The day Val has been training all these months for has finally arrived. The 22nd Los Angeles Marathon and over 25,000 entrants flooded a new point to point course starting at Universal City to downtown L.A. under hazy and warm conditions, which were warmer than what everyone except the Kenyans have trained in over the last several months. Oh, yeah, the Kenyan guys went 1-2 this year and a Kenyan has won this race for the past 8 years and women from the former Soviet Union have also won this race each of the last 8 years.

There were a lot of first-timers in the race, including Val, who had this to say at the start:

My job was Val’s pack mule and calming influence. I also rode the Red Line to catch a glimpse of Val on the course and stopped at the 4th and 9 mile points, but did not spot her among the sea of endless runners. I was able to see her at miles 19 and 26, just before the finish line. The last time I was in such tight quarters with so many people was Summerfest and an Alice Cooper concert! This, of course, was so much different and I covered more ground. The number of spectators had to inspire the runners. By the end, though, I think I was almost as gassed as Val!

Before she was completely exhausted and zombie-eyed at the finish, Val posted a fast time of 4:11. She had hoped to break 4 hours but the heat and a complaining Achilles tendon prevented that. For a first marathon, finishing it is it’s own reward. Val said she would have walked to the finish line if she had to, and I can confirm that she would have done whatever it took.  I saw her with about 400 meters to the finish and unlike some runners, she looked strong as she approached the archway of balloons. Unfortunately, the finish line and the starting line were closed off to spectators due to the sheer numbers of both runners and their fans.

It was a good move for us to stay at the Westin St. Bonaventure which was at the finish line of the race and made for an easy escape from the hectic finish line reception area.

Val started the race with two of her training partners, Renee and their coach Charlie. Also present at the 19 mile point were her other Snails’ Pace teammates, Jenny, Kristi and Erin. Seeing them really rejuvenated Val for the closing miles of her race as did her co-worker, Jeanette who met us at the finish. (Major props for making it through the hordes.) We also ran into Kristin of Crossfit Inland Empire the day before at the Expo and she also ran the marathon. (How did you do Kristin?) Encouragement and congrats came in from Denise and Brent at Crossfit Marina, my brother Greg, her sister Melanie, Val’s mom and her niece and all were very motivating and gratifying for Val. I can tell you she was extremely grateful  for all the love and support she got from everyone. Val looks forward to sharing her experience with each of you.

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