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 II

After about 15 minutes of trudging forward, LA Roadrunners Group 7 hit the official starting line and I activated my Garmin. I was running the Los Angeles Marathon.

The Dodger Stadium start felt familiar after two Roadrunners training sessions plus attending Dodgers games over the years.

What was striking was very quickly Group 7 was totally separated. Normally, we were very good about staying intact, even when lost or running circles. Now, we were totally fractured. I formed a little group with Danny, Pete and James and we set out while trying to find the rest of Lucky 7. Another striking moment was seeing a runner already down on her back getting medical aid ... and we had barely even begun let alone left the stadium! Still, we passed Mile 1 on the loop and a half and headed towards the Elysian Park exit. As we reached Sunset, the normal Dodgers billboards had been changed to say "Good Luck" to the marathoners from the Dodgers. Nice!

Our little group was cruising along at about a 10:50 pace. One problem was just the sheer volume of human traffic. The self-regulating pace placement idea seems to have been considered optional and a lot of time and extra steps were used in going around walkers and very slow runners. Sometimes, people were holding hands, creating a very tempting Red Rover situation. By Mile 2, my Garmin was already saying we had run .2 miles extra.

At this point it was difficult to even keep or small group together, particularly at water stops. Still, we managed and did things like the Roadrunners chant. We also started passing landmarks like the gate to Chinatown and La Placita.

Next came Downtown Los Angeles. There were also some hills ... big hills. It is amazing turning a corner seeing a sizable hill swarming with people. The traffic made it difficult to keep momentum going and thus made the hills harder. We passed the Cathedral as well as City Hall and other downtown buildings.

Then, it was into the Sunset and Echo Park area. Here, I began to struggle some. My knee was beginning to get sore. It also made it harder to keep with the group whenever we split in traffic. The sprinting and frantic searching took a toll. Eventually, I realized this was not going to work well. Soon enough, it did not at all ... all the time I had been used to a group for long runs. Now, I was actually on the longest run and it was quite different. I was running alone amidst 25,000 runners.

My Marathon : Part I

Well, at last, March 21 came. It was THE DAY I had been waiting for and preparing for over two years (well, technically 2009 and 2010 ... so two years!).

I got up dark and even earlier than normal at a crisp 01:40. I was stunned as I actually got some sleep; I had expected to be awake and the paceleaders said expect to be nervous.

I got up, rubbed my eyes, and ate some cereal. Then I started to get my gear on; I used my Canadian heritage and did not take a lot of clothing to keep warm in the pre-dawn "cold."

I had on pretty close to my gear for a normal Saturday training run. I did put on the red and white LA Roadrunners Group 7 hat. I also had a water bottle with me and more energy gels and such than usual; so, my running belt was heavier than I am used to and prefer.

Next it was how to get to Dodger Stadium. fearing traffic after the race and not wanting to pay $17 anyways to park, I opted to park at St. Anne's. (Being a parishioner and volunteer helps at times!). I then walked from 20th and Colorado to Main and Olympic, by Santa Monica City Hall.
It was kind of eerily quiet at first; but, warm enough and my idea of staying in the shirt only proved correct.

I had my first little glitch when the draw string on my checked kit bag separated from the bag. Things like this are why I like to leave early!

I started seeing signs mentioning the marathon, mostly about street closures and parking. I also saw activity! 3 a.m. on a Sunday? What could be happening? What kind of idiot is out at that time of morning?

I turned the corner onto main and saw a group of buses, nice buses! No banana buses for this one. The volunteers were very friendly and encouraging and wished me good luck and even said, "Sir." Wow! All you have to do is sign up for this thing and you get treated well!

I got on a bus and took a seat. There were may be 10-15 others when we left right on schedule at 03:30. Soon enough, it was on the familiar 10 East. Some talked a lot; some were laughing. I was just kind of reflecting and taking it in as an experience.

Soon enough, the bus arrived at Dodger Stadium. It was still very early; so, not many people were there. I just followed some other people. I headed off to the long row of portable toilets I had seen Saturday initially. I then began some preparations ... BodyGlide, sun tan oil, etc.

I then wandered a bit, unsure what to do. I found center field was open. So, I went in and stood on the grass again. having done it at Roadrunners, it was not quite as new; but, it was still fun. I also got to go on the infield this time!

The gear check was still closed; so, I was a bit confused as to what to do. The Roadrunners had said come to the meeting point after checking the gear.

So, I sat outside the stadium and ate my bananas for breakfast II as suggested by the paceleaders. I also noticed quite a few Santa Monica Police Department vehicles. Ah, home!

I also saw some people in Roadrunners' shirts. It was nice seeing the familiar colors.

I wandered around some more and noticed more people were arriving. Eventually, the gear check opened and I handed in my bag.

Next, I went into the stadium. The Roadrunners had been told we would have a special section as well as restrooms. Well, we got the special section and I found Group 7. The restrooms ... well, not quite. My power orange LARR wristband suddenly seemed unimportant.

I took a seat and began relaxing. It was good to see a few familiar faces.

A little while later one of the crew, Pete, came. We started talking and joking. Not exactly game face, I guess. He had missed hill training day I; so, missed they playing around on the outfield. So, he asked how to get down there ... and we both went again. Hey, I am a Dodgers fan and I will take the opportunity to get out there, race or not.

Then James came. The crew was filling in. I went to search for a restroom for a short line ... still searching! Where was the Roadrunners' special?

Then Danny came. Hey, it is just like Saturday.

We noticed the faster groups were starting to stir and get gathered and some even leaving.

Then my original partner, Alex, came by. It was great to see him. He was running despite being told he risked permanent damage from his injuries. Good guy.

Right after that group 7 moved out and headed down the concourse to leave the stadium. We were following a big blue and a big gold 7 balloons.

But, then again .... WE ARE GROUP 7. So, the group got mixed up amidst Roadrunners groups as well as non-Roadrunners and those in the back, including me, took a wrong turn. Fortunately, one of the Roadrunners administrators caught sight of us and steered us back in the right direction and we then saw the balloons.

Our little group joined up with the rest of Group 7 in the huge standard runner corral. It was incredible.

Our group was loose. We were joking ... a lot. We made jokes about everything. When they announced Chef Gordon Ramsay was running ... jokes. When they named the official starters as Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Frank McCourt ... well, loads of jokes. (Along the lines of hide the female reporters from the mayor ...).

We also noticed the massive lines for portable toilets. Incredible! Then, we saw the large number of people climbing the hills of Dodger Stadium to go take care of business in the bushes. The L.A. P.D. could have solved the city's deficit by ticketing people!'

It got serious a bit more when the wheelchair races began. Those competitors are amazing.

Then came the fun ... an announcement about the start being delayed due to people parking their cars ... ON THE FREEWAY! Apparently, traffic had been so heavy and people so desperate to get going that they were just parking on the freeway and climbing over the fence of the stadium! Unbelievable. So, it added like 25 minutes to the start and we were told 7:47 a.m. target (the jokes about Boeing being a sponsor began).

The elite women's race began. They get an 18 minute head start over the elite men in a race for a bonus $100,000.

We then prepared ourselves ... Finally, the race for the elite men began, The loudspeakers also played "I Love L.A.,"a song I like normally. We were then told we would slowly head to the actual start (and slow it was). By the time we got to the starting line, it was like 15 minutes later ... after hearing that song eight times in a row, I was beginning to go crazy!

Then we began ....

Week 21: From the Sea to the Stadium ... SURPRISE!

This was a new part of the LA Roadrunners' training, a visit to Dodger Stadium for hill training. I guess it helps when the same people own the Los Angeles Marathon and Dodger Stadium.

I left early and arrived quite early at Dodger Stadium, the first time I have ever been there before the sunrise! It was also my first time going there when there was not a game to see! Still, it was kind of exciting. At the same time, being me, instead of the Stadium to the Sea course plan; I was doing Sea to the Stadium ...

I found where the earlycomers were parked. Soon, people were asking about restrooms ... so, got to visit the Left Field Pavilion. It was kind of weird being so quiet, no one at the turnstiles checking tickets, no vendors, ... kind of like a ghost town.

More people came and eventually we filled up and got semi-organized. I found some others in my group and we found some pace leaders.

Eventually, people started getting sorted and even setting out. Our senior pace leader was addressing us when I heard the now familiar, though missing for a while, Roadrunner chant ... "Mile One is just for fun," etc. echoing in Chavez Ravine. Group 7 lined up and set out and then a few yards later promptly stopped as we had a new start line. (Try explaining this to a Garmin ...)

Then we were off. I was in the back and without my normal partner. We did two laps of the ring road of the Dodger Stadium parking lot, which is more of an incline than it seems when just driving!

Then they had us go out on the planned 5k race course. It was also good as we set out on how the marathon itself will start; so, we have seen the start and the end!

The 5k part was hilly at times. The road is in horrible condition in some parts; I hope runners are not hurt in some of the potholes and faults. There was also storm debris.

It got more interesting as we were going along as the paceleaders were unsure which way to go several times and eventually we became the lost group. (The confusion has happened a few times before; but, this was a new level). Eventually, Rod Dixon, our heroic Kiwi leader, came to our aid on his bicycle and basically escorted the wayward children all the way back!

I did get to go back to the sprinter days on the hillclimb back as the paceleaders called for form. This is one part I do have an advantage. My form is basically better than most because of the sprinting times. No chicken arms or such for me!

Despite the scenic excursion and extra training, we made it back. We went to the congested bananas and Gatorade table, where we also got some samples of new energy and recovery products.

I was feeling so-so. My knee had gotten sore. My arch was also a bit troublesome. The run itself was alright; but, I did not feel any sense of elation or panic; it was just "Well, it's done."

Then we got the surprise ... they took us to the centerfield area and let us go ON the Dodger Stadium outfield to stretch ... and then play around! It was awesome (well for Dodger fans). One Group 7er offered to put on a Reds' hat; but, was swiftly persuaded that that was a non-starter.

It was so much fun being on the grass. Lots of cellphone pictures. Lots of people doing the run into the foam protection on the wall. Some bellyflops. It was just awesome. It was fun pretending to be Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Manny Ramirez (no, I am not using female fertility drugs).

I did get ice on my knee; but, it stayed sore. I opted to avoid the 10 and just go surface ... so, saw all the variety that defines L.A. as I went down Sunset to Alvarado to Olympic and into the wilds of Santa Monica.

Quite a day!

1:09.25 of running
6.43 miles
10:40 pace

Week 9: Five Mile Milk Run ... Until the End!

This was the latest cut-back week; so, it was a now modest five miles on the schedule for the Roadrunners Los Angeles Marathon plan. It was a "milk run" run.

It has been a difficult week for many reasons and the energy was just lacking. I think may be the fact that I KNEW I could do five miles and had done it before perhaps lessened the enthusiasm.

At least the session started with the Roadrunner cadence which helped. Motivation. Dedication. Aye.

The morning was semi-overcast to match my energy level. Still, Group 7 (Lucky 7/Magnificent 7) was off and headed north going along the Strand to the water stop (with the weekly promises of menudo and/or coffee and doughnuts from Captain Jesus). Then it was up the Santa Monica Pier and further north to Wilshire. As is the new tradition, I kept my cap backwards from Ocean Avenue to Santa Monica Blvd. and vice versa on the return. My group partner and I had another discussion on the Dodgers and the McCourts debacle.

It seemed like a normal return leg when the group seemed noticeably faster through to the end. It turns out the reason why it seemed noticeably faster was because the group was noticeably faster; the pace leaders changed it to race pace for the last mile! So, it was nice to feel some relative speed. I need my sprinter/semi-sprinter fix!

My Garmin electronic conscience said it was really 5.61 miles (vs. scheduled five) in 1:04:24 for a 11:29 overall pace.

Afterwards, I spoke with the senior pace leader and he said they were pleased as the group responded and no one fell off the faster pace. He also said he felt if the group was going on race pace the entire way on a longer run, they would normally see up to 50% drop out/back rate.

Anyways, it was more Gatorade and bananas and then a presentation nutrition with a list of vitamins I had never heard of and seemed a bit intimidating to me as well as my wallet.

I am glad I ran as I needed it; but, the sense of achievement for setting a new high in distance was gone obviously. This week's run was more just survive than thrive; but, may be that is a good thing every few weeks so the edge is there when needed.

Week 5: Three-Peat?

This week's long run marked the end of the cut-back week, going back to the same distance as Week 1, three miles. A measly three miles! Was this a dreaded Three-peat? Actually, it feels nice to think that three miles is now essentially nothing; it is definitely different from April! I am running and training during the week which helps.

Still, it was kind of a lackluster run. The weather was somewhat overcast; the turnout was lower (because it was a short run?), and despite the science and reasoning behind it, the slower pace is not the most energizing. So, I decided to pay a bit more attention to the scenery. It really is a plethora of sights with marijuana "clinics," luxury hotels, a Jewish school, vendors, homeless people, tourists, the ocean, pigeon flocks and on and on all filling my "viewfinder." (Of course, there are also groups of the Roadrunners' "archenemies," the L.A. Leggers!)

The 31 runners in the Magnificent 7/Lucky 7 Group were soon back at the start and stretching. I had barely even broken a sweat! Still, the banana and Gatorade were welcome.

It was also the first LA Roadrunners Charity Day where some of the official marathon charities sought runners to help them gain funds through pledges. There were 10; some of the more ambitious even started before you entered the hall (a man in a gorilla costume offering information for an outdoors education group). There were charities for animals, a cancer run, south L.A. youth (A Place Called Home), the American Cancer Society, YWCA, etc.

I spoke with a few, including the youth one. The cancer run is on a Sunday, which is a problem, due to church commitments. The American Cancer Society seemed promising; but, they seek a $1,500 commitment! For someone who works with nonprofits who also need money ....

I also visited with Think Cure, the official charity of my beloved Los Angeles Dodgers and seeker of funding to fight cancer. They were nice. It was also nice to get in a raffle for Game 5 NLDS tickets; the only issue being with L.A. up 2-0 in best of five series against St. Louis, I do NOT want a Game 5 to happen!

Anyways, I gathered some information; but, I have not decided anything yet. It was soon time to head back to Santa Monica.

It was only three miles; but, hopefully, it is three miles closer to finishing the Los Angeles Marathon March 21.

If anyone does want to help a charity through this run, please contact me!