Los Angeles Marathon Recap!

What a fantastic course!  What a fantastic race!  What fantastic spectators!  What a fantastic city!  In short, I love the LA Marathon.  It is the closest I will ever get to a "major" marathon and it is SO worth it.  Even though it was 85 degrees in FEBRUARY!  So worth it.  I describe it to people as running thru a movie set slowed down so you can take in all the sights!

Warning: This post is long because I want to do this awesome race justice.  Lots of pictures!  This awesome race was a true tour of LA.  Let me walk you thru as much of it as possible.
I set out my outfit the night before.

Shoes: Hoka One One Stinsons, Tank: Running Skirts Keep it Chill Tank and Neck Gaiter, Hydration Vest: Orangemud VP2, Socks: ProCompression, Skirt: Spandits Hyperspeed 

You truly need to try out the Keep it Chill collection from Running Skirts.  Saved my life at the race.  Tank kept me cool and neck gaiter worked as a cooling head and neck band!

The race started at Dodger Stadium.  We hopped on the 4:30 a.m. shuttle form Santa Monica Pier to the Stadium and were there by 5.  So we had to sit around for almost 2 hours.  Good thing I had excellent company.

Me and my BRF Jenn

Carlee, Me and Jenn

Jenn, Me, Linzie, Carlee and Sarah

Then we met up with the other Jenn and Launa and had to take more pictures!

And of course one of our matching ProCompression Sock of the Month socks!

And a photo bomb from Jenn before we started!

After a slight uphill, we headed downhill into the next stop, Chinatown!

The Jenns and the Dancing Dragons - coming to a stage near you!

Pretty cool!

Next up, Olvera Street, Los Angeles City Hall,  Little Tokyo and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion!  I grew up in the suburbs of LA and thought I had seen all the major sights but I had never seen Echo Park Lake!  It was really pretty and had a section of rolling hills adjacent to the freeway.

It was right around here that we took our first of 2 bathroom breaks that would ultimately cost us 40 minutes total time.  But hey, when you gotta go, you gotta go!  The above picture was taken at a loading dock at the $.99 cent store!

Next, the Pantages where I saw Jesus Christ Superstar and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Coat (with Michael Damian - Rock on!)!  We somehow missed the Capitol Records Tower but did get a glimpse of Hollywood & Vine and the famous sign.

We of course hit up the Hollywood Walk of Fame and got some pictures (another 10 minutes or so).

Next up, Grauman's Chinese Theater.

We had to get an RDJ picture for our girl Vanessa.

And I had to get a Harry Potter picture for D.

One more...

We saw Chateau Marmot, Whiskey a Go Go and The Troubadour!  Iconic bars in Hollywood!  Then we headed to Rodeo Drive, which was every bit as awesome as it is in Pretty Woman.  

In fact, we saw a model wearing a wedding gown and getting photographed on the streets.

We ran into Bob Harper and awesome Jenn practically SCREAMED at him to take a picture with us. Excuse my manic facial expression.

The hottest part of the course was in Century City.  But it also brought the best sign!

And the best aid station.  There was one aid station handing out ice cold cups of Coke.  There is nothing better on a hot marathon day!  

We then headed into fancy pants Brentwood and the tree lined streets (read: Shade!).  And finally at mile 23, began the downhill decent into Santa Monica Pier and the finish line!

Even though my time was almost 1 hour slower than Canyon City, I still loved the course.  It kept me entertained and the crowds were magnificent.  They made me feel like a celebrity.  It was probably the hardest course I have done because of the hills and the heat, but it is the one Full marathon I will come back to every year!  Best of all, I ran into my friend from elementary school and my matron of honor!

But I cannot say enough about Jenn.  She stayed with me every second of our Marathon get away and it was RAD!  You can't spend that much time with just anyone without wanting to punch them in the face.  But not my Jenn!

I will tell you that this medal was well earned.  And that I WILL be back to run this course again next year!

Before I forget, I am linking up with  Mar, Courtney and Cynthia - AKA the DC Trifecta, Nicole for Fit & Fashionable Friday and Jill for Fitness, Health & Happiness Link-Up!

So, have you ever run a "major" marathon?  Have you ever run LA?  Which one is your favorite marathon ever?

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom