Roll Out - Ludacris
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Monday, March 31, 2025
Sunday, March 30, 2025
Back to LA Marathon
Quick Recap: I am happy to have completed the marathon, but somewhat disappointed with my performance. I last ran the LA Marathon in 2020.
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Longer version: Happiness and disappointment are not mutually exclusive, in my opinion, they can be felt at the same time. Everything from the season of training to getting to the start line at Dodgers Stadium went very smoothly. The race started at 7am and I felt very comfortable for the first 10-12 miles, holding back to avoid going too fast and risk early bonking. The weather condition was great. I was on goal pace for 18-19 miles. Then severe cramps hit me hard between mile 19-21, so I could not run the way I wanted to for the last 5-6 miles. Both quads, my calves, and left foot started cramping during the last hour. They final stretch was ugly. I could only managed to jog/walk and I estimate over 1000 people passed me during the last 5 miles. It was a humbling final hour, but I had a smile on me the whole time despite the physical discomfort and mental disappointment. (And I am aware that the "discomfort" and "disappointment" are in very insignificant ways.) I'm grateful to see a few friends (Betty, Hardi, Sunny, and TaoTao) near the end who jogged with me (for short stretches) as I hobbled. Below is a picture my friend Sunny took of me at around mile 24. I never considered not finishing. After all, I parked by the finish line area anyways. =) Strangers cheered me on, gave me Gatorade, and offered snacks throughout the course. If the exact result would happen again next year, I would still go through the training and sign up to run.
And that's life: Results are not guaranteed. Enjoy the process and keep trying.
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Positive takeaways and lessons learned:
I had a very smooth training cycle starting around New Years. The full year of weekend long runs gave me a solid base. Cardio felt pretty good at the marathon pace throughout the first 18-20 miles. Strength training helped me avoid injuries. Consistent healthier diet choices and weekly training routine worked for my lifestyle. I stayed injury-free and illness-free, building up to 50-55 miles per week for over a month. Logistics worked well overall on race weekend. Fueling every 30 minutes worked overall for the race.
I had a very smooth training cycle starting around New Years. The full year of weekend long runs gave me a solid base. Cardio felt pretty good at the marathon pace throughout the first 18-20 miles. Strength training helped me avoid injuries. Consistent healthier diet choices and weekly training routine worked for my lifestyle. I stayed injury-free and illness-free, building up to 50-55 miles per week for over a month. Logistics worked well overall on race weekend. Fueling every 30 minutes worked overall for the race.
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Potential changes:
Running with others more frequently/regularly. Being more social within the running circle. Do more long runs with workout/marathon paces using race shoes. Add SaltStick supplements in training/racing days.
Saturday, March 29, 2025
Friday, March 28, 2025
Thursday, March 27, 2025
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Monday, March 24, 2025
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Back to Racing Chinatown Firecracker 10K
This medal completes the set of 12 animals, dating back to 2014's medal from Year of the Horse. Hoping for another 12 years of healthy running with friends. From 3/9/2025
Saturday, March 22, 2025
Friday, March 21, 2025
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
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