The Jaycees had a Party on Friday night for which I was a designated driver that I ended up staying out pretty late. Well let's be fair, it was 1 o'clock when I got home but I felt like it was later. My friend, Neil, and I were planning on running the Knights of Columbus St. Patrick's day 5k in Santa Clarita the next morning so we called it an early night...kind of. When I got home, I sent him a text that the race started at 9am so we could sleep in more than I had anticipated at first. Good news. The only problem was my alarm went off for work that next morning and I couldn't fall back to sleep. So after 5 solid hours of sleep I got ready to run. I went through my running clothes only to find my dog, Gadget, had found my favorite pair of shorts and chewed them up. How is it that I missed that? I washed them and put them away without seeing the holes. OK, great! I don't like my days to start like this because it usually throws me off. Just push through, I think to myself.
After eating a peanut butter sandwich I head over to the race. I had a crate of bananas that needed to be delivered and I had to register for the race still so I got there about a half hour early. I was very glad to see the skies were clear at the park. Last year it was pouring rain and it turned into a crazy mud run that wasn't marked in certain areas so some people ended up running 4 maybe 5 miles.
After registering and delivering my goods it was already time to start. No time to get nervous. I looked around and didn't see many people my age so of course the first thought is, I could place in this thing. Not a great thing to think right before you start but it worked to my advantage. I started running and I figured my goal was to keep Kyle, from Runner's Lane, in my sights. Not to pace him but to just gauge my own progress. I wasn't wearing a watch or music.
The course started out as a flat dirt path through the park for the first mile. I ran that one in 7:19. Cool, I'm flying. Then the hills came. Now, I heard there would be hills but I wasn't expecting what we were given. The second mile was very up and down but nothing I couldn't handle. At about 1.75miles was this killer hill that was about a 35-45 degree incline. I never really run hills. Not because I don't want to but because most of the places I run are bike paths and streets. I had to walk this hill. It was long too. I think it is about .5 miles of horrible pain. When I got to the top I was exhausted. The course then makes a big U turn and goes back down that same hill. This is the type of running I love. I just let my legs go and blast down the hill. Controlled fall is an understatement. I was easily running a 6 minute mile pace. When I get to the bottom I see that I don't have much more to go so I push a little harder. I passed 2 people and hit the finish line in 29:35. I was super excited about that time because that was easily the hardest 5k course I have run. What happened to Kyle? Yeah, he was finished by the time I hit the top of the hill. I think his time was about 18 something. At the finish line chute they gave me a card which showed the place and I was to fill it out and drop it in my age group box. I did and realized that there was only one card in the box. Yes, it was Kyle's. I got second in my age group which came with a cool beer mug. I actually placed in a running competition. Ok, so Kyle and I were the only people in our age group but I'm still proud of it.
So the next chapter is about the LA Marathon.
I woke up at 5am and got over to pick up Neil to drive down to LA to get a good spot to see the ladies run. I had made T-shirts that say Team Ditto on the front and Support Crew on the back. I filled an ice chest with beer, oranges, pretzels and peanuts. I planned our attack a few days prior just so we wouldn't be scrambling and miss the girls pass us.
I decided the best place to find a spot was from the VA parking lot around mile 20 since I spent a lot of time there in the first year of my career and I knew the area. Sure enough, they let us park there and even set up our stuff right next to the course. From our spot, we could see the runners for a long way so we were confident that we would see them as they ran by.
When the lead runners passed us, it was pretty cool. They were running faster than I want to run for 1 mile but they had already run 20. It was also inspiring to see all the people in wheel chairs and hand crank bikes pass us.
I got the text updates for Sue and my wife but missed one for Ditto and I got worried. Then the next one came in and I felt better. I was really worried that her foot was hurting too much from the last week.
Sue was the first to get to us and her eyes lit up when I waved to her. She stopped and ate an orange, chatted for a minute, and posed for a pic. She also told us that my wife wasn't far behind.
I got a text from my wife about 10 minutes later that said she was passing mile 20. I was glad that she was able to text while running so we would be more informed. When she got to us, I could tell she needed a quick rest break. I gave her some orange and she stood to talk for a minute. I gave her a hug and told her I love her and am proud of her.
So far no one wanted a beer (except us). I got a text from Ditto that said she passed the two landmarks I had given and she didn't see us. I started to worry again but this time that we looked down for too long and missed her. Crap. So I texted back saying to look on the left side of the street when she passes the Cliff Gel station. Then I realized that we were on the right side of the street. Did I mention I was tired? I start typing again but I saw her and ran too her because she was looking the wrong direction. I again gave an orange but she wanted some beer. I think she regretted taking that sip. More pictures and words of encouragement then she was off. All of the ladies seemed injury free and feeling good. I was very happy we got to see all of them and give them hugs and food. After Ditto left, we drove as fast as we could to Santa Monica. That was 5mph with the traffic. It took us a while to find a parking spot that wasn't $40 but eventually we did. They had all crossed the finish line by the time we parked so we just met them in the crowded finisher chute. This is when Neil revealed his prizes for the girls. Tiaras and scepters with light up shamrocks on them, bead necklaces with green shot glasses, and the red velvet cupcakes (which all three were excited about the most).
I looked at the medal and I was definitely jealous. It has a glass shamrock in it! That is way cool.
We got home and had our post race/Sunday long run tradition of soaking in the jacuzzi. Then, since it was St. Paddy's day and we haven't been in a while as a group, we went to Rose and Crown. It's our local British pub. Best fish and chips I've ever had. We got some Guinness and food but pretty much called it a night.
This weekend was exhausting and I didn't even run a marathon. I am proud of my wife and friends for accomplishing something only .5% of Americans have ever done. This weekend I ran 3rd for Linda's Parents, Jodi's Coworker and wife, and for Sue, Heather, and Heather.
On a side note, I am missing some pics but I will hunt them down and add them later.
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