Marathon

We completed the Twentieth Annual LOS ANGELES MARATHON!!!

On March 6th, I participated in the L.A. Marathon. But I wasn't the only member of the family to participate. My wife, Brittany (my inspiration) ran as well. Brittany's mom, Jayne, and brother, Richard walked the marathon too.

I think Richard participated mostly just to support his mom, but I think he really got into it himself.

There was a huge number of people who participated in the marathon!

At the start, Ali, The Champ himself, was there to encourage the marathon participants

Along the course there were singers and musicians. This gospel choir was one of the earlier groups along the way.

Cheerleaders from around Los Angeles County were on hand to cheer on the runners.

There were lots of celebreties around, such as Halle Berry

As for me, I was inspired by Brittany, who had done the marathon last year. I had fun! My time was good, and would have been even better, except that I stopped and stood on line at the port-o-potties just past the mile 6 marker. Up to that point, Brittany and I had been running pretty much together. Brittany went on ahead, and I caught up with her about a mile later while she was standing in line at the port-o-potties there. I made another pit stop at around mile 20. These stops added several minutes to my final time. The last six miles were really rough! I felt as though I was running in slow motion.

Well, I crossed the finish line at 5:49:54 clock time. My chip time was 5:38:54. The difference comes from the fact that it took more than ten minutes to cross the start line. The official start time was 8:15 AM, but I crossed the start line at 8:25:09. Brittany finished with a final chip time of 5:55:45. Even though her time was good, she didn't have the best race. She had a lot of leg cramping for the 2nd half of the race but still looked strong.

Brittany's brother, Richard slipped on some debris on the road and rolled his ankle. Despite apparently straining a ligament, he still finshed the marathon. In fact, he ran across the finish line. This may have had something to do with the fact that his family was encouraging him on. In fact, his aunt Denise got so caught up in the excitement, that she rushed out onto the course (a big no-no) and ran after Richard.

She even crossed the finish line!

Brittany's mom probably had the best marathon of anyone in the family that day. Jayne just remained steady throughout and finished the marathon as though it were just another training walk.

I'm really proud of my accomplishment and of the family members who shared in the day.

But it wasn't just family who were out there, we had our friends Jenny, Nadia and Glenda among the marathoners too!

Here's Team We Rock! at the Expo

Check out Brittany's Marathon Tips!

L.A. Marathon 2004:

Brittany completed the L.A. MARATHON!!!
(Also known as Brittany's 26.2 mile adventure!)

BEFORE THE MARATHON:

We stayed at the luxurious Wilshire Grand, the Official Hotel of the 2004 L.A. Marathon. There were a lot of marathon participants at the hotel, including the rest of Team "We Rock"!

Emerald Nuts sponsored the Quality of Life Expo the three days prior to the marathon. At the expo, runners checked in and received their bibs, tracking chips and free goodies. Four-hundred exhibitors were at the expo, offering free samples, product demonstrations and things for sale. Brittany and others listened to a presentation by L.A. Roadrunners Coach Pat Connelly on, "Getting More Out of Your Race, A Mile by Mile Walk Through of the Course," which was really good.

TAKING IT TO THE STREETS:

A record 24,532 participants ran in the 19th annual marathon, which took place on Sunday, March 7, 2004. The race began at 8:32 AM. By lunchtime, the temperature had reached the mid-80's. It was the second-hottest Los Angeles Marathon in history!

Brittany's official race bib number was 9797. Because her name was printed on her bib, strangers called her by name as they shouted out encouragement. Plenty of family and friends turned out to cheer her on as well, coming from as close as L.A. and Palmdale and as far away as Hawaii, Wisconsin and Georgia.

The L.A. Marathon is more than just a race, it's a roving street festival. There were thirteen major entertainment centers with community groups performing. Also on the course were over 85 bands and musical groups. Brittany's favorite addition to the L.A. Marathon was the 1,000+ cheerleaders who lined the course to cheer Brittany (and the other marathoners) along.

Course description:
The marathon started at 6th and Figueroa. Mayor Hahn and track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee were on hand to wish the runners a good start. Muhammad Ali joined them, blowing kisses from the grandstand as the runners took off. The course was a scenic loop, which traveled past historical landmarks and through several neighborhoods in culturally diverse L.A., including Koreatown, Exposition Park, the Crenshaw District, Hancock Park, Leimert Park and downtown.

By mile 7, the course moved through Leimert Park, where an African drum troupe pounded out a rythm. Brittany was greeted by family, who took photos and gave kisses.
Miles 13 and 14 brought more family and friends.

Near mile 18, runners encountered a woman calling herself Venus de Midol. She carried a sign, which read, "Free Lap Dances - Runners Only." We didn't see anyone taking her up on her offer, but she said her goal was, "Tempting runners with things they should be doing instead of running."

The official high in Downtown/USC was 87, but ask folks along Olympic Blvd., and they'll all tell you it was a lot hotter than that. By miles 20 - 24, the temperature had really risen and spectators were jockeying for space in the shade, especially along Olympic where family and friends cheered on Brittany through the last few miles of the race.

Brittany's brother, Richard, spotted her again, just before the finish. The cheers of family propelled Brittany across the finish line on Flower Street at 5th, which she crossed with her friend Leah. Final race time was 6 hours, 21 minutes, 11 seconds. They were awarded medals for their completion of the marathon.

To see a simulation of Brittany's running of the LA marathon, go to http://www.lamarathon.com/2004/sportsim.php and put in her bib number (9797). You can see the other members of Team "We Rock," too. Just search by name or bib number.

To view photos from the marathon, go to the photo album on this site or see official photos at http://www.marathonfoto.com/

FINAL NOTE:
These marathons are largely mental, so you have to watch what you say around the runners.
Here are the top five things NOT to say to Brittany, or any other runners, during the race:
#5 - "You've still got a long way to go."
#4 - "Are you tired?"
#3 - "Hot enough for ya?"
#2 - "Gee, we were expecting you a lot earlier."
and the number one thing not to say during the race...
#1 - "Everybody stop! I lost a contact."

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