Metallica guitarist kicks balloon in kids face!!

An all but lonely road leads the way to a crowded highway

The Santa Clarita Marathon 2010 is over and done with. What a journey. Leading up to my first marathon was a little rough. I had a fantastic time at the 2nd annual Monster Dash 5K the Sunday before. Yes, I had to dress up as Steve Prefontaine! Pre LIVES! At least the glasses were cool. The other Steve, who got second place did a really good job on his costume. It was such a fun time with the kids and the club runners and volunteers. I was very happy about winning my age group. Finally!! There was much sugar consumed on Halloween night. Things did change, though. Starting on Tuesday, I started getting really nervous and doubtful of all this training and preparation for the big race. One of the running club members gave me some very encouraging advice and kind words. Thank you Brian! On Wednesday evening our glass master shower door shattered all over my youngest daughter. This just frightened the hell out of her. Needless to say she got minor cuts on her hands and feet. The sound was heard from the outside corner of the backyard. I am an average 5K runner, but when I heard that shower door shatter and knowing my baby was in there, I think I could've beat anyone that night!

Everything worked out and I replaced the door and refinished the shower pan before the big race, just in time. This was one of my mistakes. One of my biggest flaws is that I always underestimate the length of time that it takes me to complete a project. Go figure that I am an estimator for a drywall company. Having been distracted by Saturday work, I was unable to get ahead start on installed the shower door. Playing "catch-up" and finishing, I was a bit worked up and non-relaxed going into the eve of the race. This amounted to about five hours sleep. The next mistake was improper nutritional preparation the hours prior to an endurance activity. Yeah, I didn't eat enough breakfast and used cheap Powerade and Gatorade as my fluid replacements. I had one bottle of H2O, half a Marathon bar, half of a yogurt and two sips of tea. I normally use the high sodium electrolyte drink mix, GU. This time I was lazy and didn't bother picking it up. Last time that will happen! This course was nice because it was somewhat flat and being in my hometown made it a pleasure. The not so nice. This course winds around two wickedly insane loops. The second loop being the most difficult, of course. The part at the bowling alley was just as nightmarish as I was told. Thanks guys! When I noticed that one the valley's top 25 year old runners was walking at mile 22, I suddenly got sick. I was just noticing dehydration was taking effect. This was also about the same time that our race pack broke up. Paul, 56, already charged ahead and was comfortably ahead of Matt, 26, and I. I could tell Matt was having a hard time so I just lied to him and said I was going to try and catch Paul. These last three miles were the worst. Stomach queasy, iPod battery failed, and an all but lonely road. Just the sounds of footsteps. Yes, footsteps. It started off quiet but then I heard a hypnotic shoe shuffling. This gal came out of nowhere and blew past me. This burned me up and even as exhausted as I was I just hammered down and stuck right behind her...for about 1/5 of a mile. I just let go. It was now not about shattering my goal. The race now became about just getting to my goal and not going to the finish line on a stretcher. The official time was 3:26:43, but the video shows over. I stick to what is shown...3:27:06.

It sounds crazy, but now I am getting ready to train for The Los Angeles Marathon on March 20th, 2011. Yesterday was a great time on the Sierra Paloma Ridge with The High Desert Runners and our club. Thank you Ed for showing me the way, you rock, sir! The LA Marathon is a very hilly course with a ridiculous mass amount of human beings that will make it very tough to qualify for the coveted Boston Marathon. Of course, I am to aim high!