I did it! I competed in, and finished my first "official" event. Last weekend I ran in the Los Angeles Marathon 5K run! This was my test to see if I liked running in an organized event and I could do it without looking like a moron. I was also a water volunteer in the "Big Race" at mile 19. Let me summarize my experience for you.
In order to complete this race, which was just a brief training distance at this point in my training, I had been doing some extra mileage and hill training. Well, at this point my body got wind of this whole marathon concept, apparently, you cannot go from being a non-athlete to a "super-athlete" (sort-of) without consulting your body. So, I took a few days off to rest a sore knee, then my first day back at training I suddenly experienced a pain in my heel that reminded me of giving birth. Of course I finished that run but the next day when I couldn't even stand on that foot, I had to seek medical advice. Nothing broken just a torn fascia thing in my foot. I guess it's this muscle thing that runs under your foot. Medical advice, stay off of it for a few weeks. What I hear, run the 5K, then see a specialist and rest it a bit.
So race day morning, I limp downtown to the starting line with my guys. There was excitement in the air. People stretching, warming up, eating protein supplements and such. Get ready, Get set, oops every one takes off in a large heard! So I ran, not very fast, but amazingly it hurt less to run than walk. There were people lined up all the way cheering, volunteers giving out water and even a gospel choir singing. I knew I would fall behind the guys due to my foot and I didn't bring my I-pod so I found myself making up running themed commercials for all of the fast food restaurants as I ran by them. Pretty soon I was running ole' past McDonald's, running for the border, running with Jack, etc. Before I knew it there was the finish line, I was greeted with my medal and cheers from my team just like I had completed the marathon not a 5K. We posed for pictures and then I limped over for my free banana and nuts!
Everyone treated us like we were Olympic athletes, and some people looked like they had just run 50 miles when they reached the finish line. My favorite competitor had to be the woman who was complaining as she jogged, lighting and smoking cigarette after cigarette. I guess the race coordinators never thought to post no smoking signs along the route!
Now we were off to volunteer at water stop 19, I couldn't wait to see what someone looks like at mile 19, I'll save that for my next post!
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