Packet pickup began at 7am and that's when I showed up. We were instructed to park at parking lot 4 just north of the Pauley Pavilion. Parking was $11. The race started at 9am so I had time to kick around after picking up my bib and shirt. Before walking back to my car, I stopped by the new John Wooden statue. Along the way, I saw that the Bruin Bear was boxed up and "hibernating".
Rivalry weekend is upon us!
Start/Finish line
Supporting team USC
John Wooden was a great teacher of character
The race
I started the race somewhere near the middle of the starting corral. It was a mess. Obvious slowpokes and walkers were crowding the front. I ran comfortably hard for the first mile zigzagging through traffic. The hills came early and often. My lungs started to burn as I pressed the pace a little on the second mile. Then I started to feel my lack of fitness and the niggle in my right ankle come into play. I could not speed up on the downhills. The right ankle just felt weak. On the final stretch, I eked out a sprint because I felt footsteps closing in.
1: 7:49
2: 7:25
3: 8:03
3.1: 0:26
Finish: 23:44
Post-race
At the finish line a Special Olympian passed out our medals. We were also given a towel and a bottle of water. I was coughing a bit though after the race while enjoying a can of coke. I tried to run progressively faster each mile, but I just could not sustain it on the last mile. My right ankle was getting a bit sore. All in all, I was satisfied with my performance.
There was post-race entertainment provided by the UCLA cheerleaders and band. They also announced the winner of the rivalry run. UCLA swept all three categories. They won with most participants, most donations raised, and 1st team to have 100 finishers. Next year's race with be on USC campus. While going through the race expo, I was able to pick up a UCLA towel for my friend and a free polo shirt.
Post-race entertainment
Running for a good cause, The Special Olympics
After perusing the expo, I got my stuff together and drove over to Tsujita in West LA to eat some lunch as if I just ran a marathon. This place has been heavily hyped by everyone. The lines are long and they start early. I got there about 15 minutes before they opened and I was already the 2nd person in line. They take your order before they seated you so it helps to know what you want ahead of time. They're known for their tsukemen for lunch. But I'm not a fan of dipping noodles, so I got their tonkotsu ramen with hard noodles added ajitama and menma with a spicy tuna bowl. It sure lived up to its hype. The ramen was good. But they run this place like a well oiled machine and you sure felt rushed. As I was leaving there was a huge line of folks ready and eager to be seated.
Tonkotsu ramen with hard noodles added ajitama and menma with spicy tuna bowl
1 comment:
I was intrigued by the title of your blog. Found you via Sandbagger's blog.
I am very excited about the food pictures.
BTW I love steak too
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