Once Upon an LA Marathon

We woke up early this Sunday morning because the amazing Lisa was all set to run the 2010 LA marathon, which happened to run right by our apartment and we were assigned to cheer her on. I was really paranoid about missing her so I made sure we reached our spot bright and early.

It was strange to walk around the neighborhood with Hollywood Blvd all shut down. We weren’t alone, though, because some other onlookers had already showed up and the street was busy with bikers whizzing by. I guess you have to take advantage of open streets when it comes to riding your bike in LA.

Since I didn’t have the skills to make a huge sign, I decided to wear my Yeti hat from Halloween and a bright green sweatshirt in hopes that Lisa would be able to pick me out when she ran by. It was either this or the dinosaur head.

I realized we had gotten there super early because the only people going by were the wheelchair and hand cycle racers, who were AWESOME. I mean, I can’t even imagine running an entire marathon but the thought of cycling all those miles with your hands makes me want to cry. It was also nice to clap and cheer them on, because well…I mean. THEY’RE CYCLING WITH THEIR HANDS.

More and more people slowly showed up to show their support. Maybe I’m weird, but seeing groups and crowds of people coming together to rally for a single purpose makes me feel all warm and mushy inside. Unless they’re gathering outside of an abortion clinic with horrible signs about killing babies. Or if they’re that awful Westboro Baptist church. Then I just feel disgust. But anyways…

The sun was in my eyes, so  I decided to run across the street for a better view of the oncoming runners. B did not follow me as I thought. Look at that loner.

But then he did, despite pointing out that it would be impossible to cross back over once the race starts. Oops. My bad.

Finally, the Elite Men (male?) Runners came by! That was crazy! Look at those Kenyans!

Later, I realized that the winner, Wesley Korir, was one of them (which made sense…because they were first). Look!

WHOA. I could have totally sabotaged his race. The thought of the power made me feel delirious.

And then these non-Kenyan dudes ran by.

And then THIS AMAZING MINNIE MOUSE ran by. What!? I love it. I know a lot of people have fun at the marathon, but this man was not only having fun but also seriously running ahead of the race. I like that.

I don’t get this guy, though. Boxers and bare feet?! He wasn’t the only runner we saw without shoes, too. They must have hobbit feet.

And then the crowd came. We saw Chef Gordon Ramsay, B saw a lot of balls (seriously, guys, let’s take control of this when you run), a blind runner (guided by another guy), men in drag, and a teacher took a picture of me in my hat. A homeless guy on a bike came by and asked me where I bought it. I was like the star of the marathon. But where was Lisa?

THERE SHE IS! I thought I kept seeing her but they turned out to be random Asian women. Weird, I know. But I was scanning the crowd and then she came running towards us! It was awesome!! I was so proud of her and I had no idea how she saw us first. It was probably my Yeti hat. Yay!! I cheered her name super loud and then she disappeared into the race.

Seriously. I blinked and then she was gone. We clapped some more, saw some Elvises and then decided to head down the street. That’s when I checked Twitter and saw that a winner was already announced. Maybe next year, Lisa?

Then it rained oranges.

The End.