running: the dawn

I’m going to split the story of the weekend into two different posts.  Today will be all the pre-race fun-ness and hopefully tomorrow between the flights and layovers in the airports I’ll have enough time to process and type all the emotions and stories from the race itself…so, here we go!

Train Ride Through SoCal

I hopped on the Amtrack in Camarillo with my over sized bags and snacks all ready for the 5 1/2 hour train ride.  I had forgotten to bring any books or magazines with me, so I wasn’t sure how I was going to pass the time.  I forgot about the obvious entertainment: people watching.  There was a guy in the seats across from me who was really into something on his blackberry, but somehow still managed to be one of the loudest people in our car.  He would laugh at the Cars dvd that a little girl was watching or say something to no one in particular.  By far my favorite commuter was the latino rapper seated two rows behind me.  He was on his phone for most of the time talking to different people, complaining about some mixing on his latest album, and actually “spitting” his “rhymes” for friends.  It was hysterical.  I am now kicking myself for not writing down some of the lyrics.

Friday: Expo/Packet Pick-up

I decided to come into town a day earlier than originally planned and honestly I’m am SO glad that I did.  As soon as I got off the train, I walked the block to the hotel I booked for the night.  Then my mom-in-law, Ann, picked me up and we were off to the convention center.  I was seriously impressed with how effortless it was to park, find the right place, get my race number and all other freebees, and get out.  I did make a quick stop at the runningskirts.com booth to exchange the birthday skirt that my brother and his wife sent me.  I didn’t spend much time hanging around because Ann had made a FABULOUS suggestion.  She said, “Why don’t we drive up to the running skirt store?  I’d love to get you a skirt for your birthday!”  Ummm, Yes Please!  I was so excited to go see the store itself and get out of the craziness of the convention center.

Running Skirts Store

I must admit, this was truly one of my favorite parts of the weekend.  We drove up to Encitnitas and as soon as we parked I was afraid that they might have closed the store in order to focus on the expo down in San Diego.  Thankfully the door was unlocked and there were people inside!  Yay!  Unlike the expo, I felt like I could wander around the store at my leisure and chat with Ann without having to shout over all the other noise.  It was so much fun!  I ended up picking out SO many skirts to try on and I was the only person shopping there, so I got the full attention of the ladies working in the store.  We had such a fantastic time!  I left there with 4 new skirts and 2 new sweaty bands!  I feel fully prepared for summer training now

Our Hotel: Mudville Flats

We picked mom up from the airport around 11am and headed to our little B & B style “botique hotel” Mudville Flats.  It was more than I imagined it would be.  So beautiful, so peaceful.  We had to search high and low to find a reasonably priced place that was walking distance to the start of the race and would be quiet.  I cannot say enough good things about this place.  If you are ever thinking about visiting San Diego, you MUST stay here!  Linda and Mike (the innkeepers) are beyond amazing.

Saturday at the Expo: Ryan Hall

I decided I wanted to run back to the expo for just a little bit.  Ever since I went to Fleet Feet in Chicago with Mr. Dawn, I’ve been wanting to try the Brooks Adrenaline and since Brooks is the official sponsor, I could get them for cheaper at the expo.  WOW.  Saturday was ridiculous!  I thought that the crowds were crazy on Friday, but it was even more out of control on Saturday.  More people, more noise, more everything.  Ann, mom, and I were all walking around the different booths and it just wasn’t any fun as we were getting shoved one way and another.  I started to feel like we should probably leave and go get some rest, but then we walked by the place where they were having all the guest speakers and I noticed the pace leaders were assembling.  I thought for a second that it would be nice to stick around and see what they had to say.  Then I noticed on the schedule that if I stayed for just another 45 minutes or so I would be able to hear Ryan Hall.  I suggested that mom and Ann go and spend some time figuring out their “spectating plan” while I stay and listen to one of my running heroes.

After they left, I met Steve who was so encouraging (read that full story here), then the crowds started gathering for the big Ryan moment.  When he first came out I thought “Wow he’s so skinny! He got a hair cut since Boston…”  It’s funny the things we notice about people who we’ve only seen on TV…It was so much fun to listen to what he had to say.  He was interviewed by someone from competitor magazine, so it was fairly informal and conversational.  They talked about his upbringing and how he was first introduced to the world of running.  They then tracked through his history of running from his work on the “mile” distance through his first half marathon.  He was so interesting and I could tell that he’s fairly analytical.  I loved listening to him talk about the first couple elite level marathons that he ran and how he fell in love with the marathon-distance.

Three things that Ryan said that I’m sure will stay with me for a long time.  First he said that his biggest mistake leading up to the Olympics happened just one week after the trials.  Usually he take 2 full weeks off after a race.  No running, no biking, no swimming, nothing.  This was somewhat shocking to me.  He talked about the importance of recovery and giving our body time to prepare for a hard effort.  For some reason, after he watched the women’s trials he was so jazzed and inspired he wanted to go out for a run, a week before he really should have.  He kept saying it was that decision that negatively affected his Olympic performance.

Second he said that he had a God moment as he finished the marathon at the Olympics.  He had pictured running through the tunnel and into the stadium at the Olympics so many times and when it finally happened and he knew he was going to finish no better than 10th place he said that God met him there in the tunnel.  He felt God say, “this is exactly where you should be.”  He said that there was growth that he still needed and lessons that he needed to learn that would only have come this way.  It sounds funny, but I started to tear up.  I agree with him totally.  I know that some of the hardest lessons I’ve learned came to me in moments when I feel like I’ve failed.  But those moments always seem to be a springboard for the new direction I would otherwise never have taken.

The last thing that Ryan said that stuck out for me was “You have to be yourself when you run.”  he said that he loves to run at the front of the pack and so that’s what he does.  That’s who he is.  He wouldn’t enjoy running as much if he didn’t get to run races his way.  He told us all that we should find out who we are and how we express ourselves through running and just go with it.

I was so inspired by the whole Ryan experience.  It pumped me up and made me feel ready for the race.

Carb-Loading

We decided to meet at Pinkberry after Ryan Hall.  This is my FAVORITE California treat.  The tartness of the yogurt and the sweetness of the fruit is just the perfect combination.  Delicious!

Then we headed over to the Old Spaghetti Factory.  We got there just before the huge rush of runners showed up.  I got spaghetti and mushroom sauce, salad, and bread.  I must have been more hungry than I thought because I sent a picture of my full plate and then my empty plate to Mr. Dawn and there was only 4 minutes between those two messages

As soon as we finished eating I wanted to go straight back to the hotel, lay out my clothes, take a warm bath, and get to bed by 8:30.  I got everything done, and ready for me and hopped in bed.  Where I laid there, not sleeping, for hours.  And hours.  Mom eventually came to bed.  I was still not sleeping.  I kept glancing at the clock.  9:30.  10:30.  1:30.  Ugh!  Are you kidding me?  The most important night in 6 months and I can’t sleep.  I was entertained by pictures from the Holy Half Marathon, and the Lincoln Marathon, and other random moments in time that kept cycling through my mind.

That’s that for now…come back tomorrow night for all the fun that happened race day!!!