If you happen to\u2019re looking for a quick, scenic California race\u2026 this one isn\u2019t the primary one which pops up on many of the \u2018quickest marathons for a PR\u2019 lists as a result of it\u2019s a small-ish race in comparison with quite a lot of the others, nevertheless it\u2019s an awesome possibility. I keep in mind this being the most effective programs to try a BQ or PR years in the past and several other of my operating buddies ran the total marathon course to chase down a objective. This recap is only for the half marathon although, I wished to say that information in case it wasn\u2019t already in your radar and also you\u2019re on the lookout for a superb 26.2 course. <\/span>I ran the Mountains 2 Seashore Half Marathon on April 19, 2026 and have a traditional race recap for ya. Listed here are the highlights, main stress occasions and normal enjoyable\u2026\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This wasn\u2019t my unique plan. I wished to run the OC Half Marathon (my native go-to)\u2026 nevertheless it offered out sooner than anticipated. Which actually nonetheless feels wild \u2013 I\u2019ve actually signed up for that race final minute earlier than, even on the expo (one yr I assumed I had registered, received to the expo and so they didn\u2019t have my bib!!?! Fortunately, the race wasn\u2019t offered out and you would register proper there on the expo).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Working is having a second proper now. Between TikTok, Instagram, and extra folks stepping into health, races are filling up quick.\u00a0<\/span>So I pivoted.<\/span><\/p>\n After wanting up the ETA to drive up race morning (and realizing I\u2019d have to depart by 2am, which suggests waking up by 1am)\u2026 I ended up getting a lodge in Ventura and made a mini weekend getaway out of it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Two days earlier than the race, my bib arrived within the mail as a result of I opted for the bib in mail possibility after I registered (see: my unique plan to drive up race morning and skip the should be there the day earlier than). I LOVE that that is obtainable and want all races would supply this. Having to go to an expo the day earlier than a race makes a race take over a complete weekend, which I do know some runners get pleasure from. However, typically I wish to run races as lengthy runs or simply to run with the neighborhood and don\u2019t wish to plan my whole weekend round it. I\u2019m wonderful with it dominating the day, however I like the choice of not having to have a race associated exercise each days of the weekend. Even for native races just like the OC Marathon & Half Marathon \u2013 attending to the expo (which is comparatively shut), parking, getting my bib and leaving with out purchasing across the expo takes a minimum of 2.5 hours and that\u2019s in an effort to be out and in (not counting getting In & Out after).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Amway. I really like the choice to get your bib within the mail. However there was a mix-up and I opened the envelope on Friday earlier than the race to see my bib had:<\/p>\n Cool cool cool cool cool. (Not cool in any respect, I used to be pressured on one other stage. However I used to be making an attempt to inform myself it was fixable.)\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I emailed the race organizers (whereas mentally spiraling slightly), and to their credit score \u2013 they responded shortly and glued it. They reassigned the quantity to me and stated I might simply run with it.<\/span><\/p>\n All the pieces labored out\u2026 however yeah, opening that envelope despatched a wave of hysteria all through my whole physique. I already get further anxious earlier than races and this was overwhelming. I\u2019m so pleased the workforce responding to emails was so fast and on it. I\u2019m positive they have been very busy the Friday earlier than the race, however they have been so conscious of my a number of emails asking questions in regards to the bib subject and the way that might influence my shuttle project. Thanks thanks thanks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n For the document:\u00a0<\/span>I\u2019m nonetheless 1000% professional bib-by-mail. It’s so handy. Race expos stress me out, and this feature is uncommon and wonderful. I\u2019ve achieved this feature prior to now and it\u2019s labored completely. This bib combine up was clearly only a fluke.\u00a0<\/span>It’s an additional price, however utterly price it \u2013 particularly if it can save you cash on a lodge night time if you need to drive out the day earlier than. Getting your bib by mail is a good concept for races in Southern California the place visitors could be ridiculous (and attending to a race expo in a sure timeframe can take hours the day earlier than a race). However early race morning = no visitors, so a drive to the expo that might take 2.5 hours might take 1 hour.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This race is in Ventura, which is north of Los Angeles. If you happen to reside in LA it\u2019s attainable to get your bib within the mail and simply drive up race morning with out getting a lodge the night time earlier than.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I thought of doing this, however I reside in south Orange County proper now and that was only a lil too far. However I used to be glad I didn\u2019t must rush on Saturday to get to the expo Ventura Seashore by a sure time since I already had my bib.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n We discovered a random pizza place on the drive up for an awesome pre-race meal\u2026<\/p>\n It is a \u201cquick course,\u201d however don\u2019t count on Revel-level downhill. That is nice if downhill races are too exhausting in your knees or quads. Some runners don\u2019t like downhill races as a result of it burns out your legs and doesn\u2019t give your stride or muscle tissues any selection. I\u2019m not some runners for this instance, however I perceive it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It felt like:<\/span><\/p>\n Additionally \u2013 essential observe:\u00a0 You end on the <\/i><\/span>seaside\u2026 however you don\u2019t actually see it on the end line. The world is beautiful and you may get pleasure from it after the race, however the course doesn\u2019t give a ton of ocean views. You\u2019re not operating alongside the water, you kinda run to the water. Does that make sense?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This issues greater than folks assume. A annoying begin can spoil your race earlier than it begins \u2013 this one was easy and nicely organized.<\/span><\/p>\n One observe: <\/span>My hamstrings felt <\/span>tremendous tight and chilly<\/span><\/i> early on \u2013 one thing I\u2019d put together for higher subsequent time (possibly throw-away pants, sizzling palms or a special warm-up).<\/span><\/p>\n I didn\u2019t have a objective time moving into.<\/span><\/p>\n From operating over 60 half marathons I\u2019ve realized:<\/span><\/p>\n This race was all about working exhausting, regardless that I wasn\u2019t going for a PR- I used to be making an attempt to run sturdy, tempo myself in a wise means and DO THE HARD WORK. I don\u2019t push myself in my solo lengthy runs, I NEED races so as to get in a powerful long term. I wished to lock in and run tougher than I’d in my standard weekend long term.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n That is KEY:\u00a0<\/span>I don\u2019t wish to dash previous folks early within the race after which get handed later. That’s not the vibe.<\/span><\/p>\n Chilly. Tight hamstrings. Slight panic. I stayed affected person.<\/span><\/p>\n Felt sturdy \u2192 picked up tempo \u2192 left the 1:50 group.\u00a0<\/span>Tried to gasoline usually. Walked by among the support stations. Regular work.<\/span><\/p>\n That is the place it received fascinating. The 1:50 pacer had talked about a hill close to mile 12 (bless them for that warning), so I used to be mentally prepared for that. I checked the elevation chart for the race, and it regarded like there was a hill round mile 10.5 \u2013 not 12. There\u2019s each. I believe the hill round mile 10.5 to 11 might be a lil larger so you possibly can see it on the elevation, however there\u2019s additionally one thing round mile 12. It\u2019s not loopy steep, nevertheless it\u2019s late within the race so it\u2019s essential to know this so you possibly can push and tempo your self accordingly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Within the final half a mile I noticed the 1:45 pacers forward. Certainly one of them stored wanting again\u2026 and actually waved me ahead a number of occasions like: \u201cCOME ON. LET\u2019S GO.\u201d I believe they have been on the lookout for individuals who have been operating with their tempo group and wished to get them throughout the end line. There wasn\u2019t anybody tremendous near me and it felt like she was calling me out. She waved once more in a c\u2019mon catch up, move us movement.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I hesitated as a result of I didn\u2019t see the end line and was afraid I\u2019d push too early. However she did it once more and I figured she knew the course higher than me and we have to be near the end.\u00a0 <\/span>So\u2026 I went. I caught them, realized I might push a lil extra and ran previous them in direction of the end. They wished me to push previous them, it was their job to tempo runners to 1:45. They cheered me on to go go gooooooooo.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n No PR \u2013 however a powerful effort. **Please observe: I wouldn\u2019t usually specify \u201cno PR\u201d as a result of, clearly, I didn\u2019t practice for a PR. I\u2019m saying this as a result of there are quite a lot of new-ish runners doing races proper now and a few don\u2019t perceive what it takes to set a brand new private document after operating for years. At first you possibly can hit PR after PR as a result of your physique is getting stronger and constructing endurance. You may make quite a lot of progress out of your first race to your second, third, even fourth. However after you\u2019ve run for years, achieved dozens coaching cycles for races and hit PRs \u2013 you actually must be intentional about getting quicker.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t occur by chance.\u201d \u2013 is considered one of my favourite quotes and applies right here. Have I advised you the backstory? I should have as a result of it was from a weblog occasion years in the past\u2026 however possibly not?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Earlier than races, I get anxious. Throughout races? I attempt to lock in. The scariest half to me is race morning logistics, discovering parking, shuttles, the beginning line, and so on. Anybody else\/?<\/span><\/p>\n This race, I centered on:<\/span><\/p>\n When issues received exhausting: \u201cDo your finest with what you’ve in the present day.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n That\u2019s it. It\u2019s easy, however not simple. You need to be very intentional about your self speak and mindset if you run. Follow it every day. Follow whilst you run. Make it part of your life if you\u2019re not operating so your default setting is optimistic and protracted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Observe:\u00a0 If it have been a warmer day, this setup would want extra water stops.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n If you happen to want crowd hype \u2192 this isn\u2019t that race<\/span> Sure. Not simply due to the race, however due to the entire weekend. This became a mini getaway with Ben\u2026 wonderful pizza on the drive up,\u00a0 post-race breakfast, beautiful seaside time after.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I ran a wise race. Might I’ve gone out slightly quicker? Yeah, I believe so now, however I haven\u2019t been operating sufficient races to make certain.\u00a0<\/span> That\u2019s a win. Now I simply want to determine what\u2019s occurring with my hamstrings\u2026 as a result of we’re <\/span>not<\/span><\/i> doing that once more.<\/span><\/p>\n If you happen to\u2019ve run the Mountains to Seashore race \u2014 I wish to hear it.<\/span><\/p>\n Drop a remark and let me know your ideas on this race or about the latest race you ran.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n \n<\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/runeatrepeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mountains-to-Beach-Half-Marathon-results-600x800.jpg)
Why I Selected This Race<\/span><\/h2>\n
The Mountains to Seashore Half Marathon checked quite a lot of containers:<\/span><\/h4>\n
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Mountains to Seashore half Marathon course<\/b><\/h3>\n
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What I did:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Miles 1\u20133:<\/b><\/h3>\n
Mid-Race:<\/b><\/h3>\n
Closing Miles:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Hydration plan:<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/span>If you happen to like calm, centered operating \u2192 you\u2019ll prefer it<\/span><\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/runeatrepeat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Mountains-to-Beach-Half-Marathon-finish-452x800.jpg)
Execs<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Cons<\/b><\/h3>\n
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<\/span>I checked in with my physique, adjusted in actual time, and completed sturdy.<\/span><\/p>\n\n
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