Watching the L.A. Marathon

[faith-hope-joy]

http://www.universalsports.com/video/assetid=5a368c19-8057-40f4-a9a5-59d31caef167.html

Should be almost over by now at 12:30pm.

ETA: Almost over for the leader. He's at mile 21 right now.

 

[faith-hope-joy]

Male Elite: Markos Geneti - 2:06:35
It was his debut marathon.

Female Elite: Buzunesh Deba - 2:09:09

 

[pigletliz]

Great race! I just got home from volunteering at the start. I love the random woman they just interviewed at mile 15. When the reporter asked her what she wanted to say to the viewers, she said:

"Pain is temporary, but pride is forever".

 

[VernRDH]

Was it raining really bad? My running coach was running and I had heard that it was pouring rain for the race.

 

[pigletliz]

Rain had been predicted all week. It was lightly sprinkling at about 2:30 am, but then it stopped. We thought we escaped, but sure enough, it started sprinkling right before the race actually started, then progressed to heavy rain and winds. From what I saw, most people were in great spirits, despite the weather.

Good luck to your coach

 

[VernRDH]

Thanks! I did track him online, he PR'ed by 10 minutes. Without the weather he probably could have done even better. But I am still very proud of him!

 

[pigletliz]

Thanks! I did track him online, he PR'ed by 10 minutes. Without the weather he probably could have done even better. But I am still very proud of him!

Wow! He did a great job

So, Geneti set a record in the men's race and your coach PR'd. Perhaps there is something to be said for running in the pouring rain.

 

[VernRDH]

I finally got to talk to him around 7pm EST, he was finally driving home! Said the rain really started about mile 4 and the winds were around 40mph! He and is RP did stop a few times to reload drink bottles etc, but they were absolutely DRENCHED! He was shooting for 4:30, but didn't quite make it. Thinks if the weather had been dry he would have had it easy. But like I said, I'm still proud of him!

Me, I don't mind some rain, but not pouring rain with those winds. He ran WDW half with me in 2010; said he wasn't sure which was worse. LOL

 

[pigletliz]

Me, I don't mind some rain, but not pouring rain with those winds. He ran WDW half with me in 2010; said he wasn't sure which was worse. LOL

I hope he was pleased with his time. I can't even imagine running in the weather we've had today. Hopefully he and the other runners will have much better weather next year.

The Los Angeles Times' website is reporting that thousands were evaluated for hypothermia, with 25 people transported to the local hospitals. I hope everyone eventually made it home safely.

 

[RENThead09]

Just got home from the Marathon and the weather was as horrible as you could imagine. Add the wind to the rain and the rivers flowing across the road that soaked you through shoe and sock, and it was unreal.

I "ran" the last 4 miles as part of Running Them In for Students Run LA. It was 2900 MS and HS at risk students who run the marathon. They are given shoes and clothes to help make it happen and have training throughout the school year.

Our group was at mile 22 to meet them and help any of them who needed a boost to finsish. Add the emotional factor of helping these kids to the weather and it made for an incredible day. Just spending almost 2 hours to help a student through the last 4 miles by talking about school and life and the future and running and music and the weather and sports and absolutely anything except for how horrible it is out there. We never met the kids before we ran, just jogged up to them, introduced ourselves as part of the group (we had identification the kids knew) and asked how they were doing and if they minded some company for a while.

I was absolutely humbled by the amazingness of this group of kids. They did 26.2 miles in pure horribleness of weather. They shared their energy and passion and when they crossed the line, it was amazing to know that you helped in a small way.

To all who ran today, and I know there are a couple from this board, you are all amazing and CONGRATULATIONS for conquering the emotional and physical challenge that was thrown at you today. BRAVO!

 

[johde]

Great story RENThead09. In Cleveland they have something similar for the 10K, and I think some of them do the half. But, doing a marathon is something those kids will never forget.

 

[pigletliz]

Hi RENThead09,

Congratulations to your group and all of the students. Such an amazing accomplishment for all who ran. Your organization sounds like a wonderful and unique support group. There is a really nice story here:

http://dailynewschannels.com/students-run-la-takes-40000-students-across-the-marathon-finish-line-over-past-21-years/48/

 

[faith-hope-joy]

I saw a bit on the online coverage about the kids running. What a great idea! Sounds like you had an inspirational day.

 

[RENThead09]

Thanks for posting that PIGLETLIZ. And I agree Johde! That is one of those things we talked about when running. How many people can say they ran a marathon, let alone did one in High School! It wasnt on my mind at that age.

These kids are truely inspirational and I got more out of today than I ever expected. I have goosebumps just reading that article and thinking back to the last 12 hours of my life.

I am so proud of my company for doing the right thing and making sure these kids had good running shoes for the event and being a part of this program. I cant wait for next year.

 

[VernRDH]

My coach runs with the SRLA kids and the Mt. Gleason runners during training. He has told me how inspirational these kids are to him, and they really sound like a great group of young people.

 

[TnTsParty]

I watched the LA Marathon on TV yesterday - yikes the rain and the wind - I actually think that might have been worse than Disney on Ice Marathon of 2010. RENThead congrats to you for your support of a wonderful organization - first I heard about SR LA was yesterday on TV when they showed one of the kids mom's she was waiting to cheer her son on. Hope all the kids made it through to the finish ok. I know it was NOT something I was thinking about doing in high school but I am so glad I am involved in this wonderful sport - especially after hearing stories like this.

 

[RENThead09]

I did survive the Disney on Ice Marathon in 2010 and I agree that these conditions were worse.