Saturday morning, I took the Metro rail down to the LA Convention Center to pick up my race packet. Sometimes I question whether or not it was worth the hassle to save a few bucks by not driving the car into downtown LA. It takes a bit longer taking the Metro and you come across a lot of weird characters along the way.
Once I got off at the Pico Metro station, I started heading over to the Convention Center where I saw an idiot driver park at the curb reserved only for buses. The bus honked and honked, but they took their sweet time unloading everybody. Please learn to drive. If the curb is painted red, please don't park there especially when there is a city bus right behind you!
Anyways once inside, it was pretty much the usual Rock n' Roll race expo but with a bunch of Halloween decorations.
Expo
After picking up my bib and shirt, I made my way through the expo and eventually ended up at the Rock n' Roll section where I would normally sign up for next year's race. However they were not doing that this year because they haven't finalized a new course for next year. This year the course was changed a bit due to the planned upcoming demolition of the 6th St bridge. However the course essentially was the same. They had sent us an email letting us know of the last minute course change.
New route this year
Before leaving, I somehow ended up signing up for the Turkey Trot Los Angeles for $40. They gave me a trucker's hat for signing up. Just as I was about to head out, I bumped into and chatted with one of my friends and his son.
Turkey Trot
Earlier in the week, I received two separate emails telling me that I was to receive extra medals after I finish the half marathon on Sunday. I would receive the Cali Combo medal for running at least 3 (San Diego, San Jose, and Los Angeles) out of 4 of their California races. I would also receive the Roadie medal for running 5 of their races (New Orleans, San Diego, Seattle, San Jose, and Los Angeles). I think this year, I will end up running just enough Rock n' Roll races to break even with the price of the North America Tour Pass.
Sunday 10/25
It would seem that this year, there wasn't as much information given out to runners. There wasn't a whole lot of specifics on the website. I relied on what I knew about the race from having run it in the years past. When I arrived at the starting line area, it took me a while to find the gear check area. I also noticed that there was a huge line of people. I asked someone what that line was for and it was for race day bib pickup. I hope it isn't so long for Las Vegas! The corrals were set up a bit weird this year. The first couple of corrals were shoved into 12th St as if they started setting up the corrals from the back and ran out of room at the front. Another thing I noticed was that they played a recording of the national anthem probably to save money by not having to hire a singer.
Starting line
Once the race was under way at 7 am, the first mile felt good, but a bit too fast for my current physical condition. So I slowed things down for the next couple of miles as the course circled the Coliseum, but it was still a bit too much after having run a marathon double just this past weekend. After mile 4, my right foot was not in good shape. It was hurting in a way that it had never hurt before. I was reduced to a fast uncomfortable jog up Figueroa. Then I made my way up Flower. I found that running uphill was a bit easier on the hurting foot. Running up Flower always gives me fond memories of the old LA Marathon course. Instead of turning and running through the 3rd St tunnel, we ran all the way up to 1st St before turning right. That was a pretty steep climb. After cresting the top of the climb, it was mostly a progressive downhill to a couple of out and backs. I really felt the pain in my right foot on the downhills. On the way back, it was a huge climb heading back up to Hope St. From that point on it was mostly downhill to the finish line near LA Live.
Finish
Click here for my Garmin data.
2015: 2:07:40
2014: 1:47:49
2013: 1:57:16
2012: 2:05:16
2011: 3:21:08
2010: 1:54:33
This was my 6th consecutive year that I've run this half marathon since it was acquired and became part of the Rock n' Roll series. After a rather painful race, I'm not sure if I want to continue running this race. I've only run one decent race here last year and it was still with some discomfort. I think I'd rather give up my legacy status and run the Marine Corps Marathon instead. We shall see.
After getting my finisher's medal, I grabbed a bunch of drinks and snacks before heading over to the gear check area to get my bag that I had checked. I bumped into one of my friends as he had finished just ahead of me. After I got my stuff in order, I walked over to the information booth to get my extra medals. Then I made my way into the beer garden to meet up with my other friends. There was an extra long line just to check ID's.
Forrest Gump!
My friends and I had a couple of Michelob Ultras and waited for Sir Mix-a-Lot to take the stage. I didn't stick around long enough to even hear his popular song, Baby Got Back. I just wanted to get home. I started walking up Figueroa to catch the Metro train at the 7th St/Metro Center station. Along the way, I cheered and encouraged those that were just finishing their race.
Sir Mix-a-Lot
Even with the extra medals, I don't think it was really worth it to risk further injury. I have the New York City Marathon coming up and I'm already kicking myself for getting hurt the weekend before my favorite marathon! I'm hoping that it's nothing serious and that I can recover enough in a week's time to jog it because I'm certainly not going to miss NYC!
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