LA Marathon

So every year the City of Los Angeles puts its residence on house arrest for a couple of hours on a Sunday. It's called the LA Marathon. After spending one Sunday a few years ago driving in circles trying to find a way to just get across the street, I decided that for future marathons, I would prepare to stay at home and do nothing that day.

This was all fine and dandy when the Marathon happened on a random Sunday in March. However this year it was moved to Memorial Day. So now I would be held hostage in my home on a holiday Monday when I would rather be outside, hiking, having brunch, or just enjoying a day away from work. Needless to say, when I discovered that my Monday was shot, I became very bitter and have done nothing but complain.

This morning over breakfast, I decided to turn on the marathon, since I was trapped in the house, just to check it out. For the first time, I was actually mesmerized. Part of it has to do with the fact that in the last year I have attempted to join the ranks of runners. I have ran/walked two 5Ks in the last six months. I have gotten my pace to about a 13 min mile doing intervals of running and walking. My goal is to get to a straight running 10 minute mile.

So you have to imagine how completely impressed I was watching the pack of women Elite runners in what appeared to be sprinting. A few blocks away from my house marked mile 13. These women were at mile 13 in less than an hour into the race. Crazy. Not to mention, the runners looked as if this speedy pace was no big deal. Like it was easy breezy.

During my first 5K in January, pictures were taken. You can see the sheer agony and stress on my face. I was only running 3 miles and my pace was about 14min/mile. I was dying. It was all over my face. But these athletes astounded me.

So I think its safe to say that I won't be as bitter about next year's marathon. Who knows, I may even show up to whatever mile marker is near my house and cheer the runners on.