LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k 2019

Saturday 2/16
Although they have race day packet pick-up, I always come out to Chinatown on Saturday to take care of it. Per the usual, instead of driving all the way there, I drove out to the Sierra Madre Villa Station to take the Metro Gold Line. It only took about 30 minutes to arrive at the Chinatown Station.

From the Metro station, I walked over to the Chinatown Central Plaza. The packet pick-up was really quick. They gave me my bib, a drawstring bag, and a pink 'year of pig' t-shirt.

Schedule

Bib pick-up

Race shirt

After that, I got in the carbo-load line. It was the usual little portion of chow mein in a take-out container and a fortune cookie. They didn't have a seating area nearby, so I had to walk around a bit to find a spot to sit down. Eventually I found a bench to sit down near the Bruce Lee statue. I ate the chow mein and the fortune cookie before walking around to check out the vendor booths.

Carbo Load

Bruce Lee

"Seize from every moment its uniqueness."

During my walk around the plaza, I picked up a few bottles of drinks: coconut water, Monster energy drink, and a Suja organic probiotic fruit juice drink. I also came across Burgerlords which made the claim that they have Chinatown's #1 hamburger. They're probably the only burger joint in Chinatown, but I think next year, I'll give them a try.

Expo haul

Chinatown's #1 Hamburger

After I was done walking around and visiting each of the vendor booths, I hopped back on the Gold Line to get back to my car. Along the drive back home, I stopped at the McDonald's at the corner of Fairway Dr and Colima Rd to pick up lunch. However the parking lot was completely full as it shared the same lot as the 168 Market. It took me a while to even exit that lot! I drove further down Colima to my usual McDonald's near the 57 freeway. I put my order in with the mobile app. I ordered a Quarter Pounder with cheese and a Filet-o-fish with their 'buy 1 at regular price and get a second sandwich for 25 cents' deal. However when I tried to check-in, it was having issues and told me to see an employee. I thought it would be best to just cancel the order and place my order at one of their kiosks. As I was done placing my order, the employee calls out that a mobile order was ready. There wasn't anyone there claiming the food, so I peaked inside the bag to find that it was my order. Shortly thereafter I got my second order. I came out of there with twice the food that I wanted! I made sure to eat less for dinner. :)

Sunday 2/17
I drove out to the Sierra Madre Villa Metro Station and arrived at about 6:30 am. After I went through the turnstile, I bumped into a few of my brother's friends. They were also running the race, but was waiting for another person to show up before they got on the train.

I got there in time for the opening ceremonies which included the lighting of the firecrackers. I bumped into Marathon Mitch and watched it with him. Once the firecrackers were lit, it was super loud and very smoky! As soon as the smoke started blowing our way, I quickly moved out of the way of the smoke.

Light the firecrackers

So loud and so much smoke!

I watched the start of the 5k run which started at 8 am. It was pretty cool to see the 1st place male and female come flying through for the finish line. The runner that would've been 2nd place male actually stopped at a timing mat just a few meters before the finish line. By doing so he was passed by the runner behind him instead putting him in 3rd place. Well, at least he still made the podium.

5k 1st male

5k 1st female

It was then followed by the 5k walk at 8:30 am. This kind of baffled me and my friend. The 10k race was scheduled to start at 8:45 am and that definitely didn't give the last walker time enough to keep the course clear when our race started. As the start of the 10k approached, I went to go use a portapotty one last time before getting into the corral. I got near the front so that I didn't get stuck behind any walkers.

Where's Waldo?

I wasn't sure how fast I could run this hilly course this year. All I wanted was to finish in under 50 minutes. Roughly the first half of the course would gradually get steeper and steeper before it becomes a fast downhill run down to the finish line. Unfortunately my legs and lungs weren't quite in shape to handle the climb, so I had to resort to walking at about 1.5 miles into the race. My legs felt dead and heavy! I took about 7 walk breaks before I reached the peak. Then it was off to the races! I was able to crank out mile 4 in about 6:58 min without much effort. I couldn't run the next two miles as hard as there were some rollers that slowed me down.

Finish: 50:20
Click here for my Garmin data.

Relive 'LA Chinatown Firecracker 10k'

I was a little bummed that I didn't break 50 minutes even with the course being a bit short. However I was glad that my left foot and ankle didn't feel like it was going to fall apart during any part of the race.

After receiving my medal, I continued through the finisher chute where I picked up a bottle of water, a bottle of Aloe water, a GoGo squeeZ Applesauce, an apple, and a fortune cookie. After I ate the apple and the fortune cookie, I waited near the end of the finisher chute so I could give my friend my free beer ticket. It was cool that I bumped into a bunch of familiar faces while waiting. It was nice to catch up with my friend for a little bit before I hopped back on the Gold Line to head on home.

Finisher medal

"Newer isn't always better."

Next year, the zodiac goes back to the beginning with the year of the rat. God willing, I plan on running it 12 consecutive years for a full zodiac cycle.

Palm Desert Half Marathon 2019

Saturday 2/9
The drive was much better heading down the 15 freeway from Vegas to Palm Desert for half marathon number 2. The drive took about 4.5 hrs nonstop. I rolled into Cathedral City at a little before 5 pm. It wasn't until I was almost at my destination that I finally realized that I had left my running shorts hanging behind the bathroom door back at the hotel in Las Vegas! That was a bit of a bummer as it was one of my favorite pairs. Oh well, I guess you always lose something whenever you go to Vegas! :)

I was staying at the Travelodge on E Palm Canyon Dr in Cathedral City. It actually looked a bit like a creepy motel in your typical horror movie. I was tired and it was only for one night, so I shrugged it off. After checking in and picking up my keys from the front desk, I hauled my stuff from the car up to my room on the second floor. Everything looked okay, but pretty much everything in the room was starting to show its age. One of the tiles near the bathroom was loose.

I then walked over to the nearby McDonald's to pick up a quick dinner. Once again I used the mobile app to order two Quarter Pounders with cheese with the 'buy 1 at regular price and get a second one at 25 cents' deal. I took them back to my room to eat.

McDonald's

Quarter Pounder with cheese x2

After I finished my burgers, I laid out my flat runner while watching some TV before going to sleep. While I was trying to sleep, I could smell marijuana. None of the windows were open, so it must have been coming through the air conditioning wall unit. It looked like the folks downstairs were listening to some music while getting baked. Thankfully they weren't out there smoking too long.

Flat runner

Sunday 2/10
It was still pretty dark when I rolled into the Palm Desert Civic Center Park a few minutes before 6 am. Per the instructions, I entered from Fred Waring Dr, turning left on the 1st street after San Pablo Ave. I found a parking spot near the start line and was looking for the race packet pick-up location. A couple of us had to ask the guys setting up the start line for the location. It was in the gazebo just past the lake. After picking up my bib and long sleeve race shirt, I went back to my car to stay out of the chilly morning air.

Race shirt

While waiting in my car, I noticed that there was a lack of parking directions. A lot of the drivers were frustrated and some were panicking, not knowing where to go. Eventually they did station someone near the entrance to help direct the drivers.

As the start of the race approached, I got my stuff ready and headed back to the gazebo area to use the restrooms. The park restrooms weren't opened yet, but they had set up a small row of portapotties. Thankfully I was there early enough as the line grew very quickly! I bumped into a bunch of familiar faces as I headed back to the start line.

Start line

My friends Dan and Karen

Latino Heat and Scott

I started the race at a much better pace that I had anticipated. I felt very in control through the first 8 miles. However this race did not end very well. I started laboring during mile 9 and it just got progressively worse. After getting to mile 11, I had trouble running in a straight line. I was getting dizzy every time I tried to run. I could tell that I was having electrolyte issues, but my handheld bottle was empty and I didn't bring any salt tabs. I had to keep alternating between walking and jogging in those last 2 miles to avoid passing out and falling over. Thankfully I was still able to finish in under 2 hrs despite one epic bonk!

Almost at finish line. Photo from Latino Heat

Finish line

Finish: 1:58:40
Click here for my Garmin data.

Relive 'Palm Desert Half Marathon'

I don't run too many half marathons back to back, but it was good to know that I could still put out a good effort in the second half marathon. However if I choose to do another double, I'll remember to bring a salt tab or gel of some sort to prevent another epic bonk.

I hung out with a couple of my friends while eating some orange slices and a banana. I wanted to make sure I was okay before I started heading home. Before heading out, I gave away my free beer ticket to random race participant.

Medal and post race snacks

Before hopping on the freeway, I stopped by a Chevron gas station on Bob Hope Dr to fill up the gas tank. During the drive home, I actually drove through a little bit of a rainstorm near the Riverside area.

Fill 'er up!

Inaugural Vegas Golden Night Morning Half Marathon 2019

Friday 2/8
As soon as I got off of work, I made the drive up to Las Vegas. There was a ton of traffic especially on the 91 getting over to the 15 freeway. I didn't roll into Las Vegas until about 8:30 pm. Before heading to the hotel, I stopped at a nearby Chevron to fill up the gas tank. There was a McDonald's conveniently located right next to it. I was able to kill 2 birds with 1 stone.

This fancy McDonald's even had chandeliers! I used the mobile app for a deal to get 1 Quarter Pounder with cheese at regular price and a second one for 25 cents. It was essentially the same as their $5 mix and match deal. I noticed that they had updated their app. You now can only use 1 deal per hour. :(

Chandeliers!

For this one-nighter, I stayed at the Baymont by Wyndham Hotel just South of the Strip. While checking in at the front desk, the employee gave me a welcome bag which had a couple of tea bags and 2 water bottles. I'm a platinum Wyndham Rewards member and I thought only diamond members received a welcome amenity. I was carrying so much stuff that I had forgotten my food at the counter. I didn't realize that I had forgotten my food until I was on the elevator up to my floor. I rode it right back down to go get my food. The person that checked me in was already arranging to have someone deliver the food up to my room.

Welcome amenity

Goldfish in the AC unit!

After I got settled in, I ate my two burgers and was ready to hit the hay. Before doing so, I laid out my flat runner to make sure I had what I needed for tomorrow's race. I brought along the rest of my Tailwind powder to finish off.

Quarter Pounder with cheese x2

Flat runner

Saturday 2/9
I woke up and started getting ready to head over to Sunset Park for the race. While getting ready, I caught parts of the Fulham vs. Manchester United match.

Fulham vs Man United

Once I pulled into the parking lot, I was a bit surprised to see that the lot was already full of cars with people milling about near the starting area. After parking the car, I went over to pick up my bib and race shirt. Since it was a pretty chilly morning, I hurried back to my car.

Race shirt

As the start of the race approached, I finally got my stuff in order and got out of the car to use one of the portapotties before heading over to the start. It was no time before I bumped into a bunch of familiar faces... the usual suspects.

Start line

Miss Nevada

The race started at 7:30 am. It was cold enough that I started the race wearing my gloves. I started off running okay, but I started having breathing issues during the 3rd mile. I decided to pull over and walk. After taking 2 walk breaks, I was able to get going again and was able to run pretty well the rest of the way. I actually ran well enough that I almost finished sub 1:50.

Finish line

Finish: 1:50:12
Click here for my Garmin data.

Relive 'Las Vegas Golden Night Morning Half Marathon'

I don't usually like to run loop courses, but it was nice to see familiar faces throughout the race. After getting my finisher medal but before going up the ramp to the snack table, I first went to my car to get my jacket and to put on my cargo shorts. I waited around to see a couple of my friends cross the finish line before leaving so I could take a shower and check out of the hotel.

Medal and post race food

Post race friends

After a quick shower, I packed up my stuff and checked out. I wanted to start my trip out to Palm Desert as soon as possible, but first I had to eat lunch at the nearby Cracker Barrel. This location is perpetually busy. It was about a 30 minute wait for a table. As with everyone else, I perused their eclectic merchandise while waiting for my name to be called.

Golden Knights merchandise

Once I was seated, I ordered their Country Boy Breakfast with the sirloin steak and some coffee. Man, that was a lot of food! After I ate everything and paid my bill, I started the drive down to Palm Desert for another half marathon tomorrow.

Country Boy Breakfast