Long Beach Marathon memories

Just on time to get inspired for the Pasadena Marathon and Half Marathon, here are the reviews from the people that ran the Long Beach Half and Full Marathons:

I had a great first experience with the Long Beach 1/2 marathon. I like the tech. fabric shirt and was surprised at the crowd of people when we started the marathon. Jet and Anita ran with me and it was really great to have someone to talk to along the way. We ran the entire route at a pace of 11.5 minute mile and walked for about 30 seconds at the drinking stations. At first I was feeling as though I didn't need to walk to conserve my strength but you don't realize how many miles you will be going and how much strength you will need. Jet was a great coach throughout the entire coarse. Thanks Jet.

About mile 6 I began to feel my hands swelling and my kneecaps felt like they were going to pop off. I thought it might be the block shot (extra salt causing swelling) but Ann told me that it is normal especially for women to have swelling in the extremities. At about mile 9 the swelling seemed to subside and I was finding my stride but my legs felt like lead. Ignoring my legs I finished in 2 hours and 52 minutes. I probably did some things wrong (like no breakfast), but overall I had a great experience and would do it again in a heartbeat! See ya for the Pasadena 1/2 Marathon!
Dawn

Hi everyone, this is Anita on Sunday in Long beach I had the most exciting experience ever, being one of the thousands of the participants was an honer for me. As Juan mentioned the weather was just perfect and my fellow runners (Jet and Dawn) were wonderful, I feel so proud to finish this run and I would like to thank my coaches Juan and Henry for all they have done for me and also George and Jet who have been a true motivators and team mates. My time was 2.52,
See you all on Sunday.
Anita

I did the race last year and I noticed quite a few differences - the weather being one. It was much warmer this year. I had a great walk until mile 9 and then I guess I hit a wall. It felt like the last few miles took the breath right out of me.

Being a walker I miss out on the camaraderie of you runners...(Beth being a super fast walker - I just can't keep up with her!) I still enjoyed this race very much and will plan on doing next year too. My time was 3:18.

As for PASADENA - I'll be doing the Pasadena FULL next month and was concerned about course closure limits and I checked their website and and they ask for a 17 minute pace so with my 15 minute pace I'm hoping (and praying) they won't throw me (and other walkers off the course). I would like to request that the Marathon Clinic have a table with amenities out at the Pasadena Marathon for those doing the Full. I can donate my husband and amenities to start it up - any others willing to help??? It's great to see other groups out on the course supporting their runners/walkers and with Pasadena being in our own backyard we should be able to as well.
Patty
26.2 x 1
13.1 x 5

I came in 2nd out of 4 in age group at 3:10:37.I'm spoiled from so many great races - this one left me not so happy. NO time clocks!!! I really missed not keeping tract of my time on each mile. I was looking for powerade - at mile 4 I asked and was told "no" but after passing on, a guy at the back of the table yelled "I have one for you" - so losing time I back tracked to get a 1/2 cup of it. Thank goodness the weather was just great. I don't think I'll do this one again. Also the 'chip' was a disaster - people lost them off their shoes as they were here and there on the ground. Unattractive START/FINISH lines. Looks like the association is short on money. I just don't have happy memories of this race.See you Sunday.

Beth

Hi all, It's me Grace. I too ran the Long Beach Half Marathon. I liked this marathon. I enjoyed running along the beach. my time was 2:39. I also ran the San Jose half marathon. my time for SJ was 2:31. not bad for not training. My next half marathon will be in November, the Pasadena marathon. I no longer will be running full marathon's. I hope to see you all this Sunday, if I sleep...Marathon Mom

Grace Marathon

The weather was perfect at the beginning but it got hot by the end of the marathon. I was with Anita, Dawn, Grace and Jet at the beginning and ran into Jacki during the race. Very nice to see some familiar faces among the thousands of other participants. The marathon does some climbs right after the half marathon split but then you get to run through some interesting places. The biggest climb was to the university grounds and somehow they managed to put 3 miles up there before the descend back. A few more climbs and downhills and we were back to the point where we joined the half marathon route back to the finish line. Another lesson I learned, when you sweat a lot you'd better replenish that sodium somehow or you'll be in trouble later. I sweated so much that my shirt was crusty and my face white with salty residue. I didn't eat any of the food they served at the finish line because I don't like dry bagels after a run, so we took off from the parking lot, drove some and decided to stop at a Taco Bell. I can usually eat their food but this time when I took my first bite my stomach got sick. It wasn't ready to receive any food yet. Dawn and another friend riding with me had to wait for a while before I felt good again and even then I wasn't able to finish a taco or a burrito. I do believe that the lack of sodium really got my stomach upset and gave me that sick feeling. Overall, I really enjoyed this race, specially the first half. Running along the beach was awesome and course support was good. Good pre Pasadena run and I highly recommend it.
Juan