California Here I Run

#1 in a Series

 

Los Angeles County

            Big!  Huge!  L.A. County encompasses 4,060 square miles, includes 88 cities, and a population of close to 10 million!  Born in Pasadena and raised in Monrovia in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley, I had the opportunity to explore the serendipitous sights of Los Angeles County.  Therefore, I decided to begin the California 58 Project in the vastness of L.A. County, blogging about my participation in a running race and points of interest in each of the Golden State’s 58 counties.     lacounty.gov

            Home of:

Dodger Stadium – It’s “blue heaven on earth,” according to Dodger spokesman and former manager Tommy Lasorda.  I can’t think of a better way to spend a summer evening, sitting in loge, gazing at the purple sunset behind the San Gabriel Mountains, listening to the mellifluous voice of Vin Scully.   ladodgers.com

Pasadena’s Old Town – Stroll down Colorado Blvd., shop at Crate & Barrel, browse Barnes & Noble, eat at Barney’s, enjoy an original play at the Pasadena Playhouse. It’s a perfect combination, 21^st century stores in historic buildings with beautifully scrolled facades.   oldpasadena.org

Catalina Island – Yes, it’s actually in L.A. County.  Take the “Express,” the Long Beach catamaran service, for the hour’s ride to Avalon.  Cute residential cottages, the Avalon Ballroom and the cobblestone streets take you back to an early California era.   catalina.com   catalinaexpress.com   visitcatalinaisland.com

Pantages Theater – On Hollywood & Vine, in the midst of new development, this 1930’s theater offers several new productions a year, often a Broadway musical.  It’s worth a visit just to admire the opulent interior design.   pantagesonhollywood.nederlander- theaters.com

Angeles National Forest – Drive or hike to Mt. Wilson, el. 5,710 ft.  L. A. County has woods, valuable for the watershed and recreation.  Just a little ways off the freeway and you’ll be welcomed by solitude.   fs.usda.gov/angeles

The Queen Mary – Have dinner or take a tour in Long Beach.  Imagine being on this boat as a troop ship in WWII.   queenmary.com

L.A. Live – This conglomeration of sports and entertainment venues lights up the sky in downtown L.A. – Staples and Nokia, hotels, public transportation.  Parking is convenient!      lalive.com

L.A. County Arboretum and Botanic Garden – What an oasis in the midst of suburban Arcadia!  Plant collections from all over the world, a lovely lake, and Queen Anne’s Cottage sit on 127 acres of Lucky Baldwin’s Rancho Santa Anita, vintage 1875.  Scenes from countless movies and TV series were filmed here:  Dallas (1981), Love Boat (1975), Tarzan Escapes (1936), Road to Singapore (1939). My mom, from East Pasadena, and her brothers and sisters, in the 1920’s, played hide and seek in this neighborhood playground!     arboretum.org

Monrovia – My home town, established in 1886, sits at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains.  Quaint shops, restaurants and a new library along Myrtle Ave. are often used as movie backdrops for a small U.S. town.   ci.monrovia.ca.us

Arc Light Theater – Formerly the Cinerama Dome, this multiscreen theater hosts sneak peeks, and classic showings, as well as, new releases.  It’s a short way from the Pantages, located at 6360 W. Sunset Blvd.   I’ve taken in a movie, had the chocolate fudge brownie cake at the Arc Light Café, browsed the gift shop (unique movie items for sale), and walked down Hollywood Blvd, to the Pantages for the current production.   arclightcinemas.com

Los Angeles County Races

L. A. Marathon  3/18/12

            “It’s no use complaining,” one young lady admonished her partner at the 11 mile mark, 15.2 to go.  Considering the unexpected weather, there was little to complain about.  The temperature at the start was 45 degrees, but no rain!

            The day began in the dark at Dodger Stadium.  The elite women started with a 17:31 minute head start, the elite men just ahead of the pack of 23,000.  The women were attempting to cross the finish line first to win $100,000 and a car.

            Out Stadium Way, the throng pushed up hills and relaxed on downhill segments.  L.A. is L.A.  The Pantages, and Grauman’s Chinese, high-end sleek shopping, Rodeo Drive, entertainment centers, the Disney Concert Hall, and the reality of a big city – a homeless person on a bench oblivious to the parade passing by.

            The aid stations were placed every mile offering water, electrolyte drink, oranges and bananas.  The volunteers cheered and encouraged, maybe a little too enthusiastic as one teenager shouted, “You’re almost there!”  The 10 mile sign was posted above. Another diversion from this runner’s aches and pains was the entertainment along the course:  bands, mariachis, pounding drums to give your steps a cadence and even belly dancers in bright midriff bareness.

            The final straight downhill miles were a delight for the early runners, a breeze wafted.  The crowds increased.  But, for me in the middle to back of the pack, the wind became a confrontation.  Debris flew everywhere.  Barricades collapsed.  The final assault, turning the corner from San Vicente to Ocean Blvd. and striding at an angle into the wind was rewarded by the view of the orange balloon arch.  Although the time to get there seemed interminable, the relief was instantaneous.  A beautiful, heavy L.A. Marathon 2012 medal was placed around each finisher’s neck.

            The first to the finish line was a woman, a tiny 20 year old from Ethiopia, Fatuma Sado.  She beamed when her $125, 000 check and the keys to the car were handed to her.

            As one runner summed it up, “ I’ve been out here over 6 hours.  The first 3 hours were the best.

                                                                                                            Ultracj 3/21/12

                                                                                                            My Time:  5:38

L.A. Marathon 3/17/2013

The Wearing of the Green

            My 15^th L.A. Marathon was on St. Patrick’s Day.  The finisher’s medal and race shirts paid homage to the leprechaun spirit.  Another 25,000 runners lined up in Frank McCourt’s parking lots and tripped along the same route as the previous 2 years.  McCourt showed up at the finish with Mayor Villaraigosa to award the shamrock shaped medal to Erik Mose (2:09:43) from Kenya and Aleksandra Duliba (2:26:07) the fleetest male and female of the day.

            Always agonizing over what to wear, as L.A. in March can be anywhere from 50 to 80 degrees, I was pleased to be comfortable in a long sleeved shirt and tights. 

            Will I show up for 2014?  We’ll see. 

                                                                                                            Ultracj 3/18/13

                                                                                                            My Time:  6:20

Los Angeles Marathon

Highlights: 

–          Being a life-long Dodger fan, I was thrilled when the 2011 race started at Dodger Stadium.  What a kick!  Sitting in field box at 5:00AM, imagining  Clayton Kershaw pitching Opening Day.  Actually, the ballpark was perfect for a gathering of 25,000 runners, plenty of restrooms and seating before the event. 

–          Randy Newman’s “I Love L.A.” booming at the start and all the hoopla surrounding such a large field overwhelmed the senses.

–          The course was the best of all the L.A. Marathons of previous years, point to point, the iconic boulevards and communities we all know and read about.

Website: lamarathon.com

 

Pasadena Marathon 5/11/11

            Rain was a threat for the 3^rd annual Pasadena Marathon.  Held in May, the 26.2 mile event can be hot and smoggy or cool and drizzly as it was on Sunday.  The weather couldn’t have been better.

            I got up at 4:00, was in the car on the way at 5:00.  The 605 was almost deserted.  (A car was parked with lights on in lane 2 of the 405 – could have been a huge crash if another vehicle approached from the rear.)  The directions in the race packet were clear and concise:  605 to 210 to Allen St., follow the traffic directors to Parking Lot “P” at P.C.C.  Finding the parking and starting line is often confusing at races, but this was a breeze.  I wasn’t too early or too late.

            The starting banner was visible.  Runners entered the fenced off area on Colorado Blvd.  I waited a bit in back, could hear most of “The Star Spangled Banner.”  Not wanting to be scrunched, (I’m not very tall) or deal with claustrophobia, I entered the chute a few minutes after the start.  With a computer chip on my shoe, it didn’t matter when I started.  My time was recorded when I crossed the rubber mats at several spots along the course.

            A few sprinkles on my jacket and Dodger cap were not a discomfort.  I tripped along, feeling fine, at my self-regulated pace.  Overhanging oak trees line many of the broad streets in Pasadena, providing a canopy for rain or heat.

            If you want to sacrifice a few minutes of your time, this is the ideal marathon to bring along a camera.  Pasadena is an historic foothill community of the San Gabriel Valley.  I had close-up views of the San Gabriel Mountains.  This particular day was so clear you could see trails winding up to the transmission towers on Mt. Wilson.  I ran up the Arroyo Parkway along the golf course and majestic Rose Bowl.  I ran under the concrete Colorado Bridge with its curved, sculptured architecture.  I ran down Colorado Blvd where the Rose Parade travels each New Year’s Day.  I ran on Orange Grove Blvd past the Tournament of Roses House, the site of photos of the Rose Queen and her court.  I loved the route! 

            As always, for me, the enthusiasm wore off at about 16 miles.  You’ve come far, but still have miles to go.  At about 20, my spirits rose.  On an uphill portion toward Eaton Canyon, I knew the end was in sight.  A few twists and turns, even some welcomed downhill, and the finishing line loomed ahead.

            The bronze colored medal was placed around my neck and the pain subsided as I planned for another 26.2 venture.

                                                                                                            Ultracj

                                                                                                            May 18, 2011

                                                                                                            Time:  5:38 

(The Pasadena Half Marathon was held in 2013, but not the 26.2 mile distance.)