Pomona Holiday Half Marathon.

Wow, I am so excited!  This is my first blog and I get to write about my favorite race, the beautiful and swag-filled Pomona Holiday Half Marathon.  This is my pre-race intro paragraph written Saturday night and I have made my arm warmers from tube socks, set out my running clothes and am wondering what color this year's (always awesome) dry-fit shirt will be.  The past three years have been red, green and white last year.  What other Holiday color is left?  Blue?  Answer to come tomorrow, along with whether I have accomplished my 1:55 goal time... good night for now.

When I took my dogs out at 5 am, my car had frosted over! I went to school in the dark and met the kids.  Everyone showed up!  It's always a good sign when we have zero no-shows, but I don't think our bus mates were happy to share the bus with 38 of us.  Squeeze in everyone!  Looked like a cold race morning, but by the time we lined up for the race (8 a.m.) it was actually sunny and rather warm. Leave your gloves and tights on the bus, we won't need them today. Spray on some sunblock instead.  Free Santa hats for everyone!  Some people got reindeer antlers!  Everyone is festive and merry!  Artificial snow is blowing across the start line.

 The non-SRLA runners left at 8 and we started at 8:30.  The first couple miles were insanely crowded (why are people walking at mile 2?) but once we got to the Pomona Speedway, it opened up a bit.  Then we went up... and up... and up.... until mile 7.  Past Raging Waters and a beautiful lake.  Past the walkers from the 8 a.m. start.  Then, up again on the other side of the lake.  Past Running Santa.  Past the running elves. Back onto the Pomona Speedway. Suddenly, it's mile 12!  My running partner, Hector, and I are at 1:41, way ahead of goal time.  Forcing it this last mile, (and feeling a little pain), we run past the spectators and across the finish line at 1:49, 6 minutes faster than our goal time!

Now for the swag!  The shirt is red again, with a new design even cooler than the 2010 shirt.  The medal is another snowflake.  Every year it's a snowflake, and just like real snowflakes, the design is never the same.  But it's always beautiful and this year is no exception.  Time for some healthy snacks and water and a complimentary massage. 

After checking our results, 14 of our 38-member group has broken the 2-hour mark!  Excellent results.  Everyone finishes, no one is injured, no one fails to complete the course in the allotted SRLA time limit.  Best. Race. Ever.  Time to pile back on the bus, go home and soak in the tub.... practice again tomorrow.  Happy Holidays everyone (and see you at the next race January 11).