Or as I like to think of it, a lovely 26.2 mile training run
through some of the best parts of Los Angeles with 24,999 of my running buddies!
Someone once said that you race the race that you trained for and on this day, that actually came true. My goal for my first marathon was to finish between 4:20-4:30, with a smile and feeling good. I finished in 4:27:23, I actually have photo proof that I was smiling, and well, good is not quite the right word...but I did feel strong. My last 2 miles were my fastest and crossing that finish line was simply unexplainable. I also had a separate goal of raising over $3000 for the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer and I can happily announce that goal was exceeded and money is still coming in!! Add all this to the facts that this course ROCKED, the entire city seemed to come out to either run or play with the runners, the weather was perfect, and the support and volunteers were nothing short of absolutely amazing, well...my first marathon was a success and I could not be happier that I chose to do it at home on the inaugural "Stadium to Sea" course.
The success did not come easy, though. There were highs, there were lows, and a little of everything in between. And if that's all you needed to know, great! If you are intrigued to read more, please continue but make sure that you have about 20 minutes and a comfy chair because this report is about as long as the marathon itself. You have been warned.
So, let's start at the start, shall we?
