In past Rose Bowl races, I've been caught in traffic jams, sometimes spending 40 minutes inching toward parking, then scrambling to the start line. Today, I left home at 4:30 AM and was parked by 4:56. Then I napped for an hour and twenty minutes. Around 6:15, I ambled over to gear check, figuring I had plenty of time to hit the bathroom then warm-up. But gear check took longer than expected, and the usually long Port-a-Potty lines seemed even longer. I emerged with enough time to loosen up my joints, but not enough to squeeze a few surges.
Gun Time
At last year's marathon, i started too far back. As a 5k race launched before the half, I used the time to push forward into the half-marathon crowd; wriggled, squeezed, 'excuse me'd my way as far forward as doable. Then I waited, running in place as the clock passed the 7 AM start time. Finally, we began. Because there were over nine-thousand runners, it took a bit for the humanity brick to loosen. Eventually, I crossed the timing mat and away.
To the 10k Mark
Started climbing to exit the arroyo. Since the Rose Bowl area is one of my training locales, the terrain held no surprises. Plus running the hills around my home prepared me well. I used the Galloway run/walk method, walking one-minute for every six minutes run. So I angled over to the right, making myself less of an obstacle. A group called Kids Run LA were afoot like coyotes at a dog show. (I covered the hazards of loose children in my Pomona report.) But there weren't any strollers or dogs weaving through the runners, so I was grateful.
Around mile 3m we were running east on Colorado Blvd. The lead half-marathoners were already on their way to the finish line. Around mile 5, I ingested part of a sugary GU packet, then realized there were no water stations nearby. I only carried Gatorade, since I hadn't tested any of the race's electrolyte drink and didn't wish to be surprised. Water is best for GU, so I held off until the next station. At this point, I'd passed several pace groups, aiming to reach the 2:45 crowd.
Last Half
Between mile 7 and 8, I passed the first 2:45 pace group. It must be a popular finish time, because there was a second pace group up ahead. That became my next goal. Catching them in mile 8, I considered hanging with the group, but was feeling energetic, so off I went. Descending back down into the arroyo for a finishing loop around the Rose Bowl, I checked my watch. I'd been moving faster than I thought. Picking up the pace, I sped around the familiar asphalt, crossing the finish line inside the Rose Bowl in 2:32:14.
If 'd paid more attention to the time, I might've adjusted my pace earlier and notched a sub- 2.5 hour finish. Nevertheless, I was happy with my effort in splendid distance running weather. No rain and the temperature in the low 60s.
Now What?
The LA Marathon in mid-March. I won't set a pr, but it's an event on John's run list. I really don't race that much. Once in 2023 and twice in 2022. In a way, it becomes easier to loose exercise momentum if you're only stepping out a few times a year. I can do better and shall.
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