The Streets of LA

Yesterday morning I ran the streets of LA, along with 21,829 fellow runners. More than 75,000 spectators (including my wonderful husband/chauffeur and three children) lined the streets of LA from Dodger Stadium to Ocean Ave in Santa Monica to cheer on thousands of runners who completed the hottest LA Marathon in over a decade. Mercury was rising past 80 degrees at the finish. At the ocean.

It was my first "marathon experience." A huge part of me wishes I could say that I was a "Marathon Finisher." Soon. That will come. For now, I feel honored that I was a part of it at all. I feel proud, elated, inspired, exhausted and hungry for more.

My older sister, Denise, and I competed as a Charity Relay team. We ran for Girls on the Run and raised over $600 in the process (thanks to many of you readers!!). She ran the first 13 miles, I waited in my relay corral until I saw her florescent green shirt coming quick in the distance. As she neared, I felt overcome with emotions. I was so excited to run my first race with her in years and so proud and excited when she approached FAST and told me we were on 8:10 pace! We hugged, I tossed my gear bag into her hands and hit the streets running. We finished 11th overall out of 244 relay teams, with a total time of 3:22. Not bad. I love you, Den!

I was half expecting to hate the LA Marathon. Having lived in LA for 10+ years now, I still do not see myself as being an "LA" person. Sometimes I don't think I relate to LA at all. I don't fit in here. Yesterday proved me wrong. I discovered that we all fit in. There is space for us all. We are different, yet the same. More than anything, the experience of running with over 21,000 other runners in LA made me realize that we are not "LA." We are the world. We were representatives from around the world coming together, working together and sharing our greatest passion. I cheered on my fellow runners at every opportunity. And those 75,000 spectators. You were incredible. You carried us through every mile, every step of the way.

Until you have run in a major marathon, I don't think you can understand the power of the crowds. I have been a spectator at least 7 times for either Chicago or LA marathons. I have cheered, rang bells, jumped for joy, shouted inspiring messages to loved ones, friends and strangers. But I never understood  the impact of such behavior. It is incredible. I now understand why people mark up their bodies with Sharpie's, writing their name down their arms or across their bodies. Next time, I will do that, too.

The biggest reason I didn't think I would enjoy the LA Marathon was the crowds. How annoying, I thought, to have people out there every step of the way, shouting at you. A total cacophony. That is what I expected. I could not have been more wrong. Yesterday, the shy, petite trail runner who loves miles and miles of solitude and silence was transformed. I slapped hands, I cheered with junior high cheerleaders in "Cheer Alley", I read every spectator's sign that I could, I laughed out load at the signs, I patted slowing runners on the back, reminded those near the finish "only 5 more minutes! just 5 more minutes!" I challenged the man next to me, "Come on, let's race! Let's finish this thing hard." And you know what, he accepted my challenge. Sprinting towards that line, I can't tell you who beat who. I honestly can't remember, nor do I care, because that is not what is was about. It was about pushing ourselves and each other, together. I raised my hands as I crossed the finish. I soaked up the experience. When in Rome, right?! I ran those 13.1 miles as fast as I could, and with as much joy and fun as I could. I can honestly say it was one of the most fun experiences of my life. Thank you LA!

That is not to say that I won't love every minute of my next 2 hour run in silence on my home trails. But I found another side of me. A side that is motivated, pushed and inspired by others, by fellow runners and spectators alike. Yesterday I participated in a city-wide parade where I/WE were the guests. We, the runners, were celebrated in the most beautiful of ways.

We kept the celebration going all afternoon as we scarfed down burritos, met friends old and new, returned home, played in the yard with three little kids, went for a neighborhood bike ride and refueled hungry bodies with a dinner out last night. I finally hit the pillow at 10pm and could hardly peal my eyes open when the girls jumped in my bed at 7:30am this morning. The time change on top of a hard effort yesterday made for one tired Mama. I can not even imagine how those 26.2 milers felt getting up this morning. But we seek challenges, we need them to keep us alive, and we keep on running. Thanks for all those you supported me, inspired me and made me realize how beautiful LA can truly be.

What's next? We will see.. but those 75,000 fans have definitely made me reconsider running Chicago this October. Catalina may have to wait.