Operation Jack Marathon 2013

This is one race that I'll run every year as long as my body will allow it. If I can't run it, I will for sure volunteer instead. This race is in its fourth year this year. The race exists to bring awareness to autism as well as raise funds for autism-related charities. It is more meaningful to me since my younger brother is autistic. The race is scheduled each year for the 26th of December and this year that day fell on a Thursday.

Bib pickup

Starting line

I love races where they give out cotton race t-shirts. "Tech" t-shirts are highly overrated. The cheap ones will still chafe the heck out of your nipples! I definitely prefer the feel of cotton when I'm not wearing the shirt for running. I also love races with race day packet pick up. As with the previous year, it cost $6 to park in the parking lot right next to the start and finish line.

Race shirt

I hung out and took a few photos with a few of my Marathon Maniac friends before the race. Some of them took the early start. They were given a 45 minute head start. After some last minute instructions from the timing guy, we were off.

Maniacs!

Early start

The course was a loop course with two out and back sections. One loop was 13.1 miles. So for the marathon we ran it twice. It's a really flat course except for the underpasses along the Ballona Creek bike path. I stuck with the usual race strategy where I ran at a harder effort for the first 10k before slowing down progressively as my legs have been feeling quite worn out from too much racing and not a whole lot of rest. I was hoping to just finish at or slightly faster than 5 hours. While I love supporting the cause and charity, I really dislike running on the concrete bike path. The unforgiving surface beats the hell out of my legs and lower back each year. I was already hurting pretty bad at the halfway mark. By mile 23 and 24, I was really struggling.

Here we go!

1: 8:12
2: 8:02
3: 7:55
4: 8:46
5: 8:10
6: 8:58
7: 9:09
8: 9:44
9: 9:15
10: 9:26
11: 10:46
12: 9:57
13: 10:13
14: 13:03
15: 12:39
16: 13:39
17: 13:59
18: 13:57
19: 13:55
20: 14:48
21: 13:47
22: 13:30
23: 15:08
24: 15:32
25: 14:36
26: 13:33
26.2: 3:08
Finish: 5:03:46

I was cramping up and feeling pretty wrecked when I crossed the finish line. But I was super glad that I had finished my final marathon and race for the year! It was a personal high of 22 marathons in a single year. I really should cut back, but we all know how bad I am with cutting back. :)

Finisher medal

After hanging out a little bit with my friends at the finish area, we hopped into the Goddess mobile and drove over to Four Daughters Kitchen to have lunch. It's burger time! We were pretty fortunate to find curb parking right outside of the restaurant and it was free the day after Christmas! The weather was really nice so we got a table outside. There was a dog from next door that hung out next to our table. I tried to give the dog one of my fries, but the dog refused it. It would appear that the dog wanted a piece of my burger. That's a negative my little furry friend! I had the 4DK burger this time, but I would definitely recommend the Leila's Famous Burger instead. The 4DK burger was decent, but was a bit on the plain side.

The Goddess mobile

Maniacs post race grub at Four Daughters Kitchen

4DK burger

Doggy wants my burger!