rock ‘n’ roll l.a. half marathon

These days are just swimming past me so fast!! I just realized it’s been 2 weeks since the Rock ‘n’ Roll LA Half Marathon and I’ve yet to write up my take on this year’s race.

Let me just start out by saying, when I first heard this year’s course was being moved, so that it starts and finishes in Downtown LA, needless to say, I wasn’t entirely thrilled at the idea. Turns out, I really had nothing to worry about, and in the end, I absolutely enjoyed the new course!

Starting in front of the Staples Center (where the Kings, Sparks, Lakers, and Clippers play, well so far, just the Kings are playing), we ran down Figueroa down towards USC and the LA Coliseum, back up Figueroa, headed towards the 6^th Street Bridge, and then finished back about a block away from the Staples Center.

Before the race began, I ran into LA Leggers mentor Liz and my friend Danny. Liz wasn’t running it, but showed up to offer her support and some snacks later on the course with fellow Legger, Naz.

Danny pretty much put on his running shoes that morning and decided to show up. 😉 Just kidding! He’s been training for awhile and was ready to run. I snapped a photo of us together when he was still laughing after I told him I finally found the clock on my Garmin. Yeah, after 3 years of trying to find the clock on my Garmin, I finally found where the time is located. I’m a dork alright. 🙂

Speaking of being a dork, Danny decided to put on both sides of the D-TAG just to make sure the correct one was on his shoe. Oh yeah, and to make sure his shoes matched.

Yeah, that’s not dorky at all. ;)

Runners, start your engines!

Since it was the day before Halloween, many people were dressed up in costumes such as this guy wearing a grass skirt…running the wrong way…

Shortly after starting the race, I ran into Jackie from The Biggest Loser Season 5. At the expo, I snapped a photo of her son Dan. I spotted her and decided to let her know she looked amazing. She told me, “You totally made my day!” You’re welcome Jackie. Okay, so the photo doesn’t quite do her justice, but she looked lovely, and was super nice.

Shortly after chatting with Jackie and snapping photos with her for a few minutes, it was time to take off again. Right then, I saw these fellas wearing these shoes sandals and I was seriously hoping they were only running the Mini Marathon which was only 3.5 miles. My feet hurt just watching them.

“Our shoes come with air conditioning.”

Rock ‘n’ Roll races always provide musical talents along the course, but this guy decided to bring his own tunes. No iPod for him. Just straight up Elvis music for 13.1 miles.

Elvis is alive!!

Okay, what is it with Rock ‘n’ Roll races and this inflatable guitar player??

Umm, this isn’t awkward at all.

I knew going into the race, I was going to look around and maybe I would see something interesting I’ve never noticed before. I’ve been in this area many times, but this was the first time I saw the Los Angeles Swimming Stadium! I never knew LA had a swimming stadium.

“Who knew I was even here?“

After making our way around the the Swimming Stadium and Coliseum, we headed back up where we came from. It was at that time I spotted running speedster and fellow Red Sox fan, Alvin, cheering on the runners.

Alvin: Stop! Stop! You’re running the wrong way!

Me: What??? You’re ruining the sway?

Thanks Alvin for cheering us on!! Next year, Alvin will be out here running with us. 🙂

There were even some “celebrities” participating in this year’s race.

Is that you Shia?

Another thing I noticed was this little gem of a place…The Coffee Bean! See, I knew I would see things along the course I had never seen before! I took a mental note of where it was so maybe at the end of the race I would go back there. That didn’t happen.

See ya laters Coffee Bean.

Fabulous cheering section.

Making our way towards the 6th Street Bridge, we ran through a tunnel and it was probably the coolest part of the race! No, really. The temperature got pretty toasty on this day and the tunnel was the coolest part of the race. 🙂

Just remember, there is a light at the end of every tunnel.

Since there were a couple of U-turns in the new course, I knew there would be opportunities to see people on the other side. I smiled and waved (to the people I actually knew) and at one point, this sign told us to Stop and Watch Opposing Traffic. I really didn’t want to stop so I just glided along and watched the opposing traffic.

The weather was mighty warm and a lot of people, including yours truly, decided to take a few more walk breaks at this time. It was probably the hilliest section of the race. I liked that. There were some inclines but the bridge was by far, the most steep.

Going up the bridge

It was on my way back down the bridge when I began to have a little trouble. It was seriously so warm, I started to get nauseous. I think I may need to experiment with not having any type of sports drink because the Gatorade was getting to me. I’ve never tossed my cookies during a race and I was going to do my best to keep it that way.

Going down the bridge

If anybody has run, walked, or spectated at the LA Marathon, Blue Afro Man is a fixture in the race. I don’t think it actually is the LA Marathon without a sighting of Blue Afro Man. I remember seeing him in my very first LA Marathon back in 2004 and have seen him ever since.

Blue Afro Man!

You’ve got to moove it, moove it. You’ve got to moove it, moove it.

Well, well, well, what do we have here?? It’s Naz and Liz cheering on the Leggers! Oh, I suppose they were cheering on everybody, but really, they were just cheering on the Leggers. 🙂

Thank you Naz and Liz!

And well, well, well, what do we have here? Well, this guy is wearing my favorite number.

It was finally time for the stretch to the finish line. It was the longest stretch, but I was so thankful it was all downhill. I even got me a police escort.

Thanks fellas!

Finish line is that you??

Everybody got the red carpet treatment.

Once I crossed over the line, I was so happy to be done with the race. Not because it was a particularly tough race, but because it was quite warm and all I wanted was to jump in this bucket of ice.

Later on, I met up with my friend, Danny again. Danny is ready for another race…in a few months.

This new RnR LA Half Marathon course was great and took me by surprise! I knew I was going to do my best to enjoy it no matter what and I sure hope they keep it for next year’s race. I would definitely do this one again.

All smiles after half marathon #20 is done!!

Sharing:

Leave a Reply Cancel reply