Being a lifelong New Englander I'm an early riser so waking at 3:00am in San Diego to run the Rock-n-Roll Marathon was easy for me. Looking around before the race there were not many smiles at dawn.
Race day is the end result of many training miles. Most participants at the race ran 500 miles or more during the proceeding 4 or 5 months so they'd be ready to undertake the 26.2 Mile event.
The Course started out on the West Side of Balboa Park and we looped around going through parts of the San Diego Zoo on our way Downtown. The city streets were a little rougher than I expected so there were plenty of cracks and pot holes to dodge. Nothing worse then hitting a hole the wrong way and twisting your ankle during an event of this magnitude.
After the first hour I was slightly ahead of my theoretical target time so I pulled out my camera for some photos along the way. As you can see in the photo below the running crowd was still pretty thick. I lost some time over the next several miles due to the congested streets and constantly stopping to take pictures. Suppose serious runners would never think of actually enjoying their time on the course but I typically run races with a camera.
Once we left the Downtown Streets it was time to head out on that highway. At that point I needed to refuel the camera. Anticipating many photo opportunities I did pack spare batteries in my running shorts so I pulled over for a pit stop. Yes... I carry way to much junk!
I did have some technical difficulty and the camera flash starting going off everytime I took a picture. After wasting a few minutes fiddling with settings I decided I better get back to running.
As I rounded the bend I saw the second ambulance of the day loading a runner. We were still a few miles from the halfway point. My wife and I had prearranged a meeting spot where the course came closest to our hotel so I snapped a few final photos as I came through the water stop before leaving the camera with her. 
My intension was to make up lost time in the second half but things don't always go as planned. Once the cloud cover known as June Gloom in San Diego burned off the sun warmed it up. I could feel the heat on the ball of my right foot. The only other time I'd felt that sensation was during our longest training run of 20 miles. Willpower and determination is not a problem for me so not crossing the finish line was never a concern. I did do a bit of walking durning the later miles so I finished at just before noon with a chip time of 5:15.
Recovery time was very fast. By 2:00pm I was making my way to the hotel's outdoor cafe for a burger and beers... One of my team mates from the Leukemia Society's Team in Training was there with his parents and we discussed the race and events of the weekend.
Simon's father, Peter, was so inspired by the TNT organization and the huge amount of money raised ( $12.5 Million at this one event ) that he is planning to run a half marathon as a participant this fall.
I still have a few more miles left in me so I will be running the Fairfield Half in two weeks and start up again in late September at the Philadelphia Distance Run.
In my spare time I'm available to sell houses. To arrange a private showing of any home listed on the Connecticut MLS that is in my territory of New Haven County just contact me, Dan Cummings, The Running Realtor via email at Dan@CummingsTeam.com or call my 24 hour access line : 203-672-2455
Hey Dan - yep, I'd guess you are probably the first marathon runner that I know of that carries a camera and actually stops and uses it. Looks like you guys had a great time though.
Ann
Dan, at 2:00 in the afternoon after a race they'd still be doing CPR on me! Looks like you had a beautiful day to run. I'll bet the weather was perfect!
Congratulations! That is some achievement... I would never be able to do it..
Honey....I'm so very proud of you! MWA!
Hi Dan,
You are soo funny, I'm gonna start calling you Camera Dan....I'm proud of you too! :)
I can feel the burn...LOL I can't believe you actually took pictures while you ran!
Ann... The guy at the running store looked at me like I was nuts when I went in to buy a belted pouch to carry my stuff.
Linda... CPR would certainly take the fun out of the day. Unfortunately some people do run into trouble.
Colleen... I didn't think the word "never" was in your vocabulary. If you put you mind to it you would finish!
Sandra... Now it's your turn!
Suzanne... I was also planning to bring the Flip Video so I could capture sight and sound but I figured that would be too much.
Monika... Technically I didn't take many while running, they come out blurry so I have to stop. :-)
Hi, Dan: Just checking in to see how the race went... congrats on a good race and participating in such a worthwhile charity event. Nice pics, too!
Way to go, Dan. I'm glad our June Gloom kept part of your day under cloud cover. I don't know how anyone runs for that length of time! Happy to hear that so much money was raised by your group.
Here's the important question, did Sandra get to do some great shopping?
Dan, I loved the video.
You had to pick the "hot one" for your 1st. Oh well.
We are all proud of your accomplishement and I know all to well the rewards of the accomplishment of finishing your 1st Marathon.
I am proud of you and your accomplishments
Jan... It was a fun trip with a small team, only 6 members from the Connecticut Chapter did the marathon and 3 did the half.
Elaine... Our hotel was a stones throw from the Fashion Valley Mall but by the time we walked over I think Sandra was too tired to spend....LOL
Tracy... I wasn't even thinking about the weather, when I signed up with TNT the only two choices for a full marathon was The Country Music Marathon in Nashville or Rock-n-Roll.
Thesa... I think you success juggling 42 listings is at one time is much more impressive.....
Dan what a great place to run a race and I bet the weather was great too. Looks like you had an awesome time.
Dan, that was big accomplishment, Midddletown should be a piece of cake after that. Come to think of it maybe that is what Sandra and I will be having while you are running around :) :)
Congratulations, Dan! I have a hard time driving that far.
It may not be typical but I'm so glad you took pictures. It brings back wonderful memories of when I lived in San Diego. Congrats on your finish!
Dan,
Looks like a nice day....and aking the time to capture the event yourself will be priceless for you.
Bill.... It was a nice trip and the weather was fine.... 60's - mid 70's
George... That Middletown run is coming up July 16th... Thought you and Sandra were running this year?
Michael... A few years ago I considered a 5k long distance.
Beth... I did see a few other with cameras along the way, when you're running for hours a minute or two for photos doesn't really make much difference in the finish time but certainly captures the memories.
Dan... I agree... Actually put a Recap together and emailed it to all my teammates & coaches. Only 10 of us from Connecticut made the trip.
Dan, I just put that date into my calendar, so I will see you there. And if Sandra has not told you already ...... in your dreams buddy ........ LOL
That was a long run! I can't believe you were so close to my stomping grounds that you didn't run over here and say hello!
Hope you and Sandra had a great time in SD!
George... No offense but picturing you running will NEVER enter my dreams! LOL
Renee.... We did have a brief stopover there and Sandra asked if I was going to call you but it's not like we were there long enough to meet..... Wonder if it's too hot for me to do Las Vegas Marathon
Geeeeeee Dan I am soooooooooo disappointed by that ............. LOL
I will try to find something else for you to dream about :) :)
Congrats on your race. Also, I hope your fathers day was great!
You're BETTER THAN THE ENERGIZER BUNNIE Dan!! You carry so much stuff with your during these runs I can't help but wonder if you actually took it seriously and pushed for a timed run! I LOVE IT!!
You are a true inspiration!! Your wife has her hands full with all your energy!! You are truly DAN-GEROUS!!!
PS...I know I still owe you a big fat juicy blog but I was on vacation last week with no internet or cell service - BUMMER! LOL
Wow, very impressive, must be nice to have all the energy and gusto...Congrats!
Dan
Are you excited for the Olympic trials starting today. I hope the US distance runners can make some noise in Beijing. But you know it is hard to compete with the Kenyans and Ethiopians. Good luck with your running.
by the way, Do you have an outside blog that I can add to my Blogroll ?
Thanks and look forward to reading your thoughts on the world of real estate.
Dan~ I'm exhausted just reading about your race. Love that you run with your camera, what dedication!!
Hi Dan, this is an amazing accomplishment! My daughter just got back from Vegas. Believe me it's too hot! :-)
Later in the rain~Deb
Dan- Only a true blogger would think to stop and take multiple pictures during a run! Way to go :)