Los Angeles Marathon - 03/21/2010

There was nothing to it. Yeah and I went up Fargo St fifty times and biked down Angeles Crest at 60 mph on my fix gear. I did finish and got the medal to prove it. So I did not need that flashlight. A report will be coming. Now the question is, can I get up out of this chair. At least now I will finally be able to catch up on e-mails. And have to thank LAW President Pam and Man of the Century Gary for cheering me on. It gave me a boost of energy to see them twice. Last Sunday, had my CPR/First Aid class. And after reading the sad news about Bill Patterson, realize how important it is to know what to do. Here's a suggestion for a club ride and event. Perhaps the club can organize a class at a local Red Cross office. The one I attended was in the City of Commerce. It would be very useful to know. The class is entertaining and with hands on learning, it was fun. Depending on how my legs feel come Sunday, plan to participate on the club's ride. Sorry I will not be wearing my medal. But I will have it around my neck tomorrow. Happy bicycling, David

David writes on a Sunday. Must have been a short ride or something wrong. Rest assured, put in my Century with a morning Marathon bike ride (the full 26+ miles as oppose to the 20 for LA Bike Tour) with about 5 miles round trip to the start as I'm not going to pay for parking. Later morning, rode Climb % Cruise in Clairmont. Thank you Rod for bringing me a route slip though I've found a way to get it. First half on my own, second with Mike. Mike may not want to ride with me again as we tacked on an additional five miles. We finished a little after 2. So plenty of time to do more riding. Full story below. As Mike, who's ridden quite a few LAW ride, is not a member will not know what I wrote about him. I told him what he will be missing for not joining. Plus he can't purchase the attractive LAW jersey I fashioned. So I've made another terrible mistake, what's new. Apologize to my wife, sorry for her being stuck with me. Told her next time she sees me, to just shoot me, put us both out of our misery. Last week, I was hobbling about on crutches. Should have never sign up for that Marathon. I was not meant to walk. Earlier in the week, talking to my brother my concerns on having water available on a running event. Even in the cool morning, I sweat. My nephew is Captain of Peninsula High's cross Country team, so my brother's been to a few running events. As next month being my first run, will I need to carry my own water or will there be a rest stop at the quarter mile mark. Which my brother tells me that nobody needs water that soon. I then go through my dramatics of dehydrating, crawling across the ground, with parched mouth, crying for water and being told you got to make it to the one miles mark if you want water. (Again, feel sorry for my wife) Anyway, walked/jogged Monday. Felt good. Tues did not, thus last week's long pasting. Wed 4 AM, decide to walk to the beach and back. Feeling good as I head west on El Segundo. Cooler than it has been as I wear a yellow windbreaker. I'm thinking of possibly walking half a Marathon today. Pass the two miles mark, approaching Nash, thought someone threw a stone at me, hitting me in the leg. Have a pain in the back of my calf. Seated on a ledge, rub my soreness. Using the fencing to stand, realize I'm in trouble. I can not walk. So limp home, swearing all the way. How in carnation can I ever possibly cover 26 odd miles if I can't make three. All day I hobble with crutches. I'm thinking about me on that Marathon, falling over at miles two and getting stampeded by all these tennies. Have shoe prints all over my back. Like a good husband does to get sympathy, I cry to Donna who tells me "My poor baby". Asked her what does she tell friends who asks about the crazy stuff I do. She tells them "He's just nuts". Thank you Greg for the suggestion of joining a group in training. He's preparing for a Marathon a month earlier than I and he's up to 12 miles. At my rate, a dozen miles seems like the moon. Been told I should stretch before my walks to prevent injury. I've never had to prepare before my bike ride. I just get on the bike and ride. I've never hurt myself. And been told many times now, need to wear proper shoes. Who knew walking would be so complicated. As a friend told me after I mention my injury, "You should be old enough to know how to walk by now" Guess not. Did I make a mistake by riding as I'm hobbling about the house. Perhaps it would have been wiser to rest. My brother will not be pleased to see me limping more than before. Wonder if it can heal over night. Oh well, it's too late now. This Sunday will be a brand new event called New Moon Century, a Kosher ride. http://newmooncentury.com/ This 100 mile bike-ride will begin at 6:30am, Oct. 18th, 2009, bringing together riders from all over Southern California to raise awareness and funds for hunger and environmental causes. Celebrating the New Moon, over one hundred riders will ride off into the morning mist of the Santa Monica wilderness, traversing valleys and mountains and down along the picturesque Malibu coast. Our team of riding connoisseurs have crafted a route that will be tantalizing to the senses and a perfect balance of terrain and aesthetic delight. Everyone ride safe. Happy Columbus Day and happy bicycling, David And stretch.

It's Here: The Stadium to the Sea Course details are below; sign-ups at record pace This morning we announced the full details for our 2010 Stadium to the Sea race course -- and the response has been tremendous! If you haven't done so already, take a look at our brand-new detailed course map, animated video and more at www.lamarathon.com. The story is in newspapers, on TV and all across the web. Be sure to sign up soon - we're capping registration at 25,000 participants. Book Your Hotel Room Now Online Reservations Available We scoured LA for the widest range of great hotel properties at unbelievable rates....... With a total of 36 partner hotels, the 2010 LA Marathon offers places to stay all over the city. Choose between Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood and Santa Monica locations. Participating Downtown LA hotels will provide transportation from two central downtown locations to the start line at Dodger Stadium, and from the finish line back downtown every half hour from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. Participating hotels will provide a wrist band that allows hotel registrants access to these private shuttles. Only Marathon participants who are staying at these hotels will be provided this shuttle transportation. No family or friends are allowed. Online hotel housing is now open and filling up fast! Click on the link below to take a look at all the hotels we have waiting for you, and make your reservation. Bring your friends and family and make a weekend out of it, as there is so much to do and see in LA before and after the race. Race Day Shuttles and Parking How do I get to the Start Line at Dodger Stadium? Due to the point-to-point nature of our new Stadium to the Sea course, we will be offering complementary PRE-RACE runner shuttles from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium to the starting line at Dodger Stadium. The runner shuttles will stage and leave from the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium Parking Lot located on 4th Street between Olympic Dr. and Pico Blvd. We have secured over 10,000 parking spaces near the finish line and shuttle pick up location. Directions to these lots, rates and hours of operation will be sent to all registrants no later than December 15th. Additionally details regarding reserving your complimentary race morning transportation, time slots, and the timing of the first through last shuttle will be sent to all registrants no later than December 15th. Important Notes: Shuttles to the start line are free and are for registrants only. Race numbers are required to ride. Shuttles will only be offered PRE-RACE to the starting line at Dodger Stadium. If you are being dropped off at the start line, further instructions regarding driving directions and drop off locations at the Stadium will be sent to all registrants no later than December 15. Some hotels are offering shuttle service directly to the start line. Please check with your hotel or for more information. 2009 LA Marathon Gear Final Blowout Sale UP TO 80% OFF This is your last chance to get a great deal on all of the 2009 LA Marathon Official Gear. Stcok is limited so get your gear today. ORDER YOURS TODAY! 2009 LA Marathon L/S Directions Tee with Event Date - Royal regular price: $20.00 sale price: $4.00 2009 LA Marathon L/S Directions Tee with Event Date - Grey regular price: $20.00 sale price: $4.00 2009 "LA" Men's Illuminite Jacket with Event Date - Charcoal regular price: $90.00 sale price: $18.00 2009 "LA" Men's Alo™ Runners Jacket w/ Event Date - Grey regular price: $65.00 sale price: $13.00 "LA" Women's Racerback Tank - Sky regular price: $20.00 sale price: $4.00 "LA" Women's Long-sleeve Performance Top - White regular price: $30.00 sale price: $6.00 2009 LA Marathon Runners Performance Cap - Black regular price: $20.00 sale price: $4.00 2009 LA Marathon Runners Performance Cap - White regular price: $20.00 sale price: $4.00 Los Angeles Marathon Performance Sock - Black regular price: $12.00 sale price: $2.40 For the latest news and updates, be sure to check our news page here: www.lamarathonnews.blogspot.com. Thanks and see you out on the road, The LA Marathon Team Quick Links Register Now Official LA Marathon Website FOLLOW US ONLINE: -Youtube -Flickr -Facebook -Twitter -Blog

This Sunday's run, Calabasas Classic benefits the Talbert Family Foundation which besides being run by the daughter of LAW's long distance riding couple, Laverne and Ralph Boethlings also contributes to the Christian Armas College fund. Wow, it seems practically over half the population has run a Marathon. Just keep finding more and more people who have done it. It's probably due to a sheltered life and having been working all the time that I never attempted anything really physical till my middle age. Which by the way my mother just commented that I've gotten fatter in the middle. Pants getting tighter. Have never skied, surf, ridden a motorbike, parachuted, bungi jump, been to Universal Studios. Can't snap my fingers, whistle, wiggle my ears or nose, roll my tongue... So I attempted my first run, the Calabasas Classic;c 10 Km. As the event is only 33 miles away, my rule if it's within 50 miles, will ride my bike. And it was faster than I thought. Ralph noticing me as only person on a bike. Tells me he saw my name on the roster. Could also be as I wrote as my club Los Angeles Wheelmen. Met his daughter, Julie who is the organizer of the run and the Talbert Family Foundation. http://www.talbertfamilyfoundation.org/ Ralph found a secure place to leave my bike. Told him it's my first running event. And it is exciting, just like when I did my first bicycling event. As I'm new, ask. Directed to a table to pick up my bib number. Unlike bicycling, you wear it on the front. Go to next table to get the goody bag and t-shirt. Given a reusable bag (seems all events are going this route and I like it) by lululemon athletica. Like all the sayings on the bag, too many for me to type here. Here's a few. Stress is related to 99% of all illness. Breath deeply and appreciate the moment. Living in the moment could be the meaning of life. Dance, Sing, Floss and Travel. Choose a positive thought. Do one thing a day that scares you. A daily hit of athletic induced endorphins gives you the power to make better decisions, helps you be at peace with yourself and offsets stress. And here's one that must be a mantra for Renee. Drink fresh water and as much as you can. Water flushes unwanted toxins from your body and keeps your brain sharp. So what's in the bag. At first, besides the shirt, thought it was empty. The gray shirt has the runs logo with Calabasas Classic 5K % 10K Runs Veterans Day Weekend 2009 On the back is King's Fish House The shirt is a little different from a cotten T. GreenLayer Polyester Repreve Fabric/Bamboo Charcoal short sleeve Calabasas Classic running shirt. Our shirts area made from recycled polyster...one pound of this fabric conserves the equivalant of 1/2 gallon gasoline Have not worn it, but it look cool Also in the bag is a flyer for Menchie frozen yogurt SuperKidz Photography Aquaphor At mile 10. it's not people that rub you the wrong way That's it. Yet, the bag is nice. Next I'm in line to get my timing chip. Do I really want to know my time. Took it anyway. Learn I'm to attach it to my shoe using the laces to secure. Yes brought tennis shoes. Ralph asked if I was going to run in my Look cleats. Now have two hours to wait till I run. So check out the shopping center. And every parking space is taken. There is over 2,000 participants. Feel for the shop owners as their customers won't find a place to park. Take a bench and give Donna an early Sunday morning call. Gave her my observation of all the runners. Look at the shoes. Look at the runners. They all look so thin and lean. Makes me look like a contestant on the Biggest Loser. A quarter to 8, retreat to the start to watch the 5K runners. There is a exercise workout going on, runners stretching to the beat. Others are jogging back and forth. Meanwhile, I with my bicycling mentality, sit and watch. The 5K starts with a big group of runners. Where did all these people come from. So I'm chatting with this other guy that it's my first run and I'm a bicyclist and it seems the run just started, the first runner is coming in. Even the announcer is caught surprised. He's broken the previous record by so much, it takes awhile before the next runner appears. Soon the 5K people are jogging in which tells me I ought to get ready. Go back to my bike, remove my jacket and reveal the LAW jersey. You can bet I'm the only one wearing bicycling clothes. Tighten my laces. Find a place to sit to watch the action. Still runners are coming in, the 10K runners assemble. Take place in back. Figure if I start last, less chance of runners passing me. A 5K runner asks me where he can find his time. I'm thinking, there's two big clocks telling you that. This is one thing I've learned about runners. They sure worry about time. In conversations, that's all they talk about. What time they did at this event. What time they expect to finish. Like with bicycling, I'm just happy that I finish. Wish they never publish time. Just that I completed. So the announcer says since the 10K runners are all experienced, they will not have group stretches. We are suppose to know all about that. I'm debating whether I should do something, but don't, thinking I'll look like a fool, especially with minutes before we start. Then I see runners carrying bottles of water. I hadn't drank anything since leaving home. Now it's too late to get my water bottle. So the thing starts. Let the up front people thin out before moving. It begins with a slight uphill. Here can't decide to walk or jog. Most are jogging, so I do likewise. Then I can walk as fast. So I walk. Then I jog. Walk. When the road goes down, I'm forced to jog. And I jog the whole 10K. Though it hurts, figure it's only a little over 6 miles of pain. Earlier, talking with Ralph, tell him on a bicycle, 6 miles is nothing. Well by the 1 mile marker, I'm thinking, that's is one long mile. The route is rolly. And just like in bicycling, pass quite a few runners on the uphill. As I've told Lynn to explain why I climb so well, it's because when the pedal pushes back, I just push back harder. The 10K is basically doing 2 5K loops. Going in figure I'll take an hour and half. Surprised to find the first 5K is just over 30 minutes. So I'm proud of myself. I'm a runner. That's till the first place guy comes racing in. He's done two laps to my one. OK, maybe I'm a walker. And a consistant one, as my second loop is practically identical as my first. So I'm now thinking, I can do that Marathon in under 4 1/2 hrs. In my dreams. A few things that bothered me. Runners like bicycle racers do not chat. Or perhaps they do not find my observations amusing. The workers seem to be. The police officer holding traffic would be clapping us on and on the second time around told him that his hands must be tired. "Not as tired as your legs" And when I complimented the water handlers on the quality of the refreshments. They say "Huh?" Now I do have a problem with the water. They hand these little dixie cups half full. Since I'm uncordinated, can't walk and drink at the same time. Spill half of the stuff on myself leaving barely a swallow. There were three stations and probably drank almost an ounce. On that Marathon, I'll have to take a seat to drink. Another complaint, there is no electolytes. I sweat a lot. Have to keep wiping my eyes from all the perspiration. Notice my arm is developing salt stains. Sure enough, on the final climb, can feel a cramp developing. So on the final stretch, while everyone else is passing me, dashing to the finish, I knew if I did that, will be rolling on the ground in pain. That'd not look good, with me wearing LAW and Ralph there cheering me on. And will have to buy better shoes. Mine weren't those fancy quiet lightweight soles. Mine is heavy bulky cloppers. People are looking back, wondering who's making all that horse hooves sound. Overall, enjoyed the event. It is exciting and different. I'm already registering for another 10K. I may not be fast, but I finish. And I got a medal to prove it. With my run over, like a bicycling event, get ready to leave. I'm asked how my first run went and they congratulated me. So much, have to call Donna again. 'I've injured myself and can't get home' Check the LAW Sunday ride and lo behold, the long comes practically here. Copy the route, will follow backward. The first three were nearing Wells. The next group is a couple miles back. Go as far as Burbank and Reseda, mile 19.2, figure if no one gets this far in two hours, there's probably no one coming. Instead of following the route, go to Victory and follow it East. When I get to the lunch area. Not a single rider. Not even at Carl's Jr. Decide that perhaps they are still on their way, go West on Victory. Stop to check the time. It's practically noon. Either they did not stop for lunch or they have eaten and gone. I eat at Wendys. You know when it's real. Ate their new smoked apple bacon burger. It was OK, though the bacon was too big and thick. After lunch, going to go up Old Topanga by myself. At Carl's there's all the bikes with the LAW's they belong to inside. So I invite myself in. Will learn that Mel's along, the pedaling gourmet and feel missing out when his group ate at a non chain eating establishment. So I'm happy to have people to ride with. There is a good group of riders for this. Heard about the reporter at the start which I'll leave the President to tell about. Believe written this before what a nice, fairly quiet, scenic road Old Topanga Canyon is. And for such little bit of climbing, you are rewarded with a long descent. It's a great descent, even Karen commented what a terrific road. Of course, then on Topanga has it's traffic. But somehow, the shoulder seems wider and cleaner. Again, that is a lot of downhill. On the coast, it's South on PCH and you know there's a lot of cars. But with a tailbreeze, we just got whisked along. By Santa Monica, the group splintered. I will follow Gary, Nancy, April and Diticus, each having ridden to the start. Each will have their own idea of what route to take though. I follow a route maker. End continuing on with Gary and Nancy. As we climbing Lincoln, Gary shows us a new route below Loyola. I'm always for a new road. A bit of dirt, but very rideable. You can look down at the new developement below. Oh what fun at the end when we have to climb this steep narrow path. Defintely steeper than 11%. After leaving the two, I'm sure I am short of a Century, head to the beach on Manchester. Follow the bike path to Hermosa, up Pier and Aviation home. Home, getting off the bike, throw my back out, rolling on the asphalt in pain. Thus plan not to do anything tomorrow except go buying at Costco. Which is the reason this is longer than it is.

Did I finish? First thank you for the encouragements and well wishes. Gosh I have no choice but to finish. Let's say, might be joining Don on the next Short ride and it's not because I've worn out my tennies. I apologize as this is a bicycling board. From now after, will type only after a bike ride. The day before my brother gave me Tylenol as he knows I am against taking any medication. Gave it a try. Though I may not have been frolicking about, managed to stay upright all day. So Donna calls and her nurse friend who ran 10Ks, but says only fools run a Marathon, suggests I do not do it. Donna bought me new running shoes (as the shoes I wear are disgusting) for Christmas. Also got a haircut so I'd be lighter and less wind drag. Later in the day, a doctor customer also tells me not to run. But I'll be walking. Pick up my bib # and timing chip along with a black racing shirt. Black is a cool color, but not if it's going to be warm. That's all I got in my manila envelope. Not even an REI bag where Friday's registration took place in Manhattan Beach. I am disappointed, I want stuff. The thing starts at 7:13, left home at 5:30. As I refuse to pay 7 dollars for parking, parked in Marina del Rey Dock 52 and biked to Santa Monica. INAUGURAL 13.1 Los Angeles World Vision 2583 LOS ANGELES 2010 Gear Check Tag Food Ticket safety pinned to the front of the Los Angeles Wheelmen jersey. Yeah David represented the club. The run is only 13.1 miles thus the name of the event. It's a series of half Marathon that takes place in different cities. This is the only west coast version, the nearest town would be Minneapolis. Most of the runs are on the east coast, the promoter in North Carolina. Why this event. It takes place on a Sunday. It seems like the proper mileage I should be at for the LA Marathon. So in November sent in my early registration. That is before my physical breakdown. Early December completed my second 10 K event. Saw Ernie there, apologizes for not saying 'Hello' as I was not stepping out of that long pancake line. Unfortunately I have not improved from my first, in fact slower, but then I have to walk that last mile up the hill. My brother who does not run or bike finishes over 15 minutes ahead of me. Well he only did one lap. But my nephew finished the 10K in half my time, first in his age group and 10th overall. Earlier in the week, my brother tells me his son would do this run in my place. I was willing to let him do it. Come Saturday, he is sick. BTW, my brother offered to do the Marathon if I can't make it. If I was going to do it, he plans to walk the 26+ miles. If David can do it, anyone can. So I'm entering this half Marathon after taking three weeks off from my walk training. Heck I've been on the bike only three times in December. No wonder I've added 15 pounds. Yikes. This event promises: Course Marathon 13.1® Los Angeles is WALKER FRIENDLY. The course will remain open for 3 hours and 30 minutes (16 minute/mile pace). I plan on using that full 3 1/2 hours. Arrive via bike path where the event starts. Look for a secure place to lock the bike. Don't trust the bike stands next to the beach, so I secure it to some water fixture next to the starting line. The finish is on Main St. I'm probably one if only bicyclist to ride in, though there is a group of riders who patrolled the event wearing the AIDS Ride jersey. A great thing about a bicycling jersey, can carry my wallet, phone, candy and keys in my pockets. Don't know where these runners hold their stuff. They provide a bag drop for stuff to pick up later. Considered turning in my jacket, but it is cold. Besides, I'm a Randonneur. We carry all our stuff. They announce that the runners to line up according to what time they expect to finish. Stroll down the walk, noticing the signs, 1:30, 1:45, 2:00... Kept going till the last one reads 3:00. Couple of gals, an older gentlemen and a heavy set guy. I make a comment that I'm looking for the four hour group. A gal points that this is the three hour section which I say, 'I thought that is what time I have to finish, at three o'clock.' OK, I'm the 'Fred' of running. The only one wearing jacket which after a couple miles, have to remove and tie around my waist like an orange skirt. Which may explained why the patrol bike kept telling me that I need to drink fluids throughout the event. Did not say anything but thank you, but hey, I'm wearing a bicycling jersey, you'd think I'd know about hydration. The Back of the Pack Crew and SAG Wagon will signify the end of the field and the maximum 16-minutes per mile pace. They will not start timing until the last person crosses the start line and will be with you throughout the race. If you cannot keep pace, the Crew will help you as you board the SAG Wagon. If you cannot maintain an 16-minute per mile pace, you will be required to board the support buses. There is a cart with stretchers. I ask them if they are the Back of the Pack crew and they answer affirmative. 'So you are the guys who will be carrying me off in the stretcher.' Not sure if they thought I was serious. I don't know when the gun sounded the start, could barely hear the National Anthem from the back or any of the last minute instructions. Felt at easy with the group I was with as they seem happy to just walk it. The people start moving forward and I follow. When we get close to the announcer, he acknowledges us as the Back of the Pack group. "These are the people who have the most fun" Sounds good to me. So when the crowd thins out, among the last to cross the timer. The race is on. As I said I would, I walk. But heck, these people are walking fast. I may get dropped. Look back to see if the SAG is behind me. We start by going up Venice boardwalk. I've never really looked at the stores, so at our pace became a tourist. A homeless tells us he's already finished the event which brought a lot of chuckles from the group. Be it the Tylenol or the people around me, feeling rather good. An elderly guy who is doing his first 1/2 marathon asks if he could walk along using us to pace with so he could finish. Clocks are at every mile marker. So when the Back of the Pack arrives to mile 1, the clock reads 18 minutes. It's only one mile and I'm already disqualified. Someone assured me that our clock starts when we cross the line and I'm reading the front runners time. Well I'm spooked, so I start to jog, passing walkers right and left. Come mile 2, it's down to 26. I'm feeling good, maintain this pace. The course is flat, up Venice Blvd and back. Drink Gatorade at every water stop. Everything is good. BTW, saw a couple of LA Wheelmen. Waved to Kit as he is heading East on Venice. Saw Gary come onto Venice. Venice was open to traffic on the East bound lanes. A comment about runners. They are not a chatty group. Well the Back of the Pack is friendly, but up with serious people, they just ignore my comments. When accepting a cup of Gatorade, I thank them. I thank the security. I cheer the cheerleaders. But these zombie runners say nothing. Come on, it's a fun event. Loosen up. It's not like you're going to be winning some prize money. There is a couple of school bands, cheerleading group, radio stations, guitarists and lots of kids helping out. What wasn't there is that many onlookers. Perhaps running events are an everyday occurrence or the people of Palms are apathetic. I know nothing excites the people of Venice. They've seen everything. So I'm cruising along, hitting the 5 miles marker under an hour. Sweating like usual, but taking in fluids. Piece of cake. A gal running along side me on the grassy midsection as I comment that it's probably easier on the feet than the hard asphalt. She just smiles. An advantage I have is knowing the streets, knew what road is ahead and how far out. But when we cross mile 6, that half mile felt long. At the turn around point, the cheerleaders cheer. Have this clever saying for them. 'I don't think I can finish. I'm going to turn back and go home' Either my presentation is poor or they didn't understand the joke, it was not worth repeating. And I had lots of comebacks. "Good job" 'No you're doing a good job' "Looking good" 'No. You're just saying that' "You're almost there" 'When I started I am almost there' "You're almost done" 'I am done after the first mile' "Keep going" 'I think my going is gone' "You can do it" 'So can you if you tried' I call out onlookers to come out and join in. One man said his legs are no good. One guy came out and high five me. I think the other participants are looking at me strangely. What is this guy high on. Must be the Tylenol. I'm just out to have fun and who cares if I look like a fool, these people won't be seeing me running in these events. Heck why would I want to be around a bunch of people who don't even smile. Explains why they try to avoid me. A good incentive for them to go faster. Well I kept myself amused if no one else. And though moving slower, the miles seem to pass by. Passing more and more walkers. Though not a runner, I believe I have something these people do not posses and that's will power. When I see JR riding the bike knowing what pain he goes through, when Bobbi can recover from broken bones to attempt the 508, to see Kermit back on a bike, I can do this. By mile 11, I've expired two hours. Two more miles in an hour and half, I can walk this in. And I do. Back with the walkers. And talkers. A gal telling her friend that she must be an idiot to do this which I interrupt 'Well we must all be idiots for doing this' She laughs. A gal with a bird of paradise flower stuck in the back of her shirt comes by and I comment 'You know you have a bird on your back' She tells me a homeless man gave it to her. I did not mind being passed by many people. The cheerleaders tell me "Keep running" No I'm walking. I'm in my cool down phase. So as I make my approach for the final mile, making a right onto Main, finishers wearing their medals applaud us on. And what do I say, 'What do they got to eat at the finish?' So I'm walking to the finish, runners go by me. People calling for us to run. 'I can see the finish. I'll make it in time" I wave my arms to liven up the crowds, let's hear it for the walkers. Just beyond Rose, pass the giant clown, the finish arch awaits. So I'm going through my head, how do I end this. I do it by stopping in the middle of the intersection and announcing, 'I've only got 13 miles in these legs. I can't make that last .1' People seem disinterested in what I have to say. He must be runner's high delirious. A couple runners go by and I start running like I'm giving them competition. Give up before the line as the announce calls "That's David Nakai from Fallbrook" Had my 3 seconds of running fame. Grab a bottle of water, an apple, a granola bar, and bagel. They serve food, but looking at the line, decide to go home for lunch. It's not even 10. Gosh my legs feel heavy as I walk to my bike. On the Trek, my body seems happy and speed away. If I brought the LAW route slip, could join them. Call Donna. 'I was not able to finish. I am hurt. They had to take me to the hospital' Got home before 11. Ate lunch. Watched bull riding championship. That sport is dangerous. Couple of the cowboys got stomped on. Decide to go outside, nice warm day. My legs won't revolt. And my back follows. So I lay on the floor watching TV all afternoon. Next morning, going to show my medal which is really nice, to my brother as he does not expect me to finish. He comes in and tells me what time I finished. I didn't even look to see my time, too busy making my dramatic ending. But he looked on the computer. "So you must have cut the run short" In the rules, you are allowed to cross over and return if you can not make the full distance and still get a medal. 'If you think I cheated, then you don't know me' Today my legs feel like lead. I've never felt this hurt since riding the 508 solo. But then, I went to work the next day. Today everybody asks what's wrong with you, hunchback and hobbling. So everybody thinks I won't be able to finish the Marathon. Still have over two months to get in shape. Maybe JR can get me some of them pain killers. I'm debating what to do this Sunday. Ought to keep training, but walking by myself is so boring. If the weather permits, possibly the passion of Pasadena will persuade me to pursue. So if this Tylenol keeps doing good, there will be one giddy bicyclist come Sunday. Happy safe bicycling, David

That's what the doctor told me a couple hours ago. Also do not run meaning no Marathon. That comes from a Physical Therapist. So I'm not sure I should consider him as a doctor. The Specialist who I saw this morning tells me my back is really messed up. He also tells me not to run, but I can walk. That's good as that's what I was going to do. As for bicycling, he did not say no. But suggest riding upright rather than in the drops. How will I be able to keep up with everyone if I'm not in a tuck position. He did prescribe me pills, even after I told him I don't want them. So I will be at this Sunday's ride, by golly to Cal Poly. As long as there is no drug testing. As for the LA Marathon, it's less than 2 weeks away. And I'm not going to worry about it. Given up training for it. I'm just going to take a long leisure stroll to the beach. I am sure I will not be the last one in. Happy bicycling, David