Saturday, March 8, 2014

Marathon-Eve

I’ve been really stressed since getting to LA.

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Last night we took the party bus to a club all decked out in Asics LA Marathon VIP style. The bus was as big as my house.

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The bar!

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Today was packed with more good stuff…. First, an early morning run in Santa Monica with the Asics LA Blogger Challenge Team. This is like Where’s Waldo running style. Can you find Ryan Hall, Deena Kastor, Andy Potts and Alysia Montano? Can you find me?

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Next  a leisurely breakfast where the pros gave us some tips:

Andy Potts: cool yourself off by putting ice on your neck, your wrists and down your pants. Being nervous for a race is good. It means you care.

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Ryan Hall: Remember, if it’s not fun, why do it? When it gets tough, look around and take in your surroundings.

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Andrew Kastor: Let the Pacific Ocean be a magnet drawing you to the finish line (a favorite).

I feel like an awkward turd next to the gazelle that is Deena:

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Nicest guys. I was so impressed by how down to earth everyone was.

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Next up was some pool time and a trip to the expo for bibs.

Now it’s time to lay my stuff out and start visualizing and meditating for tomorrow. Or, drink a glass of wine and watch a trashy movie on Lifetime.

Race goals for me? I don’t know. I always like the idea of a PR (which would be less than 3:42), but I am not too optimistic given the heat facture. If not a PR, maybe a BQ, which is 3:55 I think. If not that, then I would like to break 4 hours and if not that then how about just finishing?

There you have it. My very well thought out and specific goals. I have been training as if I’m aiming for a 3:50, but so much good and not so good can happen over the course of 26.2 so I’m allowing what happens to happen.

Time to rest up, got a 4:30 a.m. wake up call. I love it here. And, having never been to LA, I can’t think of a better way to see the city than running through it.

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SUAR

PS: Ken just sent this. She is sad and missing her person-mama:

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23 comments:

  1. Hope you had a great run Beth. This truly is the best way to see LA. Enjoy all the little mini-cities along the way.... have fun! I will be about 15,000 people behind you. I'll be the one in a grey tank; i'm sure you'll see me. Have a great weekend in LA.

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  2. Good luck today! You are inspiring me to get our and do my measly 7 mile run. You will kill 26.2!

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  3. Good luck today!! Your gonna do fantabulous!! I can't wait to read the race recap!

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  4. Good luck! And poor Heidi. Make sure you give her lots of cuddles when you get home!

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  5. Beth, it looks like you've hit the big time. Rubbing shoulders with all these running celebs. Don't forget us little people when it's all over...

    Good luck today, I know you're going to kill it! :) After all you're an Ironman!
    -Wendy

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  6. Good luck today! Hope you enjoy it no matter the results!!! Look forward to you next post :)

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  7. Good luck on the marathon today!!! I'm here in LA, cheering you on from my pjs on the couch. I'd like to say sorry about the hot weather but... #sorrynotsorry :)

    Have an awesome race!! whoot!

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  8. Have a great race . Run and enjoy that you are there doing what you love.
    Weather is good here in CO too!

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  9. best of luck Beth!!

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  10. Have a great race! Stay cool and keep putting those ice cubes down your pants ;)

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  11. I think you are right where you should be with all those running greats. You can defiantely hold your own with the best of them. I am a bit jealous though: you, Deena and Ryan all together... that is my favorite running trio. Would give anything to have spent the day there w you all Kick some trash at LA. You got this

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  12. I hope the race was awesome for you - can't wait to hear all about it!!

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  13. Great job on the sub 4:00 in this heat!

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  14. With you race now behind you, it's more like what would I have saied: drink that glass of wine... then wake up and go out to run a 3h50, that means if you run to face you can PR at 3h42 and you can slow to a 3h55 or 3h59!

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  15. after seeing everyone's pics from this weekend, this marathon is definitely on my bucket list! I've never been to LA and it looks beautiful. Maybe next year ;) I hope that the race went well for you despite the heat!

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  16. Hope you had a great time! Uber jealous... Ryan Hall AND Andy Potts... OMG I'd be in heaven!

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  17. I have to say seeing you with that wine glass literally made me laugh out loud! Sounds like such an exciting time! Poor Heidi!

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  18. WOW! Awesome people! I would kill to meet Ryan Hall and Deena Kastor. Two heroes! I spent last Friday night watching videos of Ryan Hall doing tempo runs. That's how I get wild on a Friday night. :D

    Safe travels! Can't wait for the race report!

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