750 Miles
10 Pounds
2 Pairs of Running Shoes
2 Toe Nails
$145 Entry Fee
Countless Power Bars
Countless Gallons of Water
Immeasurable drive and determination
LA MARATHON......... CHECK!
I started a 16 week training program in August, 2012, and after I completed a 26.2 mile run in December 2012, I turned around and started the training routine again in January, 2013. I wanted not only be sure that I could complete a marathon, but do it within a time in which I could be proud. By January it was clear that I could easily complete the marathon in 4 hours and 30 minutes, and that became my new goal. I worked on sprints during the week when I ran my shorter runs, and on my long Saturday runs, I focused on keeping a consistent pace, and not giving up because I was bored or uncomfortable. The training schedule kept me focused on my goal, and allowed me to eat literally anything I wanted. I still lost 10 pounds--super awesome.
The training also challenged my mind, and helped me confront my negative thoughts. They say that running is all mental. I applied this theory several times during my training, and can attest to its truth. One 6 mile run, I set the goal to finish in 48 minutes. That's a pace of 8 minute miles-- pretty quick and painful for 6 miles straight. By about mile 3 1/2, the negative voices started in my head, "Slow down, it's no big deal if you accomplish your goal, no one will know. Just relax. Walking would feel much better right now." I tried to ignore and just push on, but the voices didn't stop. "Seriously, it doesn't matter." And it didn't. Why did I have to run so fast? The voices were beginning to sound more logical than my ridiculous goal. 52 minutes is also a good time. However, I dug deep, and reconnected with why I wanted to set the goal in the first place. I am very often brought down in many areas in my life with negative thoughts, and this was a clear way to challenge them. I began fighting back with positive thoughts, "I can do this, I can do this. Come on Jenny, keep going." I became my own cheerleader, and it literally took every ounce of energy to keep the positive thoughts coming and not cave into the negative ones. By the last mile, I only had the energy to repeat, "I can, I can..." And sure enough, I arrived back at my house in exactly 48 minutes. I cried I was so happy, proud, shocked and exhausted. It was a battle, and it highlighted just how effective my thoughts are in affecting the outcome of a goal. I would say that they are 100% accurate every time. Whether I think I can or I cannot, I am right.
As the marathon approached, I started to get nervous. It was my first big race and I wasn't sure what to expect. The logistics of pre and post race were overwhelming, so luckily I had my boyfriend with me who is a seasoned pro at races. He planned all the pre and post race transportation. We stayed overnight in Downtown LA so we could pick up our bibs and race pack the afternoon before the race. Then we carbo loaded at an Italian restaurant, that evening. I didn't sleep at all the night before, and was exhausted when we got up at 4:30 am to catch the shuttle to Dodger's Stadium and the start of the race. On the way, I ran into a high school friend, Andy Kastor. We ran Track and Cross Country together. He was always one of the top runners in the state, while I struggled to finish the 3 mile race in under 30 minutes. It's funny to me now, with all this milage under my belt. It was not surprising to find out that he is now a trainer of elite runners. His wife, Deena Kastor is the US record holder in the marathon, and won a bronze medal in the 2004 Olympics in Greece. She picked up another 3rd place finish at this marathon.
The start of the marathon was exciting, and the positive energy made me want to sprint. The first two miles disappeared in what felt like seconds. I had a huge smile on my face, and was having a great time. The music, the fans, the volunteers were so supportive that I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed. After all, 8 months of hard work had finally paid off. I was actually doing what I had been training for for almost a year, and the sense of accomplishment was starting to set in. As I ran through Downtown LA, Chinatown, Little Tokyo, and Olvera Street, I passed several inspiring runners-- men and women in their 60's and 70's, runners with special needs, missing limbs, runners who were running in memory of those who have passed on. By the time I arrived at Echo Park and Silver Lake, and put miles 6, 7, 8 and 9 behind me, the smile began to fade and I started to slow down. It wasn't a particularly scenic part of the route, so I put my head down and pushed on at a comfortable pace. I was running with my boyfriend, who was pushing me harder than I would have pushed were I by myself. Miles 9, 10 and 11 were fun because they were on Hollywood Blvd, and there were a lot of cheerleaders. I also liked running on familiar ground. LA is so nice without all the traffic, peaceful even. At mile 13, I planned to meet my friend Colleen who was cheering us on at a cafe on Sunset Blvd, so I wanted to look solid and healthy at that point. By mile 14, however, I could no longer keep up with my boyfriend. We were running a 9:20 min mile, and on pace to finish in 4 hours and 5 minutes, but I was in pain, and knew that if I kept that pace, I would eventually stop to walk. My two goals were to finish in 4 hours and 30 minutes, and to run the whole time. I took that quite literally. I did not even walk when I grabbed water from the volunteers. It made swallowing difficult, but I knew if I stopped, I wouldn't reach my goal of 4:30. I loved the transvestite cheerleaders in WEHO at mile 15. They put the smile back on my face, and got me through the next few miles. Beverly Hills and Century City were painful. It seemed like I would never make it to the finish line, and I started to think, "Is running this marathon more or less painful than having a baby?" Funny thing is, I can't remember what it felt like to have a baby. Maybe it will be the same with a marathon. At mile 19 I swore I would never run another marathon if I could just get through this one, but who knows If I'll forget the pain over the next few years and change my mind. When I hit mile 20, I got a small surge of energy--mental and physical. The end was within sight. It was going to be the toughest 6 miles of the run, but at last it was the last 6 miles. Running through Brentwood was beautiful, but long. When I got to mile 23, 24, 25 I began to speed up. I could barely move my feet, but I knew the torture would be over within minutes. Others around me felt the same, because everyone's energy picked up along with their speed. When I entered Santa Monica and hit mile 26, I really picked up speed. I realized that not only would I finish this race (alive), I'd do in under 4:30, and without stopping once.
When I finally crossed the finish line at 4 hours and 22 minutes, I was surprised at how anticlimactic it was. I simply crossed the line and stopped running. No tears of joy (or pain) no hugs from fellow runners, no stopping to kiss the ground, no running around with an American flag on my back to the cheers of thousands of fans. It was over, and I wasn't sure how to feel--numb and disoriented mainly. One thing was for sure, the pain did not stop when I ceased running. I found my boyfriend wrapped up like a potato in an aluminum blanket, collected our medals, and made our way home. When I regained the mental capacity to process what had actually happened, an overwhelming feeling of gratitude fell over me. I reflected back to the day before when I was on the train in Downtown LA and I witnessed a drunk man who fell on his face and could not get up. I felt grateful for the physical health and emotional strength to achieve this goal when so many people are not capable of it. I felt lucky and blessed to have the determination and drive to participate in something as challenging and rewarding as a marathon. A month later I've already forgotten the pain of this marathon and am looking forward to beating my time in the next one.
