The Long Beach Marathon - Half - October 17th 2010

I attempted to start running in 2009. I really fell in love with it at this race. In my mind, this is where some strange life changing things went down, and where it all started.

I need to start a few days before the race to explain.

I'm part of a running group called the Half Fanatics. To gain entry, one has to have ran at least 2 half marathons in 16 days, or 3 in 3 months. Back in February of 2010 I'd qualified with a 25k and a half in 15 days. I'm Half Fanatic #474. My mother became a Half Fanatic, (or, as we call it, just Fanatic) at our SF half. The Fanatics have shirts you can wear when you run. Super great Fanatic Blue. Before the race my mom ordered me my first Fanatic shirt, and the sweet Fanatics sent it right away and in time for me to wear.

This race was also so special and meaningful to me because when I moved to California I lived in Long beach, when I started walking on the running path... walking to the Queen Mary... Walking to Belmont Shore... Running to the Aquarium and the Pike. This is really where it all started for me.

I left rather early Sunday morning and took the 110 to the downtown parking structure. No traffic problems at all. I walked past my old apartment on Ocean, and past where I carbo-loaded the night before (the Auld Dubliner, with 2 half and halfs - a delicious ale concoction). As I waited for the start, sleepy and trying to figure out where I should corral myself... This guy walked up and says "HELLO FANATIC!" A friendship was made.

So, my new friend Tony goes by the name Endorphin Dude. He is not only a Half Fanatic, but a Marathon Maniac... Twice the fun! He was running the full. Yes, he runs in a cape! We chatted up for a while and corralled together. I wished him well and we agreed to facebook each other after the race.

 Then there was that awkward moment where the race started, and no matter how much we slowed down or sped up, Tony and I were side by side. We cracked a joke about it, and then I decided to keep running as he slowed down (give him credit, he had to save himself for the full! yikes!) just a bit. For the first time in a race, ever, I ran all the way to mile 1. It took me 11"! Best mile to date. I felt motivated, but tired. I took a walk break, and after a minute started going again. I went strong until mile 2 when I hit the Queensway bridge on the way to the Queen Mary. I started to slow down to a walk when I saw my caped friend ahead. Tony and I walked and talked from mile 2 to just after mile 3. I got a second wind, and after wishing him well on his full we parted ways.

Mile 4 I ran by my old apartment on Ocean. It was strange, but it felt good. I had a guy behind me yell "Go Fanatic!" That was the first time of many. Mile 5 put us by the L.A. river and onto the bike path, around the pike, and one of my favorite places - the Lighthouse in Long Beach. To anyone who didn't notice, the Long Beach Marathon dedicates a bench every year to a volunteer who makes a huge difference in hosting the marathon every year. Running next to the aquarium we could hear the birds chirping, then past Bubba Gump Shrimp and their cheer station. One of the guys at the cheer station gave me such a hard high-5 my hand hurt, but they got me running again after a quick walk break.

I was shocked that I got to mile 5 in under an hour! I'd never ran that fast. My 10k split was 1:09:12 (why can't I do that in a 10k?).

Mile 6 was just lovely next to the marina, and the path shot me out onto the beach path I had been on so many times before. It was nice because there weren't a ton of spectators on the beach, but there were just enough. I didn't feel guilty when I had to take walk breaks, and it was so lovely at the beach I didn't mind slowing down at all.

Mile 9 we ran up to the Belmont Brewing Company (delicious food and beer!) and I saw some guys drinking a craft beer and thought about a pitstop... but I kept going. We turned left to Ocean blvd at there was mile 10. 2 hours. I have never ran 10 miles in 2 hours. I was really happy with myself. Really, really, really happy. The beautiful and familiar course was just such a motivation. Not only the course, but the runners. Normally I would say I get motivation from spectators, but when you wear a Half Fanatic shirt, everyone cheers you on!

I was crushing any time up until mile 11. Mile 11 is Belmont Shore. Mentally I was ready to go, but it felt like someone had stepped on my toes, and the padding on my feet started to really hurt. I didn't want to, but I had to slow down. The next 2 miles were a slow jog, with with walk breaks tucked in. Even when I hit shoreline drive, which was a downhill, I had to save it for the finish. I finished in 2:35:21. PR!

They had chocolate milk at the finish. Best thing ever. In the post-run survey I asked them to make sure they have it next year... because I loved the race so much I am signed up for the 2011 full!

I got my picture taken with Shrimp Louie before I moseyed back to my car. It was really hard walking back after I pushed myself so hard, but pain has never felt so rewarding. Looking at the results I know I wasn't even near the front, but I still feel very accomplished. This was my 5th half marathon. 4th for 2010.