The G Running Diary

The Spectacle: 3/15/04

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I hadn't run a road marathon in a long time. So, Don and I decided to run the LA Marathon. We ran it in 2000, in pouring rain that flooded street intersections. This time we managed to get the opposite type of weather. The other attraction was the LA Marathon Expo. Because the marathon attracts about 20,000 runners, the expo is a pretty big deal. I thought it would be good for ZombieRunner business. And there were some running items I needed that are good to buy at marathon expos, like sunglasses and a watch. (I didn't find a watch though.) We drove down 101 to LA, stopping overnight in some place south of Pismo Beach. We spent a while at the expo, enjoying a little talk with Denise Jones. Ben and Denise are two of my heroes for everything they've done for Badwater, and because they are just great people.

We were staying at an Econo Lodge that, when I booked it, seemed to be in a fairly convenient location. The rate was only $48, which was good, but meant that it probably wasn't the best place to stay. We found a great Thai place within walking distance. The food was excellent, nice and spicy. The only real problem we had was that the charter buses parked outside started up their engines at 5am on race day and sat there a while. So much for our luxurious sleeping in before the race. The marathon started at 8:30. That is late for us.

The crowds made me feel a little claustrophobic. We shuffled slowly toward the front, or I guess away from the back. We didn't get anywhere near the front. We figured on some time between 4:30 and 5:00. Pavement is hard. We saw pace groups for 4:50 and 5 hours ahead of us. They seem to line up too far ahead and go out too fast. With the playing of "I Love LA" the marathon began. Most people were smart enough to start running only after they had passed the chip timing mat, although some were running in place immediately.

The weather was warm already--about 70 at the start, I think. Don didn't even need a jacket. This was a big contrast to the recent weather we'd been having with some of the coldest storms ever. I was happy with the heat, at that point. There were many many volunteers. The water stations came up fast. They were at every mile. I started to remember my pattern for these runs. For the first hour things would be difficult as I tried to find a rhythm. Then from one hour in through three hours, I'd feel great because everything would be moving smoothly. After three hours, things would start to feel bad again as fatigue set in and the run became harder.

I noticed many people drank a whole bunch of water immediately before the start. So, at every set of portapotties along the way (and there were a lot), there was always a line of people waiting. What patience! I knew I'd have to go eventually. Unlike trail runs, there weren't any good places to just go. Finally, I came to a set of portapotties with no one waiting. Don said, "Oh no," thinking I was going for a lengthy stop, but I knew I'd be quick.

I admired the volunteers for standing out in the heat for so long. There were lots of spectators along the way. It was fun to wave to them sometimes. Other times I just ran. One hard thing about the marathon is that it is a lot of people. You are constantly stepping around people and changing course. You can't run a straight line for very long. I felt like I was constantly passing people from the start. I suppose that's good for inspiration, but can get frustrating. A lot of people know to take walking breaks. That is also good, but not when they do it as a group of ten, and block the road.

As I expected, by three hours I wasn't feeling too good. In fact, I was feeling worse than I expected. I figured I needed more salt, and kept taking Endurolytes, also being aware that the GU I had and some Gatorade would give me some sodium. I mostly just felt dehydrated and slightly nauseous. No wonder. A bank sign said 93 degrees! It definitely felt like it. At every aid station I drank a cup of water and poured one on my head. In neighborhood areas, spectators brought out their hoses and were spraying the runners. I started to notice more paramedics, and runners off to the side of the course, sitting, trying to stretch out a cramp, or even lying down. I only saw one runner throw up. I saw a girl who I had noticed earlier. She was collapsing in the arms of a paramedic, weakly calling for Charles. Two hours earlier she had seemed worried and a little frantic. I was sad for her.

We finally turned onto the last road and could see the finish line dead ahead. Usually at this point I would want to sprint. But I felt dusted. I kept running, which was better than many people around me. A lot were walking. I was happy to cross the finish line. It was all over in such a short amount of time really. 4:57:00 was our time. I still felt kind of bad for a bit. I was sunburned and being in the sun made me feel sick. I found shade and suddenly I was all better. Don and I got pupusas and a hot dog and sat on the grass to eat. Food is good.

We eventually found our car (all the parking lots look the same), changed, and headed home. It was a long drive, but turned out to be very pleasant. Driving up 101 is much nicer than I-5. And we still got to have McDonalds!