LA Marathon Expo Day

Saturday morning I got up bright and early to head down to the LA Marathon Expo. But first I made a stop at The Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angeles for the annual Blessing of the Shoes!

This was an LA Marathon tradition that I'd heard about and since this was my first time running the race (and my first marathon ever!) I wanted to participate. 

The church was huge and so beautiful. I'd say about 80 people were there to have their running shoes blessed. 

After some encouraging words, a prayer and sprinkling of the Holy Water we were all invited up for a picture. 

After leaving the Cathedral it was a short drive to the LA Convention Center where the Expo was being held. 

I got there about 3 hours after the Expo opened and bib and shirt pick up was a breeze!  

After getting my stuff it was time to shop for official race merchandise. 

All of this stuff for less than the cost of a jacket at a Disney race!

After shopping I wandered around the Expo for a bit checking out the booths and collecting free samples. 

Sketchers (the official sponsor) was taking photos for the runners to sign and place on a huge wall. 

They also had a bunch of giveaways. 

I was able to sign a huge mural along with all the other runners. 

After the Expo it was time to eat. They were selling food inside but I decided to walk around downtown LA and see what I could find. Just a short walk up the street was The Original Panty Cafe. 

This place is an iconic coffee shop and restaurant that claims to have never closed and to have never been without a customer since it opened in 1924. They don't even have locks on the doors!

I had to wait in line outside for about 20 minutes before I was seated. Since I was by myself I sat at the counter. 

I had the sourdough French toast, bacon and potatoes. Everything was so good!

After eating I walked back to my car at the Convention Center and headed down to Long Beach, where I as staying for the night before the race. 

Did you attend the Expo?  Have you ever eaten at The Panty?  Let me know in the comments below. 

Tapering

Going into the last few weeks before the LA Marathon I kept hearing the word "taper". I knew basically that tapering meant we were going back down in the amount of miles we had been running. What I didn't understand was the way people said the word taper almost like it was a bad thing. I mean, come on, we're coming off of some huge runs, shouldn't we be happy to be running only 6 miles?

Well today I got it. All this extra time that I'm supposed to spend relaxing actually just gives me time to think and stress out about EVERTYTHING! Why could I run 22 miles just a few weeks ago but now 3 miles makes me feel winded? Why are my shins suddenly starting to hurt when I run? Are you sure that only running 6 miles this past weekend was a good idea? What if I trip and fall coming up the stair tonight and all this training has been for nothing? What if I get sick? Why do I feel like I've put on a few pounds? (Maybe because I want to eat #allthefood) What if my fueling doesn't work out? What if my shirt chafes me? What if I don't wake up on time? What if it takes me way longer than I anticipate?

 

But in the end I know that I did train enough. I know that my body is physically capable of taking me 26.2 miles. I know that my brain is capable of taking me 26.2 miles. I know that I cannot control the weather but I can plan for it. I know that on Sunday I will go out there and give it my all. I will do my best and I will be proud of what I accomplish.

 

Have you experienced taper madness? Let me know in the comments below!

Win a free race entry!

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before but I am an Ambassador for the Lexus Lace Up race series. This is my 2nd year as an Ambassasor. 

This is a really great race series with a 5K, 10K and Half Marathon at each of the 4 cities. The 4 locations are Irvine, Riverside, Ventura and Palos Verdes. 

Every participant will receive a tech-tee, commemorative race bag, finisher’s medal, timing chip, bib, sticker, post-race food truck brunch, and celebratory drink (free beer!). 

Here's a preview of this years tech shirt and medal. 

As an Ambassador I'm able to offer you 15% off any distance if you use code: LaceUpSarah

I also have a free entry to give away!  Entry is good for any distance in any city except for Palos Verdes.   Entry must be redeemed by 10/31/15. 

Follow me on Instagram for another chance to win!  @sarahjeannesays

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2015 Totally AV Fair Wave Race

Today I ran the 6th Annual Totally AV Fair Wave Race. This was held before the Antelope Valley Fair parade in Lancaster, CA. 

This is a 5k that benefits the West Antelope Valley Educational Foundation (W.A.V.E.), a non-profit corporation organized for the sole purpose of supplementing the educational curriculum of the Westside Union School District, grades K-8, by creating and implementing additional programs in the arts, sciences and athletics, thereby enhancing the development and cultural enrichment of all students and strengthening their potential for success in the future.”

We registered online and picked up our bib, shirt and goodie bag the evening before at Vince's Pizza. I'm glad we did because they were already running out of size small shirts. 

We received a ticket to the AV Fair along with coupons for local businesses in the swag bag. 

The race started at 7:30am and we arrived around 7:15am. 

They were still taking sign-ups that morning. 

The way they started this race was really different. It had a "wave" start based on age and gender. 

I was in the last group of women to start which meant I started 12 minutes after the first person. 

We ran west down Lancaster Blvd and turned around at 10th St W and came back up the same way. There was a little bit of the course on Sierra Hwy then it was back down and up the Blvd again to the finish.  We were given little cups of water around mile 2. 

After we crossed the finish line they checked our bib number against the raffle board but we didn't win any prizes. 

Jamba Juice was giving out free smoothies. 

The race provided water, bagels, bananas and oranges. 

I ended up placing 103 out of 119 but my finish time of 36:35 is pretty good in my opinion. 11:48 pace. 

I enjoyed this small home-town race and look forward to running it next year. 

2014 Disneyland Half Marathon Weekend Kid's Races

I've been running the Disneyland Half Marathon for the past several years and this year I signed my niece up to run the 100 yard dash!  We got down to Anaheim Friday evening with just enough time to pick up her bib from the Expo. The kids races are held on Saturday morning. 

The kids races include a t-shirt. It was really cute. 

Violet got a stuffed runDisney Mickey. 

After picking up our bib we had dinner at White Water Snacks in the Grand California Hotel. The nachos there are so good!

The Kid's races stated at 9am but we had to be lined up about an hour early. 

Violet was a little tired as we waited and didn't want to smile for my pictures. 

Once it was time we walked toward the starting line. 

They let small groups go at a time. Even though we had practiced running Violet was just walking along. I think it was all a little overwhelming. As we neared the finish line we saw Stitch!

That got a smile out of her!

Violet ran right up to Stich for a hug. 

After crossing the finish line she got her medal. 

We then changed her into her race shirt and hit the Expo. 

There were a couple of free photo opportunities at the Expo. 

Free light up key chains from DVC. 

A well deserved treat. 

Violet loved showing off her medal to the Princess's. 

I highly recommend the Disney kids races. The price isn't bad and it so worth it!  Have your kids ever participated in the kids races?  Let me know in the comments below.