Wednesday, December 18, 2013

What Do a Flea and a Bachelor Have In Common?

I just found out where I am going to be on March 9:

I’m going there to do this (thanks to Asics and the Blogger Challenge Program):

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I’ve never been to Los Angeles. I think the best way to see it will be to run 26.2 miles from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier. Sounds lovely. And, I am sure running would take far less time than trying to drive it. That is all I know about LA. Piss poor traffic situation.

I am hoping to do some celebrity sighting and stalking. In the past these people have run LA:

Alison Sweeney from Biggest Loser: 4:31
Flea from Red Hot Chili Peppers: 3:41
Chef Gordon Ramsey: 3:48
Bachelor Andy Baldwin: 3:34

I only have one question: WID? (Where Is Dolvett?)

I am especially excited because rumor has it that Lindsay Lohan wants to run LA in 2014. Hmmm…there are a lot of things I could write about this, but let’s just say if she thinks running is going to cure her, who am I to argue? It cures everything, right?

Here are other things I know about this marathon:

  • Average high temperature: 69 (probably slightly warmer than Colorado)
  • Elevation of LA: 233 feet above sea level (yes! that means we must run downhill to the water, no?)
  • Number of runners: 25,000
  • Distance: 26.2 miles (I need to know this when people ask me how far the LA Marathon is. Yes, it happens)
  • Number of Porta Potties: No clue, but with 25,000 people, there better be a shit load (no pun intended).

My official training (under Coach Andrew Kastor – Deena’s husband!), started this week. I kicked it off with 11.5 miles today. It feels damn good to have a plan on the wall again. I love structure. I love goals.

IMAG2451

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Any one else running the LA Marathon? Or, have you run it before?

If not, do you have a spring half marathon/marathon planned? Right now, LA is all I have on my calendar except the Cache-Teton Epic Relay in August. I’m sure I’ll be adding lots more in the near future.

SUAR

49 comments:

  1. I thought LA traffic was bad until I moved to Oahu! It took an hour to go 9 miles on Saturday.

    I really need to run a marathon in 2014 - the year I turn 50!

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  2. Wow, Andrew Kastor! Cool. Would love to get a closer look at that lil' schedule of yours. I'm running my first full in May!

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  3. I think you should send Dolvett and invite to run this with you!!! :)

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  4. Tonight I ran 5 miles to complete my 2013 goal of running 500 miles. For the record, I started running January 1st (at least consistently). My goal for 2014 is to run my first 1/2 and to run 600 miles. (I might throw in a sprint triathlon or two).
    I have no desire to do a marathon. I really don't have the desire to do a 1/2 but peer pressure has pushed me over the edge.

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    1. That's excellent - way to meet your goals!

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  5. I was in LA over the summer and it literally took me 40 minutes to drive the final 2 miles to Dodger Stadium. Pure crazy. Also crazy....motorcycles can just cruise between lanes of stopped traffic. I'm sitting at a complete standstill, angry that I'm so close yet so far away from beer and a hot dog, and - zoom - motorcycles flying past every few minutes.

    Anyhow...enjoy those training miles! And plan extra commute time if you want to drive anywhere when you're in LA. ;)

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  6. Andrew Kastor and Flea! Really? Andrew Kastor and Flea! I am so jealous!

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  7. I'm looking at the Florida Halfathon in Fort DeSoto State Park in March.Originally, I was considering a local one, the March O'Madness, here in the Chicago suburbs. I weighed my options: Beach vs. snow/rain/sleet/ice? Flat course vs. hills? 70 degrees vs. 30+/-20 degrees?

    I agree. It is good to have goals! Also good to have a sponsor! Enjoy!

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  8. And we love your smile,
    When is it?
    Do you have goals, or will you only have goals closer to the time?
    wish I only had one goal...

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    1. Race is March 9. Not sure on goals yet. Going to see how training goes here for the next few weeks. :) <that is me smiling at you.

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  9. I'm running the LA marathon, and it's my fist, so excited! And yes, I want to see Dolvett too, lol.

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  10. I ran the Cache-Teton Epic last year. It was pretty fun! I'll be running the Salt Lake City half marathon in April. I even have a training plan! My first trained race since foot surgery! Go me!

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    1. We like to run the same races! I'm signed up for the Salt Lake half too and will do EPIC this year. :)

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  11. Ran LA about 4 years ago, the first time they did the Stadium to Sea route. There were some minor glitches, and the expo was a mess, but hopefully things have been smoothed out since. The marathon wasn't a winning one for me, but the crowd support was great, and running along the beach to the finish line isn't a bad way to end a race in early March.

    Enjoy the start of a new plan, and congrats on a new goal race!!

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  12. Running my First Marathon in May at the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon!!!

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  13. I'm running my first marathon in Reston VA at the end of March. =) Can't wait. California's beautiful! I'm sure you'll enjoy the race.

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  14. Fun! How cool to be coached by Andrew Kastor! I'm running 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville in February, but that is it on my schedule right now.

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  15. I have sworn off road races from now on in favor of trails, and ultras, but will always run LA!! This race shows off the best of Los Angeles which gets a really crappy rap most of the rest of the year. It is awesome from beginning to end, and is a display of the diversity that makes LA the best! You will run through Little Mexico, Little Japan, Little Saigon, Little.... name that international country and it is incredible to see the humanity coming out to serve runners... will make your heart warm!! I'll look for you, but... with 25,000... yea, not likely.. Have a blast!

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  16. I would love to read a recap after the race if Lindsay Lohan does run it.... ;)

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  17. I love in Spirit of the Marathon when Andrew is stretching Deena's legs because she says she's too lazy. I like hearing Olympians talk about laziness.

    My cousins are trying to sucker me into a half at the RnR Nashville, but every time I run a RnR race, I swear to NEVER GIVE THEM MY MONEY AGAIN.

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  18. My city! L.A. is great. The food's amazing, the weather's beautiful. The hiking is great. It's the BEST CITY IN THE WORLD if you like tacos and sunshine. Welcome!

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  19. I've never run the LA Marathon or 1/2, but it sounds like you'll have an AWESOME time!!

    The only event I'm training for this Spring is delivering a baby! HA! I could see about setting a goal delivery time though?? I've been doing what running I can and taking pre natal yoga, but I'm not like this gal - http://www.bobsblitz.com/2011/10/9-months-pregnant-mom-finishes-chicago.html

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  20. Am so eager to sign up for a race, but not yet cleared to run (ask every PT session!). I tried it anyway this past Sunday, just 2 miles, and my shoulder was NOT happy about it. Damn this recovery is slow going! So I will be running vicariously through you and your LAMA training. Hope our training goes well and we kick butt in LA!!

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  21. I am running the LA marathon also. And completely agree that I like having a training plan posted (in my case on my refrigerator) albeit it is not from Mr. Kastor! Should be a good race -- am looking forward to it.

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  22. Sounds like fun to run LA, plus have a Kastor as a coach! :-) We are running Napa Valley Marathon in March and Comrades Ultra in June! I wish I liked structure as much as you do...

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  23. Just signed up for the Wisconsin Half Marathon in May 2014. I agree, having a goal is how I roll. Without one I get lazy.

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  24. Congrats! I bet the weather will be great for a marathon, well, besides the overlay of smog! Have fun and BOO Dodgers ;)

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  25. I live in LA suburbs and have run the LA marathon 6 times, and again in March and it will be my lucky 13th marathon in all :-) Lots of crowds. Beware there has been an occasional downpour on race day (eg. 1995, 2000, etc.). But bet on great weather! See you here!

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  26. Born and Raised in So.Cal and the LA Marathon is my Favorite Race!!
    There are Many more celebs who run it...it's just not "put out there"!!
    Enjoy!

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  27. I'll be running the LA Marathon in March too! I'm super excited to do it and run by all those landmarks that you see in movies and read about in magazines. I've heard it's a lot of fun, but I'm not looking forward to the warmer temps.

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  28. I'm already registered for 4 halfs in 2014! Get Lucky - March, Rock n' Roll - July, Women Rock- Sept and Monster Dash- Oct. All in Chicago. I start my training in 2 weeks. I also lie the structure of a plan!!!

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  29. Sounds like fun...happy training.

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  30. Im signed up for the Seaside Half in Ventura CA in February! Anyone out there run it before? I'm all about a flat course!

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  31. I'm running it this year, too! I live near you, in Louisville, so wear your Colorado gear, or I'll watch for you on the plane heading out there. I agree -- having a plan to follow now, through the depths of winter, is definitely helpful. We should try to connect! Best of luck as the miles pile on.

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  32. I'm planning to run a Shamrock Shuffle over St. Patty's Day weekend (I think the 15th?), but I haven't coughed up the bucks yet - I've started paying myself $1/mile as motivation and a means for paying for all of the entry fees and gear that I like to have. Except this week I haven't even run 1 mile (every spare minute is spent on Christmas prep or shuttling my kids around)(or, you know, reading your blog...).

    I can't WAIT to hear about LA! It'll be exciting to hear if you see (and beat!) any celebs!

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  33. I love structure and a plan on the wall too! I am thinking about taking on a 60km bike ride this summer her in Oz, something different to mix up the running??

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  34. I'm running LA in March too! If I see SUAR, I'll count that as a celebrity citing. : )

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  35. New follower here... welcome to my neighborhood! This will be my first full marathon. I'm training with team NutriBullet!

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  36. I'm running too! I used to train on San Vicente (the final stretch of the race) and I can report that it is downhill for a solid mile or so!

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  37. I"m doing the Big Sur Marathon in April - I'm lucky because it closed in 58 minutes! Plus my first triathlon in May - is there a training plan for two different events?...well, my plan(s) up on the wall, so excited!! ~Peggy~

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    1. Ah...Big Sur is definitely on my list of must-do races!

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  38. I ran LA last year and loved it. Definitely get to Dodger Stadium early. I think I got there about 5:30 and there was zero traffic. It's a great course through some really scenic areas (at least, after you get past that nasty area northwest of Dodger Stadium). Enjoy!

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  40. Yay! I'm so glad you'll be coming to LA! Will you do a meet-up? I'd love to meet the gal who inspires and makes me consistently laugh my ass off. :D

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  41. Napa Marathon the weekend before LA for me! Have you run the Cache-Teton race before? That looks incredible but I haven't done much trail running...are you doing it as part of an Ultra team?

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