Los Angeles Marathon 2011-my version

Sunday, March 20th of 2011 was the day that thousands of runners won't forget and so as hundreds of spectators as well as volunteers. We were prepared to run the race but never prepared to run  26.2 miles in  torrential rain

We got up at 4:30 am. Most of our stuff were ready the night before. Our clothing for change after the race was packed. Our meds, credit card, a little bit of cash, medical card  all fitted in tiny little pouch that we tie up to our waists, were ready. By 5 am the taxi arrived to take us to the Dodger Stadium. I didn't get to take photos of me preparing for the race but I kept it in the safety box in my heart and what memory chip I have.

Taxi dropped us off where we wanted to be dropped off. We walked up to the stadium. It was very windy and cold, but I had my spirit so high that it didn't bother me. How funny because, when I get chilled, I complain and whine and you  will be annoyed if you are hearing me..LOL.. hey, just being honest cause that is what hubby said.The walking up the hill was at least 15 minutes. We both had our old shoes on since it was a bit raining. We changed it when it was time for us  to stand in the line and tossed it to the pile of shoes by the corner.

Before the race, tons of people were hiding from the cold wind in the Dodger Stadium including us. I didn't take any camera since it was going to rain and I wouldn't have time to take photos anyways. Gladly to see those pro photographers from the Marathon. There's a whole bunch of them walking around taking pictures and certainly they took ours too.

Too much excitement I felt when standing by the crowd. It was something I will not forget, since I really wanted to do and it  was my very first time. While standing in the crowd, I started to get rid of my extra belongings . I gave this lady my extra gloves I brought and my raincoat. Hubby tossed his away. The lady was happy to have the raincoat and gloves and I was happy that she was happy..hehehe.

Off the gun went and tons of excited people started pounding on the ground. Hubby and I and the rest of the crowd jogged it since you can't really run with elbow to elbow people plus a lot of clothing, debris on the ground. Had to be really careful not stumble with the debris. We passed the starting line at maybe 4 minutes into the jogging and the road opens up. We are now out of the coral. After a quater of a mile passed the starting line, I looked over to my left side saw bunch of guys peeing on the side of the little mountain and I thought to myself, what the heck are those people doing there. They must have drank a lot of liquid while standing and waiting and didn't get to the restroom before the gun went of.. it was funny sight I must say, something I wasn't expecting to see..

As soon as we passed the starting line, that is when the rain started to come down. I kissed hubby and said " I will see you at the finish line" and off he went.

Passed a lot of people standing with their umbrellas giving the runners uplifting words. Some runners replied back with "thank yOu's". A lot of volunteers amazed me of how dedicated they were standing there by the side with umbrella, wet clothes, giving encouraging words. In my mind seeing them, "I must crossed the finished line".  I really felt happy even though it was pouring and cold and just soaked. I had not one moment thinking regreting in running it. I cried many times during my run thinking a whole lot of things that had happend in my life. It happend for a reason. I had been through hell and back and this is physically challenging. At 46 yrs and only this time have I done something physical that I'm very proud of. What if my body gave up on me , I will not finish, and thought of my kids and husband and my family back home that I supported financially. If I passed out on the ground what will happen to them.. so many funny thoughts but that's what keeping me pounding on the ground even harder.

That is my friend, Sally in gray coat having a nice smile even though it was windy and cold. That is what I call dear friend. She's standing with my son Matthew, her son Mason in red sweater, her middle child, Noah in front of the camera and the one that's busy texting is my first born, Geri.

I thought of calling my friend to tell her not to come since the rain is really hard. I thought of her and my kids also while running. I said to myself, if they are here, I must cross the finish line for their hard work to be worth while. I need to make them proud and so pounding on the concrete I kept. 5:37 hours later I crossed the  finish line. I found out that hubby's time was 3: 37 hours. The man was flying..hehehe. So that means he was shivering with my kids and my friend in the "family meeting" tent with tons of people waiting for their loved ones to arrive from the race.

I've used some of my energy gel maybe total of 5. A bottle of Gatorade (12 oz) I consumed at 15 mile. From then on, I grabbed a small cup of water every other mile. With the rain, I didn't need that much of liquid. Funny thing is, I didn't have to use the restroom until I got home. I guess that energy gel liquid that Herb bought at the expo was the best. I started taking it from mile 6 and every hour from then on. It was an absolute help to get through the finish line without having too much cramps.

http://youtu.be/bzzuOPr2KoQ   click on that link and will take you to some video of the marathon.


http://youtu.be/OD7fHIVPvow
The rain didn't stop. My hardest part was at almost the finish line where it was blowing hard wind with the hard rain. I thought I was going to be blown away to the side of the street and will take time to get to the finish line but luckily I stood up pretty good. As I passed the finish line, I somehow wanted to sit down but had to find my family and friends that are waiting for me somewhere. I didn't turn on my cell phone since it was pouring rain. I walked about maybe another mile and a half to get to the place where I could retrieve my checked -in bag to get dressed. As I was standing in the line, I decided to turn on my cell phone so I can make phone calls. I kind of hide my cell under that plastic bag I got when I crossed the finish line. As I was making a call, hubby tapped me on my back. He got my bag already. So to the portapottie I stood in line. After 10 long minutes waiting for my turn, I got in. Trying to get undress was a work plus getting dress with wet body was a real workout., frustrating and annoying . My whole body was shaking. The phone was ringing. Someone was knocking on my door asking me how long more am I gonna be in there. But all in all, I got through it and came out, partly wet again. My body just didn't want to stop shaking. I guess when you are not exerting energy, you really get cold quickly and shiver forever since it was really windy and pouring rain. Oh was I ever so happy to see my friend gave me a big hug. She helped me put another jacket on me since I was disoriented. My kids came hugging me and trying to keep me warm.

It was an exhilarating moment for me for sure. I will do it again.

That is me in purple with blue cap to the left of the photo, smiling, well I really was..

I just passed the finish line and my arms were so tired to lift it up higher..

This is my favorite photos of my buddy, Herb. I now have my very own Sports Illustrated magazine for life. Hahaha.

You can see the rain pouring on this photo but amazingly, tons of runners kept going to finish the race.

Big smile. This is his second marathon. But this one is a memorable one for both of us since we did it together and trained together. I just couldn't keep up with him.

My daughter took this photo of us. I was just going to slammed myself on the couch after I showered but she insisted because the moment is fresh and can't be turn back. Looking back, she's absolutely right. I'm glad she was there for me to tell me what to do. I just didn't have energy to even think of anything. Herb on the other hand, put away the wet stuff, cleaned my mess and ordered pizza for the dinner.

I am so proud of her also for coming to the race by herself and waiting soaked with the rest of the spectators.

My day was absolutely filled with happiness, gratitude, appreciation for thousands of volunteers who were committed for the day, blizzard or sun, they were there helping out or just simply yelling and giving the runners a boost.