This weekend was the big race, I trained hard for nine weeks in spite of my
2+ weeks of being sick slightly recovering only to get worse right before race
day.
I headed out to LA on Saturday around 2pm and picked up my race bib before
heading to my cousins Jeremy and Jodi's house. They live less than 4 miles from
the start line. I made it to their house around 5pm giving me plenty of time to
catch up with the family. It had been over a year since our last visit. I can
talk for hours with Jeremy and Jodi, they are so much fun- and finally was able
to meet their son Jr. After getting to bed at a very reasonable hour (9pm) and
actually sleeping (thanks to my NyQuil), I didn't have to wake up until a
little after 5am. I had a nice bowl of oatmeal, took my time getting ready and
Jeremy dropped me off about 25 meters from the start line. I was there pretty
early and headed straight for the port-a-potties. (I've trained myself to go
there first even if I don't have to "go.") The lines are typically so
long that by the time you get to the front you NEED to go. However, there was
no in line. I found a few fellow Team World Vision friends and introduced
myself. After saying my hello's I decided to try to get a short warm-up in.
After doing my leg stretches we met together with the team captain of world
vision. He had recently visited Uganda and told us of the "rain
catchers" that were placed around the villages to catch the water and
filter it for drinking water. So far, our fundraising has helped raise enough
money to provide clean water for over 7,000 children! I say so far because
apparently the fundraising does not end until 2 weeks after the race- which
means if you are still interested in donating... you can!
After our team meeting, I decided to hit up the restrooms one last time,
there was only about 15 minutes until the start of the race. By this time the
lines were huge! I was a little worried that I would not get through the lines
in time for the start of the race but I decided I would take a chance.
Fortunately, the race was delayed just long enough for me to finish and find my
place at the start line. After a singing of the national anthem, we were off!
It was not as crowded as I expected and so getting settled into my pace was
somewhat easy. The first mile was along the beach road. We passed several
market shops on one side, and several homeless people on the water side. I also
noticed the Venice Beach Fit club... there were several weights and machines
that you see on TV where big muscled dudes tend to show off- I mean work out.
We headed inland for several miles and the beach was out of sight leaving me
with just my pace and pavement to focus on. I can't remember how far we went
but we eventually reached a wide sidewalk that ran along the sandy beach, still
far from the ocean but no longer surrounded by buildings. I maintained my 7:40
pace the entire time, I felt really good. By about mile 7 we started to head up
off the beach and onto a road at higher ground. Then it hit me, the most awful
smell- worse than a dirty diaper. I can't really wrap my head around it
somewhere between a garbage truck and poop. It was horrifying... for over a
mile and then it started to disappear. Now we were really heading up a hill, a
wide asphalt road. By now I noticed that there were several people running in
the opposite direction of me, which just means at some point we had to turn
around and head back in the other direction. I was thankful because that meant
we eventually got to go back down this slow rising up hill. However, by the
time we turned around we only had 3 miles left and my 2 weeks of sinus issues,
mucus and inability to fully complete my training are starting to take over. No
matter how much down hill there is, I know I probably won't be able to beat my
best time, my hips are bothering me, my chest is starting to tighten and my
knee is aching. As people start to pass me, it is starting to sprinkle...
water. Which reminds me of my little sponsor girl in Uganda. It's all I can
think about to push through the slow growing pains to finish with the best
effort I can. As I see the 13 mile mark approaching I know I only have .1 mile
left to go and I push through to the finish taking on the pace of two tall skinny
men running along side me. I'm done! I pass the finish line, and check my
watch. Here are my results:
Finish time: 1:43.55
Place: 360th overall out of 2,829 recorded finishers
Age Division place: 12th
Overall Pace: under 8:00
Gender: 69th place
Some Photos:
http://www.marathonfoto.com/index.cfm?action=site.login
My cousin Jeremy shot a few pictures as well. I am hoping to be able to post
some of them on here as well.
It's a pretty good accomplishment I guess- for being sick and all. I knew I
would be paying for my efforts over the next few days, but I was determined to
run if my sickness didn't get the best of me; and for the short time during the
race, it didn't. However, two days later, I seem to be as sick as ever, and now
my muscle are fatigued. Thankfully these next few days are pretty low key so I
can stay home and recover (hopefully).
I am happy to report that my fundraising goal has been achieved and I've raised
an additional $100! Thank you so much for your support! I have been informed
that the fundraising is still not over for another two weeks. If you would
still like to donate, you are more than welcome to!
CLICK
HERE TO DONATE Thank you for taking this journey with me. It has been such
a privilege to help Sarah and the other kids of Uganda. I plan on running again
for their benefit one day.
Spiritual Goal- read the Word daily. In some way, shape or form, constantly be in God's Word. It's the only way to know what God wants for me (my life, my future, my actions, behaviors, choices, EVERYTHING). I also try to read a non-fiction book a month, I try to make the book a book about living for Christ (In word, deed, behavior)- most of them have been. I am a little behind, I think I'm on book 6 or 7 for the year. Currently I am reading a book by Charles R. Swindoll called, "The Mystery of God's Will."
