Community/
Blog Archives
December 22, 2011
ASICS America Corporation is proud to announce its partnership with the Honda LA Marathon as the official apparel and footwear sponsor. This will be ASICS’ first sponsorship of the iconic “Stadium to the Sea” race that will take place Sunday, March 18, 2012. This marks yet another ASICS’ sponsorship of a major marathon worldwide, including the ING New York City Marathon, Tokyo Marathon and Paris Marathon.
The Honda LA Marathon is one of the four largest marathons in the U.S. and one of the ten largest worldwide. The “Stadium to the Sea” course runs through four cities – Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica – and the federal VA property, taking runners past a highlight reel of sites starting at Dodger Stadium and including landmarks such as Grauman’s Chinese Theater (mile 11.5), Sunset Strip (mile 14), Rodeo Drive (mile 17) and finishing at the Santa Monica Pier.
“We are extremely proud that ASICS has added the Honda LA Marathon to its world-class stable of races around the globe, including Tokyo, Paris and New York,” says Nick Curl, Chief Operating Officer of the LA MARATHON LLC. “ASICS is a premier company with a tremendous track record in the running community. We look forward to working in partnership with ASICS in the coming years to take the Honda LA Marathon to even greater heights.”
As the official apparel and footwear sponsor, ASICS has the opportunity to promote the partnership nationally and locally with media, as well as manufacture and sell co-branded licensed marathon merchandise. In addition, ASICS will integrate its activation marketing campaign into race week festivities.
“We are excited to be part of this growing race,” says ASICS Vice President of Marketing, Erik Forsell. “The landscape of a city like Los Angeles will allow us to expand and demonstrate our marketing efforts like we do in New York and enable us to partner with the biggest marathons on the east and west coasts.”
The “Stadium to the Sea” course debuted in 2010 with a record total of more than 26,000 participants. In 2011, Ethiopia’s Markos Geneti shattered the course record by nearly two minutes, with a worldclass time of 2:06:35.
For more information on the Honda LA Marathon visit www.lamarathon.com.
ABOUT LA MARATHON LLC
We inspire athletes and connect communities. With thousands of volunteers, tens of thousands of participants, and hundreds of thousands of spectators, the Honda LA Marathon is one of the largest organized road races in the country. www.lamarathon.com
December 21, 2011
Follow Rachel’s day-to-day training on her twitter and facebook pages and read more of Rachel’s marathon experience every other Sunday in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
By Rachel Luna, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/17/2011 06:15:29 AM PST
I’m running the distance, 14 miles and counting now. But the distance will have to be put on hold.
I hit a speed bump in my marathon journey and it’s slowing me down – at least for the moment.
I tweaked my knee. Here’s the inside scoop: it wasn’t while running. In fact, it had nothing to do with running. I got injured doing nothing out of the ordinary.
Last Saturday I was clearing out my bookshelf. As I had a few books in my hands, I twisted to my left to set the books down, and bam! Pain hit my left knee instantly. The pain put me down for the count by the time the evening rolled around. I hobbled around for the rest of the weekend and unfortunately had to miss my first half-marathon race.
I was tempted to still try to make it to the race, figured that wouldn’t be the smartest thing to do.
A few days passed, I gave in and finally went to the doctor to get my knee examined. The doctor suspects I may have torn a ligament or the meniscus in my knee after an initial examination.
I’ll have to see a specialist and get an MRI to know the actual results of the injury.
So for now, crutches are my ticket to getting around until I see the doctor again this week. I can’t stand the crutches. Thanks to them, now I have to deal with pain in my palms, arms and shoulders… and my original knee pain.
It’s not all bad though. I’ve turned my work chair into my daily wheelchair while I’m in the newsroom. It’s way better than the crutches, and a lot more fun. I’m just this little blur rolling by.
Also, I’ve always wanted to ride around in one of those motorized scooters at the store. Now I have a legitimate excuse.
Despite the injury, I’m hoping it won’t keep me out of my training for too long.
No running is allowed, but I hope to eventually get some training done in a swimming pool just to get me going.
But before I do that, I gotta go out and buy a wetsuit. I have a pool at my house, but there’s no way I’m going to train at 6 a.m. in a freezing pool without being bundled up.
Until I find out more about my knee, I’m going keep a positive attitude. There’s still plenty of time before the Honda L.A. Marathon – 91 days to be exact.
After all I have to remember: Life’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
December 14, 2011
You can follow C.J.’s day-to-day training on her twitter page and watch for her stories in the Los Angeles Daily News.
By C.J. Lin, Daily News Staff Writer
Posted: 12/11/2011 01:00:00 AM PST
One step forward, two steps back.
Unfortunately, that’s not very helpful when you’re trying to run a marathon.
For the last few weeks, my training has been at a literal standstill.
I did eight miles one freezing morning about a month after I started running, and I guess I pushed too much too soon. What I thought was a lingering soreness in the arches of my feet was actually plantar fasciitis, where the tissue connecting the heel to toes becomes inflamed.
Oh, and somehow I blew out my knees, too.
Unfortunately, (again) these types of injuries are inevitable for runners, whether they be newbies or veterans, said Rayna Drago, coach of the L.A. Roadrunners marathon training group in Westlake Village.
“Marathon running is a real shock to your body,” Drago said. “Even if you’ve been athletic, it’s just something different for your body to take in all those miles. Your body is just waking up and saying, `Hello, what are we doing here?”‘
The most common injuries are shin splints, runner’s knee, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and some type of foot fracture, according to Dr. John Pagliano, a Long Beach sports medicine podiatrist.
And there’s more bad news – they’ll probably keep popping up for the first year for new runners.
“Your body’s just kind of got to learn what’s coming,” Drago said. “But it does subside after the first year.”
I don’t have a year. I only have three more months until the L.A. Marathon.
Suffice it to say, I’m getting pretty nervous. The finish line always seemed just a bit out of my reach, but even more so now.
But, I (and you) shouldn’t be discouraged, Drago said.
“It’s more frustrating than anything,” Drago said. “But it’s good when it happens at the beginning of training rather than at the end.”
For these types of overuse injuries, it doesn’t take too long to heal and get back up to speed, Drago said.
Be sure to ice anything that hurts and rest. But the key is to keep moving, just not in high-impact exercises.
“It’s also for your mental balance, that if you’re not running, at least I’m doing something,” she said.
Take a break by hopping on a bike, getting on the elliptical, going for a walk, swimming laps or even jogging in the pool, Drago said.
Take ibuprofen for the pain, and make sure you stretch sufficiently.
You’ll want to build up the muscles around the knee by doing strength training such as squats and lunges to help support you on those long miles, according to experts.
Pagliano recommends strength workouts three times a week on alternate days, which should include upper body strengthening.
And if the pain lingers for more than two weeks, that’s when you should go see someone.
Some tips to avoid running injuries include: shortening your stride, running on even surfaces, cross-training, and getting shoes fitted to your gait at a specialty running store, according to Runners’ World magazine.
So, there’s hope yet. I just have to take it easy for a couple of weeks.
“It’s possible to get right back out there and get back on it,” Drago said.
“And your body will just come along for the ride.”
December 7, 2011
Follow Rachel’s day-to-day training on her twitter and facebook pages and read more of Rachel’s marathon experience every other Sunday in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
By Rachel Luna, Staff Writer
Posted: 12/04/2011 06:37:06 PM PST
It’s official. I ran a half marathon. Well, a half marathon length (13.1miles) in my training, not a race.
But it still counts. It’s definitely a major breakthrough.
My training group even rewarded me with a chocolate medal of excellence for my accomplishment, which I ate shortly after showing it off.
Hunger and a desire for a chocolate treat are to blame. It was my first running award … darn!
My photo instincts managed to kick in just in time to snap a memorable photo before it was too late.
It’s the little things keeping me running. I’ve gotten so used to having a support group behind me through this experience.
And there’s nothing better than training with a group to top it all off.
Each Saturday, 200 of my closest running buddies from the Inland Empire L.A. Roadrunners and I run together, encouraging one another to keep up the training and stay focused on our marathon goal.
The program has become an automatic reliance to keep my training consistent. The extra bonuses with being a part of a running group are all the water stations that keep me hydrated along the routes and the complimentary treats table to enjoy after a long run with everybody.
I don’t have to worry about a thing when I stick with the group.
However, I faced a big hurdle when I had to complete the 13-mile-training. I had to do it alone and had no idea what to expect. Without my accustomed “safety net,” I prepared myself for a lonely half marathon in the Northern California countryside in the middle of nowhere.
It was a thrill knowing I’d reach the half marathon point, but nerve-wracking to face the reality I wouldn’t have anyone talk to or train with during the run.
It was a long run – a two hour and 52 minute run/walk to be exact (it took a little longer because I kept slowing down to take photos). But it flew by.
And the best part was I still had my support group interacting with me via social media. I got the pleasure of sharing my experience of running in the boonies with others.
It helps that I’ve somewhat learned how to tweet while running … when it’s safe.
My first half marathon experience was an unusual accomplishment in my training process. It never felt like the lonely 13.1 miles I expected.
So to all my running mates, followers and readers out there, thanks for your continued support in my endeavor.
I’m nearly halfway through it and at the rate I’m going, I think it’s safe to say I’m going to stick around to see how my adventure ends.
November 22, 2011
C.J. Lin is a staff writer for the Daily News and is training with our newest LA Roadrunners program in Westlake Village. C.J. will be sharing her experience training for her first Honda LA Marathon, as well as featuring the runners from her group as they journey together to completing 26.2 miles.
By C.J. Lin, Daily News Staff Writer
Updated: 11/21/2011 07:34:02 PM PST
Six years ago, Barry Zweben and Michael Moline never thought they’d be training for their first-ever L.A. Marathon.
The two men, both now 54, became close friends through a shared, but unfortunate, set of circumstances: They both had heart attacks. Zweben underwent a quadruple bypass surgery and Moline had a six-way bypass surgery at Tarzana Medical Center.
“When they cracked open my chest, the pain was so bad,” said Moline of Agoura Hills. “I’m just afraid of ever having that pain again. I remember consciously, being in my hospital bed, really believing that I’m going to be living minute to minute. Slowly that evolved hour to hour.”
They met while at a cardiac rehab gym in Tarzana and have been working out four to five days a week since.
And now, they’re healthier than ever. What better time to tackle the daunting 26.2 miles of the marathon?
Which is probably why they’ve decided to take on the task after joking about it for years. Moline had always asked Zweben when he was going to do the marathon, and Zweben would laugh it off. But this year, Zweben told him: “I’ll do it if you do it.”
So the two train with the L.A. Roadrunners in Westlake Village on Saturdays. They’re not doing the race at a full-out run for fear of injury or overburdening their hearts. They’re heading into it with a fast walk that should see them finish in a little more than six hours.
Time isn’t an issue for them; it’s completing the race and getting a second chance to cross it off their bucket list.
That, and hopefully inspiring others as ambassadors for heart health by encouraging a good diet and lots of exercise.
“Our story might give others, who find themselves in similar circumstances, the encouragement to try this as well,” said Zweben, who’s from Chatsworth.
“I know what it’s like to rediscover what it felt like when I was younger,” said Moline. “It would allow me to tell people if you do this, you can run a marathon.”
They’re so lucky that they have each other to train with and then run the race with. The long miles zip by faster when you have someone to chat with, keep your mind off the pain and tell you to keep going because they know you can.
“It’s much easier when you have a friend with you,” Zweben said. “Because it motivates you to keep going.”
Don’t I know it.
I’m supposed to be running three to five miles every other day, but more often than not, that “run” is more of a “walk.”
It’s not that I can’t physically do it. It’s just that I don’t want to for some reason. I guess it could just be my natural dislike for running.
But I recently ran and actually finished my first-ever race, the Race for Rescues at the Rose Bowl to raise money for animal shelters. It was only a 10K – 6 miles. I couldn’t have done it without my buddy Mike Tang. He kept my snail’s pace with me, and made the six miles much easier to bear.
I need someone to train with, someone whose presence alone will shame me out of my laziness and secretly embarrass me into doing my best.
Someone like Moline is to Zweben, or Zweben is to Moline, although they don’t need any extra motivation. They’ve already been through the wringer, and are happy that they’re even able to be doing this.
Which I guess does shame me a bit, now that I think about it. I guess I just need to just shut up and run.
November 22, 2011
By Rachel Luna, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/19/2011 06:09:58 AM PST
Allow me to wipe away the sleep from my eyes as I begin my fourth marathon installment. My days are starting a whole lot earlier since I’ve begun my training, and waking up is the toughest part about it.
So much thought went into my decision to take on this adventure: all the running I’d have to endure, the healthy diet to adapt, and the commitment to a six-month training schedule.
But none of it steered me away.
Not even the “Are you sure you want to do this?” questions I received from others made me rethink my decision.
In fact, it excited me to know training for a marathon would lead to a healthier lifestyle. That pretty much sealed the deal.
I had it all figured out. Or so I thought.
But the one thing I overlooked was the change in my sleep-wake schedule.
On the first Saturday run with my L.A. Roadrunners training group, I rolled out of bed at 5:30 a.m. and two things became evident that morning. First, that the San Gabriel Valley continues to functions before the sun is up (something I’ve hardly witnessed before). And second, I would be forced to completely change my sleep cycle if I wanted to follow through on my latest adventure.
It’s been a major adjustment.
In addition to my Saturday sessions with the Roadrunners, I’m running two to three times a week on my own for nearly 45 minutes.
Now, it’s bedtime by 8:30 p.m., then rise and shine around 5 a.m. to get out the door for my early runs. Okay, it’s really more like 5:30 a.m., but only because it’s so cold in the mornings and I like to hit the snooze button a few times, and I’ve never been much of an early bird before.
But it’s getting easier to wake up early. And sticking with my sleep-wake routine is just as important to my marathon goal as everything else, if not more.
Published running studies present evidence that lack of sleep interferes with the metabolism of glucose, which muscles use for recovery. The immune system also can deteriorate because of a lack of sleep.
I tend to get sick easily when I’m sleep-deprived, and it’s never fun being sick.
I prefer running in the morning to running in the evenings because I can get it out of the way without feeling chained all day to my marathon training.
The day goes by faster after running and eventually I barely remember running at all.
And no, it’s not because I’m still half asleep. There’s only been a couple of occasions where my recollection was fuzzy.
The sleep-wake schedule adjustment has become the unlikely component to make all of my training possible.
It’s nice to know my need for a full night’s sleep – even if I have to wake up early – is no longer just for my beauty rest. It’s a major necessity to staying healthy during my training process.
All I have to do is wake up.
November 7, 2011
Follow Rachel’s day-to-day training on her twitter and facebook pages and read more of Rachel’s marathon experience every other Sunday in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
By Rachel Luna, Staff Writer
Posted: 11/05/2011 07:09:19 AM PDT
“I’m going to run a marathon.”
Yes, that still sounds really weird whenever I hear myself say it. I’m not quite sure if it’s because I don’t quite believe it or because I haven’t faced the pain and torture of marathon training.
I keep bracing myself for that slap-in-the-face dose of reality. I don’t know when or if I’ll get to that point in my training.
And yes, I realize it’s still early to say but I’m feeling pretty confident.
It’s 133 days until the Honda L.A. Marathon on March 18, 2012. Just looking at the days seems like it’s years away, yet all the running in the weeks of training are flying by fast – and it’s not because I’m the next Usain Bolt. (For those of you who don’t know, Bolt is the world’s fastest man.)
It’s time to let you in on my little secret that’s giving me all the confidence in the world: I decided to run-walk my first marathon.
Now, don’t laugh or snicker. But if you must, I won’t hold it against you.
When I first heard of the run-walk method I had no idea what that meant. Images of little old ladies walking popped into my head. It’s probably because my grandmother is a mall walker … and she’s got some speed.
The technique doesn’t mean walking when you’re tired. Instead, it means taking a brief walking break while you’re still fresh. And before you judge, know that it is actually faster than running the whole time.
Jeff Galloway, a member of the 1972 Olympic team, came up with the run-walk approach. His method has found that most runners will record significantly faster times in a long run when they take walk breaks because they don’t slow down at the end of the run.
I’m not going after any time record, but I am interested in avoiding grueling fatigue as much as possible.
Runs are split into run-walk ratios varying from 30-second intervals to a three-minute run and one-minute walk. My particular run-walk group is training at a one-minute run, one-minute walk rotation.
The method uses muscles in different ways so your legs keep their bounce as they conserve resources, according to Galloway. Shifting back and forth between running muscles and walking muscles allows the workload to be distributed among a variety of muscles, which will increase the overall performance capacity.
Another interesting thing I learned while training with the L.A. Roadrunners is the run-walk groups actually will end up passing the slower running groups while they all race in the marathon.
I originally started training with the runners. But I’m now sold on the run-walk method. I did 10 miles last week and had no idea I’d feel so fresh afterward.
Now that the training is hitting the long, double-digit miles, my group already is passing some of the running groups.
It makes me feel fast. Maybe I will pick up some speed after all. But if not, the run-walk method sure makes me feel like the world’s fastest run-walker.
October 26, 2011
Follow Rachel’s day-to-day training on her twitter and facebook pages and read more of Rachel’s marathon experience every other Sunday in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.
By Rachel Luna, Staff Writer
Posted: 10/22/2011 07:15:04 AM PDT
So I guess it would be fair to say that I’ve made some progress in my running endeavor.
It’s seven weeks into my marathon training and I’m still surviving. But I had no idea just how much I’ve actually accomplished.
I flipped through my running log Friday afternoon and finally calculated all the mileage I’ve put in so far – more than 70 miles. I never thought I’d see the day.
I can’t imagine how many miles I’ll rack up by the time the L.A. Marathon comes around next March. And it’s still more than five months away.
Turns out there’s a lot more to running. It’s not as simple as Forrest Gump makes it look. But then again, he was a simple man that compared life to a box of chocolates.
A whole different world – a runner’s world – exists and I’m learning the ropes. And there’s still much more to learn about running. I’ve had several good laughs along the way.
For instance, I decided to run with a small reusable water pouch instead of wasting disposable cups at water stations set up along the routes of the L.A. Roadrunners – the group I’m training with.
I can now say it’s definitely a bad idea to have any liquid in the pouch while running. Nobody bothered sharing this valuable piece of information – but a pouch full of bright red Gatorade did.
Yup, I got to run six sticky miles with my training group that day. Lesson learned.
Also, I’d highly recommend getting properly fitted for running shoes at a running specialty shop.
And here’s why: On the first Saturday training run with the L.A. Roadrunners (a 3-mile run) I didn’t think shoes were that important, so I just ran with my four-year-old “running” shoes. Nope. Dumbest idea I had – besides the water pouch thing – so far.
The next morning as soon as my feet hit the ground after I got out of bed, pain shot through my feet so quickly I jumped back on my bed in agony. I seriously contemplated crawling on all fours or hand-walking for the rest of the day, but both options seemed a little too out-of-reach and ridiculous. So I dealt with all the pain for the following three days. Another lesson learned.
During a proper shoe fitting, a complete rundown of your feet’s biomechanics will be analyzed to ensure a proper fit. I had my weight, height, stride, foot print and walk analyzed to help get me a shoe that would help my feet run in the correct motion.
Who knew so much went into getting a real running shoe? I clearly understand it all now. It’s made a tremendous difference in my running and my feet haven’t had any problems since.
The only problem with my shoes are my laces. That’s right, there’s even a special runner’s way of lacing up. It’s my fault. I forgot how to do it after the saleswoman showed me at the running shop. So I haven’t completely untied my shoelaces since I’ve step out of the shop with them.
All I can do is laugh and move on. The mishaps I’ve had are adding up to a great first-time marathon experience.
I only hope to pass on the things I’ve learned to other novice runners out training on their own and perhaps remind all the veteran runners of their early days when they didn’t have a clue.
I’m just glad I haven’t tripped while I’m out training. That’s one thing I’m good at – I’m a total klutz.
Next Saturday I’ll reach the 10-mile distance with L.A. Roadrunners. The 26.2 miles is getting a little closer. Between now and the marathon mileage, I pray everything continues to go well – and maybe I’ll actually learn how to tie my running shoes.
October 10, 2011
Rachel Luna, a staff writer at the San Gabriel Valley Tribune is training for the 2012 Honda LA Marathon with the LA Roadrunners. She will be chronicling her experience with the LA Roadrunners, step-by-step, as they work towards to crossing the finish line. Read below to see how it all began. Good luck Rachel and everyone training for the 27th Honda LA Marathon!
Life’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon
Photographer drops camera for running shoes
I’ve never been much of a long distance runner – or a runner at all.
In my athletic background as a softball player, running always came as a repercussion – at least that’s the way my college teammates and I thought of it. The less running we had to do the better.
But since I hung up my cleats four years ago, I’m ready to give running a second chance.
Everything I hated about running is getting pushed aside, and I’m starting fresh – in a big way.
Over the next six months I will train for my first marathon with the Inland Empire chapter of the L.A. Roadrunners.
When the opportunity to run in the 2012 L.A. Marathon came along, I jumped at the challenge to do something I thought I’d never do.
Three miles is the longest distance I’ve ever run. Ever. That personal record got knocked out of the way during the first training session – 3.02 miles.
Now in the fifth week of training, any distance from here on out is a milestone.
I initially expected the training to be for elite marathon runners, but it’s far from it. The program is geared to accommodate everyone. And I mean everyone.
The roadrunners offers training groups for all experiences and abilities.
I find myself running among individuals who’ve never run a mile in their life, and others who can rack up the miles like it’s nobody’s business.
And along the way, I’m already developing a new outlook on running.
It’s no longer about running my fastest to stay ahead of the competition. There’s no position to fight for anymore. The only competition is me.
So, I put myself in one of the slower-paced groups. The group is set train at about a 13-minute mile pace with the projection to complete the marathon in a 5:15- to 5:25-hour range.
I couldn’t care less about how fast I run it. If there was ever a perfect time to say it, this is it: It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.
It’s pretty nice not having to run so hard to the point that I feel like I’ll keel over on the spot.
My only goal is to cross the finish line (alive and well) and not have to be swept aside by a street sweeper truck.
The biggest obstacle to overcome will be the psychological toll.
The one thing that I did appreciate with all the conditioning running I had to do in college was the mental stamina I built from it.
But if I feel like I can’t go on I’ll just have to remember the wise words of Jenny Curran, “Run, Forrest, run.”
I can’t wait to run the marathon’s Stadium to the Sea route that will take me from Dodger Stadium to the San Monica Pier. The entire course will pass through 24 L.A. landmarks. I’m still trying to figure out if there will be a way to strap a camera while I run. No ideas yet. I can’t help but think as a photographer at all times.
But as for the 26.2 miles, I’ll try not to think about that too much.
I’m just enjoy the running for now and taking the training one mile at a time.
October 4, 2011
American Idol winner aims to crowd‐source $100,000 for brain cancer charity on Crowdrise.com
Press Release: Los Angeles – American Idol champion David Cook announced today he plans to run his first marathon and launch a fundraising campaign to help find a cure for brain cancer, which claimed his brother’s life two years ago. Cook says he hopes to raise $100,000 leading up to the 2012 Honda LA Marathon on behalf of Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2).
While the Honda LA Marathon will be Cook’s first time completing 26.2 miles on foot, the musician is not new to running or the fundraising scene. Over the past three years, he ran the Race for Hope ‐ DC 5K race to raise funds for ABC2, a non‐profit that provides researchers with the support they need to make critical breakthroughs, and the National Brain Tumor Society. Cook’s older brother’s struggle with brain cancer has provided him with the extra motivation to raise charitable funds for the cause while training for the marathon.
“Running a full marathon has always been a goal of mine, and I’m excited to commit to running the Los Angeles race in 2012,” said Cook. “I’m looking forward to pushing myself physically, and to using the Marathon as an opportunity to raise money for a cause that is close to my heart. I felt an immediate connection to ABC2 and the work that they do in the brain cancer field – I know that my fundraising efforts will give me that extra push I need to get across the finish line next March.
Cook will roll out his ambitious fundraising efforts on Crowdrise.com, the Honda LA Marathon’s official fundraising platform launched by actor/activist Edward Norton in 2010. Beginning at 9:30AM PDT today, the first 50 people to donate $26 to David’s run for ABC2 will receive an autographed photo. Backstage VIP passes, signed guitars and meet and greets will also be incentives offered during his six‐month campaign for ABC2.
Click here to read the full press release.
« Previous Page — Next Page »
