Csaba Toth 2019 Big Bear Marathon Published: Nov. 10, 2019, 11:44 a.m. 8 0

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1. Csaba Toth Nov. 10, 2019, 11:44 a.m. I live close to sea level. I had to capitalize on decades of accumulated fitness to pull off my BQ. A long journey. I did workouts at elevations many times since May (drive up, do the workout, come back home). I didn't have time for altitude adjustment. I like downhill running and I did squat training, and very steep hikes at Yosemite (Mist trail or Upper Yosemite Falls trail) hardened my quads. Those out-and-backs also help dealing with running on slanted road crown. When I didn't have time to drive up to the mountains for a half day workout, I picked some smaller hills in close parks and did hill repeats: that can train you towards rolling hills. Knowing how much punishment I gave to my legs, I was still in the verge of cramping from around mile 19, but I could hold on. I didn't have my watch with me so it wouldn't influence me in any way and I could be present, only focusing on my body and how various parts felt. Reflecting to other reviews: 0. The expo was indoors this year. 1. It was easy to find the bus shuttle pickup area, and it was easy to park. 2. Not sure how was before, but the start area was well lit and the porta potties have glow sticks in each of them. The wait was bearable if you picked a shorter line. 3. The course was very well marked, some aid stations handed out Honey Stingers on top of water / powerade. On average I could run through aid stations really well. Overall the race provided pretty ideal conditions and it all came down to how much punishment my legs could take. Someone may think downhill running is easy. Those people probably never run such event as this. The first 10-15 miles maybe easy, but even the toughest quads start to beg for mercy after that. I've talked with a person DNFd because of a stress fracture on the bus the way back, keep that in mind and train relentlessly to harden up your body for the stress. It's a lot of stress on the body! But if your body can take it, you'll be rewarded with a BQ or better qualifying times. If you are competitive and wondering about the course: it's all paved, and I saw many people in Next%. Especially in the top 100 where I ran, it was a Next% fest. I was a little hesitant to go with Nike 4% or Next% because the heel landing is less stable than for example a Hoka, and I did my training most in a Carbon Rocket. I changed my mind when running the Tahoe trifecta: I realized at the end of the 3rd day how much does just a little more plush matters! That can be a breaking point when you come close to cramp up after 20 miles. If your shoe is less plush, you'd get more shock, and that's worse for the muscles. The stress is accumulated and you cramp up sooner. Just my two cents. I have a Next% (and a plethora of various Hokas, shoes), so I could have chosen those as well. I went with the 4% and not a flyknit one, because the original provides more toe room, which again your feet will thank for after 15 miles. I heard horror stories about cold at the start. At race day it was 8C-9C, perfect for running. While lining up at the bus shuttle someone told me it's gonna be 31F. That would be freezing. People, please check the weather very well, preferably a service which can give forecast for specific GPS points too, and hourly details. Of course it wasn't freezing (although I packed more warm clothes in my bag just for safety). You have to dress up in a way that you feel cold at the start, otherwise you'll start to overheat after a couple of miles. If it was freezing (like at the first day of the Tahoe Trifecta), all I would have done is to have a head band for ear cover, the pair of gloves and an extra shirt. These all can be thrown away without stop. All I had was a racing shirt, compression shorts, sock + shoes and a couple of arm warmers. Those arm warmers were sacrificed. As we were descending the temperature got pretty warm, I doused myself with water. Actually later that day when I was refueling at Golden Corral (that is a no-brainer destination after a marathon no one seemed to mention so far) the temp went up to 94F! I may come back to Big Bear, Mt Charleston or Mt Lemmon to try to make it to a NYC qualifier. 3:03 is pretty good for my BQ 3:10 with enough cushion, but the NYC 2:58 is just hard to gasp right now. I need to drop 10-15 pounds of weight and be at my old kayaker racing weight around 170, then sub 2:58 will be feasible. Every extra pounds you carry count.

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Philip Rubio 2019 Big Bear Half Marathon Published: Sept. 10, 2019, 7:46 p.m. 0 1

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1. Catherine reiter Nov. 10, 2019, 10:10 a.m. The race was awesome. The hills and the scenary was remarkable. The expo before and after race was the worst I have ever been too and I do about 2 races a year. The TRULY at the end was horrible as well. I wanted a beer! We paid ALOT of money for this race and we were underwhelmed.

2. Catherine Nov. 10, 2019, 10:14 a.m. Examples: food choices were not healthy options, drinks were not good(Truly!), lack of music or motivation/excitement at end and throughout the race.

3. Jason Andrewa Nov. 10, 2019, 1:32 p.m. Resident of Angelus Oaks, the mountain community at mile 9 of the marathon were promised (and it was in the mailer) pilot cars to get down the mountain during the event. Revel pilots never showed and CHP started piloting residents down at 8:30am. UNACCEPTABLE. This is our home. We live here year-round. We've also still seen trash and clothing along the highway which is upsetting. I ran this year but if you don't get your logistical act together, I'll do my best to make sure 2020 is the last year you are welcome in our mountains.

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Jason Cone 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: June 10, 2019, 4:58 p.m. 0 0

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

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Ross Darrow 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: Dec. 16, 2018, 5:06 p.m. 2 0

1. Overall Rating

   3/5 Stars

2. Describe your race day.

   Loved starting above the clouds, then running through them, then continuing downhill

3. Did you PR?

   Close to recent PR for me

4. How would you describe the course?

   1) A lot more uphill in the first 5 miles than advertised
   2) The last five miles or so (in town) were dangerous, lots of traffic, on shoulder, little police

5. What advice would you give future runners?

   Prepare for some serious uphill in the first 5 miles

6. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

   Purchased soap at Principle store in downtown Redlands. Ate at great restaurant Caprice in downtown Redlands. Really enjoyed gift shop Fleur de Lis in downtown Redlands.

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John Allen 2018 Big Bear Half Marathon Published: Nov. 2, 2018, 5:43 p.m. 0 0

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

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Dave Lee 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: Oct. 19, 2018, 6:35 a.m. 2 0

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

2. Describe your race day.

   Everything was perfect including the weather.

3. Did you PR?

   Yes I PR'd by 12:48, and BQ'd.

4. How would you describe the course?

   Just get through the first 9 miles saving energy, then use gravity for the wonderful second half. Seemed flat at the end for a couple of miles.

5. Tell us about your training.

   Lots of downhill training. My legs still ached for 3 - 4 days following the race, but that was to be expected.

6. What advice would you give future runners?

   Enjoy the downhill, and never walk. Enjoy beer and Rum after the race. If you want a fast downhill marathon, this is it!

7. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

   Beach in L.A., Joshua Tree National Park hikes, and hikes in behind La Quinta. Awesome area! There were 3 runners in our group of 6 from Cochrane Alberta Canada.

Comments

1. Dave Lee Oct. 19, 2018, 6:36 a.m. Thank you Revel, and all VOLUNTEERS!

2. Ted Arciaga Nov. 16, 2018, 5:15 p.m. Would you recommend any hotels? I am signed up for the full Big Bear in 2019. I will have my family with me (as spectators) so I’m not sure if we should get a hotel close the the morning bus pickup, expo, or finish line?

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Lillian Nevarez 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: Oct. 18, 2018, 11:19 p.m. 2 0

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

2. Describe your race day.

   It was so exciting because we drove the course the day before and loved the scenery. This was only my second marathon, I ran L.A. in March 2018. By far this experience was far more enjoyable. What is branded in my mind was running above the clouds and breaking through them as we descended, might be cheesy but this was my most favorite moment. It's always amazing to connect with God's creation.

3. Did you PR?

   Yes. I did not have a goal other than to finish the race but I beat my last time by 22 minutes. I wasn't even trying for it.

4. How would you describe the course?

   Beautiful, other than the last 3 miles too many pot holes and traffic too close to runners. There must have been some confusion on their part.

5. Tell us about your training.

   I didn't train enough. Next one I will train harder to improve on speed. The suggestions from a gentleman at the expo were very practical and informative. I definitely am going to work on strengthening my quads.

6. What advice would you give future runners?

   You must cross the 26.2 marathon off your bucket list. Best tip from running my last marathon and doing this one, I wore compression socks and applied tp tape to my feet, calves and shoulder. Best thing I could ua e done.

7. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

   We are from the area but by far great area for restaurants and choices in foods.

Comments

1. See [u'the', u'finish', u'line'] Oct. 18, 2018, 11:21 p.m. Special thank you to all the volunteers. I could not have done it without you.

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Howard Lee 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: Oct. 18, 2018, 5:20 p.m. 1 0

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

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Daniel Johnson 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: Oct. 18, 2018, 9:58 a.m. 0 0

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

2. Describe your race day.

   great

3. Did you PR?

   yes by 14 seconds from Mt. Charleston

4. How would you describe the course?

   loved it

5. Tell us about your training.

   revel coaching has got me into boston 2019 and qualified for 2020. Coach Paul Carmona is the best!

6. What advice would you give future runners?

   If you want to improve, pay for the 24 week training program that Coach Paul does.

7. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

   New Port beach and Old Spagehtti Factory

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Tony Winn 2018 Big Bear Marathon Published: Oct. 17, 2018, 6:56 p.m. 2 1

1. Overall Rating

   5/5 Stars

2. Describe your race day.

   cold from the beginning but warmed up after 2 miles so it was a very good race

3. Did you PR?

   yes

4. How would you describe the course?

   beautiful scenery, rough

5. Tell us about your training.

   Not enough, my first run downhill so I have problem with my upper thigh and my toes (hurt really bad)

6. What advice would you give future runners?

   Train with downhill at least 3-4 times, longer distance if possible up to 22 miles and the last advice, make sure your shoe at least 1 inches longer than your foot.

7. What fun things did you do in the area before or after the race?

   Taking pictures

Comments

1. Tony Winn Oct. 17, 2018, 6:58 p.m. Find a better site for package pick up

2. Tony Winn Oct. 17, 2018, 6:58 p.m. No more comment

3. Tony Winn Oct. 17, 2018, 6:59 p.m. The medal is beautiful

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