Originally I was going to stop by Dodger Stadium on Saturday to pick up my race packet as well as to catch the game versus the Giants on DodgerVision where Kershaw would be pitching. Stuff came up, so I didn't go.
I arrived at the Downtown Gate off of the 110 just a little before 6 am. There was already a pretty long line of cars there. Once the clock hit 6, they opened up the gates for us to drive in and park. We were directed to park near the 1st base side almost up to the parking lot across from the top deck. Once parked, I walked over to the parking lot area just outside of the center field bleachers to pick up my race packet. If you have your bib number already from their email, everything goes really quickly. After I picked up my bib and shirt, I stopped by the restroom before heading back to my car to change.
The 10k race started at 7 am, so there wasn't really that much time to waste. I'm guessing that most participants were there for the 5k which started at 9 am. Before heading into the starting area, I bumped into my friend. I had no idea that she was running this race as well. I had just seen her at the Disneyland Paris races. We positioned ourselves in front of the announcer stage. After some last minute pre-race encouragements from a few former Dodgers, it was time to run a 10k.
Matt Luke, Ron Cey, and Dennis Powell
I started the race off feeling pretty good. The course remained pretty much identical to last year's course. If anything changed, I didn't notice. The first half mile was a gradual incline all the way up to the top deck. My legs felt like rubber getting to the top. Thankfully it followed with some downhill as we headed for the Academy Gate. Once on Academy Rd, I had to pull over to the side to take a walk break. That was the first of a total of 11 walk breaks that I took for this race. I basically walked whenever I felt like I was overheating. I didn't want a repeat of last year where I was suffering from heat exhaustion. The course then took me to Stadium Way where I ran up to Elysian Park Dr before looping back onto Academy Dr and headed back to the Stadium. After covering a lot of the final miles in the parking lot with a short portion on dirt roads, it was then a quick downhill run to the finish line.
Finish: 57:01 (9:12)
Click here for my Garmin data.
My goal for this race was to run at a hard effort to see how close I could get to 50 minutes, which is about an 8 min per mile pace. While I didn't get the time that I was looking for, all in all, the race was a good sign that my legs are finally getting better. The same body parts gave me trouble, but not as much. The left foot still got sore as well as the right hip, but I was definitely getting more power out of each leg. I was able to run at a hard effort on the downhills without the fear that my foot would fall off.
After getting my medal, I was then given a large bottle of Hawaiian Spring water, a can of coconut water, a kiwi, and a plastic knife/spoon utensil to eat the kiwi. I can say that that was the first time that I've ever been given a kiwi after a race. I was also given some stickers of kiwi playing soccer and a pair of sunglasses. I had thought about giving some of my swag to a random kid, but most of them were getting ready to run or walk the 5k or kids fun run.
Post race drinks, snack, and swag
After eating my kiwi, I made my way over to the warning track where we were allowed to walk a cool down lap. For me, this part was the best part of the race. I really don't want to run on it during a race, but to take my time and to be able to see the ballpark from the field. Keep in mind that they have grounds crew people watching the field. They don't want you on the grass or even carrying anything besides water when you go inside.
Taking my cool down lap
Back of the medal
After my lap around the warning track, I made my way back to my car and headed on home. I was directed to exit out of the Sunset Gate which took me out to Vin Scully Ave. I turned left on Stadium Way to hop on the 110 South. There was hardly any traffic. It's never this easy getting out of Dodger Stadium after a game! :)
This was my third consecutive year running at this event. I kind of wish that they have a half marathon option, but I'm starting to enjoy running 5k's and 10k's. They're quite challenging to race especially when it's a hilly course. I hope to keep returning each year to support the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation.
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