Welcome back to Chronicles of a Runner. Every once in awhile I admire the medals that I’ve collected. They represent the dedication and time that I have put into achieving those goals. My latest marathon in Los Angeles was a true test. Here is a recap of what I had endured and the thoughts that went through my mind as I neared the finish line.
Almost There
I’m almost there! “Awe god it’s mile 24, what did I do?” “Why are my legs killing me???” “If I can only get there!" Those were my exact thoughts as I approached the end. Ever wondered what it would be like to run a marathon? Thoughts like those and many more start coming to mind. Let me tell you, those last miles 20 through 26 become the longest miles you’ve ever ran. Suddenly, you have plenty of time to think, why? How? This really wasn’t such a good idea. My personal best and it always comes to mind is “this is the last time!”
I’m now at the end of mile 25. I can see the banner only a few yards away. I begin to rethink my strategy, I look onward. My third wind starts to kick in finally, I’m almost there. “I see the banner! Hey, wait, what’s happening?” I think to my self. It’s not getting closer. Ever wonder why this happens? You see something in the distance and as you make your way to it, it only seems to get farther and farther. Well that’s what happened to me. “Almost there! Hold your head up, wave to the people! God does it ever end?” I thought to myself.
Here’s the sweetest part, all of a sudden I can’t hear the people. It’s only me, the street and that finish line. There’s a quarter mile remaining as you pass the 26 mile marker. “What, there’s more???” Yes, that’s right! it’s not ever yet. Your hearts starts pumpin’ and the sweat is really pouring now. “Give it all you got!” I think to myself. Almost there! “How do I look?” “Put on your winners’ face!” I carefully make my way into the center of the street, so that I can have a picture perfect finish. And if you’re lucky and I have been, the announcer at the finish line will announce your name, city and finish time. Can it get any better than that? I think not. And at the end of all that, a volunteer awaits holding up your greatest reward, your medal. Congratulations” is all I hear and the confusion sets in…
Monday, March 26, 2007
Monday, March 19, 2007
Chronicles of a Runner
Welcome back to Chronicles of a Runner. Currently, I am preparing my self for my next marathon. This next marathon takes place in the City of San Diego, California, The Rock ’N’ Roll Marathon. It will be celebrating ten years of originality. As I prepare my self for my next challenge, I like to reflect back on a specific moment from my last marathon. This allows me to keep my self motivated. I usually choose the morning of the marathon.
Race Day
It’s a cold morning; I usually wear a set of light sweats to keep warm. Once the car is parked, I get ready. The sweats are left behind all I take with me is a small pouch with my I.D., my car key and some cash for emergencies. The race day that I reflect to is the morning of my first marathon, Los Ageless, 2006.
It’s was about 4:45 AM, I arrived early as I didn’t know what to expect. As I made my way from my car, I began to see a few people that to me resemble other runners. The sun hasn’t risen and the street lights are still on. An hour passes it’s about 5:45 AM; the pack has become a little denser. I begin to do my warm up exercise. I run few times from the start to the furthest street in the containment area. The containment area is usually a few blocks long. This allows us to run for our warm-up, for those who wish to do so.
Here is the best part that I enjoy. It’s now about 7:00 AM; I’ve made my way to the closest I could get to the front the pack. As I look back, I have now become part what looks like a sea of faces. The excitement is in the air and so is the scent of Bengay. Runners will apply this to warm up their muscles. It’s still cold, the anticipation is not enough to keep the adrenaline following and my body’s beginning to cool down. Other runners experience the same. As I meet and greet near-by runners, I make comments about the weather and how cold it is. Some one suggests huddling together to keep warm. As the start time nears the pack becomes even denser, the heat generated by our bodies is felt within the pack, keeping those in the middle warm.
Exciting? You bet! I begin to get warm once more; my mind is now set for the run. We begin to shout in anticipation, we clap, high five one another and most of all encourage each other. I continue to ask questions, “Why are you doing this?” Some one says, “For me!” Another person answers, “For my heart!” Few minutes left, we push carefully in anticipation the start line isn’t far, there’s music being played. The national anthem is played, runners cheer with pride! “Yahoo!”, I shouted. And we’re off….
Race Day
It’s a cold morning; I usually wear a set of light sweats to keep warm. Once the car is parked, I get ready. The sweats are left behind all I take with me is a small pouch with my I.D., my car key and some cash for emergencies. The race day that I reflect to is the morning of my first marathon, Los Ageless, 2006.
It’s was about 4:45 AM, I arrived early as I didn’t know what to expect. As I made my way from my car, I began to see a few people that to me resemble other runners. The sun hasn’t risen and the street lights are still on. An hour passes it’s about 5:45 AM; the pack has become a little denser. I begin to do my warm up exercise. I run few times from the start to the furthest street in the containment area. The containment area is usually a few blocks long. This allows us to run for our warm-up, for those who wish to do so.
Here is the best part that I enjoy. It’s now about 7:00 AM; I’ve made my way to the closest I could get to the front the pack. As I look back, I have now become part what looks like a sea of faces. The excitement is in the air and so is the scent of Bengay. Runners will apply this to warm up their muscles. It’s still cold, the anticipation is not enough to keep the adrenaline following and my body’s beginning to cool down. Other runners experience the same. As I meet and greet near-by runners, I make comments about the weather and how cold it is. Some one suggests huddling together to keep warm. As the start time nears the pack becomes even denser, the heat generated by our bodies is felt within the pack, keeping those in the middle warm.
Exciting? You bet! I begin to get warm once more; my mind is now set for the run. We begin to shout in anticipation, we clap, high five one another and most of all encourage each other. I continue to ask questions, “Why are you doing this?” Some one says, “For me!” Another person answers, “For my heart!” Few minutes left, we push carefully in anticipation the start line isn’t far, there’s music being played. The national anthem is played, runners cheer with pride! “Yahoo!”, I shouted. And we’re off….
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Chronicles of a Runner...
Welcome back! Here is a quick story that I enjoy telling when I’m asked, “Why do you enjoy running marathons?” Up until the time that I began writing this blog, I had only completed two full marathons that I could compare. Those were the Los Angeles and San Francisco marathons. I just completed my second Los Angeles Marathon. I’ll get into the details of my most recent experience later.
A Unique Experience
Imagine running along the streets of your community, the streets that were once your playground. As you run along, these same streets are now filled with people whom you’ve never met, cheering you on. Now, picture those same people providing you with food and snacks that enable you to fulfill your goal. One of the things that I always remember and I like to share was when I was running along Leimert Boulevard near the Crenshaw District. There was this little girl and her mom handing out bottles of water to runners. I thought, “Wow! How nice of them.” Their kind gesture mesmerized me, making my experience even more wonderful. To think that two perfect strangers would give me water. I say again, “Wow!”
San Francisco was nothing like this! There were very few spectators and no one was handing out oranges or bananas. There was no little girl and her mommy handing out water. I can honestly say I felt robbed. I was expecting to be running along streets filled with people as I did in L.A. Of course, I learned that not every marathon is going to filled with the special people that L.A. has come to offer.
One of the things that both cities offer are the landmarks. L.A. has a great skyline and San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. I ran across the bridge on the street, along side of the morning traffic. Three rows of traffic cones lined the bridge down the middle from one end to the other. The two rows of cones created a buffer between runners and traffic. Not only was this exiting, this was dangerous. The runners ran from one end of the bridge to the other, looped around at a rest area and headed back. Runners now faced traffic head on! The third row separates the on coming runners from those retuning back from the rest area. Now there’s an amazing experience and that’s why I run.
A Unique Experience
Imagine running along the streets of your community, the streets that were once your playground. As you run along, these same streets are now filled with people whom you’ve never met, cheering you on. Now, picture those same people providing you with food and snacks that enable you to fulfill your goal. One of the things that I always remember and I like to share was when I was running along Leimert Boulevard near the Crenshaw District. There was this little girl and her mom handing out bottles of water to runners. I thought, “Wow! How nice of them.” Their kind gesture mesmerized me, making my experience even more wonderful. To think that two perfect strangers would give me water. I say again, “Wow!”
San Francisco was nothing like this! There were very few spectators and no one was handing out oranges or bananas. There was no little girl and her mommy handing out water. I can honestly say I felt robbed. I was expecting to be running along streets filled with people as I did in L.A. Of course, I learned that not every marathon is going to filled with the special people that L.A. has come to offer.
One of the things that both cities offer are the landmarks. L.A. has a great skyline and San Francisco has the Golden Gate Bridge. I ran across the bridge on the street, along side of the morning traffic. Three rows of traffic cones lined the bridge down the middle from one end to the other. The two rows of cones created a buffer between runners and traffic. Not only was this exiting, this was dangerous. The runners ran from one end of the bridge to the other, looped around at a rest area and headed back. Runners now faced traffic head on! The third row separates the on coming runners from those retuning back from the rest area. Now there’s an amazing experience and that’s why I run.
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