Race Report: LA Marathon
2:56am and I wake up feeling slightly tired but overall rested. By 3:10am I am dressed and making coffee. I go through my morning checklist and am out the door by 3:40am. I take a Lyft car to pick up my head coach, Jimmy and another teammate and by 4:00am, we are en route to Dodger Stadium. Our Lyft driver was a nut. Empty streets and freeways but he was still making aggressive lane changes, going 75-90mph, AND running red lights. Dear God, please just get us to the stadium in one piece!
Arrive at Dodger Stadium, drop off gear check bags, head to the Ketel One Club. Thankfully TNB was able to reserve this room for us to lounge, relax, and prep for the day. Once I saw the other runners sitting on the ground, wrapped in blankets, and huddling for warmth, I was beyond grateful for our warm, private lounge with coffee, tea and private bathrooms.
Ketel One Club
I got tired of getting up to tell people it was a private event in the Ketel One Club.
A quick pep talk from our coach and by 6:30am we are heading to the starting corrals. The corrals were SO busy, but not chaotic. People were polite and the nervous energy was palpable. As we shuffled into the starting area, the amount of people was impressive. I was so psyched to be a part of this race! For years, I have stood at mile 22 on San Vicente cheering and supporting the runners and today was my day to run.
Kelli and I decided we would run together for as long as we could with a 4:45 finish time in mind. The race started wonderfully. I was excited and happy.
A panoramic view of standing in the Open Coral
The starting chute: people as far as you can see!
Leaving Dodger Stadium
Kelli and I running together and smiling for Ben at Mile 2. Can you spot us?
How about now? :)
As we ran the first few miles, we stayed on the left side of the road so we could see Ben and my family. This was a mistake as I would soon find out. Being on the extreme side of the road meant I was running where the camber angle is the greatest. Since my left leg and right leg weren't hitting level ground, my right hip was getting pretty beat up. By mile 3, I was in pain. I took a moment to process and thought it would be ok, I would need to run in the middle of the road more. Unfortunately the damage was already done.
One of my favorite spots on the course was a spot called Drum Hill. It’s between mile 4 and 5 and features LA Matsuri Taiko drummers, which provide a much needed boost up the hill. It also ends at the Disney Concert Hall which is a beautiful building in Downtown LA.
Approaching Drum Hill, Mile 4
Top of Drum Hill with Disney Concert Hall in the background.
Video of the LA Matsuri Taiko drummers (not my video but the same drummers)
I saw Ben several times between miles 2 and 6 which was made easier since he was on a bike. My parents and grandparents met me at mile 6 with Team Bashaw shirts, a banner, and some of the loudest cheers in the area. I gave hugs to everyone and kept moving.
Kelli and I at mile 5
Cheer Squad and hugs at Mile 6
Kelli and I ran on commenting that things were starting to hurt a bit sooner than we had hoped. Thankfully it wasn't getting too warm yet and we had more shade than expected. I saw several teammates along the way and tried to stay focused on the moment: relaxed form, even effort, and to enjoy myself.
Mile 8.5 where Sunset Boulevard splits away and we continue on Hollywood Boulevard.
Fun picture of me sent to coworkers. I look great but I feel not-so-great.
Ben snapping a pic of me with the Griffith Observatory in the background.
Around mile 10, as we ran along Hollywood Boulevard I was starting to lose my internal composure. If I was in this much pain already, how bad would I be at the end? I struggled to stay in the moment and finally allowed the tears to come; I silently wept as I entered Hollywood. A man was running too close for comfort so I glanced over to see why he was basically touching my arms and it was my head coach, Jimmy. Of course! Of all the moments I choose to cry and allow myself to feel the nervous emotions! He ran with Kelli and I for a bit and recommended I run in the flattest part of the road (the middle) and to acknowledge that what I'm feeling is exactly what I should be feeling: to absorb the moment and keep going. A group hug, a picture, and he left us to keep venturing into Hollywood.
Kelli, Coach Jimmy and I at Mile 11.
I took pictures as I passed LA Landmarks, thanked volunteers, waved at spectators, smiled as much as I could. I believe the act of smiling is a way for me to mentally "fake it 'til I make it".
El Capitan and Chinese Theater, Mile 11.5
The guy in this picture is cracking me up. Straight outta 1984. Mile 14.
Whisky a Go Go, Mile 14.5
Heading down San Vicente from Sunset. In about a minute, everything was going to change for me.
Just before mile 15 I spotted a fire station with people putting Icy Hot spray on runners. I immediately cut left and had them spray my right hip. In a matter of minutes I was like a brand new person!! The pain and discomfort of my hip went from sharp and consistent to a quiet rumble in the back of my mind. Between mile 16 and 17, Kelli and I separated. We agreed that we'd each run our own race and if either of us needed to split off there were no hard feelings. As I entered Beverly Hills I was feeling more and more confident about the run. Of course I was holding things together with Icy Hot but that was ok for me. I was in a great place mentally and was holding down consistent miles.
West Hollywood, need I say more? Mile 15
One of my favorite venues, Mile 15.
Rodeo Drive, Mile 17
Rodeo Drive, Mile 17
As I ran miles 18 - 20, I was reminded of a mantra I used heavily in my Ironman training: "You are earning this race." It is something I say to myself when on a long run or a long bike ride; a way to remind myself that it takes hard work and effort to get to the finish line. So the pain and effort of the day was okay because I was earning my finish! Everything was good, I was ok, I would finish and I would be genuinely happy with my day. I walked the uphills of those miles and ran the rest, by this point it was warm and we were on an exposed section of the course.
We turned onto Wilshire around mile 21 and I felt a boost of energy. I was getting close, the air was cooling (thank you ocean breeze), and my body could feel it. I asked Ben to meet me just before mile 22 with ice and ice water since I was feeling very thirsty and wanted cold water.
Getting ice water from Ben, Mile 21.5
After this point I was on San Vicente which is basically a long homestretch. I saw many supporters and stopped to hug and thank all of them for being out there. I wasn't worried about my mile times because I knew I was going to OWN this stretch of the road. Shortly after I hit mile 23 I thought "A mother f#@%ing 5k is all that's left and I'VE GOT THAT IN THE BAG!!" I was passing people left and right as they walked and I ran. It felt great to run past them. It felt great to be able to run!
A coworker came out to cheer. “Code Purple” is what we use at work to describe a critical situation. This sign absolutely cracked me up (see post on Instagram). Mile 22.5
I saw fellow teammate Annie who ran with me for a few blocks and was impressed how great I felt. I then was picked up by Coach Nicole who said "You've got a great mindset! Go get it!" Coach Josh jumped in and was like "You are the happiest person out here right now!" I replied "This is when it's supposed to hurt, I'm ok with that. I am where I'm supposed to be." He smiled handed me off to Coach Kelley and Coach Craig. They also saw I was in a great spot and sent me on my way down to mile 25 and to the finish. I was proud of myself for being in such a great place mentally. I was proud of owning that pain and discomfort and keeping a smile on my face because you know what? I LOVED IT!! I love running! I love being on a team and supporting my teammates! And I was going to finish the LA Marathon!
Coach Josh and I at Mile 24.5
I turned onto Ocean Avenue and picked up the pace. I looked for my family and Ben and waved as I ran to the finish. I was in full sprint when I hit the finish line and was so proud of myself and my effort. I instantly broke into tears. I sobbed while getting my finisher medal and sobbed while walking circles trying not to cramp up. I finished the LA Marathon in a respectable 4:57.41.
Mile 26!
Sprinting towards the finish!
Sobbing just moments after I finished. SO PROUD!!
Two-thirds of the GOT Crew!
Thank Yous....
My family is the best cheer squad a girl could ask for. Getting up early, driving all around Los Angeles just to see me for brief periods before it's back in the car and driving to another location. They cheered me at miles 6, 11, 17, and the finish. A big thank you to Ben for his support and guidance over the last 22 weeks, for allowing me to cry when my foot was holding me back, and for pushing me when I needed a kick in the ass. Thank you for being all over that course and popping up in so many spots I lost count of how many times I saw you. Thank you to Jen, Linda, and Kelly for their signs and cheers. Thank you to my family and friends who sent messages of encouragement and support the night of and day of.
Thank you to Orange Mud for getting me set for the warm temperatures and my fueling needs on the course. Didn’t have one issue!
I am grateful and thankful for the input, guidance, and support of the coaches and mentors of Team NutriBullet. I am honored to have been on this team with so many great people and proud to call them my teammates. I hope I made them just as proud. "Thank you" doesn't come close to showing my appreciation for the last 22 weeks.
Cold, Hard Facts:
Finish Time 4:57.41
Average Pace: 11:11/mile
Average Heart Rate: 158 bpm
Calories burned: 2,631
I am impressed by my negative mile pace:
Mile 22- 12:17 (stopped 3 times for photos with supporters of mine) :)
Mile 23- 12:03
Mile 24- 11:47
Mile 25- 10:24
Mile 26- 9:42
Last 0.62 (yes my watch recorded 26.62 miles)- 9:19
The Day After...
I am sore today and I knew I would be. With a foot injury that took almost 6 weeks to heal, I was not in the shape I had wanted for this race. But that being said, I am recovering very well for not being able to run for almost 6 weeks.
I went for a bike ride today to spin out the legs and will continue taking walks (plus more biking) until I can walk without looking funny. Enjoy this video, I feel all of their pain, especially the man trying to get onto his motorcycle.
As I have often said, until next time.....