CdM Scenic 5k 2025 Race Report

This year's CdM Scenic 5k was a total last-minute decision. My husband decided to get hotel rooms for us and for my Mother-in-law for her birthday. It turned out to be a total bummer because right after we registered for ALL the races for the 2025-26 season, including the CdM, I found out that my pay was about to be drastically cut. It felt so tragic to know that the money was already spent and we couldn't get it back. We were living like millionaires and about to be collecting the salary of a grad student. But anyhow, here is the race report:

The event itself: Where? How long? When? Weather?

We stayed at the Newport Beach Marriott Bayview for two nights. With parking and everything and paying for two rooms, the total cost was almost $1500.00. Staggering. The weather was good, as expected, cool and humid, overcast for the race morning. The course was the same as previous years, but we decided to walk it. I had registered Albert for the kids race, but his grandparents wanted to spend the morning with him so he didn't end up running. It turned out to be okay because somebody misplaced the box of medals and nobody got one.

Course description and evaluation of event logistics

There were plenty of port-a-potties and there was even an tiny gear check which I used because I didn't want to run in my longsleeved shirt but I also didn't want to toss it. I started with the men's race because I didn't want to wait around and that was kind of bad because now it looks like I ran SUPER fast. I noticed that I had a super fast time for a previous year, so it must have been something I've done before. If you register for the women's race, it assumes your start time was the women's gun time, so it only records your finish time.

How did you train for the event

As it was last year, there are a lot of runners in this community that are strong and fast. It was fun to get passed by the first women and the other super fast ladies. I did run across the Goldenrod bridge because there were fast women behind me and I was warmed up by that point and I wanted it to look like I was running in the photos. I didn't really train. I was trying to enjoy my "off-season." I have since been evaluated by my sister and she said I have a weak hamstring, weak glute, and a strong hip flexor. As a result, my adductor is overcompensating to take the load off the pelvic floor. She said I also probably have a tight back (erector spinae). So she recommended working on my pelvic floor and cleared me to start running again on June 28.

Gear and Nutrition

I don't remember what I ate before the race, but we brought a bunch of food for the weekend. I don't think we ate out at all. We went to downtown Disney after the race. I wanted to buy a photo frame and Mike wanted to get a coffee. It was good to do some active recovery. I wore my Crowned Athetics set from Powerful Hermana for the race and no regrets it was perfect.

Specific experiences

We tried running with intervals (Tabata) but my husband didn't end up liking that. I tried to share my earloop headphones, with each of us having one, but he was not a fan.

Finish and associated emotions

We crossed the finish line together holding hands. It felt like this was the first race of the 2025-26 season. I've registered Mike for a bunch of races this year, so I'm looking forward to bringing him with me across many more finish lines.

Overall evaluation of the event

Overall, the finish line food did not disappoint. We got to eat overlooking the Coronal del Mar state beach. The air was so fresh and clean. All the tables were occupied by the time we finished, but we found a bench near the gear check which is where we sat last year too.

Budget

Registration $39.07 for Albert, $55.25 for Kayla and $55.25 for Mike
Downtown Disney Parking at Gardenwalk $8
Coffee at the Disneyland Hotel $12.40
Parking at CdM State Beach day before race $25.65. Race day parking is free.
World of Disney photo frame $37.70
Room #1 $680.66 for 2 nights
Room #2 $795.82 for 2 nights
$1749.42 total

We did end up using the pool at the hotel, and the jacuzzi. The pool there is half sunny and half shady, you can swim under the hotel. The hot tub is in a sunroom that has windows but it is fully shaded. It feels very spa-like with loungers and umbrellas and cabanas.

Packing List

Overnight Duffel Bag
🩷 Underwear (2)
🩷 clean socks (2)
🩷 PJ
🩷 Regular everyday bra (2)
🩷 Running shorts / top
Running shoes (wear it)
🩷 Sports bra
🩷 Toiletry bags
🩷 Bedtime books
🩷 Night bag w/ eye mask
🩷 Three hats (wear it)
🩷 Three sunglasses
🩷 Park bag/purse
🩷 Jackets
🩷 Phone charger
🩷 Roku

(non-insulated) Snack Bag
🩷 milk

🩷 juice
🩷 bananas
🩷 goldfish / cheez-its
🩷 coffee pods / sachets
🩷 Honey / snacklebox
🩷 Bagels

Insulated Cooler
watermelon

🩷grapes
🩷blueberries
🩷strawberries
🩷Raspberries
🩷Cream cheese
🩷Carrots / hummus
🩷plastic fork
🩷knife
🩷reusable straws
🩷 Hard-boiled eggs
🩷 Galactic Grill Salads
🩷Chips
🩷 Easy Mac
🩷 Ramen
Half and Half for coffee
Yogurt

BOB stroller
🩷 Beach chairs
🩷 Blanket / towel
🩷 Umbrella
🩷 Sand toys


Would have been nice to have our own trash bags.

Bigger and Smaller Races

I have to admit, the number of runners in the Santa Monica Classic freaked me out. It was so crowded I almost had a panic attack right before the race started. It got me thinking about how many runners registered or finished each of the races I've already done and the races I have upcoming.

An example of a smaller race is the Corona del Mar Scenic 5k, which has a very hometown feel. The starting line is a simple balloon arch. There are no fireworks.

• CdM Scenic 5k = 1,010
• Men's - 601
• Women's - 409

A few others with a hometown feel I used to do that I really liked were

• Glendale Downtown Dash 5k = 1,033
• Riverside Raincross 5k = 591
• A Run Through Redlands Half = 476
• 10k - 802
• 5k - 1,731

Getting into larger races, you have the three events leading up to the LA Marathon. Together these events make up the Triple 5k Tour of LA / Conquer LA Challenge.

• Santa Monica Classic 5k/10k - 2415 + 3046 = 5,461 (race is in September)
• Rose Bowl Half = 9,207 (race is in January)
• 5k - 1,632
• LA Marathon = 20,475 (race is in March)
• LA Big 5k - 6,545

Students Run LA is a program for students in public schools to train alongside their teachers to run the LA Marathon. The Holiday Half Marathon is part of their race schedule.

• SRLA Strength 10K & 5K (race is in October) in La Puente
• SRLA Endurance 15K & 5K (race is in November) in Woodley Park
• Holiday Half Marathon = 4,147 (race is in December)
• Half open - 916
• Half SRLA - 3231
• 5k - 842
• 10k - 310
• SRLA Friendship Run 30K & 5K (race is in February) around Hansen Dam
• SRLA Spring into Summer 5K (race is in May) in Boyle Heights

Run Riverside County Challenge

• Mission Inn Run = 3,950 (race is in October)
• 5k - 2040
• 10k - 1091
• Half - 819
• Citrus Heritage Run Half = 516 (race is in January)
• 10k - 492
• 5k - 805
• Palm Desert Half = 541 (race is in February)
• 5k - 599

Thinking of other glamorous events that I may want to do in the future:

• La Jolla Half Marathon = 3,568 (race is in May)
• Starts at the Del Mar Fairgrounds - Finishes at La Jolla Cove and this has been on my radar since 2013
• Run Malibu Half = 2,763 (race is in November)
• 5k - 1,509
• Mountains 2 Beach Marathon = 1,689 (race is in April) in Ventura
• Half = 1,544
• 10k = 192
• 5k = 174
• Ventura Marathon = 977 (race is in February)
• Half = 1,691
• Malibu Moves (race is in October)
• Seaside Marathon (race is in May) in Ventura
• 12th annual will be in 2025
• Valencia Half Marathon (race is in June)
• Pride of the Valley 5K (run is in August) in Baldwin Park
• 29th Annual was in 2024
• Mardi Gras Madness 5K/10K in Valencia (run is in February 2025)
• 15th annual will be 2025
• Chinatown Firecracker 5k/10k (race is in February)
• 47th annual in 2025
• Hope the Mission - Drumstick Dash LA (race is on Thanksgiving)

I'll make a special category for trail races, which I think are great for some people but maybe not for me unless someone special talked me into doing it.

• Red Rock Rumble (trail race in June)
• Chesebro Half Marathon in Thousand Oaks (trail race in April)
• Catalina Island Half Marathon & 10k (trail race is in November)
• Moorpark Mammoth Run (trail race is in October)
• 11th Annual in 2024
• Verdugo Mountains 10k (race is in May)
• Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay (race is in June)

SoCal Triple Crown is a race series in San Diego. I've been wanting to get back down to San Diego and I asked my mother-in-law for recommendations and she suggested the San Diego Half but I'm not sure which one of these she was referring to. She said it was a point-to-point run where you start at Point Loma (a high elevation) and you finish at Balboa Park (a low elevation). 

• GOVX San Diego Half Marathon = 3,355 (race is in March)
• America's Finest City Half Marathon = 3,631 (race is in August)
• This has been on my wish list since 2012
• Carlsbad Marathon = 997 (race is in January)
• Half = 3,411
• 5k = 1,166
• Double Down Challenge is 5k + half (16.2 miles)

Beach Cities Challenge is a race series in Orange County which my nephew recently mentioned that he would like to complete. I've done the OC Half but not any of the other ones.

• Surf City Marathon = 1,544 (race is in February)
• Half = 8,341
• 5k = 3,587
• OC Marathon = 2,916 (race is in May)
• Half = 9,589
• Long Beach Marathon = 2,511 (race is in October)

Then you have runDisney races, which are just on a whole other level. We don't have the Tinkerbell Half marathon weekend (which was a women's empowerment event) anymore but we do have two race weekends here in SoCal now.

• Disneyland Halloween Half Marathon = 11,162 (race is in September)
• 10k = 7,802
• Disneyland Half Marathon = 11,186 (race is in January/February)
• 10k = 6,601

Bike Month and Month of Mama

I’ve been adding and deleting songs from my DANCE DANCE DANCE Amazon music playlist. If the song doesn’t keep me hyped while running, I delete it. If the tempo doesn’t seem right, I move it to earlier or later in the playlist. I keep increasing the playlist's duration as I progress into longer runs. I’m almost up to 6 hours now, but I will need more bangers for the LA Marathon training.

I've been keeping a list of running items that I love so it's easier to re-buy them or to recommend them to friends. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2QFV2N9VEFW0Q?ref_=wl_share

I do plan to bike to work on Thursday, May 16th, but it's not really necessary.

What I plan to do to celebrate Month of Mama is just to keep up with my running program. I got a book called "Master the Marathon," and it was super-readable. The author Ali Nolan talks about how she got a job as the features editor at Runner's World magazine. She has a BA in English literature and an MFA in creative writing. It shows! I loved how reading it felt like talking with a good friend. She was very candid about her first marathon experience and what a disaster it was. Because her goal was to *prove* that she belonged at Runner's World magazine by getting a Boston-Qualifying (very fast) time. She also admitted right away that she won't be the world's foremost expert in marathoning because she has only completed two, but that she was surrounded by much more experienced runners and coaches while writing the book.

I am inspired to speak to the question: Why enter a race?

I think entering a race is a great motivation to train. On the race-day, the race course is supported so you can run without carrying water. There are clear roadways and port-a-potties. More than these logistics, it's fun to run with a big group of people. When everyone is running together, something magical happens. You can vibe with the other runners and that just makes it fun. I never came from a family of runners and I kind of found it by accident. But after my first organized race, I was hooked. I realize that it might not motivate everyone, but maybe they just don't know how magical it is.

Runcation Debrief

We had our second runcation or racecation this past weekend, if you consider our runDisney weekend the first. This trip was so relaxing. We arrived at the OC Marathon expo around the time it opened. We parked and walked through the expo about 3 times. Then our nephew (who was actually running the marathon) arrived and we walked him through bib and t-shirt pick-up. Our son actually loved the expo and had a really fun time at the fairgrounds.

$12 for parking x 2 days (expo admission free)
$97 for pre-race food (grocery store and fast food)

$60 for post-race food (food truck and in-n-out)

$5 for race-day finish-line parking

$299 for hotel 

$37 for overnight parking

$522 total (45% of the cost of the runDisney weekend)

Then we went to a couple of stores while waiting for our hotel's check in time. We picked up a few groceries but could have bought a few more. We had brought a lot of food from home, but we didn't even know if the hotel would have a fridge available. Arriving at the hotel was great, the lobby was welcoming and fancy. Parking was easy. There were luggage carts available to take our stuff to the room. The room itself was great. There was a big sliding glass door to the balcony, which overlooked a lake with a waterfall and a fountain. 

3350 Avenue of the Arts

Costa Mesa, CA 92626

2 Queen Lake View Balcony

It was super peaceful in the room. We started binging a show on Netflix. When we got bored / hungry we went out with the car and got some fast food. Using our room key, we were able to leave and come back with no issues. We watched maybe one more episode of the show while eating and then went to bed. I laid out all my running clothes before falling asleep so I could get dressed quietly in the morning. I woke up around 4am and went out to run on the marathon course while the roads were closed. 

The room had a Keurig coffee maker and we had brought our own pods. The only thing I wished we would have had were:

• half and half
• my "Tron" running vest

Other than that, I felt our packing list was complete. We used everything we brought and we didn't bring anything extra. After my early morning run, I came back to the room at 5:30am and Albert wasn't even awake yet. It was great to go and check out the prices of room service and the restaurant in the hotel and then just eat what we brought because it saved us so much money.

The expo gave us some vitamin lemonade, some sports drinks, and some energy drinks, not to mention stickers and candy. Albert wanted to go back after the race but it wasn't there anymore. I also got some awesome compression sleeves personalized with fit4mom and a running woman.

Thank you @Kia @OCMarathon @FIT4MOMhq #runclub pic.twitter.com/TeV2E42aYL

— Dr. Kayla A. Kaiser (@hamerk02) May 7, 2024

Packing List

Overnight Duffel Bag
⭐Underwear (2), clean socks (2), PJs, Regular everyday bra (2), regular clothes outfit
⭐Running outfit (shorts / top), Running belt, Running shoes, Sports bra, running socks, running undies

⭐Toiletry bags, Night bag w/ earplugs and eye mask
⭐Pull-ups (2) + wipes
⭐Stickers, bedtime books, bag of cars
⭐Three hats, Three sunglasses
⭐Park bag/purse
⭐Snacklebox: Electrolyte tablets, Salt tablets, Gu, Bloks, fruit strips, Sesame crackers

(non-insulated) Snack Bag
⭐milk, juice
⭐banana
⭐goldfish
⭐Keurig pods
⭐Honey, Starbursts candy

Insulated Cooler
⭐watermelon, grapes, blueberries, strawberries
⭐Bagels, Cream cheese
⭐Pasta (with sauce)
⭐plastic fork, knife, reusable straws

BOB stroller

Race-day Timeline

5:30am Marathon begins
6:50am elite runners pass hotel
8:50am Jack arrived @ hotel
10:45am Jack finished marathon

I'm looking forward to the second half of May. I have some big things coming up. A last trip to Disneyland. A visit from my sister and my aunt and my niece. So some major girl power.