Saturday, February 20, 2010

I'm The Map!

I've just found out the new San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon route. It's almost making me want to switch to the half. Almost. I have mixed feelings about the new route. Miles 1 through 18 are just about the same, with some minor tweaks to fit in the mileage. It's miles 18 through 26.2 that have changed the most. We all knew the route was going to change, but I really didn't think they were going to divert the route through parts of Mission Bay Park, Fiesta Island, and finishing at Sea world. Although this makes for a much flatter finish (no going over the Ingraham Street Bridges, which seem like mountains if/when you've just hit the wall at mile 20), there's a couple of miles of running on concrete (ouch) at Mission Bay Park (but scenic), and Fiesta Island -- although asphalt -- doesn't make for a pretty run when you're trying to dig down deep to get in those last miles. There's not a lot of scenery on Fiesta Island, just a lot of sand, dirt, an asphalt road, a Boy Scouts facility, and some bushes. I'm not sure, but it looks like part of the last mile into Sea World for the marathoners will be on concrete. Ouch. The route also overlaps a few times between the marathon and half marathon, which I HOPE isn't confusing.

*sigh*

Maybe this new route will be a good thing? I hope so.

Thursday's Song:
Walkin' on the Sun - Smash Mouth

PEACE

10 comments:

EricaH said...

I was wondering where you found the route information i my first 1/2 is going to be the San Diego RnR and I would love to check out the route. :)

Unknown said...

That's too bad about the new route. I always liked the old one except for the finish parking and walking. Can people get out to Fiesta Island to watch the runners? Change is hard, especially when we know we have some beautiful places in our city that might be better than Fiesta Island!

Unknown said...

Running on concrete = pain. But it's flatter, yes? Probably a wash...

Anonymous said...

The Map from Dora sings that song. Sorry about the change to the marathon ..... I don't like concrete when I'm doing 3 miles; I can't imagine doing it after 20+.

Glenn Jones said...

Hmm. I'm no going to be running the full 26.2 this year, but if I was, I'd certainly miss the tour of Pacific Beach. I thought that was so cool to see the neighborhood out supporting us on in those tough miles between 17 and 20. On the other hand, I wouldn't miss the scenery of the 5/8 underpass so late in the race.

I'm running in the relay. Now to go stake out leg #2....

I Run for Fun said...

Concrete sucks, but hopefully it's only a few miles...and the flatter finish does help...

Lisa said...

I couldn't open the map because of my phone. I can't wait to. Look at it when I het home. I'm not too excited about Fiesta Island though. It is boring and desolate during a 15k. I can't imagine it during the latter part of the marathon. Then again, I don't have positive memories of Ingraham and the bike path so it might be better. Thanks for posting.

Jill said...

I ran the San Diego RnR eons ago and it ended on the military base and we had to wait (cook) in the sun for 2-hours to get on a bus to get us off the base....what a total nightmare. Of course, I was sicker than a dog cuz I didn't drink enough - but that's another story. Just think, if you gotta go potty, there's at least bushes around :).

Laura Lohr : My Beautiful Life said...

I remember hearing about MCRD not being the finish line a while back, but completely forgot about it until now. I do not love Fiesta Island. That would be difficult in the final miles.

I am considering doing the 1/2 or the relay---that is if they are still open when I finally make up my mind.

I don't like the route overlaps either. That is always confusing, no matter what.

Southbaygirl said...

hmmm...if I'm in town maybe I'll do the half