Many months of training lead up to yesterday’s big race. Lots of hydrating this past week and eating the “right” foods leading up to the final days. 

Starting point was my home away from home, Dodger Stadium. I never get tired of taking in the beauty that is Chavez Ravine. Thanks to my brother Mario, who got up at the insane time of 4:30 a.m. to drop me off (much appreciated).

Around 6:45 a.m. we start to make our way to the start line. As part of being a member of the LA RoadRunners, you are suppose to get a special corral start right behind the elite runners, it was not the case this time around. This is suppose to be one of the perks of joining, and I wonder now, why weren’t we told of this before hand?

After a 30 to 40 minute delay, the race is finally under way with “I Love LA” blaring from the speakers. It took us another 20 minutes to actually make it pass the start line to be officially underway.

Making our loop around the stadium, it was already evident that the heat was going to play a roll in this race, and impact a lot of the runners. By mile 2 we were sweating too much which was a bad sign. The first 10 miles had a lot of hills, by mile 8 I was already gassed. The heat+hills+fast pace+no walking breaks=all my energy being wasted. Plus, you know something is off when one of our pace leaders ends up throwing up around mile 8 or 9. 

After mile 10, it became a battle every step to the finish to not quit. Exhausted, fatigued and cramping I never felt as awful physically as I did during those last 16 miles. I felt worse this marathon than I did my previous two marathons, my first one being without any training. 

Miles 18, 19 and 20 were another obstacle, already in pain and growing pain in my ankles these hills were my last realization that this course had defeated me, brutally. Walking at up to mile 21, I finally hit San Vicente, boy was I glad to finally reach this street! There was some nice trees all along the side of the street providing shade and also I knew it was all down hill from here to the finish line, that helped me pick up the tempo to the end. As I passed mile 25, I ran out of Gatorade and was running on fumes to the finish. Whatever strength or will power I had left was mustard up to run to the end. Lots of grunting and heavy breathing. I finally heard the yells from my brothers and mother, blew them a kiss, and forced myself to the finish line. I’ll be interested to see how I look in that photo, my guess on the brink of collapsing. 

Very angry, disappointed and frustrated at my time. My goal was to come in exactly in 5 hours. I wanted to cut my time by half an hour this race. I ended up coming in at 5 hours 50 minutes, which ended up being a worse time than last year, by 15 minutes.   At this moment, I do not want to run or drink Gatorade for a very long time. Yesterday’s race took away any love I had for running. I know the marathon is suppose to be challenging, but it’s also suppose to be a pleasurable experience as well. This course ended up being more challenging than I had expected.  But, I think I’ll be with the RoadRunners once training starts again. Actually, I just bought some compression leggings and realized I am in need of new running shoes as well.

If I stop running, I want it to be on a high note with me setting a personal record and not this defeat I am feeling. I will figure this out and beat the Stadium to the Sea course.

 Aha!

Interesting things I saw along the race; People climbing the hills at Dodger Stadium to pee, a runner wearing a PEDEX truck suit, a runner with a Stitch costume, a runner with a Kermit the Frog costume, kids with down syndrome handing out water (thanks), a spectator in stilts, drag queen cheerleaders in WEHO, Niketown employees dancing in green outfits in Beverly HIlls, running on Rodeo Drive was odd, seeing the last hill at mile 20 in Westwood, finally seeing shade along San Vicente, crossing the finish line i saw ex-Laker AC Green and the most interesting thing I saw along the race was all the non-athletes who battled to the finish line and accomplished a huge feat. Well done runners, well done.

Woke up this morning to light rain. Not happy to be running 20 miles in it. Once I arrived at the RoadRunner meeting area it stopped raining. I was debating whether or not to put on a poncho. I decided not to since the skies were turning blue.

The wind started to pick up as we started our run this morning. The group started out strong. Our first two hours into our run were rain free. A few minutes into the second hour it came down. Just as quickly as the rain dropped it stopped. But, it rained enough to soak everyone.

By mile 16 I was starting to feel it in the legs. Specifically the quads and hamstrings. Felt them tightening up. At this point I was starting slow down just a tad, but enough where I wasn’t in my usual spot behind the pace leader.

At mile 17 the pace leader seem to shift into 5th gear and I was not ready for it. I was now at the back of the pack. A position I have not been in all training season. I was quickly left behind.

At mile 18 I was a good minute/minute and a half off the groups pace. Cramping was in effect. My fellow runner Bryan had also cramped up and fallen off the groups pace.

The last two miles Bryan and I struggled to make it to the finish. During the last mile, at different points we each stopped due to cramps. We finished together. As we made it to the end my left leg locked up and I went to the floor. Laid there for a minute before a coach told me it was a bad idea and helped me up. Pain!! Stretched out and finally headed back.

Hands down the toughest training run we’ve had this season. I thought I hydrated enough the prior two days. I really need to figure out how to stop cramping up, if I want to hit my goal of finishing the marathon under the five hour mark.

It’s really late in the game to have this issue pop up. Disappointed.

Pleasantly surprised this morning to find a few lingering clouds and the sun starting to rise. I was expecting it to be overcast for this mornings run. I should have brought my sunglasses along. Although I did try out my new Halo running hat. I’ll only use the hat on rainy days from now on.

We ran close to 11 miles today. Did not bring my camelbak. Not needed on a short run. I did however try out Shot Bloks this morning. A bit different from the GU’s I’ve been using. Takes awhile to dissolve since you suck on them. I’ll be curious to see how they work out next week on our big run.

Glad I felt guilty last night about skipping the run and set my alarm to wake me up instead of sleeping in. Feeling good plus it’s another great day in Southern California!

Exactly one month away…

16 miler this morning with the LA Road Runners. Felt good until mile 14 when my quads started tightening up. Our group started with 50 runners today and only 17 of us finished together. Wow!

Started to cramp up when I got into my car. Not fun. Had to do some additional stretching once the pain subsided.

The information from today is not so accurate, as I forgot to hit the pause button when we had to wait for the street lights to change. But, its close enough. I’ll remember for next week as I am still figuring out my new watch.

A little over a month to go till race day! A-Ha!