The week leading up to the race was tough. The forecast was for heavy rains and since I injured my Achilles, I walk the entire marathon. I was not looking forward to walking all day in the cold rain. But it wasn’t that bad.

The volunteers & crowds need to be recognized for turning out on a day when most people would rather stay home. Big thanks for not only showing up for us, but genuinely encouraging us when we were having a rough go of it. I’ve been doing this race since I was 17; I’m 49 now. I don’t know how many more years I’ll be able to keep doing this marathon, but I’m going to try.

I’m glad the weather cooperated well enough to make it through with the biggest challenge being a few blisters on my left foot.

I wanted to write about this virtual marathon because I’ve participated in Grandma’s since 1996, and drove down to Duluth yesterday to run/walk it alone. Let me begin by saying I love swag, and having to wait for a month really kills my motivation and by the time I get it next month the buildup to the excitement just isn’t the same.

Because I went alone I started at the finish line, ran to the 13 mile mark then turned around. It only got to about 70 but the humidity was much higher, and I felt in potential danger by mile 20. That’s the thing about virtuals - alone, you are your own medical team, refreshment station, volunteer, everything. I only had room for so much water. So by mile 16 I slowed way down and walked the rest. It took me a lot longer, but nonetheless I finished.

Despite all this, I am starting to prefer the virtual marathon option. I run the marathon when I’m ready and the date that works for me. Because I mostly walk now, I don’t feel much if any crowd support and rarely meet any of the other marathoners anymore. I just don’t get anything out of the social interaction during the in person marathon. I think I’m sticking to virtual options from now on, as long as I get the same medal and shirt.

I love this race so much that when I couldn’t go out there in 2020, I bought the shirt and medal on eBay, ran it here at home, and felt better that at least I ran the L.A. Marathon. I just wasn’t ‘in’ L.A.

But the years I’ve been there, and I’ll be there again…this is that race that made all the training and 5k’s and tedious workouts and crowded times at the gym worth it. I love this marathon. Just to be a part of a moving sideshow, if nothing else. I don’t do this race for a record time. I bring my phone and I take pictures! I talk to people! This is my weekend to have fun!

I know the finish line has been switched so it remains to be seen how that affects the race, but if you want to become familiar with Los Angeles, there is no better way than on foot. The expo, Dodger Stadium, taking the Expo back to downtown, it was all great!