This season, a few things were different than previous seasons. Some of the changes I wasn't so sure about, and what was great was that our coach Rod Dixon was always supportive of whatever I had to suggest. This was the first season in the 10 which I've been associated with the Roadrunners that we only did one 20 miler in the training.
There were other small details which also made me a bit concerned with the schedule, and I think my only significant change was that I got the okay to go 18 miles when the others were only going 16 on that one workout. I felt that our RW5 group needed to build up the confidence of working just a bit harder and being able to go the distance. In any case, however the details came out...I have to admit, I felt great during this year's marathon and I believe we had one of the largest core groups at the finish, and that includes all those who came in within 20 min. of the front group.
The entire prep and getting to the start was all very comfortable this year...I knew the weather was a nasty variable, but I truly believed that it was going to be just fine, regardless. I was able to sleep well on Thur, and Fri. and I found this very hip hoodie sweatshirt for $5.99 at my local Goodwill store, which I regret having to toss at the start.
Cheryl, my wife dropped me off at the Stadium with no drama or hassle around 5:10am and already a good group of RW5 were already gathered. I was able to use the bathroom a few times, had a good poop, and I was set to go.
I know a few folks were a bit stressed, Sandy had some problems getting there, but true to form she finds us and gets into the corral with us at the start.
All my apprehensions of starting or not starting the group within the front corrals were unfounded as we had a very orderly lineup and admission into the start area. When the race started and they started blasting Randy Newman's I Love LA...the anthem to all the marathons I've ever ran in LA...I knew I was going to get choked up...it was as great as it could be and I knew the weather at that point was not going to be an issue.
The early miles just seem to fly by as we kept our 2x2 lines going, and I knew with both Peggy and Jamie at the front, I didn't have to worry too much. I know we blasted out on the start and after about the second mile, I reminded them to just back off just a bit. I felt the entire group was pumping from that strong start and all the downhills into Chinatown.
Given that we were doing 14:10 miles up to about then, when we came to the 1st St. hill up to the Disney Hall, I felt we could easily afford the time to walk the entire hill, and that's what we did. I scooted ahead because I know folks who were part of that Taiko drumming group who always have that location, and I did see a familiar face. I just love those rhythms of Taiko and was glad to hear and see a few more groups throughout the course. In fact I really liked most of the music groups which seemed to line the course every 2 miles or so. Sometimes it was just a local radio station blasting their playlist, and even though I never run with headsets, it was great to hear a driving tune, especially live when we're on the course.
We had a grouping of hills in those first 7 miles, and we did a few 1/1s to just get us over them, and each time I looked back, the group just all looked so solid. It was a great feeling to be within this circle of folks and I felt like we were this moving tide and just sweeping through the course picking up a few stragglers, and it was a feeling of strength and unity....it just felt great to be a part of it.
I remember Jamie saying something about Mr. Bill, and I'm looking around for some claymation doll on a billboard or something, and then I realize he was talking about our Mr. Bill. And there he was, now a celebrated RW4 PL, former member of RW5, and I know he's been out with a bad knee, but there he was chipper as usual walking along making funny talk, just enjoying life...that's our Mr. Bill.
After the half way point, I switched the front PLs and had Mary, Nancy, and Alice take the lead, just in time to help lead a few downhill waves. I never know what other folks think when they see a large group doing the wave while running a marathon, but it sure helps lift the spirits. The odd thing this year was that there were no mile markers like they normally do. In the past years they had these very large blowup arches over the entire street to designate every mile, but I'm sure due to the major storm the day before, they could not afford to chance having these big markers blown down all over the course. So maybe that's why we seemed to be really chewing up those miles early on.
I do have to say when we got to the westside though, things really seem more stretched out. Because I had such strong PLs calling out the intervals and keeping the pace, I was trying to keep a check on the folks in the group and try to even give a pat on the shoulder now and then. This included all the folks who seem to join in. There were these two guys who came up to me and hung in for the better part of the run, and said they were looking for me, and I said how do you know me, and they told me they had joined us last year, and finished with us. And so it was this year, at some point I realized there was this older Korean lady running by my side all the way to the finish. She was huffing and puffing, but she did great.
I always try to think when would be the best time to do my "There will come a day" routine, and I always figure if we still have a group around 18, that would be the time, and so somewhere around Century City, I went into my usual thing, and I know it's a bit silly, but the truth is that I really need it for myself, to keep me going too. I remember after last year's version, I kinda wiped myself out, and hit the wall right after it. So this year with the better weather situation, I actually felt better after launching into my diatribe.
As some of you may know, I stole this idea from the final speech given by Aragon before the Gates of Mordor....their circumstances were a bit more dire...but I still love each time when I get to do it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KBQOcw6G9A
I also know when we hit this mileage zone...everything around 20 miles or so, the system starts getting very taxed. This is when we hit the wall, this is when we start losing our focus and it's also when we hit the VA hills. I remember going back and finding Patricia going through a tough spot, and with Jamie by her side, I wasn't too worried, but I just told her that she was going to come through it, and in about another 8 minutes or so, she seemed to be back to her normal chippy self. I know I hit a patch and for some reason I got lost in thinking about my oldest sister who had passed away quite a few years ago, and within that, I found a little more strength to push myself past these tough miles. Marathons are not easy...but they sure deal up a heaping serving of deep revelations and takes us to those places where seldom if ever we go. That's also why I always look forward to the experience.
I was so glad when we cleared the VA hospital area, and I finally got to see the San Vicente sign. I knew we weren't home yet, but I knew we were really finally getting closer. One more crucial visit from my Sis and Wayne, and that's when the headwinds were howling. I took to calling out the intervals, and I knew that crazy heartbreak hill grade getting up the 26th street was going to be killer, so I went back to the 1/1s. As expected, this just seem to take forever, and the only mileage sign post was the one for mile 25 and that was looming way off in the distance. One of the RunLA kids asked if that was the finish line....and I said no way....got to see the ocean first.
And so with really sore feet, tired legs and thankfully a clear head we dove down San Vicente, and as we were heading down, John, husband of Kristie came up to us...like he always does when we are training...not a bit fatigued, even though I know he finished way ahead, and was coming back up the course.... told us not to worry, when we make the turn onto Ocean, it'll be a strong tailwind. And that's what happened, it was still blustery, and amazing white caps all over the ocean as we started our final stretch home.
At some point I thanked all those who were running with us, and told them if they wanted they could finish ahead, but I wanted to keep our pace through the finish. At some point, I decided we had one last run to the finish and with that we ran our last interval to the finish line. I remember feeling this always is the best part and how great it was to be done. When we crossed the line, I got the folks together and did one last war chant...one more Kick ass circle, and Rod Dixon came over to congratulate us. It was great that he was still there.
The medals were exceptional this year, really nicely designed and with a good heft. I waited for about another 30 min. and saw the majority of our group coming in, and sorry I couldn't stay a bit longer, but I was fading fast, and those winds were just brutal. My sis and Wayne were just four blocks away waiting for me, and boy that was so great of them. I got into the car, put on extra layers and pretty much passed out for the ride home.
Just want to say great thanks to all of you who dared to dream and do the unthinkable, and to let me be a part of your journey, really want to thank Peggy, Jamie, Nancy, Alice and even Mary...for all those mean things I said to you and those comments about your intelligence....I know you know I say those things because I care....really....well...at least most of the time.
Anyway...big full congrats, and whether you ever do this craziness again...this was a great one to remember for a long time, and be ever so proud and show off your medals to everyone you can...because just by being out there, we have inspired so many others to just do something special...to dare to make our lives that much better.
Please come to the BBQ on Sat, and wear those medals....we earned it the hard way.
Walt
