Video of the Day: Your East Side Moment of Zen
The Big Pink @ El Rey Theatre 11/18/09
If You've Got the Time: Sunday Brunch @ Casa del Mar
The Great L.A. Walk Treks Adams & Washington Today
They Might Be Giants @ Royce Hall 11/14/09
Holy shit the marathon is on Sunday! It seemed so long ago and now it’s right around the corner. I’m so excited, but I also really can’t wait for it to be over. In case you don’t know, unless you’re already an avid runner, training is a big deal. My poor feet and knees are ready to take a break. I’ve never run so much in my life.
In the last couple of days, it’s important to prepare and tie up any loose ends. One of my main concerns has been what I’m going to eat pre marathon. If you’ve done your research, you know that it’s essential to load up on carbs since it serves as fuel for your body during the long run. For a $20 fee, the Los Angeles Marathon provides a Carbo Load dinner the night before. Held in the Wilshire Grand Hotel Ballroom, the event has not only food, but also live entertainment. If you don’t want to spend the bills, have a nice pasta dinner at home just don’t go overboard with the marinara sauce. On Sunday morning, have breakfast, even if you have nerves, and get ready for the time of your life!
Another one my other main concerns has been my music playlist. For the past two days I’ve been hard at work compiling songs that I know will give me energy. Rap and R&B really put my ass into gear. For you, it may be country. The point is to create a playlist that will knock your socks off and help you climb the physical walls you’ll undoubtedly come across during the 26.2 miles.
Below is my playlist. Thanks for judging me in advance. If you have any suggestions for songs, I’d love to hear them. I love all types of music. Please post in the comments!
About That Rock – Brother Reade
And If – Sa Ra
Angry Candy – Autolux
Australia (Peter Bjorn & John Mix) – The Shins
Bamboo Banga – M.I.A
Bombs Over Baghdad – Outkast
Boys Don’t Cry – The Cure
Buttons – Pussycat Dolls
Check On It – Beyonce
Clark Gable – The Postal Service
Come Around – M.I.A ft. Timbaland
D.A.N.C.E – Justice
Digital Love – Daft Punk
Doo Wop (That Thing) – Lauryn Hill
Down – Chris Brown ft. Kanye West
Feel the Bass – Sa Ra ft. Talib Kweli
Fergalicious – Fergie
Flashing Lights – Kanye West
Futuresex/Lovesound – Justin Timberlake
Get It – TI
Gimme That – Chris Brown
Give It To Me – Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland & Justin Timberlake
Haiti – Arcade Fire
Hunter – Bjork
Hyperballad –Bjork
Hypnotized – Plies ft. Akon
I Was a Kaleidoscope – Death Cab For Cutie
Joints n’ Jams – Black Eyed Peas
Knocked Up – Kings of Leon
L.A. – Murs & 9th Wonder
Lovestoned/I Think She Knows Interlude – Justin Timberlake
Luchini (This Is It) – Camp Lo
Luv 2 Luv U (Remix) – Timbaland and Magoo
McFearless – Kings of Leon
My Love – Justin Timberlake ft. TI
My Way – Usher
Neighborhood #3 (Power Out) – Arcade Fire
Nighttiming – Coconut Records
Non-Photo Blue – Pinback
Nuthin’ But A G Thang – Dr. Dre ft. Snoop Dogg
Passing Me By – The Pharcyde
Pose – Justin Timberlake ft. Snoop Dogg
Rat – The Walkmen
Roc Boys (And The Winner Is) – Jay Z
Romantic Nights – Death From Above 1979
Run – Air
Runnin’ – The Pharcyde
Sensual Seduction – Snoop Dogg
Sexx Laws – Beck
Sir Duke – Stevie Wonder
Somethin’ That Means Somethin’ – The Pharcyde
Straight Outta Compton – NWA
Temperature – Sean Paul
Things Are Getting Better – N.E.R.D
Thnks Fr Th Mmrs – Fall Out Boy
Throwed – Chris Brown
Time To Pretend – MGMT
Toxic – Britney Spears
U Don’t Have To – Usher
Wake Up – Arcade Fire
Wall To Wall – Chris Brown
We Are Your Friends – Justice
We Don’t Care – Kanye West
We Got It For Cheap – Clipse
The Well And The Lighthouse – Arcade Fire
What More Can I Say? – Jay Z + Danger Mouse
When Doves Cry – Prince
Where The Party At – Jagged Little Pill
You Only Live Once – The Strokes
You Should Be My Girl – Sammie Ft. Sean Paul
You’re My Best Friend – Queen
1 2 Step – Ciara
1 Thing – Amerie
20 Dollar – MIA
1999 - Prince
Previously on LAist
--How To Spectate the 2008 L.A. Marathon
--Los Angeles Marathon - What Are You Wearing?
--I'm Training for the Los Angeles Marathon
Top photo by bossco , bottom photo by bossco, both via Flickr
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Fancy Footwork by Chromeo seems pretty appropriate.
good luck on sunday!
some things to keep in mind:
1. don't overdo the carboload the night before. the last thing you want to do is run the entire 26.2 with a belly full of bread and pasta. better yet, have an early dinner.
2. sunscreen, sunglasses, and maybe even a brimmed hat are essential. the sun can be brutal.
3. dress in layers. the start by universal studios was cold last year; a trash bag kept me comfortable. by the halfway mark, i had ripped everything off and was down to nothing but a singlet and shorts. AND DEFINITELY NO COTTON!
4. body glide everything and anything that can possibly chafe. you'll be glad you did.
5. drink water at every water station. it's almost a guarantee that it'll be warm on race day. it almost always is. and don't forget the gu/powergel/clifshot/whatever to keep your electrolytes in balance.
and more importantly, unless you're trying to qualify for boston or beat a PR goal, stop watching your watch and just have fun out there!
i'll be cheering for you at mile 3 -- an injury has relegated me to race clock duty; it's the closest i could get to participating in the race this year :)
"Stronger"-- Kanye West
(You can't beat the one-two punch of a little rappin' and Daft Punk.)
GOOD LUCK!!!
You might also consider a small packet of salt (like you get with take-out food) at the start and mid-way point. If it's a hot day and you drink a lot of water, you will lose a lot more salt than sportdrink can replenish. They give salt at the san diego marathon which I've been doing the past few years.
Also, relax and cruise the first 6-10 miles. The worst marathons I've run have been the result of going out too fast/aggressive. The best I've run have been the ones where I ran easy and didn't pay attention to pace/time till mile 12.
Have fun.
LCD Soundsystem made a mix specifically for running called 45:33. Too short for a marathon but it's been great for me.
Best of Luck! Running a marathon will be quite an accomplishment...looking forward to hearing your experience next week.
Someone needs to do a writeup of that crazy dancer dude that works for westside rentals. I used to see him everyday for like 8 months "working" (dancing like crackhead who likes to dance) the corner of 11th & Wilshire in santa monica. Whats his deal?!?!??!