Christopher King

2018 REVEL Big Bear Half Marathon
Published: Oct. 16, 2018, 3:34 p.m.
  1. Overall Rating

    5/5 Stars

  2. Describe your race day.

    Got up before 2am, met up with friends and carpooled to the race. Met up with more friends at the start area and watched the fog blow and out like a giant dragon was breathing nearby. Had a good start and ran with the 2 hour pacer for the first 4 miles and left them behind at a water stop. Ran a really fun first 8 miles, then a difficult 3 miles, and really didn't have any fun at all on those last 2. :)

  3. Did you PR?

    Yes, this was my first half marathon where I broke 2 hours. I PR'd by about 4 and half minutes over my previous fastest half marathon back in 2011.

  4. How would you describe the course?

    The first 6-7 miles were very scenic, running out of the mountains. After mile 9, it was pretty bleh. The grade and elevation were great for the first 11 miles, then it flattened out enough that even if it was still downhill it really didn't feel like it, especially that last mile when we turned on Opal. That mile was grim.

  5. Tell us about your training.

    Trained a lot on downhills. Came out to the course and ran the first10-12 miles several times so that I knew the grade, the curves, the uphills. I did regular speed work and tempo runs in addition to the long runs and cross training. I probably ran about 25-30 miles/week.
    Next time I might start slower and try to hold to a more consistent pace for those beginning miles.
    I'd advise folks planning to do this race to really, seriously, train on long downhills. It makes a world of difference. A day after the race and I was walking like a normal human... many of the other folks I know are still feeling wrecked.

  6. What advice would you give future runners?

    Don't expect that the weather we had for this race is normal. The weather we had was outstandingly good and really unusual for Redlands in October... expect hot and windy.
    Course tips? Don't expect the hills to carry you to the finish, those last couple miles feel flat.

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

    I live about 45 miles away in Diamond Bar, so we didn't really hang around in the area before or after (aside from the post-race festival area).

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