Just about 10 days until the LA Marathon and I’m not feeling entirely ready. At this point
there really isn’t anything I can do about it but relax and enjoy it for what it is…the opportunity to run through LA streets without getting arrested. December really kind of messed up my training and I was trying to play catch-up in January. Needless to say, I’m feeling a little underprepared going into this race. I’ve done marathons before so I know what to expect. And I’ve done the LA Marathon numerous times, including the first Stadium to the Sea, so this course isn’t entirely a surprise. Hilliness! Lots of hilliness! I know I can finish. I’ve never not finished a marathon and I don’t plan on starting now. If I have to run, walk, skip, jump, or crawl to that finish line, by golly I will! My measly 16 mile long run will just have to do.
In a way, I’m using LA as a training run for something bigger! And quite possibly better! I am gearing up for my first ultramarathon distance! On April 27, I will be lining up to complete the Leona Divide 50K. I was initially supposed to complete my first ultramarathon at the Ray Miller 50/50 last month but well, that didn’t happen. It just wasn’t meant to be. Time to move on, look forward, and get ready for Leona.
However, I wanted to offer my help at Ray Miller so I contacted Keira, the race director (and one of the most awesomest human beings) to see if she needed any volunteers. She
told me she would love to have someone at the finish line to help with the post-race setup so I said of course! It was a lot of fun and having my sister there to help as well made it a lot funner!
Ray’s cookies were for the top finishers.
I was in awe seeing all those runners cross that finish line. Most didn’t even look tired!! I’m sure that won’t be the case for me at Leona. There were all so inspiring. One particular runner really got my attention.
You’ve heard of barefoot running? Well, this runner had no feet at all!!
“Yeah!! I beat everyone. Suckas!”
He was running so fast across the finish line his photo came out blurry, but after he slowed down and was ready to eat, he grabbed his post-race bagel*. He was quite hungry after running 31 miles.
Bagel* time.
He had a bit of inflammation going on so we got him into an ice bath. We tried to get both legs in but they wouldn’t fit. Luckily, the wonderful paramedics were on hand and keeping their eyes on him, just in case he needed some medical attention, but he didn’t.
Chillin’ on an ice cube.
Okay, this is what happens when you have a little green solider, a camera, and some time to kill before the real runners come barreling down the mountain and cross the finish line. Definitely fun times at Ray Miller. 🙂
* Cheerio
