My race day started at Santa Monica. At 3:45am, I walked from the hotel to the shuttle pick up station. The shuttle took us to the starting line at Dodger Stadium. After picking up a banana and water, I went to one of the empty expo tents for shelter. Body heat from other runners inside made waiting a bit comfortable.... 3 hrs wait for me. Plastic garbage bags were available in anticipation of rain.
During the starting ceremony, the elite runners, who are from Kenya and Ethiopia, were introduced. Some City officials were also introduced. The Mayor of Los Angeles got the cheers and the former owner of the Dodgers got the boos. At this time runners were taking off their jackets, sweaters and etc. Lots of runners are smart to leave their jackets by the side of the street and some are plain stupid to leave their shits in the middle of the street. All these discarded jackets and etc will be collected and donated to charities.
I joined the 5 hrs group and stayed with the pacer till Mile 23 where my right calf tightened and in pain but no cramp. Fell behind but didn't panic and able to recover and finish strong at the last 2.2 miles.
Course was pretty good, challenging, passing through well known landmarks(Hollywood, China town, Little Tokyo, Beverly Hill, etc.) and lined up with enthusiastic supporters/spectators. Hydration stations at every mile manned by students and entertainment at strategic locations..
Strong gutsy wind greeted runners at Mile 23 and it came at the worst stretch of the run where most runners, like me, are running/walking on determination and guts. A left turn at Ocean Blvd/Highway 1/Route 66, runners were greeted by thousand of spectators and smell and cold breeze from the ocean signaling that the finish line is near. Runners gave all they got (NOT RECOMMEND) and with cheers and motivations crossed the Finish Line.
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| Shore Hotel Lobby. Tired but Happy to Finish Stage 5 of My Journey |
Finish Time: 5:02:10
AG Place: 11 out of 81
Split Time:
10K - 1:10:06
20K - 2:19:27
30K - 3:30:29
40K - 4:46:29
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