LA Marathon Race Report

The Green Girl ran in the City of Angels at the LA Marathon along with Angel Runners, Jason and Timothy.

The Angel Runners are a group of runners who are raising money for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).

I was also running for Tumaini for the Future to raise money to provide educational opportunities for underserved school children in Moses Waweru's hometown of Nakuru, Kenya.

The LA Marathon 'Stadium to the Sea' course started at Dodger Stadium and ended at the Santa Monica Pier.



After volunteering at last year's race, I was prepared for the possibility of inclement weather. My strategy was to retain as much body heat as possible until the start of the race. I had on a couple of throwaway layers and my North Face Venture Raincoat.

Dodger Stadium

I parked in Santa Monica and boarded a 5:00 am shuttle to Dodger Stadium.

Runners huddled around the perimeter of the structure to keep warm.

When Jason and Timothy arrived, I learned porta-potties are called 'Porta-Johns' in Michigan. Crazy.

After, the Porta-John visit, we migrated towards the crowd assembled around the Starting corrals.

The Green Girl was also running for Tumaini for the Future

Once the race started, we easily merged and crossed the Starting Line.

The three of us had never run together and we had very different ability levels (I am of course the happy back of the pack Green Girl), but we managed to quickly fall into a comfortable, easy pace.

Sole Runners Coach Steve interviewing Angel Runners Jason and Timothy Video: LA Marathon 2012

A few miles in, Sole Runners Coach Steve ran by and interviewed Jason and Timothy about their LA Marathon training and fundraising for the Foundation for Angelman Syndrome Therapeutics (FAST).

At Mile 9, my friend, Janey, surprised us with three bottles of ice cold Dr. Peppers.

It was a beautiful day and the temperature was absolutely perfect. The course was clearly marked, well supported, and the quintessential Los Angeles experience.

Angel Runners Jason and Timothy

The conversation came easily as the miles flew by and more often than not, a remark evoked laughter.

My favorite sign said 'Your training lasted longer than Kim Kardashian's marriage.' That made me giggle.

The Dr. Peppers started wearing off around Mile 17 and the World Famous Sole Runners Mile 18 Holistic Aide Station could not come soon enough.

The World Famous Sole Runners Mile 18 Holistic Aide Station

Much to my satisfaction and relief, Jason and Timothy agreed that the Mile 18 station was everything I'd hyped it up to be.

After chugging my second glorious Dr. Pepper of the day and stuffing my face with The Green Girl's Famous Salted Potatoes courtesy of my fellow Sole Runners, I headed back out with Jason and Timothy.

Around Mile 21, I admitted I was feeling jittery from consuming two Dr. Peppers in a single day and Timothy commented that my speech had sped up considerably.

The runner who sweated Mickey Mouse

Somewhere around Mile 23, I saw the funniest thing I'd ever seen in my entire running life.

A runner a few yards ahead of us had somehow managed to sweat in the shape of Mickey Mouse head on his back. I started laughing hysterically and struggled to piece together the words to share my discovery with Jason and Timothy. I never knew I was capable of running while doubled over in laughter.

I sprinted up to him to snap a picture and other runners around us started laughing, too.

Angel Runners Timothy, the Green Girl, and Jason at the Finish Line

When we reached the Finish, we each put our hands together to create angel wings with our fingers to show our support to the angels as we crossed the mats.

We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another. Luciano de Crescenzo

Redondo Beach St. Patrick's Day 5k Race Report

The Green Girl celebrated her national holiday by running the Redondo Beach St. Patrick's Day 5k.

The race benefited the local Saint Lawrence Martyr School Educational Foundation.

Race registration and packet pick-up took place in a tent behind the Village Runner store.

The Green Girl at the Redondo Beach St. Patrick's Day 5k

Rain was forecasted for the weekend so I'd slipped my mobile phone into a zip baggy and I had my green waterproof camera tucked in my iFitness Double Pouch Belt.

The morning was chilly so I had on a green long-sleeved running shirt under my cotton shamrock race shirt.

Redondo Beach St. Patrick's Day 5k Starting Line

As we waited at the Starting Line, drops of rain started to fall. A few runners mumbled that they were anxious for the race to start.

My race strategy was to take it easy since I had the LA Marathon the next day but I somehow managed to do my first mile at about a 9:30 pace.

A rainy Redondo Beach St. Patrick's Day 5k

Despite the rain, I warmed up quickly so I took a walk break in the second mile to remove my a layer and tie it around my waist.

As I was rounding the last loop, I spotted a fellow Sole Runner, Steve.

The rain had tapered off by this time and the sun was starting to come out.

The Green Girl with fellow Sole Runners, Kathleen and Steve

We ran together to the Finish Line where his wife, Kathleen, was waiting.

May your blessings outnumber
The shamrocks that grow,
And may trouble avoid you
Wherever you go.
Irish Blessing