Tuesday, March 4, 2008

2008 Los Angeles Marathon

For the first time in I think in 7 years Tanya and I did not run the Los Angeles Marathon. Instead we acted as spectators and cheered the ocean of people living their marathon dreams. LA was my first marathon,it does hold a special place, but I thought it was time to step back and watch. It was a rare treat to be able stand on the sidelines and watch others run. To see the elite athletes motoring by at such a blistering pace was incredible.

LA has the "Challenge" of sorts. The elite females start before the elite males, and the men have to try and catch them. I don't like the idea, but it is a nice payday for the overall winner $100,000. The goal of the organizers is to create faster times by making the men chase the women. I don't think it has worked yet!
Man these brothers can run!! not that it is unusual at the major city marathons; but 7 out of the first 10 finishers were Kenyan! WOW! Standing and watching them cruise by was incredible. The ease at which these men and women are able to cover 26.2 miles just blows me away. I have learned to love to run, but these athletes were born to run!!
It was great to see so many of our friends out there having a ball. In the crowd we saw Ultra friends Andy K., Alex S, Jorge P,Maria L, Dirty Girl XY, Fred P, Deb. It was great seeing them all, but I was blown away when I saw Gary H. who less than a year ago was fighting for his life after being in a motorcycle accident. Gary you are the man! Just read his bib "One Kidney".



Bernadette K. what can you say. This was Bernadette's 5th time finishing the Los Angeles Marathon. She is an inspiration; so many people sit back and say that is crazy I could never do a marathon. Not Bernadette, she wants to challenge her human spirit and rise to new heights. Way to go Berni!
Also a BIG Congratulations to first time marathon finisher Jason S. You got it done brother!
MJ

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hello Tanya and Marc

Thank you very much for the comment and congrats to all the finishers. Hope to see you both in Santa Monica soon. Health is Golden.

Dr. Marc and Tanya said...

You are very welcome, this wouldn't be Jason who just finished his first full marathon!!
YOU GO MAN!!!

Anonymous said...

Hello,

Yep that was me ...Jason S. Thanks Again. On to Long Beach Full Marathon ;-> I really interested in getting into a group setting for the LB Marathon. Can you help me.