Now that I’ve had a night to sleep on it and quit hating life in general, a few quick points to anyone contemplating next year’s L.A. Marathon:
- The. Best. Course. Ever. The organizers promised an icon a mile. They delivered and then some. What a great city I live in!!!
- The. Worst. Course. Ever. There weren’t any flats. We were either going up an incline or down an incline. Even the finish was 300 feet downhill over the last two miles.
- Who says Los Angeles has no community spirit? Twenty Six point Two miles and the only place there weren’t people cheering us on was on the grounds of the Veteran’s Administration in West Los Angeles. And I mean shoulder to shoulder the whole freaking way. Even for us back of the packers. No other race I’ve been to has come close to delivering.
- Entertainment like no other! I didn’t use my iPod. Where there weren’t official bands, DJ, or radio station entertainment, the community was out in full force. Kids drug their guitars and drum sets out on the street to play for us. Mariachis serenading us. Korean drummers send us good vibes. Dancing to the beats of the boom boxes. Absolutely amazing.
- Volunteers. Water stations every mile. No shortage of water, powerade and a friendly smile. It was all there waiting for us when we needed it. No water stations out of water or out of volunteers. Thank you folks!
- Have I said community? Oranges, bananas, candy, pretzels, snacks. By the cases. People from the community. No doubt out of their own pockets. Thank you!
- And the finish. Wow. There were thousands at the finish. Starting from a mile out. The. Whole. Way. In. Like a big vacuum sucking us into the finish line.
And one final thanks to the leader of the 5:30 pace group. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel and start looking for the golf cart ride to the finish, she came along. Mile 22. Thank you for pulling this one out for me!
More to come. In the meantime, just a few photos to keep you hooked:
Waiting for the start. Inside Dodger Stadium. In a comfortable seat:
At the start line a couple hours later:
And we’re off:
Nothing else needs to be said:
The streets of Hollywood:
Welcome to Beverly Hills!
For my LDS friends:
The finish:
Wow. That sounds amazing! Congrats, can't wait to read the final recap!
ReplyDeleteOk and??? LOL! I'm ready for the recap. Glad to see you completed it and kudos on doing so Glenn!
ReplyDeleteTease!!!!!! Race recap! Race recap! Race recap!!!
ReplyDeleteI agree, best and worse course! The constant inclines (up or down) took their toll. Miles 17-20 were really tough for me, and yes the volunteers and spectators made this race! Can't wait to read your race recap. I'll write mine over the coming days. Glad we finished upright!
ReplyDeleteI agree... What a tease! Let's hear what happened! Looks like a fun race. I may have to put it on my "someday soon" list ;)
ReplyDeleteWe made it!!! And that's the important thing! ;) Sheesh those rolling hills were killer! I was never so happy to be done with anything in my life! I totally agree on all those points you made about the race. Next year, I will be doing more hill repeats before heading in to it...haha! We did it!!
ReplyDeleteFun Glenn. Sorry it became such a gruel though. Did you or was it practical anytime in your training to run parts of the course before hand. Getting a feel for the hills before the race sounds like a good idea in hind sight. Outside all that sounds like fun event for ya, and sometimes it takes a nights rest to fully appreciate what you just accomplished. Great job Glenn.
ReplyDeleteHi Glenn, I've been computer-less all weekend and dying to know how it went. Sorry things didn't go better (heavy sigh) but it sounds like you had a great experience all-around. I look forward to your race report. Hugs to you!! Way to knock off another marathon!! Very proud of you!!!
ReplyDeleteCongrats Glenn! Great pictures:) I can't wait to hear all about it!
ReplyDeleteWell, it sounds like there was at least something enjoyable about yesterday.
ReplyDeleteAn incredible accomplishment, Glenn. Don't beat yourself up! You did amazing!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you on best and worst! ha ha I was out there dying too. Glad to see you finished and had fun out there!
ReplyDeleteYou finished and you have positive things to say the day after-that is a WIN in my book! Anyone who can finish 26.2 miles after wanting to quit is a ROCKSTAR! And that is you! CONGRATS!!! I'm glad you gutted it out-even if it wasn't the time or result you wanted you did finish!!!! Way to go!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Glenn! As always, your pictures are wonderful and really tell a great story. I hope you are recovering well, and I look forward to your report!
ReplyDeleteAw, I'm glad you had such a good time, Glenn. It seemed like a really awesome course.
ReplyDeleteI'm disappointed I didn't see you go by.
This makes me want to cry. I love LA!
ReplyDeletei love that "vacation" sign :)
ReplyDeleteyou are definitely being a tease (but i know the feeling... so take your time. i definitely would be) haha. eat another apple fritter-thing!
I never would have thought that LA would pull through for their runners. That's so cool. It almost makes me want to run it next year. ;)
ReplyDeleteWay to go, Glenn! *high fives*
I talked to a sales rep today who lives near the course. He said it was an absolutely amazing thing...all the people cheering. Quite the LA party. I knew LA had it in her. Never doubted it for a moment.
ReplyDeleteNow I will get back to tapping my fingers awaiting the recap.
(BTW Glenn...most people in the world wouldn't even contemplate running 26.2 miles once, let alone the three or four times you have done it. No matter what, it's a great accomplishment, especially when it's difficult and you just have to gut it out! I for one am proud to know you...and I'm just guessing I'm not the only one!)
I loved the pictures. I just never would have thought that the course was so tough but I watched it on TV and everyone looked like they were struggling at every turn. Even the elites were winded!
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like community support, congrats. to LA!
So, I have this plan to start running more hills for every marathon, not just Boston or an ultra...I just don't think I'll ever regret putting in those extra special miles! What do you think?
Rest up!
Great perspective Glenn! I'm glad that you are able to look back and find a sliver lining.
ReplyDeleteThat said, having a race that went up and down like that would be TOUGH. It would tire you out for sure.
I loved the pictures. I'm a sucker for any race that starts/ends in a sports stadium.
Glenn I can't even imagine running a marathon and you have done three. You should be very proud of yourself especially with LA being such a hilly course! I think you did a great job and should be so proud! Can't wait to read about the race!
ReplyDeleteSounds like the race had a great vibe. Looking forward to following your blog.
ReplyDeleteThat is really amazing, that kind of community support. Too bad you aren't running Boston - that's what it's like here - so many people from start to finish, that my brother has called it overwhelming.
ReplyDeletePenny had checked on Sunday morning - when I was hanging out with her after her half-marathon) and we got your 10K split. I can't wait to read the rest of your posts about this race! (But for right now, I've got to get to sleep so I can run in balmy 40 degree weather in the morning.) No really, I'm loving that temperature right now!
congratulations! i might have run with you at the end. i was dragging until mile 21/22 when i saw Deb, the 5:30 clif bar pacer. i ran with her for long beach 2009 (i only did the 1/2) and ran up to her when i saw her at LA. she is inspiring and runs carrying red and white balloons with "5:30" written on them. sound familiar?
ReplyDeleteAmy - that was the person and pace group! I was in a blue tech shirt and dark gray Adidas shorts. For the first mile or so it was all I could do to hang on to the group. You all were amazing and got me over the finish! Were you the lady in the brown top? I remember someone mentioning that they were pretty much shot for the day and was along for the ride. I can't tell you how comforting it was to hear that!
ReplyDeletehi glenn,
ReplyDeletei do remember a blue top. i was wearing a white technical shirt and purple plaid running skirt. we probably joined the group at around the same time. that first mile i was focused on the balloons and trying to keep up. having someone to run with makes a huge difference!
at the long beach race Deb said she ran with the LA Leggers and had run over 100 races. i can't remember the number, but it was a ridiculous amount.