Back to the drawing board-LA MARATHON 2011

The LA Marathon is over and done with. Or has it just begun? Well, for me it has just begun. This was my second marathon and my first "Big City" run. What a blast! The new Stadium to the Sea course was really a joy and wonderful to run. The hills early on were not too bad and the final stretch was a gradual downhill which was a blessing. Youth definitely prevailed on Marathon Sunday. At least in my group. Here is a brief recap of the days event:

Alarm goes off at 4:30 forcing me to get ready to bike from Marina Del Rey to the Santa Monica City Hall Shuttle to Dodger Stadium. Nice warm-up of 3 fast miles on the bike. Sat down next to longtime Legacy runner Russ Sidles. Very nice gentleman from Valencia who made the ride short. True inspiration.

Arrive at Dodger Stadium around 6:10 a.m. I rushed to the restroom to do my business. I made sure to just drink only half of my apple juice/green tea mix. This helped while waiting in the horrendous line of the latrine. Now I know this didn't help me later on that day. More on this later.

Gun time is 7:25. Corrals closed at 7:00 a.m. !! Holy CRAP! I get out of the bathroom at 7:10! The guys at the gates of Corral 'B' will not let me in. This is a Rock Show and I need to rush the stage!. Gotta find Matt, Chad & Nigel.

7:20 a.m. mouth is dry and I find them, YES! Great picture before the gun goes off, thanks Nigel!

Race starts late. I knew this! Around 7:40 a.m. we are off!

Mile 1-2 it starts raining. No problem, it shouldn't be a down pour. Wishful thinking. Stayed with the other two young guys, Matt & Chad.

Mile 3ish I start to pull ahead. Never saw those guys, until later...The hills made me try to gain time up and down. Feeling great! Took off my bright green St Patrick's 5K long sleeve. Some yells out "wardrobe malfunction"! Funny.

Super fast club runner, David VROOMS by at mile 4 1/2. Let him go I say to myself.

Going up the last early hill at around mile 6, I feel the race is looking good. Going through Echo Park starts to pour. Oh no! Should I have dumped my semi-baggy pants? Rain eases up, I relax.

Going through Hollywood between miles 10 & 14 was truly awesome! Thinking of all the late nights and early mornings of days past was a pure rush! Someone finally gets my tag number on my racing bib. "2112" dude! Yes, after Rush's 1976 breakthrough album, 2112. I felt like RUSH and strong.

Matt passes me at mile 10ish. I didn't even notice. Nor did he. I pass Dave, hung with him for about a mile. He tells me to "do my own thing" I tell him he should dump his Santa Clarita Runners sweatshirt. He refuses....this would later weigh him down, as my pants would too!

Mile 18 I am starting to get the urge to use the restroom. This takes a minute off the total time. No problem, I feel okay and ahead to the 3:20 Clifbar Pacers! But just barely.

Mile 20 going under the 405 Fwy is where I knew that this is where the Race truly begins. Damn, I didn't want to hear this from the Pacers!

Miles 21-22 is where I give up on my goal of 3:20. Pacers roll on by, F@$K! Just relax I tell myself.

Mile 23 I try and take off the weighted down Under Armor pants. I just can't get them over the shoes. Struggling I just pull them back up, and charge forward. Pace drops to 9:00+! Chad passes me by. I shout out, "wheres Matt?". He yells, "I don't know". Off he goes.

Barefoot runners are passing me by. Water beads around the drinking cups look like stars. Getting dizzy. Keep on. At least make 3:26, like Santa Clarita.

Mile 24 I pick it up to 8:30 pace. What a struggle. Thinking to myself, how do people do triathlons, ultras, etc. I really into my head at this point. I have family waiting for me at the finish. It will not be glorious. Now I just want to break 3:30. Sorry situation.

Crowd cheering coming up to Ocean Ave. Everything is blurry. Steady rain or just fatigue? Who cares, I know the finish is near.

BAM! 3:28:30. This is the end. Met a very nice lady, Michelle. Walked with me, got checked out at The UCLA triage room off to the right. Heat packs and blankets and rest. Steve, my long time friend, showed up with my nice and dry Santa Clarita Runners sweatshirt. Leg cramps forced me to get up!

Off we go for the bike ride back to the Marriott in the still pouring rain. This actually was perfect for the legs!

Warm shower at 12:30 and two Miller Lites and I am fine. I thought about it. I ran, swam (through the rain), and did a little biking. Hey, my first Triathlon! Sweet...

Guess what? Went out today, in the rain, and ran 10 miles with the Club. I have to conquer L.A., this is my goal.

Thank you to:

My family for putting up with my running babble, Rudy Carrillo Drywall for letting come in late during the week to run in the mornings, Coaches Oats, Santa Clarita Runners Club, Guinness, Knights of Columbus (for starting me running!), Steve U. for taking care of me that day (true friend), and of course, God for giving me legs and the desire to run.