for manual labor. After two hours of unloading bags when I thought the end was near ... the green bags suddenly turned blue. Every athlete had TWO bags for this area. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! We had to do this all over again? I felt bewildered, defeated, worn out, and sad. I didn't have long to wallow though, the bags were coming! We all started working to get this second set of bags out of the trucks and organized. The second bags by the way were WET and dirty since they contained wetsuits and such. Yuck!

Only Had Glimpses of the Racers

Around the time that we started arranging the second bags, we started getting athletes looking for the first AND second bags. Talk about stress! Trying to run around unloading new bags while searching for existing bags was organized chaos. Luckily I love scanning numbers (I was the fastest call number reader at the Stacks Services at the UCSB library in college!) and instantly switched into scanning robot mode. I LOVE organizing and was on a personal mission to help arrange incoming bags while finding outgoing bags.

Todd's Morning Clothes Bag!

Hours of this process ensued and myself and the other dozen or so volunteers were flying around the place. While setting out the bags I saw (well searched for) my friend Todd's bag and assumed I'd see him when he picked up his gear. Sadly I missed him but I did see Nicole and several others I knew doing the race.

Hello Kitty Tri Top???
(So embarrassing I chased this poor guy down
asking about his jersey and if I could take a picture.
Apparently he works at Sanrio!)

Let me just say that working bag check was crazy but fun. I was amazed by how many people picking up their bag made a point to thank us for being there. In their tired and cold state they thanked us! Not just "thanks" for my bag, I heard "thank you for being here" over and over again. I was surprised, flattered, and humbled. I was there to help support them and their awesomeness! Congrats to you! Forget us!  

Six hours later I was dead tired. My back hurt from all the physical labor, my feet hurt, I was tired, and I wanted to get home. Almost all of the bags were doled out and I was ready to leave. We checked out with the lead and found out that of the 5000 bags in our area only 15 were missing. Um, the airlines can take note. Very impassive! I headed home to relax and prepare to (drive all the way up there again.. ahh!) for the Carlsbad 5000 the next morning

Todd's race recap here.

Nicole's race recaps here.

Carlsbad 5000

I had never run this race before since the idea of driving 45 minutes to run for 25 minutes before driving 45 minutes home seemed silly to me. It seemed like everyone I knew who ran actually ran this race though, so when an Active Schwaggle came up for it I thought what the heck, for $15 I'll do it!

Representing the SF Marathon!

After working the bag check all day on Saturday though at the Ironman I was really hurting. My back was killing me from bending over and handling the bags non-stop for six hours, and I was just tired and unmotivated. I  really thought about just skipping the race but in the end decided to go and do it.

Another Beautiful Day to Run in San Diego

My division started at 9:23 so I drove up at 8:00, parked, and made my way to the start line. Along the way I was fiddling with my Walkman MP3 player which I had kind of broken a few days earlier. (I had broken one earpiece off a bit and it was loose.) As I fiddled with the earpiece it went from loose to a completely separate broken off piece. Crap. Bye bye Walkman. I stared down at the two pieces in disbelief before sadly throwing them in the garbage and accepting that I'd be ruining this race in silence. Sigh.

Freight Train - Coming Through!

I tried to find Tara at the start line but couldn't spot her in the crowd and before I knew it we were off! I knew my overall pace goal was a little over 7:00 and really tried to resist the urge to go sub 7:00 in the first mile. I started out in the beginning of the pack though and it was hard to hold back.  By the end of the first mile I was hurting .. and bored .. and so missing my music. The course went out from the village to the coast and had a down and back and out and back loop. I HATE out and backs! I get that they did this for crowd support but based on course alone I hated this race. I was hoping for a PR in this course (Trying to beat 22.26) but hadn't prepared with any speed workouts, was running unmotivated without music, and overall wasn't feeling it. Around mile 2 1/2 I gave up a bit and let a few people pass me, but then tried to reel it in at the finish. How can running 3.1 miles be so miserable when I've actually enjoyed the last few times I've ran 26.2??

This Face is Priceless! Worst Race Photo Ever!
(Click on the picture for a better view and notice the guy off to the right!)

As I approached the finish line all I could think about was how happy I was for this crap to be over. I saw in the final stretch that I wasn't going to PR and didn't even care. I just wanted the race to be over!

Official Results

Finish: 22:59

Pace: 7:24

AG: 37/275

Women: 85/1121

Overall: 122:1456

Mile 1 Pace: 6:56

Mile 2 Pace: 7:21

Mile 3 Pace: 7:42

Last 0.1: 6:28

After crossing the finish line I just wanted to go home and finish up with my day. I saw Tara and Ben soon after though and hung out with them for a bit (picture time!) before heading back to my car to drive home. I'm glad I did the race to see what I could do, but was bummed with my performance and the fact that I gave up before it even started when my Walkman broke, and then I totally gave up around mile 2 when my spirit died.

Uh-Oh - Glam Runners Out of Tutu!

Glam Runner Founders Monika & Tara

I really doubt I'd do this race again, but I'm glad that I did it at least once. Its really not worth it for me to drive more than 15 minutes for a 5K, and its stupid for me to race and expect a PR if I havent' been doing speed workouts. Lessons learned! 

Carlsbad 5000 Medals for the First 250

Next Up

After the Carlsbad 5000 my next race was the Hollywood Half which was this past weekend, and then this coming weekend I have the Gran Fondo 60 mile bike tour. This will be my first bike race to date and I'm super nervous! I'm hoping that the training I have done is sufficient, especially coupled with my aerobic base thanks to running. Guess we'll see next week! Keep your fingers crossed for me!

I'm an Engineer, I'm a Runner

I define myself in a handful of ways, two of which are engineer and runner. (The other two are marketer and cheese hater as you can see from the header of my blog.) I started running back in 1998 when my gym membership ran out and an engineering friend asked if I wanted to go for a run. Sure! Ugh, I hated it, but kept at it for a while. Fast forward to 2002 when I ran my first race (a 10K) ... and I haven't stopped since! As far as being an engineer though, my credentials are a bit shaky  as of late.

Engineering Dreams

I spent as much of my life as I can remember wanting to be an engineer like my dad. When I was in middle school I read a book about engineering professions, and decided then that I wanted to be a biomedical engineer specifically! Once I got to middle school though I struggled in the life sciences, and decided  that I'd be a civil engineer like my dad instead.

Playing Engineer at My Dad's Office

I didn't get into my top choice school (UC Davis) which had civil engineering, but I did get into UCSB which had mechanical engineering instead of civil engineering. My advisor told me that the first two years of both programs were similar enough that if I wanted to try to transfer to UC Davis after my sophomore year the transition between majors wouldn't be too difficult. I ended up liking Mechanical Engineering and staying with the major though, and 4 1/2 horrifically difficult years later, I was an engineer! Whoo hoo!

Senior Design Project Team
(Widget Separator Challenge)

Proudest Moment of My Life

 

I took a job out of college as an Applications Engineer, and worked at a software company in San Jose for 3 1/2 years before moving to Arizona to start the High-Tech MBA program at ASU. Here begins the end of my engineering career. I first took a job as a project manager, then switched companies to become a people manager, before finally graduating and starting my career in what has turned out to be another true passion - Marketing! (Its ironic how I spent my whole life dreaming of becoming an engineer, practically killed myself in school trying to get to that degree, worked endless hours as an engineer after that, only to quickly exit the field to do something else. I know that I wouldn't be where I am in my career today if I hadn't started out in engineering, but I'm still surprised by the path that my career has taken when I look back. Who would have ever known 10 years ago?)

San Diego Science Festival

A few months ago I got an email from a fellow member of Athena who was putting out a call for volunteers to work the Athena booth at the San Diego Science Festival's Expo Day. The event was taking place at Petco Park which is a few miles from my house, and involved an interactive activity with kids. LOVE IT! I signed up immediately and have been looking forward to the event. On Expo Day there were 135 hands-on activities for kids put on by the various science and technology companies headquartered in San Diego.

 

Am I an Engineer Still?

Last week the organizer of our booth sent out some final instructions and also let me know that she had requested a "Ask an Engineer" button for me to wear at the booth. I was taken back at first and guiltily reminded her that I don't work as an engineer anymore, I'm in Marketing! (What many consider to be a fluff career, but it really isn't!)

Ask an Engineer/Scientist Area

Annie: Monika - "I will put you down for one "Ask Me" button.  As I recall from our FEW meeting, you're are professional bio-tech scientist!  Wear it with pride.  We all deserved it after all the hard work we put in our study and career." 

Monika: "I majored in Mechanical Engineering and worked as an Applications Engineer for 3 1/2 years ... but I'm now in Marketing for a medical device. I still consider myself an engineer at heart though and I think engineering has helped me get the Marketing jobs I've had to date. I'll wear the button!"

Annie: "There you go!  Me too.  I studied computer science and was a programmer for many years.  Then moved to management and kept up with the technology through my team.  I also tell everyone 'I am an engineer'. "

Well there you have it, I deserve to wear my button!

Proudly Wearing my DNA Bracelet & Engineer Button

Athena Engineers & Scientists

Science Festival Expo Day

I arrived at the event a little bit late since I had just come from Coronado where I had to pick up my race bib for my triathlon the next day (Super Seal Sprint). I was surprised to see how crowded the area was around Petco Park, and was amazed by how packed the inside of the ballpark was with exhibits and people! I had to fight my way through the crowds to find the Athena booth, and was happy to see that our table was pretty busy (who wants an empty, boring exhibit that no one wants to do?). Upon arriving I got a quick rundown on the supplies for the activity, and then I jumped right in!

DNA Bracelet Beads

Kids Enjoying the Activity

Each person who came up to the table had to fill out a brief traits questionnaire , and depending on the traits that they circled they would receive different color beads to put on a pipe cleaner to represent their "DNA". We encouraged parents as well as kids to participate so they could compare the similarities and differences between their bracelets. This was a cute and fun way to teach the kids about traits and genetics. In the three hours that I was there we didn't have a second where the table was empty. The four of us working the table were flying around the whole time taking questionnaires, grabbing beads, tying on bracelets, and explaining the meaning of the exercise. This was a really fun and rewarding event and I'm so glad I signed up to volunteer!

Gene, The Friar, and Sid the Science Kid

Miss Course Marshall

I have taken to the sidelines twice this month during a race. The first time was when I volunteered as a course marshall at a 5K, and the second was when I cheered on a friend during his first triathlon.

 

Call Me Course Marshall

Over Labor Day weekend my running group the Rock Runners were coordinating volunteers for the Philip Rivers 5K which would take place in Liberty Station in San Diego. I had never volunteered for a race before since I've always wanted to run the race, not watch it - but in the past few years I've stopped running 5K's due to the cost and time involved in getting to and from the race. Paying $30 to run 3 miles (which I can do any day) and to spend twice as much time getting to and leaving the race just doesn't seem worth it to me anymore. I'd much rather race 10K+ distances.

Rock Runners - Racers & Volunteers

(I'm second from the right.)

My running group has been such great support for me over the past few months and I really wanted to take some time to give back to the group, or an organization that they were supporting. I was assigned to the Course Marshall team under my friend Stacey's management, which to me sounded like a really fun job! That's MIZZ Course Marshall to you! :o)

Official Orange Plastic Vest

 

An Unfortunate Choice

The course for the race looped around a large grassy area twice. Course marshalls were placed at all of the turns around the course to help guide runners and walkers in the right direction. I decided to choose the last turn before the finish line. What a great place to watch the race right? WRONG! Being at the last turn meant that I was on the course until the very last person ran by. I have no idea how it could take so long, but the last walker went by around 1:45. How could people walk that slowly?! Did  they stop for breakfast somewhere along the way? I thought I'd be out there for one hour max. :oP

Over the years that I've raced I've seen  marshalls on the course shouting directions, but never thought about what it would be like to stand in the same location and shout the same direction over and over again. I felt kind of stupid for some reason standing by myself and shouting "Stay to the left!" and "First lap to the right, finish to the left!" and "Finishers to the left!" over and over again for almost two hours. I had another person come by at some point and stand across from me yelling "Watch the curb!"  in between my "Stay to the left!"  My plastic orange vest did make me feel quite official, but the repetitive yelling really got old.

 

Who's that running by?

I enjoyed watching the race and wondering if I'd see someone I knew run by. About 20 minutes into the race guess who I saw? One of my Girls on the Run going by with her mom! I yelled out her name and she looked at me in confusion, but her mom recognized me and yelled out a hello before running by. On the second lap I was looking for her and shouted out her name in encouragement. This drew a look of confusion yet again. Oh well, I tried.

 

Rock Runners for the Win

I stuck around after the end of the race to watch the awards ceremony. It was exciting to see that there were several runners from the Rock group up there on the podium! A Rock Runner won first male overall and first female overall, and a couple others placed in their age group as well. Aren't we a fast team!

Rock Runners at the Awards Ceremony

(I'm second from the right again.)

 

Aside from being stuck at the end for so long I enjoyed volunteering at the race, and I'd definitely do it again. Next time I'm going to pick my location more strategically though!