The Justin Buzzard 30th Birthday Half-Marathon
I’m eagerly anticipating my big 30th birthday run/half-marathon tomorrow evening. I’m planning on a 5:45pm start.
This is going to be fun. This is going to be memorable. This is going to hurt.
I’m curious whether or not I can run this far, especially given the steep inclines along the route (namely the pass over the Santa Cruz Mountains into Half Moon Bay), my emerging shin splints, my strained hamstring, the fact that 2/3rds of the route is road running which I never do because of my bad knees from my football playing days, and the fact that the farthest I’ve ever run before is only 8.5 miles. I think I can do it.
Here’s my game plan for tomorrow:
-Wear a bright yellow shirt to help ensure I don’t get hit by oncoming traffic (there’s a lot of traffic and virtually no shoulder on Hwy. 92)
-Carry a package of Shot Bloks in my pocket for added energy along the way
-Stash a water bottle or some Gatorade ahead of time in a bush or something halfway along the route so I can re-hydrate myself once during the run
-Enjoy my surroundings, praise God, and talk to God about turning 30 throughout the run
-Several times throughout the run pretend I’m Eric Liddell and say out loud: “I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel his pleasure.”
-Keep running, even when it hurts
I have two different locations that can serve as the “finish line” to my run:
- Option #1 is to run to the 7-Eleven in Half Moon Bay where I would buy a sports drink and collapse in the parking lot until my wife arrives to pick me up, tell me she’s proud of me, and drive me home. This would make for about 13.5 mile run.
- Option #2 is to run past the 7-Eleven, all the way to Francis Beach where I would jump in the ocean and collapse on the sand until my wife arrives to pick me up, tell me she’s proud of me, and drive me home with a sports drink from 7-Eleven waiting for me in the cup holder. This would make for about a 15 mile run.
We’ll see what I end up doing. The interactive map below will show you my route in more detail.
Dude Justin that’s gross, by the time you get to your Gatorade it’s going to be so hot…
Just don’t drink a bunch of coffee before your run, it’ll dehydrate you. Good luck.
Have a great run my friend – i’m training for a half marathon right now. For my 30th birthday, I went to mexico – you are definitely more hardcore than me.
Buzz,
You’re nuts. Borrow a water belt. I ran a half marathon in June and did fine, but you HAVE to hydrate! Looking forward to hearing how this goes. You’re great to do such a creative adventure on your b-day.
Chris
Go Justin!!! We’ll be praying and Jeff will be plotting how to do the same thing when he turns 30!
You should try a new hydration tool called “AquaJoe”. It’s a sports drink powder holder/dispenser for athletes. Ideal for situations where clean water is available.
Theres a video of it on http://www.aquajoe.com
i’m on my way to pick you up! the pitch black night outside gets me a bit concerned. at least there is a full moon out. and at least you are a STUD and can handle anything.
Go to the beach man! **As I cheer 2000 miles away** Much more glorious finish! Then you can say you ran to the ocean….
Respect you Justin. I admire you making creating this challenge and going for it. Looking forward to how it goes.
