DAY 0 - I am not entirely sure where this expo is. I entered where I thought I was supposed to enter, but was wrong about which building to go to. And there wasn't much signage directing traffic. At least this sign makes me think I am getting close to where I am supposed to be.
So this must be where we will go after the race. But where do we get our bibs so we can run this thing?
It has probably been more than ten years since I last visited this fairground...but I'm not sure I have ever come here for the actual OC County Fair.
Found it...but what do you mean you are out of T-shirts? Why do you think I pay to run these things? For the fun of it? Hopefully they send the right size in the mail...it's not like I can try the thing on now!
Done with the Expo. It sure is quiet out here now...guessing it won't be like this tomorrow after the race.
I'll be back
Carbo-loading Vietnamese-style. Thanks, Khanh, pho the recommendation.
Soursop smoothie (sinh tố mãng cầu)...amazingly hard to find in the South Bay, but available nearly everywhere in Little Saigon
My accommodations tonight
Why am I getting a total Unikitty / Cloud Cuckoo Land vibe from this?
Sashimi catches my attention by poking her head through the stairs. She initially did it upside-down, but, unfortunately, she moved too quickly for me to capture those moments...which were a lot funnier.
She starts to get the crazies while I talk to her from down here
I hope Meeko doesn't find out I'm sleeping with another kitty tonight...he gets SO jealous!
DAY 1 - When I was assigned to take the 5:15 shuttle from the OC Fairgrounds to the start line, I never would have guessed I would be able to catch the beginning of the full marathon. Did they start late?
PRO-TIP: It is usually a good idea to look for the porta-potties furthest from the starting corrals. I almost fell for these, but probably wouldn't have made it to the starting line on time if I had waited. On second thought, pay no attention to this advice.
Starting corral selfie
Ocean Blvd
Trail along cliff after Castaway Park
As I approach the finish line, I am very aware of how close I am to NOT breaking 1:45. I keep increasing my pace until I'm as close to sprint as I'll ever get during a race like this.
I smile when I realize I will definitely break 1:45. I was hoping to break 1:40 today, but didn't expect the course to have as many hills as it did.
Almost there!
Finish
