Marathon Montage

These are thumbnail images pulled from the website of MarathonFoto, the official photographer of the event. The top left one is at Mile 18 on Sixth Street, the next three are on the course through Hancock Park, the fifth is only a few yards from the finish, and the last at bottom right in all my dead-man-walking glory is me at the glorious finish line.

Apres Le Marathon

I'm Finished

26 Down, 285 Yards To Go

65 Pounds, Sir!

Turning from Olympic up Figueroa for the homestretch to the finish line, I was passed by the young serviceman on the left who was carrying a huge pack on his back. Curiosity got the best of me and I asked him how much it weighed. "65 pounds, sir!" Unbelievable.

25 Miles Down, About One To Go

Mile 25: What A Beautiful Sight

One Foot In Front Of The Other

Mile 24: The End Is Nearing

Sad-Ass Shape

Mile 22: So Close Yet So Far

Amazing Grace

The support from spectators along the route was phenomenal. Sorry for the unreadable pic, but this young lady on Sixth Street near the Park LaBrea apartments hoisted a sign that read "You Are Amazing!"

What The Fuck Am I Complaining About?

Who's Disabled?

I came up behind this young man on crutches and a severe leg deformity in between miles 17 and 18. I later found out his name is Aldo Aldana and this was his eleventh marathon. I checked the marathon website and found out he finished in 8:24.

I Have Sloooooooowed

Mile 14: Somewhere In The Middle

Turning right off of Venice the route took me through a residential area over to La Cienega Boulevard.

Mile 12: Heading West

This was the beginning of a long stretch down Venice Boulevard from Crenshaw.

Double Digits, Baby!

Mile 10: Little Second Wind

Back heading north on Crenshaw Boulevard. A second wind that I found was quickly blown out by the incline up over the 10 Freeway.

Follow The Double Yellow Line

By now the crowd has thinned out considerably.

Sausage Fingers

MIle 7: Gee, That's Swell!

Swelling of the hands and fingers is one of the effects of doing a marathon.

I've Gone To the iPod

Mile 4: Get Outta My Way

Heading north on Vermont, I used my iPod to full effect and started pushing the pace a bit.

We've Got Some Drummers

One Down, 25.2 To Go

Passing the Convention Center on Figueroa.

Caught Up In The Energy

I Medaled!

But then, everyone who finishes, medals. And the big medal was still 26.2 miles away.

16 Miles In

More apologies for the wind blasting.

Sixth Street Into The Sun

20 MPH Down Venice Boulevard

Apologies for the wind blasting this post into incoherence. My phone's headset wasn't built for use while in motion.

Before The Bike Tour

This horrible shot was taken of the Bike Tour start line, and yes it's 5:30 a.m.

Live From the Bike Tour Elite Rider Staging Area

What A Beautiful Moon!