LA Marathon

on 3/9, I ran my very first marathon – to raise funds for Kitten Rescue – a no kill feline rescue I’ve been a volunteer for over 6 years. Off course I also ran it for my personal goal – to actually run a marathon.  Here is a recap of my 26.2 miles of LA Marathon!

But first, flash back to July of 2013 – I was feeling sluggish and with the nature of my work, I hardly moved and felt like a muddy pond ( versus a flowing river ). Thats when my co-worker Jenny H took me out on a path at griffith park.  It’s been almost a decade of no physical activity for me and we walked 3 miles. It felt so good to be outside and I decided to start running again.   I started to train with the fine folks at USA marathon training in September. Since then, my saturday mornings were dedicated to running.

The day before the race, I went to the health expo to pick up my race packet and bibs. the expo was held at the convention center and it’s a lot of fun with lots of venders and free samples of sports foods.  But we were told to cut it short and stay off your feet as much as possible.  The week leading to the race,  I consciously ate a little more carbs than usual and tried to get a lot of rest.  at the expo, there was a wall with all the runners name on it – I was able to spot mine.

why today had to land on day light savings day and loose an extra hour on a already insanely early day, I don’t know.  But here we are at Dodger stadium witnessing a nice sunrise. and some clouds which unfortunately did not last for long.

the Elite runners started ahead and they will finish the race at a humanely impossible time of a little over 2 hours.  I was in the general open coral section. it took about 10 min after the gun for me to reach the starting line. Our bib had a timing chip embedded so my time will start when i cross the starting line.  The day was already getting warm.

Look at the sea of runners!

we ran through china town and downtown. the first major hill was going up temple street

passing Echo park

Hollywood sign beyond the 8 mile marker

entering Hollywood section

I took advantage of every shade I can get.

the first half to 13 mile felt like a piece of cake – it was fun running through all the landmarks with so many people, I was feeling good and the mile markers seemed like it flew by.  But around mile 15, the clouds disappeared and I was starting to feel some aches in my feet, and i felt the blister pop between my toes.  i knew it was going to be hot so i was very diligent about taking my salt caps and kept track of my gel consumption. Still, I was starting to feel it.  I decided to try and make it to the Kitten Rescue cheering station which was suppose to be at mile 18.  I thought I missed them and the devastation I felt at the state I was in felt 3 times worse.  At last I saw them closer to mile 19! I was so happy to see them. I wanted to stay and rest longer but the pace group I got lost from showed up so I took off with them.

Century city area was the worse in terms of heat. At around mile 20 was our last major hill by the Veteran’s administration.  we were all greeted by the veterans on the side walk. some in wheel chairs with IV alongside them.

I was walking and running at this point.  At mile 22, it was only 4 miles to go.  But it was the longest 4 miles.  I walked the entire mile from 22 to 23 and I thought I couldn’t start running.  a lot of people were also walking at this point and i knew everyone was going through the same pain.  This is where it becomes a mental challenge.  “pain is temporary” said many of the cheering signs. I didn’t come all this way to stop now.  its a nice gradual down hill to the ocean from here on.  I started to run again at a pace which seemed slower than walking.

Just one more mile to go! the ocean breeze we were promised did not deliver.  you turn on to ocean blvd and it was scorching hot.. no breeze, no shade.  i finally saw the orange finish line.  It was like a surreal dream where you are running and running but the finish won’t get any closer.  I couldn’t take any pictures at this point but the organizers did a great job sending us the finish video and lots of photos along the way.  I did it. i crossed the finish line! Here is a screen shot of me crossing the finish.  My official time was 5 hours and 42 min.

I got my medal, water, banana and bagel.  what i wanted most was some shade and a place to sit.  the walk to where the shuttle was parked was more excruciating than the race.  I was in so much pain I couldn’t even walk.  they say you are suppose to walk and get rid of lactic acid or whatever the toxins that builds up in your muscle.  I finally made it to where our training teams shuttle was parked. Here I am reunited with the group and waiting for the others to finish.

Will I do it again? most likely, but ask me in a month or so.  right now I just want to be happy about my accomplishment.