Mar Vista’s Alex Thompson Is Ready to Run the LA Marathon

He’s the co-founder of Bikerowave, a major force behind the LA Bike Plan initiative and can regularly be seen round the Mar Vista neighborhood on his bicycle. However, what you may not know is that Alex Thompson is also a runner. On Sunday morning he’ll don bib #126224 and participate in the LA Marathon.

Mar Vista Patch: So how long have you been running marathons?

Alex Thompson: Actually this is only my second. I ran my first in Columbus, Ohio in 2002. I was planning on running last year’s LA Marathon but I got injured six weeks before the race and I couldn’t run for three months. I started training again last June.

Patch: What made you want to start running marathons in the first place?

AT: I wanted to fill out my running resume. I ran competitive track and field, and did cross country running for eight years and I specialized in the half mile. In the end I got tired of people saying to me, ‘Have you ever run a marathon?’ I’d be in a bar and people would ask me this question. It got irritating so at the age of 22 I decided I was going to run one.

Patch: Okay, so being ‘irritated’ motivated you initially, but what keeps you going? What makes running a marathon so special?

AT: You can get into a zone. There’s something very primal about it. I really think our bodies are designed to [run long distances]; it’s just that we’re not conditioned to it.

Patch: Where have you been training?

AT: I mostly run down in the Ballona Wetlands and through the freshwater marsh in Playa Vista. There’s a bunch of dirt trails there. I also practice hill running up Grandview and Inglewood blvds. And I do a lot of running at the Mar Vista Rec. Center.

Patch: The weather prediction says there could be rain on Sunday. How will you cope with that?

AT: If there’s a light rain, you want to make sure to not get your shoes wet. Have you heard the expression ‘An ounce on your feet is a pound on your back?’ It’s true. Your foot swings back and forth like a pendulum of a grandfather clock when you run and you’ll be carrying that extra weight if your shoes get wet.

Patch: How do you avoid getting your shoes wet if it’s raining?

AT: Don’t step in any puddles! I know, it’s really low tech.

Patch: What’s your goal for the marathon?

AT: To beat my personal best, which is 2:57:12. I’d like to run 2:54 but I don’t know if that’s possible because it’s not really a distance I’m experienced with. They say the halfway point in a marathon is 20 miles. Even though it’s really 13 miles, 20 miles is when you start to really feel it. I have to remember to be conservative. Last time I ran out really fast and the last eight miles my legs were cramping the whole way.

 Patch: Any rituals you have before a race?

AT: Yes. I lay out all my clothes, like some people do before their wedding. Then I put the clothes on top of my shoes in the order that I have to put them. I’m really meticulous about it, and if you’ve seen my house you know I’m not meticulous! This is definitely a ritual.

Patch: What will you be wearing?

AT: White shoes, blue shorts and either a red or white singlet. I think I’m going to go with the white, though.

Patch: Good luck!

 To see the road closures for the marathon .