LA Marathon 2011 Race Recap
A wise running sage once told me that marathons are like novels, each is a book and the story is ever changing. Every race brings a new set of challenges to overcome. The LA Marathon is actually known for being unusually warm on race day (I can attest to running 2 LA Marathons- 2007 and 2008- in 80+ degree temps). Sunday was a completely different story. I arrived at Dodger Stadium around 5:15AM. Wind was wiping through the stadium and the temps were cold. I wore a throw away shirt and sweatshirt over my race outfit (I HIGHLY recommend this. Wear clothes to the race that you do not mind leaving at the start). As many who ran on Sunday have already noted, getting into the start corrals was not easy. There was one entrance to all three seeded corrals. Everyone rushed the gate and it was not fun. I hope that they improve this for next year.
The best thing I did for myself was to bring a throw away rain poncho (purchased for less than a dollar from Target). Shortly after the race started, the rain came and did not let up. I wore the poncho until mile 14, where I saw my family and gave it to them. BIG MISTAKE! I did not realize how insulated the poncho was until I did not have it anymore. I thought that I was getting as wet with it on but I was wrong. Note to self- NEVER take off the plastic poncho in torrential rain.
Smiling while giving the poncho to my sister at mile 14. The guy in the yellow poncho in the background was smart and kept his poncho.
I did not have a running strategy going into the race. I have been so busy lately that I did not give it much thought. My hope was to stay on pace for a 4:15 marathon. As I have noted before on this blog, for many years I ran Galloway method style (versions from 6/1 to 1/1). Over the last year, I have moved towards running straight through. I run by feel rather than by the walk break numbers. I met a woman from Colorado at the start who was also planning on a 4:15 marathon. She and I ran together for the first 6 miles or so, right on pace. My legs were tight from the cold and rain but after mile 6, I started to get into a grove. I ran straight through, only walking momentarily through a few of the water stations. I took 3 gels - one at mile 5, 10, and 20. I did not need more than that. This may have been because I was SO COLD for most of the race. I had to remind myself to drink water because honestly, with all of the rain, I did not feel thirsty. Despite the cold, my body felt great throughout the race. I never felt out of breath or over extended. I never hit the wall. I just cruised through. When the moments of negativity came, as they often do, I chose not to give into those thoughts. I chose to focus on the positive and thought of those that I was dedicating my race to that day.
High five to my family at mile 22.
I slowed down a bit on the back half of the race. I knew that 4:15 had fallen out of my grasp but 4:20 was still well within my reach. I made the last turn onto Ocean Ave and a Grateful Dead tribute band was playing “Not Fade Away”. The scene was perfect. I ran as fast as my legs would take me to the finish. I saw a coworker cheering me on a couple blocks from the finish. Seeing her made me choke up with emotion. This day was rough but my friends and family braved the elements to cheer for ME. So amazing! I was thrilled to cross the finish line in 4:22. A new PR for me and a full 41 minutes faster than last year’s LA.
I am SO THANKFUL to all of the volunteers and spectators who came out to the race on Sunday. Los Angelenos do not like the rain. I was SO GRATEFUL to everyone for withstanding the horrible conditions to be there for us.
Last night I lamented to a friend that the water was just too much at the end of the race and I had to slow down. His reply was something like “That is what she had to tell herself this time”, as in my self doubt came in the form of telling myself it was okay to slow down because of monsoonal like rain and flooded streets. I had to agree with him. I am proud of my PR performance on Sunday, no doubt about it, but at the same time, I ended the race without emptying the tank. I felt like I could have kept going. It is a fine balance, leaving it all out on the course and finishing strong. I have yet to strike the perfect balance but with each race I know that I am growing.
