Dana Gonzalez

2018 REVEL Big Bear Marathon
Published: Oct. 15, 2018, 10:53 a.m.
  1. Overall Rating

    5/5 Stars

  2. Describe your race day.

    Everything was well organized - busses, start line, aid stations, finish line. The views in the mountains were beautiful! I love running above the fog, then running through the fog, and then running below the fog. Although it was frigid at the start, it was still ideal weather for running.

  3. Did you PR?

    Yes! By 21 minutes! Did not qualify for Boston, but I wasn’t trying to.

  4. How would you describe the course?

    First nine miles mostly downhill but some uphill as well. Beautiful mountain scenery with some fall colors (leaves changing colors). Around mile 11 we could see the clouds/fog in the valleys of the mountains - so amazing to see such beauty! As we continued down the mountain we ran through the fog and eventually got below the fog. Miles 10-13 we picked up our pace without any uphill. Miles 14-20 were fast! Things leveled off at mile 20 with one more uphill. The last mile was mostly flat.

  5. Tell us about your training.

    18 weeks of training. Easy runs on Mondays & Fridays, strength training on Tuesdays & Thursday’s, track/speed work on Wednesdays, long runs on Saturdays, and rest on Sundays. I’d incorporate more downhill runs during my training. Speed work & strength training have certainly made a big difference.

  6. What advice would you give future runners?

    If it’s cold, wear layers that are easily removable (please leave throw away clothes at the aid stations). Try to incorporate downhill running during training.

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

    I live 15 minutes from the finish line. Loved being able to stay at home the night before. Hangar 24 is close by. Another great brewery is Escape, as well as Ritual & Bootlegger’s. State St. in Redlands is a great place to visit. Lots of great places to eat - Eureka Burger, Darby’s, Bricks and Birch, Benjarong, Carolyn’s Cafe, Oscar’s, McDuff’s, La Volata, Gourmet Pizza, Jersey’s, Cuca’s, Taco Shack, etc.

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