My Marathon: Part X

Having made it to Mile 25, I was really getting excited. Obviously, the end was nigh. I did a little revving up motion with my hand.

Then, it was seriously time to revert back to sprinting days. I really went back ... all the way to crossing my right arm over my chest in track turn style.

I did have a nice surprise ... I heard a voice yelling "Mike Ward!" and I glanced and saw a friend from church on his bike taking in events right at the final turn.

At this point I started to lock on the end. I could see the Mile 26 Marker and the subsequent finish line marker. I felt strong, surprisingly, and I felt I could go for speed, as I hoped; so, I did.

I had dreamed about this more or less ... being able to sprint at the end. Being able to go back to the roots ... Servite track. (It must have been noticeable as a fellow Group 7er said she looked up and saw me start to "book it" and decided she should go faster as well).

I began seeing not runners in front; but, "targets." I automatically started plotting attack angles, just like the 800s and Mile Relays and 2 Miles. It worked. I passed a lot of people (I knew it then and now have it confirmed by RunPix ... over the last 4.5 miles, 56 mean people passed me .... I passed 1,177!!!!)

There were lots more people on the sides now; but, their faces just blurred.

My knee was tender; but, I kept going. Crossed Montana. Idaho. Washington. California Here I Come!

Mile 26 ... now it is coming.

.2 miles should seem like nothing and I was moving well; but, it seemed a lot longer than .2 miles!

Wilshire.

Arizona.

Full speed ahead ... dead sprint.

Santa Monica Boulevard ... We Love It! FINISH!

I had done it. I crossed. Los Angeles Marathon ... check!

Official time ... 5:06 (after a few days!). 26.55 miles according to Garmin.

My Marathon: Part VI

Shortly after the cap adjustment and seeing my old work, I hit Mile Marker 18. Being on Santa Monica Boulevard was reassuring because I was quite familiar with it from working in Century City. I think being able to see sights I knew helped especially since it was my first marathon. For example, there is the large Mormon temple and grounds on the north side of the street.

I was feeling pretty good considering I had run a decent distance. Still, I was a bit nervous as this was the zone I had started having trouble with in the lone LA Roadrunners really long run, the 20-Miler. I also was, despite the number of runners and spectators, on my own. I had completely lost contact with my group, my sub-group, ...

So, in a way I did not expect, I went back to the sprinter days, something I had been trying not to do all these months. I started recalling the mantras: Desire. Dedication. Discipline. Determination. How a Friar does not quit. mental strength. I obviously had all the training with the Roadrunners which was great; but, when it came to the mental side, I was back to the core, being a Servite Friar.
It seemed to work!

I passed runners in really serious pain. I felt no need to stop for aid. I remembered to steer clear of the "helpful" fire hydrants and hoses spraying water (our senior pace leader warned wet shoes and long run can yield blisters).

I felt a lot more confident than I expected and I also felt more comfortable than on the 20-Miler. My knee was a little sore; but, I was surviving.

Mile Marker 19 came ... and I was still going and a lot stronger than on the 20-Miler. The streets of Westwood did not seem intimidating. My concern began to erode. Sure enough, here comes Mile Marker 20 ... and I am still functioning.

The Course of Course

Since the Los Angeles Marathon released information on the course for 2010, I have started paying closer attention to the relevant areas.

For example, this morning I went past Temple in downtown Los Angeles and the Cathedral of Our Lady Queen of the Angels. Thinking of it now much more in running terms I noticed it is will be uphill trek there. (Hence, the need for Roadrunners hill training!)

I also can not get Randy Newman's "I Love L.A." song out of my head, especially "Santa Monica Boulevard ... WE LOVE IT!" Maybe I can get Sheryl Crowe's "All I Wanna Do" with its reference to Santa Monica Boulevard as a mentally-playing alternate?

Oh well, the game continues ...