LA Marathon: Reunion Run and Mental Battle

I ran the LA Marathon again this year, for the 13th time, though not consecutively, and I might be done with LA for now. I finished, but it wasn’t pretty. Still, it was a worthwhile experience.

I flew in Friday morning before the race and spent time with my big sis, who came from Atlanta. Our younger sister drove in from Vegas that day. We all decided to do the race this year, thanks to some gentle pressure from our long-time friend and my former running partner, Irene. It felt like a reunion run. Funny enough, LA was supposed to be my first marathon, but I ended up running the Carlsbad Marathon two months prior as a “practice run.” I figured if I was already doing a 22-mile training run, why not just go for 26.2 with support?

On Saturday, after the 5k and during the kids’ run, we hit the Expo at Dodger Stadium. As we walked to bib pickup, we watched the kids racing to Baby Shark blasting in the background, cheering them on, of course. The Expo wasn’t crowded yet, no lines for packet pick-up, and the sunny but brisk weather made it all pretty enjoyable.

We stayed at a hotel about a mile from the finish. Race morning, we walked to the shuttle stop to Dodger Stadium. The line was long, but we made it just in time. Once at the stadium, we went straight for the real bathrooms inside (pro tip: they usually open them for runners). It was cold that morning, and at the last minute I opted for my black leggings and a running shirt instead of shorts. Big mistake, I overheated once the sun came out.

The first half went well, it stayed cool and cloudy. I felt hydrated (had to use the porta potty multiple times), drank Tailwind for calories, ate one bar (not Picky Bars, they didn’t arrive in time), and had a couple of Huma gels. But honestly, it was a mental battle more than anything this time. I ditched any time goals and just took it all in, from the sights, the scenes, to the energy on the course.

This year, L.A. for me wasn’t about racing the clock, it was about soaking in the energy of every runner. With approx 40% first-timers, the course felt like a celebration of ordinary people doing something extraordinary. The streets of LA came alive with iconic sights at every turn and the electric energy of spectators, families, and friends cheering with heart. Not my fastest day, or the best one, it was meaningful and made it worthwhile.