My Marathon: Part V

Once I had decided to try to run the Los Angeles Marathon, I was eagerly anticipating the route, especially with talk of it going from Dodger Stadium to Santa Monica. Being a Dodgers fan, the start interested me and being a Santa Monica resident the end interested me as well.

Obviously, the route came out before the race and I paid close attention to a certain stretch after Beverly Hills. My eyes locked on ... it was going down Santa Monica Boulevard right past my old office, the one where I was told I was being laid off.

I had actually had this part of the race discussed in the article that appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

As I left Beverly Hills, I started to notice the cluster of buildings that is Century City, picking out THE ONE, 1801 Avenue of the Stars.

I kept going and felt good, almost gaining in energy from the defiance against what the mismanagement and dishonesty at Penton Media had done. I was channeling the anger and disgust into a positive. Despite them I was succeeding.

I had been wearing a LA Roadrunners Group 7 hat up until now; but, I had a plan. A book I had read suggested mental tricks and one suggestion seemed a bit odd and cumbersome, carrying a pair of shoes to change into on the way. I had my own idea ... change caps!

I changed from the red and white Group 7 hat to my tried and true all black hat, the one I had worn on every Roadrunners run except the last fun run.

Mentally, it was a boost; symbolically, I was now running for myself. I was going by those who had harmed me severely and I was going to make it and get that medal.

It was a good feeling, a very, very good feeling.

My Marathon: Part IV

Reaching Mile 13 was a big moment for me. It meant I was basically at the half-way point yes, I know 13.1 IS midway). It also meant I was beyond the part identified as the hardest by the senior pace leader (up to Mile 9). Personally, it was big as 13 is my lucky number.

I had hoped to avoid a restroom stop the entire race; but, around Mile 10 that seemed unlikely and I mentally promised myself a "reward" of a pitstop at Mile 13. The portable toilets were a short distance beyond the mile marker and I broke right and unfortunately chose the slower moving of the two lines at the two clusters. Still, exiting the plastic cell, I felt a lot more comfortable and also got a big shout from a just arriving fellow LA Roadrunner Group 7er. We exchanged smiles and hand signs and I was off again.

I was also catching some clusters of Group 8 runners and paceleaders. I felt slow; but, seeing some familiar faces and the grey Roadrunners shirts helped.

My knee was feeling better and the little stop seemed to help as well. I just felt better overall. The miles began to come a bit easier. I was able to keep a fairly consistent pace and was still running, even if a tad slower than I wanted.

I also noticed an increase in the quantity of runners off to the side with injuries or pain or exhaustion. (Gordon Ramsay who had been so promoted at the start was done at Mile 15 ... need some Lancashire-type toughness in you, Gordo?) I was thankfully feeling relatively good. No mad dashes for Salon Pas stands. No sudden stops in the road. I was moving.

Soon, I was entering Beverly Hills. It is far from home territory; but, I was familiar with it from driving through and attending a few work events there. I began to recognize some buildings.

One highlight was going down Rodeo Drive. All the really luxurious shops were closed! It was such an odd feeling.

I also passed by a townhouse having an open house. Next to a marathon? I guess with this market you need a break.

It was about now I felt like I could finish. I was not fearing the 20 Mile Marker. I felt reasonably good. I was still moving. I was not in severe pain or discomfort. I was surprised I had survived this intact, even if I was slow as could be. There was still a good distance to go; but, I felt like the mental struggle was being won. The goal seemed plausible.

Plus, I had my fun for Mile 17 coming ...