Half-Marathon #27 is a Virtual Harvest in Huntington Beach
After taking a break from just about everything this summer, I kicked off my return to half-marathons in the perfect Southern California setting—Huntington Beach.
After taking a break from just about everything this summer, I kicked off my return to half-marathons in the perfect Southern California setting—Huntington Beach. It feels great to be back on the path.
Thanks to the option to complete the Harvest Half-Marathon as a remote “runner,” I chose a six-and-a-half mile stretch of beach from Huntington Beach’s State Beach to Bolsa Chica.
This was a much gentler return to walking 13.1 miles than a one hour drive at 6am. No need to start in the morning cold and finish in the early afternoon heat. The weather can change significantly between 8 and 11:30am. I chose an afternoon start in a breezy, sun-shining 76 degrees. The tourist season is all but over. Away from the Huntington Beach pier, it was often just myself and a handful of bicyclists or joggers. No crowded spaces along the path. The epitome of Southern California easy living.
While remote races do not count toward my qualifying 100 Half-Marathon Club officially timed events, virtual races are an opportunity to complete the race you wish existed.
Huntington Beach’s largest half-marathon race, Surf City Half Marathon, comes with bands galore, GU gel, cheering spectators and all the post-race bells and whistles a girl expects from a large race. I completed Surf City twice—2016 and 2017. The only downside to Surf City is that it is so huge, you hardly notice that you’re near the water as you tread faithfully up and down Pacific Coast Highway from band to pit stop to band to pit stop and so on.
I’m more interested in checking out new races than becoming a legacy participant of any particular race. It may be years before I complete the Surf City Half-Marathon again.* As for Huntington Beach proper, I’ll be back for a remote race sooner than later.
*Post update 5/2019 - I completed the Surf City Half-Marathon with two friends. It was their first half-marathon. Wonderful experience!
Superman is not a real hero. You are!
Every action we take to cut down on pollution, to curb excess carbon emissions preserves the diversity, beauty and ecological well-being of our planet. I'd love it if there were a true Superman who could speedily fly counterclockwise to our earth's spin, reversing time and giving us a second chance to get ahead of the climate change we're experiencing. (Note: Whether we are in multi-millennial natural pattern or a human-created change, lessening our part is all good.) A superhero move available to each of us is replacing a single short car trip a week with a walk or bike ride.
Every action we take to cut down on pollution, to curb excess carbon emissions preserves the diversity, beauty and ecological well-being of our planet. I'd love it if there were a true Superman who could speedily fly counterclockwise to our earth's spin, reversing time and giving us a second chance to get ahead of the climate change we're experiencing. (Note: Whether we are in multi-millennial natural pattern or a human-created change, lessening our part is all good.) A superhero move available to each of us is replacing a single short car trip a week with a walk or bike ride.
One of the benefits of becoming an avid half-marathoner is the willingness to switch out the car for comfortable walking shoes at any time. I'm fortunate that my partner loves to walk as well. Last month, we walked to our New Year's dinner at a favorite fine Italian restaurant.
Our most recent weekend walk was the first to our favorite Mexican spot where our favorite waiter remembers how we like our mole', our margaritas and rewards our loyalty with an always-amazing complimentary flan to finish the night's culinary experience.
Our walk included a shortcut through the neighborhood sport's complex, pass the skate park and sheriff's station and two locally owned coffee shops we'll likely try out. As we crossed the final light into the entertainment complex, I remarked that as much as I enjoyed having the sidewalk to ourselves, it would have been even nicer to pass other couples, enjoying a casual, relaxed walk to dinner, movies or evening shopping. There was not a single other couple walking instead of driving.
As much as I love half-marathons, I'll confess that I have no desire to walk ten miles to dinner and back. Still, with the average evening out a drive of only two to three miles, it feels good to work off some part of the food and drinks before I return home.
No one will see the big "S" on your chest as you walk instead of drive to and from dinner. Just know, silently as she spins, the earth thanks you.
See you on the path.