Race Report - 2014 Rock 'n' Roll Los Angeles Halloween 1/2 Marathon

Saturday Expo

Unlike San Jose earlier this month, Los Angeles is close enough to San Diego to drive. I had a Halloween themed birthday party to attend on Saturday night on the east side of L.A. in Corona. The plan was to get a hotel room closer to the race start, and leave the party early. I arrived at the Expo a bit later in the afternoon so the crowd was not so large. But I'm used to the 30,000 people of the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll. Los Angeles is much smaller at around 10,000 participants. I brought my Elvis costume in a bag, and changed in the restroom at the convention center. A lot of people recognized me from San Jose, even the DJ at the Rock 'n' Roll booth. I could not stay too long, as I still had to check in to my hotel and get to the party. I run into another Elvi (but she is not in costume), and we chatted for a bit. She would be running as Marlyn Monroe for this race. No one else at the Expo in costume, so I would have to wait until the next day to see everyone. A quick check into the hotel in Monterey Park about 15 minutes from the start. A brief appearance as Elvis at the Halloween party, and back to the hotel to get a good night sleep. Total driving today about 250 miles, some in heavy congested traffic.

Sunday Half Marathon

Race started at 7 a.m. about a half hour before the sun rises. Much different than San Jose, which started a half hour after sunrise. Like San Jose two races are combined at the start, but for L.A. it's a 5k. I arrived at the parking lot just after 5 a.m. and showed the attendant my mobile receipt. He informed me that he cannot accept anything unless it is printed. I was a little pissed, as my mobile receipt clearly states "For your convenience, this parking lot accepts mobile receipts. Please show your GottaPark receipt to the parking attendant upon arrival." What's worse is that I asked him how much I have to pay, and he asked for $10 (I only paid $5.75 on-line). I'm a bit unfamiliar with downtown L.A, and it was dark, and there were many street people about. I spotted a few runners, and we walk together to the staging area. We arrived close to 6 a.m. and there were a few costumed runners, but not as much as I expected. No other Elvi, but lots of great costumes. I headed over to the corral area about 10 minutes from start time, and bumped into a fellow Elvi who I had met in San Diego earlier this year. As we were talking, we are getting request for pictures, which we gladly obliged. One girl had the last name Presley.

This was my first time running with the inflatable guitar, but I had a shoelace tied to it so that I would not have to carry it in my hand the whole way. The course went out and back twice, so there was a great opportunity to spot others in costume. The first costume in the lead that I saw was an In-n-Out Burger, carrying a take out bag. I probably should have taken more pictures, but I had a race to run. I saw the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man behind me, and when he caught up, I had to get a picture. Street surface was not quite as nice as San Jose, and not many tree either, so I got a little warm. I do not spend much time in downtown L.A. so many of the sights were new to me. I didn't realize that we ran around the L.A. Memorial Coliseum until after the race. I even used the restroom there, I knew it was a sports stadium but didn't know which one. The next interesting landmark was the 2nd street tunnel. I never knew L.A. had such a long tunnel at 1500 feet. This tunnel was used in many movies, so when I went thorough it looked vaguely familiar. Quite warm and humid, and though there was ventilation it was a bit stuffy and noisy. Some of the noise was from the vent fans, but as I got to the end of the tunnel there were speakers blasting rock music.

The next interesting landmark comes up as the Whittier Blvd Bridge which goes over the LA river. A slight climb then a turn around which leads to a great view of the downtown L.A. skyline. Back down the bridge, into the tunnel again, then to the finish. I was not sure of my time, not that I didn't care, but it would have made no difference on my effort. I carried the guitar in my hand the last mile or so, so that I could get some more interesting photos.

Finish in 3:20:04 is about ten minutes faster than 3 weeks ago. I immediately headed towards the Heavy Medal booth to pick up my bonus Cali Combo medal. I was hoping that with my slow finish time that the line would be short, but there were over 100 in line. I should have checked-in my flip flops, but I wanted to avoid any delays. My feet were sore, so I was walking slow. By the time I got my medal I had to head over to the main stage for the costume contest. I wasn't really expecting to win, but you can't win if you do not try. I didn't make it past the first round.

I got back to the parking lot and saw the sign for charges, $5 early bird, $7 all-day. I missed that in the early morning darkness and paid $10, besides you do not want to argue with the lot attendant, since he's the one around your car for several hours. I left too late to get back to the hotel for a shower, so I head over to Corona to pick up the family and shower there. That trip put me close to 300 miles for the weekend, luckily my daughter drives home so I can relax my feet.