My Profile
@gregbraggin
Sunnyvale, CA Raving since 2018 Active 1 month, 2 weeks agoAbout Me
My Races
Organize, track & review your races and personal bests here.
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Half Marathon
Marathon
Ultramarathon
(Marathon or Ultra) + Half
Marathon + Ultra
Other
Future Races
Personal Bests (2)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon | Marathon | Calistoga, CA | Mar 3, 2024 | 3:17:23 |
| Salinas Valley Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Soledad, CA | Aug 4, 2018 | 1:29:24 |
Future Races (0)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Paid |
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Past Races (2)
| Race | Distance | Location | Date | Result | My Raves | My Performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon | Marathon | Calistoga, CA | Mar 3, 2024 | 3:17:23 |
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| Salinas Valley Half Marathon | Half Marathon | Soledad, CA | Aug 4, 2018 | 1:29:24 |
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Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon
Despite weather, more fluids needed
Napa Valley Marathon and Half Marathon
This was my second marathon, with Sacramento's CIM being my first. CIM definitely draws a larger crowd and more competitive field, since the entry is not capped at a few … MORE
This was my second marathon, with Sacramento’s CIM being my first. CIM definitely draws a larger crowd and more competitive field, since the entry is not capped at a few thousand. However, I thought that the level of aid stations would match that of CIM, which had 17 aid stations; this had 12. I also recall that CIM had cups for water and/or electrolytes which were approximately double the size of the cups offered at Napa (~10 Oz of fluid vs. 4-5 Oz).
As I had trained six months for this race (my target race), I learned my lesson that next time I should carry some fluids with me, as ultimately, I believe hydration issues cost me some time. My electrolyte intake was OK, but I could tell during the second half of the race that my body was screaming for fluids to wash down the gels and lubricate the hard working muscles. Unfortunately, I hit the wall hard and it cost me time.
For serious runners, I would encourage hill training, despite the fact that this course is a net downhill. It certainly feels like there are plenty of hills, especially from miles 15-20. The first eight miles can feel deceptively easy. Overall, if you plan to put a dedicated training plan together for this race and run it to the best of your ability, I would hope that they have either more ’emergency’ aid stations available for additional fluids or that the cups match the size of the ones offered at CIM. Hydration can make or break a marathon, no matter what the weather.
The scenery was pretty and I appreciated the multiple crowds cheering on the runners. The finish line was a bit uneventful, but given that it finishes at a high school, it is alright. At least Napa is not too far too travel for greater Bay Area residents.
Salinas Valley Half Marathon
A test of human limits, but rewarding!
Salinas Valley Half Marathon
Be prepared for more hills than you would think! Despite the occasional downhills, your body will likely not completely recover. Miles 6-8 are the toughest, and if you go into … MORE
Be prepared for more hills than you would think! Despite the occasional downhills, your body will likely not completely recover. Miles 6-8 are the toughest, and if you go into oxygen debt after those, it is very tough to push through the rest of the race due to fatigue. Prepare for a significant mental battle. One good thing is that you can see the finish line from about 0.75 miles away, making it easier to muster the adrenaline needed to move your body across the line, after 12.4 miles of exertion!
If I were to train for this race again, I would incorporate a lot of hill repeats with short recovery. This will have allowed my body to get used to the fatigue from the hills, making is less difficult for my pace to vary as much. Overall a scenic and fun race!