Even though the 10k was scheduled to start at 7:10 pm, I timed it so that I would arrive at Dodger Stadium at about 4:30 pm. Traffic around the downtown and stadium area is always pretty hairy, so I really didn't want to get stuck in any of it. Just like last year, I entered through the Sunset gate and ended up parking somewhere between lots 2 and 3.
Parking and course map
From there I walked over to the stadium to pick up my race packet. I entered through the left field entrance and followed the signs which directed us in a counterclockwise direction around the field level of the stadium. After locating my bib number range and getting my bib, I continued on to pick up my race shirt and Kershaw bobblehead.
Entering via left field entrance
Bib pick-up
Headed to health & wellness expo
Race shirt
Back of race shirt
Bobblehead
Along the way to the health & wellness expo over in the center field area, we were given a tote bag and a pretty good sized sample bag of Ka'Chava Superfood powder. I didn't spend too much time checking out each vendor booth. However, I did stop by the UCLA Health booth to get a free hand towel. Those always come in handy. I then made my way back to my car to relax a bit before it was time to race.
Tote bag
Sample Ka'Chava Superfood powder
Free hand towel
A little after 5:30 pm, I went back out to use the restroom as well as to catch the start of the 5k which was scheduled for 6:10 pm. I was hoping to spot some of my friends, but I was only there for corral A and they were probably starting in one of the later corrals.
Adrian Gonzalez golden glove
Start line
5k corral
5k Corral A start
At about 6:45 pm, I got queued up in the corral. It was kind of strange that they had set up individual lanes for the start. I went down the lane to the far right where I spotted one of my friends. As I was saying hi to him, someone tapped me on the shoulder. I was sure that it was someone that didn't want me to push to the front. When I turned around, I realized that it was another one of my friends!
10k start line
The start of the 10k was delayed by about 5 minutes. It was pretty dark by the time corral A took off! My friend was concerned with the lighting, so he wore a body lamp. The only tricky part for me was the short section on the dirt trail near the end of the first mile. The rest of the course was on asphalt where you only had to watch out for tree roots that had caused some undulations inside the Dodger Stadium parking lot. For the most part, I ran by feel and took walk breaks to prevent overheating. All of the daily hiking that I've been doing around my hilly neighborhood has made it easier to run the many inclines. As I entered back into Dodger Stadium and approached mile 5, I knew that there would be one more final climb in that last mile. I did not turn on the jets until I got there. It was fun to sprint down that final section to the finish line. I passed almost everyone that I could see except for this one young kid that matched my pace as I approached him.
Here we go!
Finish: 54:14
Click here for my Garmin data.
It was nice to finally be in somewhat better shape. Last year, I finished in 1:02:30, so I'm glad to be making improvements. The Achilles tendinitis was barely noticeable, so I was actually able to put in some decent paces and stay ahead of both of my friends. With all of the out and backs, I knew that they weren't too far behind. After getting my medal, I waited for them. It would turn out that my friends ended up following each other as the one runner had a light source. After getting our post race food and bottle of water, I went with my friend to meet up with his wife and kid. They were at the center field area right before they let us onto the warning track for the post race cooldown.
Finisher medal
Finish line with Omar and Luis
Post race food and water
Diana and Omar
After doing our walk around the warning track, we went our separate ways. I had thought about getting some stadium food, but then decided to just go home and get something else. On the drive home, I stopped at the In-n-Out to pick up dinner. I ordered 2 Double Doubles with onions. The guy taking my order asked if I was going to be eating my food in the car. I said no, but for some reason they still gave it to me in a box. Oh well, no biggie. It was just a short drive home from there.
Double Double with onion x2
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