Arriving at the Diamond Valley Lake to participate in the marathon. This will be my 22nd marathon since the 4 years of running. I do plan to take it easy because tomorrow I'll do the Carlsbad marathon.
Arriving at the start/finish area right at the lake. It's sprinkling right now and I hope that it won't rain today.
People standing around getting ready for the race, which will start in 7 minutes.
5 minutes prior the start I recognize that I forgot my running glasses in the car so I run back to get them. However, today I might not need them.
At the beginning everybody's happy. The start is in 4 minutes. First we run counter-clockwise around the lake for 2.5 miles and turn around. We'll come by this area at mile 5 running clockwise around the lake for 21.2 miles.
About a minute to go and everybody is in a good spirit.
After 2.5 miles we turn around to make up the 5 miles the lake is short of 26.2 miles.
And that's why I'm out there doing this running thing! Just look at this view. I could sit here all day long enjoying this beautiful place.
This is just the beginning of this race about 5 miles into the run. It's still sprinkling and it doesn't bother me at all. I just hope it doesn't start to rain after all.
We're not here to fish ;)
Running on the top of the dam looking west trying to see the end of the lake. Eventually we'll be all the way over there.
Quick look back after crossing the dam. This race is on dirt roads, except for asphalt on top of dams.
Passing mile 9 at 9:38 AM, 1 hour and 38 minutes into this run.
The weather holds up in an excellent way making it a great place to run. Sometimes the sun is shining through but just for a few seconds.
Everybody's having a good time.
I cross the half-way mark in 2 hours and 18 minutes which is faster than I wanted to go but I feel great.
In the 2nd half of the race some runners are struggling and I start to pass them. My pace right now is 9:50 /mi.
Crossing the west side dam.
Feeling good running towards mile 18.
7.2 miles go go. At the very far end you can see the east dam and it took me about 2 hours and 30 minutes to get to the other end of the lake.
Yet another close Encounters of the Third Kind! Can you see me inside the light upside-down?
Despite tiring legs the beauty of this place keeps me going strong.
And there you have it! This is almost the end of this journey.
Approaching the finisher line.
Happy but tired and in pain a bit. I finished in 4 hours 43 minutes which is faster than I wanted to finish. Tomorrow I'll do the Carlsbad marathon and I wanted to have some fuel left in the tank for that one. We'll see how well I'll do.
