Usually I like to go to the race expo on the first day for a local race. But the guest speakers, Kara Goucher, Deena Kastor, and Josh Cox was going to be there on Saturday. It would turn out that I ended up not waiting for them. I drove to Pasadena and took the Metro rail into downtown. I hate driving to congested places. It would seem that every time that I take the Metro that everyone around me would be either coughing or sneezing. I got off at the Pico station and walked across the street to the Convention Center.
Staples Center from Pico station
Expo time
Say what you will about RnR, they help out a lot of charities!
It seems like the expo has shrunk a bit. But still it was bigger than most. I took a few pictures with Miss California. She was pretty cool. My Rock Legend medal sort of balanced out all the bling she had on. :)
I picked up the usual Sports Beans and Larabars. I actually left the expo not knowing if I was going to show up for the race the next day. I'm only a few races from getting the Rock Idol medal. I don't want to further hurt myself which meant that I would have to walk my races until the injuries heal up. I wasn't very keen on walking a half marathon.
Miss California Noelle Freeman likes my Rock Legend bling
Expo goodies
Race Day
Race morning, I drove again to Pasadena and rode the Metro rail into downtown. Along the way, a couple of us runners was joined by an intoxicated Cyclops just heading home from a party. Apparently he thought he was a weirdo wearing a costume, but little did he know that a lot of runners dress up these days.
Starting line at dark o'clock
I bumped into a lot of my friends at LA Live. I'm really considering joining a running or triathlon club once I'm done being a marathon maniac. I want to run a few quality races before I start to really get old. :)
I used Chick Hearns' table to get my stuff in order before checking my bag at the UPS gear check trucks. After I took a few pictures with my maniac/fanatic friends, I headed over to the portapotties to pee before heading into the corrals.
LA Live, party atmosphere before the race
Chick Hearns
Still taking pictures, I need to go pee!
I first entered corral 11, but then I moved up to 8 because I wanted to see if I can run a little bit. I have not run a single step since the first mile at San Jose. It's been power walking ever since.
Inside the corral
On the Whittier Blvd bridge, now a nice walk back to Downtown
The "Race"
We started off next to Staples Center and headed south towards USC. We took a lap around the Coliseum. Then it was up north back to Staples Center and on to the 3rd St tunnel. Then we went up to the Whittier Blvd bridge before making a u-turn and heading back to LA Live.
The final mile was pretty much all downhill. That really exposed my injury. I could not even walk very fast. I uncomfortably jogged on the red carpet to the finish line.
1: 12:28
2: 14:45
3: 14:00
4: 15:18
5: 16:03
6: 14:31
7: 14:44
8: 16:11
9: 16:01
10: 15:27
11: 16:50
12: 15:22
13: 18:01
13.1: 1:29
Finished: 3:21:08 I'm gonna need a do-over next year...
Post-race stuff
I heard a lot of moaning and complaining about the new course, but I loved this course. It went through portions of the old LA Marathon courses. While it's nice to run through affluent parts of LA, I still like to visit the middle/lower class areas in a safe setting. You would love this course if you like out-and-backs.
Bret Michaels is a really good entertainer. Not really my kind of music, but he knows how to work the crowd. I made it back in time to catch a couple of his songs.
Bret Michaels from way across the street
Another one for the collection
I hiked back to the Metro station and took the rail back to my car. I then drove over to Steer n' Ale to eat some comfort food. I had a couple of Pyramid Apricot Ales. They were pretty darn refreshing. Then came the steak... not the fanciest, but it always hits the spot.
Pyramid Apricot Ale, yummy
Super stockyard
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