LA Marathon – Team Pablove
Today was the 2013 LA Marathon.
Last night I had the privilege of speaking at the Team Pablove pre-race dinner. The Team Pablove runners raised over $66,000 this year to help Pablove in their fight against childhood cancer. Some of them, including the other guy who spoke last night, have some very personal and heart-breaking stories about their involvement with Pablove. I was psyched to be asked to try to give some encouraging words and last-minute advice. Even though public speaking is probably my biggest fear, I had a lot of fun.
Following twitter and checking results today, it looks like the Team Pablove runners had a successful day. Congrats!
Then, this morning, I spent a few hours out on the course with Tyler, first running “backwards” on the course through Santa Monica, Brentwood and the VA, watching the wheelchair athletes and elites come flying by and then pacing some friends toward the finish. Unlike the past few years, the weather was pretty much perfect marathon weather (50s, overcast, no wind) and I saw some great performances out there.
It was great fun to be out there; while watching and pacing the runners and seeing the spectators, the marathon seems like such a celebration, but I know from experience that for me, at least, road marathons are anything but a celebration!
A few times while we were running, Tyler or I said to the other, something like “I miss marathons, they’re fun, we should do it next year”. Then, I’d remember the pain I went through last year or see a runner struggling just to put one foot in front of the other, and be shocked a little back to reality. On the other hand, seeing pictures of those people beaming at the finish line (regardless of the suffering it took to get there) is enough to make me consider having a go at it in 2014. Thankfully, I have plenty of time – and the chance to suffer through a few races – before I have to make any decision!
Congrats to all my friends, everyone on Team Pablove and all the other runners who raced and conquered today!