After a dark tour of Los Angeles, Nike ran what happened.

After running-or more like staying almost almost-half of the first marathon about a decade in Las Vegas, I had no desire to participate in a long race again.

It was until I learned that Nike was hosting Nike after the dark roundThe women’s race series designed to celebrate women and encourage them to enter this sport. The La Half-Maraathon-the only station in the United States-was scheduled to include a Grammy-winning rapper at the end of the 13.1 miles race. Given that Nike has a good reputation in coordinating cold experiences and raising culture, I thought this is the ideal way for me to get out of my retirement for years of running. In addition, many of my friends were participating, so it was imperative to be a fun time.

After training for several weeks in gardens and paths throughout Los Angeles, the pavement hit nearly 15,000 participants -43 % of them were half the marathon for the first time-Saturday evening at the Sophie Stadium in Englo. The event ignited a lot of gossip online – not all positive – with some of the contestants who call an unorganized race and a marketing event It meets the needs of the influencers. For me, I suffered from many heights during the active event, but also some moments of frustration and confusion. Here is the way I fell tonight, from the starting line (and the journey to reach there) to the end of the octane.

Before the race: access to the starting line was a marathon in itself

Knowing that thousands of people were expected to participate in this event, I chose to reach the Sufi stadium about an hour and a half early to avoid traffic. It was too late, he should have reached an early time. Several streets were banned because of the race, but as soon as I found the parking lot, it was easy for me to find a place – much easier than it was at the last Kendrick Lamar and Sza party a few weeks ago. (While registration for the race started at $ 150, parking was fortunately free for those who got an early place).

I followed a herd of people towards the entrance, where we passed a security checkpoint, then the bag examination line, which took about 30 minutes to reach it. After that, I rushed out to find my friends and waited in another line-this time for Porta-Potties-which lasted about 40 minutes.

The starting line, finally

By this time, there were only about 10 minutes until the time of the race and still need to stretch, so my group ran to the first coral. The race was scheduled to start at the beginning at 6:30 pm, but Emcee announced that it was returned again to 6:45 pm, this made me feel nervous because the concert was appointed at 9:30 pm, so this means that I will have less than three hours to finish if I wanted to pick up the show.

In weeks before the marathon, some participants He took to social media to express their concerns About Nike change the course time from four hours – as mentioned in the registration form – to three hours. in One correlation indicatorOne of the hostility said: “If the complete purpose of this event is to restore running by giving women space to feel safe at night, then why are they not comprehensive for hostility from all steps?”

In response to the comments, NIKE eventually set the time of the training course to three hours and 17 minutes, allowing an average mile of 15 minutes per mile, according to a spokesman for NIKE. The brand added a shorter cycle option, which was nine miles away, so the participants can still cross the finish line and receive a medal (Silver necklace with giant Nike Swoosh) and enjoy the concert.

Despite confusion, people were full. “I am at this stage in my life where I really want to prove to myself that I can do difficult things,” said Ayana Fox, 29, from Cino Hills, about the reason for her desire to participate.

“I felt that this race in particular was interesting because he would often be women and related to the empowerment of women, so I love him,” said Misty Garcia, 17, a student at the Venice Secondary School.

“360” of Charli XCX played on the speakers, Nike coaches along with the Olympic Gymnastics player Jordan Chelse and Olympic Anna Cukrrel, where both Coral took it off. This was the point where my nerves started kicking because I was keen to start. At 7:05 pm, a smoke explosion appeared. I was finally and running.

Miles 1-7: The stimulation of my father and the fans of chanting

The first seven miles were the most exciting for me. I felt strong and confident from my Terity. For my legs, this extension was a smooth sailing. Hundreds of people were chanting from the side lines and carrying signs with statements such as “You are working better than our government”, “Hot Girls Run Half Marchhons” and “Hurry Up so we can drink.” Drivers along the highway were getting more for us. DJ played an optimistic house and hip -hop music. USC Performance. Between the mark of six and seven miles, we ran through a tunnel that was full of flashing red lights and bubble machines. The energy was electrical.

Many brands including Flamingo, Honey Stinger (which gave gels and free snacks) and beats by Dre were activated along the course. There was even a recovery station with sofas, bathroom trailers and snacks.

Miles 8-10: put the pain in

Before Mile 8, the headphones died when the hills began to reach me. I felt that I was running up and down in the sharp rotary ship. Without music, I had to speak myself during the final expansion. But in these trenches, I noticed several sweet moments of societal care: a volunteer passes Karima Benghai, a group of friends carrying a woman cherishing her, and they screaming at their countries of origin and waving their flags in the wake of the ice raids that were taking place in our city at this particular moment. It was a beautiful reminder of the best of what we are as people when we support each other.

About 10 miles, I was monitored Chris BennettNike Global Head coach, giving high wines and encouraging people to move forward. (He even ran with the last handful of the contestants and helped them via the finish line.)

The last tendency – or was it?

When I got close to the end, Pamois Pambut felt that there was no less than two huge intercessors that resemble the finish line, but in reality it was not. I still have ways to go. I could cry the tears of joy when I finally reached the end. I registered in three hours and three minutes, which I was happy with my only goals were finished, enjoying fun and reaching the concert. The winner was Sofia Kamacho, the withdrawal artist and Nike coach in New York, who was recorded in one hour, 15 minutes and 25 seconds.

After seizing a medal, I walked as soon as their limbs allowed inflammation again on the field. The journey felt the comment because we had to climb multiple groups of stairs, then we were walking in a corridor that was approximately 10 levels that never felt ended until we reached the bottom where the theater was. Some people surrendered to watch the show simply because they did not have the energy to download it.

The Great End: Dochii brings energy

By the time when I got there, I was disappointed when I saw that Dushi was already in her last song from her 30 -minute collection, but the energy was so high that I forgot quickly and enjoyed the moment while she could. The show ended before 10:40 pm, while some people were still running, including one of my friends who missed the show and could not get a pair of Barbie slices between Nike and the socks they were passing.

The night ends with the journey continues

After the show, instructions were directed to get out of the stadium – fortunately there was Salem – but I still have to mobilize energy to return to the entrance on the other side of the field so that I can recover my property from the bag examination area. My legs were completed by the time when I arrived in my car.

Regardless of some logistical problems and long waiting times, I enjoyed the participation in the Nike after Dark tour. The course was a challenge, but it was implemented, and operating it alongside thousands of women and allies of all ages and backgrounds at night, felt empowering. The contestants received a ton of free, especially at Pep Beck August, in The Grove, which included a shirt and makeup of milk.

As a person usually avoids the heart in exercise sessions, this race inspired me to continue hitting the sidewalk and exploring this beautiful city on foot. And who knows, I just subscribe to another race.