I left home for Dodger Stadium a little bit later than I had planned. So when I rolled up to my usual Chevron gas station to fill up my tank, it was really crowded. I drove further down the street to another nearby Chevron where their gas cost a little bit more and was able to snag the last available pump. Was everybody's tank empty all at the same time? After that it was pretty smooth sailing up to Dodger Stadium. I took my normal route, 60 West, 101 North, 110 North, exit Dodger Stadium. Per the race instructions, the Downtown Gate would not be open for the expo, so I made a left on Stadium Way and entered through the Sunset Gate. The parking attendants and signs directed us up to the Top Deck where parking was a tad disorganized and chaotic.
Packet Pick Up at the Top Deck
First I picked up my bib on the first base side and went over to the third base side to pick up my shirt. I wasn't liking this year's shirt. It was black and didn't have nearly enough blue. Included in the race packet was a small tube of sunscreen. After I got my stuff and was ready to head out, I was spotted by my friend. We have been running a lot of the same races in the past several years and it has been uncanny the way we would run into each other at expos and races without any prior planning.
Front side
Back side
Race packet sunscreen
I got back into my car and drove down to Disneyland for a day at the parks. I always like to get to the park coming off of the 5 freeway so I can take the ramp directly into the Mickey and Friends parking structure. I didn't stay too long. I thought about staying long enough for the Monsters After Dark version of the Guardians of the Galaxy ride, but decided to leave that ride for tomorrow.
When I got home, it was time to lay out my flat runner. Since the bib was the shape of a baseball, I thought it would be fitting to wear my Star Wars night Dodgers shirt with BB-8 on it.
Flat runner
Sunday 10/1
Just as the last several years, I drove up to the Downtown Gate just off of the 110. I got there about 15 minutes before 6 am and there were already several lines of cars parked there waiting to get in. Everything was per the usual until it got closer to 6 am which was the published time that they would open the gates. In the final instructions, it said that the Downtown Gate would be open on Sunday, but Stadium Security rolled up and motioned for all of us to turn around and head over to the Sunset Gate.
Once I parked the car, I got myself ready and headed to the pavilion area to use the restrooms before heading to the starting corral. I noticed that for this year, they had more backdrops for people to use in their pictures. I ended up talking to a friend that was working a booth a little before going inside the corral.
The corral was pretty empty with less than 30 minutes before the start of the race. I thought that that was a bit strange. Shortly thereafter, the race announcer got on the mic and beckoned the 10k participants to make their way into the starting corral. Eventually I bumped into my friend that I saw at the expo.
Empty corral
A few moments before the start of the race, they brought to the stage some of the Dodger alums of yesteryear. This year they brought out Al Ferrara, Kenny Landreaux, and Mickey Hatcher. Then with the singing of the national anthem, it was time to run a challenging 10k around Dodger Stadium!
Dodgers alums Al Ferrara, Kenny Landreaux, and Mickey Hatcher
From what I could remember, the course remained the same. The first mile was a steady climb up to the Top Deck. I went out a bit too fast as my legs felt like rubber when I got up there. With this rolling course, any long climb would be followed by a downhill section. It would be best if you got in some hill training before running this race. I focused on running with a constant effort throughout the rest of the race. I was even able to muster up a decent sprint during the final stretch. It was good to be able to maintain what averaged out to be a 8:30 min per mile pace for the 10k. I'm definitely slowly building back up my endurance. Also thank goodness the morning temps weren't as hot as previous years!
Can you find me?
Photo from Mickey Williams Photography
I'm one of the runners in the background
Photo from Mickey Williams Photography
Finish: 52:42
Click here for my Garmin data.
After crossing the finish line, I got my medal from Mickey Hatcher. I thought that was pretty cool. He was so happy to do so. After getting my medal, I got some post race snacks and drinks. I walked over to the pavilion area and found a spot to put down my stuff so that I could enjoy my apple before heading home. I didn't take the cool down walk around the warning track this year because I didn't want to walk all the way to my car and back. They only allow you to carry water while out on the track.
Medal and post race snacks
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