Race day. I was both excited and nervous about doing this; excited about doing something competitive for the first time in about a century, and nervous because I have no idea what I’m doing and I don’t know how hardcore people are going to be. I woke up about 6 times last night like a kid waiting for Christmas.
The weather was great and it was a pretty easy trip to the park. There were parking enforcement officers directing traffic, which was nice. It turned out to be a pretty big event; it was managed by W2 Promotions, who seem to know what they are doing. There were quite a few booths for fitness clubs, restaurants, etc. The Laker Girls and Rafer Johnson (former Olympic decathlete) were there, and some radio DJ was the emcee. The Laker Girls warmed up the crowd and then we gathered by the starting line; I was right behind actor James Remar, so I had a celebrity sighting for the day. The only tough part was that the 5k run/walk people also started with us, so there was quite a crowd in the start area and many of them would be slow. I managed to weave through that bit without spraining an ankle (my initial fear) and trotted on.
The run went well for a while, but then my left knee decided to start hurting before I had even made it to the first water station about 1/3 of the way into the race. I managed to grab a cup of water but some dude ran into me in the process and I nearly dumped water on the poor race volunteer. I’m sure she had worse, but I felt bad.
My pace got worse and worse as my knee started screaming at me. I thought about walking every so often, but I didn’t think I would want to run again if I broke stride. The pain got so bad, though, that I did slow to a walk at the second water station at 2/3 completion (another dude ran into me then as well). I didn’t walk far, but it really sucked trying to run again. I managed to run/hobble slowly the rest of the way, finishing in about 54 minutes. Not great, but if my knee wasn’t so bad I think I would have been happy with my result. I’m not sure if I beat James Remar; he was around me much of the way, but at the end I was only thinking about that blasted knee.
I got some water and a banana at the finish, and could have had some food and even ice cream (Ben and Jerry’s was there) if I wanted to stand in line. I did score some assorted health drinks to go with the free mechanics gloves (weird, but kind of handy), shirt and water bottle that were in the goody bag.
I finished and I did not die, so I accomplished my objectives. I may have no cartilage in my left knee, however, which is not at all fun. I’m working Tylenol, Sportscreme and ice like an old football player, and I’m serious need of a massage, but I feel awesome.
It was a pretty cool experience for my first race.
Soooo.... I had to look up James Remar to see who he was... does that really count as a "celebrity" sighting? :-D But hey, I do recognize the dude, so I suppose that maybe does count.
And I wouldn't mind being warmed up by a Laker Girl or two, myself.... ;-)
Sounds like a cool experience. Especially the finishing and not dying part.
I'm certainly no expert on these things, but don't they usually start the runners off first and then have a separate start for the walkers?
Posted by: David B. Wright | Monday, April 14, 2008 at 09:36 AM