06/10/10 San Diego Rock-n-Roll Marathon

New title: San Diego Robs-your-Soul Marathon

If you think that the third time would be a charm, you'd be incorrect. After doing this race in 1999 and 2000, in hindsight, I now realize that it took exactly one full decade to erase the misery and suffering. If my long term memory had been better, there is no question that I would not have signed up for this event. Now I remember that there is not a single musical act in the world capable of striking the perfect chords to ease the pain of this event. I'm not sure who exactly was supposed to be entertained by the twenty six bands along the course, but it definitely wasn't the runners. Even if my favorite band had been on the course at mile 17, it would've sounded like animals being tortured. I'm not sure anyone actually likes mariachi music, but at mile 18, I guarantee you everyone despises it. Music along a marathon route doesn't alleviate the suffering, it just adds a soundtrack to the ridiculousness of the whole experience.

I not only matched the local flowers, I moved about as fast as they did.

The start... I've got a bad feeling about this!

Let's climb aboard and sail to the finish!

Meanwhile up near the front, the really strong runners were still smiling!

See how the road was higher on the right, lower on the left?
This is less-than-ideal for running, especially for SIX miles.

Finally, a decent running surface!

Once the herds of people thinned out and there weren't as many bands playing, it was downright peaceful.

And scenic too.

Mile 25 on "Fiesta Island" was very much not a fiesta.

Now I understand the phrase "Lucky Dog!"

Getting this one engraved with "Never Again."

Finish time: 3:29:18. Exactly 6 seconds slower than LA Marathon just three months ago, but much more musical and brutal.

As always, thanks Lorenzo for photos, support, and love!