Big Sur Race Report

Well, I should start this blog off by saying there is no way, shape, or form I can put this experience into words.  There is simply no combination of adjectives that could possibly come close to describing the epitome of marathons that is the Big Sur International Marathon (www.bsim.org/).  Its a bucket list, gotta do before you die, and if-you-only-ever-do-one-marathon-make-it-this-one kind of race.  

We usually travel to races over a weekend's time, maybe taking a day off work, but cramming it all into as little time as possible so as to get back to our real lives with little disturbance.  This time we invited a few husbands along and my parents came out to run with some friends, so we extended our visit by a few days.  This way we could fit in some sight-seeing around the Monterrey area.  I'm very thankful we did, but I'll try to stick to the race experience for the sake of the blog.  I do have to say though, the area is stunningly beautiful and should be on your "to see" list, even if you're not interested in the marathon (say whaaaaat??).

Race expo was convenient and well-stocked, long sleeve tech shirts were beautiful, and everything to do with the marathon was perfectly organized.  Without question, we knew where to go, what time to be there, and what to expect.  I gotta give it up to the volunteers and race director for a job super well done.

Only 26.2 to go!

Wake up time Sunday morning was 2:30am.  Yes, that's right.  2:30am.  Two and a half hours past midnight we were up and moving.  We had to be downtown at the bus stop by 3:45am.  My husband (bless his heart...) woke up to shuttle us to the busses.  We boarded the bus promptly at 4am.  Since the Big Sur course  is a point-to-point course, starting in Big Sur and finishing 26.2 miles straight north on the Pacific Coast Highway in Carmel, they bused us from Monterrey down to the start.  It took about an hour to get down the winding highway that split the mountains from the coast.  We got there just after 5am, found coffee and a spot to sit and wait for the 7am race start.  Temperature was in the low 50s.  Chilly to sit around, but would be really perfect running weather.

Squinty eyes at 3:30am

Race started right on time, with the help of Bart Yasso, which was cool.  He bent down from his podium and was giving everyone high 5's as they walked by.  We also caught a glimpse of Dean Karnazes at the start.  Danielle, Tracy, and I started off together and remained that way all the way through the race, entertaining other runners as they inevitably commented on our "Team Hot Legs" shirts.  

At the start

The first 5 miles were through Pfeiffer Park in Big Sur.  Rolling hills, mostly down, beautiful Redwoods, and the sun was just coming up in the sky.  The wind was quiet, the temperature crisp, and the legs were fresh.  Great combination!

Around mile 5 we got our first glimpse of the ocean on our left.  Through some dense fog you could barely make out the crashing waves against the rocky shore, hundreds of feet below the road we were running on.  It was breathtaking.  It was also around this point that the wind started to pick up.  By the time we reached the 7 mile mark we were facing 20 mph freezing winds coming from the north, right in our faces.  The winds were so strong our visors were blowing off and each step was a struggle.  I began to doubt my ability to even finish if this was going to continue.  I even remember turning my head and shouting to Danielle, "I can't do this for another 3 hours!"  Luckily we didn't have to.  About mile 9 we turned a curve and the wind died down (though only to pick up again several more times).

The views for the entire time were just awe-inspiring.  Everywhere you looked, I swear, was a picture from a postcard.  I felt like I was in a different country, along the coast on the edge of the world.  I had never seen any place as beautiful as this race course.

Photo Op in front of the Hurricane Point climb

We saw Hurricane Point long before we were at the foot of it.  Hurricane Point is a notorious 2 mile climb, at about a 5% grade starting around the 12 mile mark.  Its a long, slow, grueling hill that seems like its never going to end.  You see the "end" up ahead only to curve and continue to climb.  Thankfully at the foot of the hill before you climb (and you hear them before you see them) is the Watsonville Taiko drummer group (http://www.watsonvilletaiko.org/).  MAN these drummers are amazing!  Elaborate costumes, fancy footwork, and beats strong enough to miraculously get you to the top of the hill, thanks to high quality speakers.  I could seriously hear their beat for an entire two mile stretch.

THE HURRICANE POINT

Over the hill just past the halfway mark is the famous "Piano Man".  A man (Michael Martinez) dressed in the finest tuxedo playing beautiful classical music on a grande piano.  He sits on the side of the road just across the Bixby Bridge.  All through this three mile stretch from Hurricane Point the views stretch out farther than you can see.  People have spotted whales, otters, and sea lions on the coast during the race.  Though we kept our eyes peeled for whales, we didn't see any but there were lots of other wildlife out there.

The second half of the course is more hilly than the first.  Long, slow climbs and gradual descents.  The wind picked up to 20-25mph a few other times, thankfully not lasting more than a few minutes at a time but always blowing against us.  Every time the wind picked up the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees.  We would go from warm and slightly sweating to freezing cold and shivering.  We were never bored though!

Miles flew by.  I mean I was literally surprised when I saw each and every mile marker.  It was the first time I've ever been disappointed to finish the course, to have my experience in the Big Sur International Marathon be over.  We stopped several times to take pictures, which was a first for all of us but had to be done.  The last few miles curved along the same coastline but showcased multi-million dollar homes with unforgettable views and wrought iron gates.  Unbelievable.

Way before I was ready, we were passing the 23 mile marker and eating the sweetest strawberries in the world.  Soon after we crested the very last hill and crossed the finish line, all three of us, with the biggest smiles you've ever seen.  After we met up with the rest of our group (including my mom, who ran the 10.6 mile race through Point Lobos), we headed back and enjoyed the rest of the weekend.

THL Post Race Pose

If I haven't said it enough, this is one marathon that you should definitely put on your list.  It tops my list of favorites, bar none.  I'm so lucky to have shared it with some of my favorite people.  Huge congratulations to my father who ran Big Sur as his #75th marathon+ and is still going strong.  Thanks to Ted and Diane for coming all the way from Maine to hang out.  Ted ran Dad's first marathon with him in 1999 and ran his 75th at Big Sur.  It was a great, great time.  Do it!  Don't think about it - when July comes and registration opens up, DO IT!  You'll thank me, I promise.  

Job well done, THLers!