Since distance running is a solitary sport, veteran runners of the LA Marathon, being held on Sunday, March 17, jumped at a rare chance this week to share teacherly tidbits aimed at educating race newbies.
From dos and don’ts to must-see moments along the 26.2-mile course stretching from Elysian Park to Beverly Hills, their advice ran the gamut from what not to wear on race day, to downing energy bites and power drinks like crazy in order to increase stamina during the exhausting jaunt.
And their wisdom may prove critical, since those who’ve run the LA Marathon before are in the minority this year. About 56% of the more than 26,000 runners are newcomers to this race. And 40% — that’s more than 10,000 runners — will be running their first marathon of any kind, said Dan Cruz, spokesperson for the race.
“That is a lot of new runners,” Cruz said. “Might be due to a post-pandemic time when more people are comfortable coming to big events.”
Do this, don’t do that
Louis Briones has run all 38 LA Marathons. At age 76, he’s prepared to run on Sunday, the 39th annual LA Marathon. So when he dishes up advice, people listen.
Like other veteran runners, Briones stressed that how a runner handles the first six miles is critical in preventing a total body breakdown later in the race. In short, the first lesson is all about pacing.
“When that starter gun goes off you are feeling powerful, so you blast out of the gate and you run too fast. You will end up walking the last half of the marathon,” he said.
Many, including Briones, said there should be a caution label affixed to each entry application: Don’t attempt unless you’ve done at least six months of training. For the couch potato, that means baby steps at first. “Buy a good pair of shoes, put them on, head out your front door and run around the block. Start slow, with short distances, get your legs accustomed to moving,” Briones said.
Michelle Russell, an occupational therapist from…
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