This event is, was, and always will be special to me. Sometimes you do things in life not knowing where it'll take you. I got into marathon running kind of by accident. It was supposed to be one of those one-and-done-cross-off-the-bucket-list things. After completing a few, one of my friends told me that I should run for some personal cause. I've ran for Team in Training (fight against leukemia and lymphoma), Team Duke (fight against cancer), and Team WorldVision (bringing clean water to people in Africa). They were all worthy causes, but they weren't causes close to my heart. I then met Sam Felsenfeld through the Runner's World forums. Long story short, he wanted to do something about the fight against autism since his son, Jack, is autistic. My younger brother is also autistic and I spent most of my life being his caretaker. I was happy to hear after last year's event that they were going to make it an annual event. So even though I'm slowly returning from an injury, I knew I had to be out there. If it were any other race, I would've skipped it especially with all of the races I have in January right around the corner.
I have been aggressively rehabbing the right ankle to try and be ready for the Goofy's Challenge at Disney World. I have hit rock bottom and am definitely on my way back. But unfortunately none of my rehab consists of running... only weights and bicycling. Nothing can replace actual running.
The Operation Jack marathon had a cut off time of 6 hours. Currently my legs can give me about 5.5 to 6 hours for the marathon, so I figured I'd give it a go. At the very least I would jog the half marathon.
I left for Manhattan Beach at about 5am. I got to the Verandas parking lot at about 6am. I got my stuff ready and walked over to the starting area. Just like last year, there was only race day packet pick up. Everything was very organized. Even though the number of participants increased by about 3 fold, it was still a relatively small race. I bumped into and chatted a little with my friend Jo Jo Starbucks. But he had to get ready to take the early start for the marathon. They had an early start for those needing more than 6 hrs to finish the marathon. They started 45 mins earlier than the normal 7:30am start. I probably should've joined him. Of the two of us, he's currently the faster marathoner.
Starting line area
Packet pick-up
Awesome volunteers!
The nicest and most kind-hearted person that I've ever met!
A lot of my running friends were at this race. After chatting with them and taking a few pictures I had to get ready to run the race. I used the nearby beach restroom and checked in my gear bag. I didn't bring the camera with me for the race. I lined up somewhere in the middle of the pack. I had no clue how much the leg had progressed.
Deo MM#22
Most of the Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics... there were more!
The Race
The first mile was okay, but the right leg felt awkward. Shacky caught up to me and ran with me saying that he wanted to run between 9:30 - 10 min miles. That sounded good to me, but it looked like he took me on a little progression run. After passing the mile 3 marker, I reached my scheduled walk break and I let him go. As I was approaching the Ballona Creek bridge, there was a peloton crossing it. I guess it was good timing for me, as we all know some cyclists act as though they are riding in the Tour de France. By mile 6 on the Ballona Creek bike path, I had seen most of my friends heading back and I was starting to really fatigue. Mile 7 included my second walk break. My right leg started to fall apart. I started to feel discomfort in my right knee and hip. I've done some conditioning but the body was just not used to the pounding. Starting at about mile 10, two blisters developed on my right arch. It felt like I was stepping in glass. That's one of the main reasons why I hate running near the beach. Sand inevitably gets into my shoe and causes blisters. I walked here and there to ease the discomfort in my right leg. Around mile 12, I had decided that I would drop out, so I attempted to pick up the pace and get it over with sooner rather than later. The finish line was very narrow and somewhat confusing. The good volunteers kept attempting to turn me around for another loop. But I had to keep telling them that I was dropping out. :)
1: 9:39
2: 9:31
3: 9:20
4: 10:46
5: 9:34
6: 10:16
7: 12:58
8: 10:43
9: 11:51
10: 13:18
11: 13:46
12: 13:35
13.1: 12:11
Finish: 2:27:18
Gun time: 2:27:40
Post-Race
I got the nice dog tag medal for completing the half marathon. I skipped all of the post-race food table. I usually have no appetite after a race. Instead I drank the rest of the Powerade in my handheld and got my gear bag. I got my nice cotton race shirt. I prefer cotton. I wish more races would give out cotton race shirts. I have way too many polyester blend tech shirts. I don't like wearing tech shirts other than for running and I actually do stuff besides running. I then stuck around chatting with my friends that finished the half marathon. I cheered on and took pictures of finishers. I stuck around until it was time for lunch.
Shirt, medal, and bib
Dianasaur and Steph
Maniac 4546
The always colorful Ed
Jenny finishing her first marathon!
Deo finishing 52 marathons in 365 days!
Ed cheering in the runners
Noel
David
For lunch I had originally planned to eat a nice burger at Four Daughters Kitchen. When I got to my car, I planned on getting an In-n-Out buger. But as I got on the freeway, I ended up driving over to Torrance to eat at the Mitsuwa food court. I ate a chicken katsu plate at Katsuhana. My comfort food. :) Oh how I wish I lived closer to Torrance.
Later that evening, I caught a channel 7 news piece on the race. How awesome is that?! I love this race and I hope you will join me next year as a runner or a volunteer!
Katsuhana - chicken katsu
Here's the new piece on ABC7.
I hope you will join me next year!
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