FRIDAY - It has been ages since I've visited Saigon Dish, one of the few local places we used to go for Pho from my office (I couldn't bring myself to tell Johnny we have a new favorite local spot). I actually came here on my way to work for a very early lunch...because Saigon Dish is one of the few places open before 10am. This has been my lunch hour for the past week (I've been time-shifting my entire daily routine in anticipation of Sunday's early start + change to Daylight Savings Time), but this is the first time I've gone out for a meal since making the aggressive adjustment to my schedule.

Pho has proven itself as solid pre-marathon fuel in the past...most notably before I ran the Malibu Marathon in 2012 (slurped a bowl the night before and enjoyed Valerie's leftovers the morning of)

SATURDAY (day before LA Marathon) - I decide to do a short orbit around when I would be running the marathon to get a feel for the temperature...since the forecast for tomorrow sounds similar. It is definitely cold enough to wear a long sleeved shirt, but should I risk it? It probably won't hit 60 before I finish. Since there IS a chance of rain, I plan to bring an old rain jacket to discard in the corrals. I'll definitely wear the compression sleeves.

Valerie and I head to the Los Angeles Convention Center for the pre-marathon Health & Fitness Expo. I had debated on whether or not I should try to beat the rush by going yesterday, but had a lot to do at work. It looks like we made the right decision to come early.

Or not. We are now standing in a very long line that started to our right and is now snaking its way back towards the South Hall Entrance. This is the first time we have encountered something like this before an LA Marathon...usually we have just walked straight inside.

Once inside the expo, I go straight to collecting my bib and t-shirt. Valerie wants to get a photo of me with the cheerleaders, so as soon as the line shortens we head back to the wall. (Photo by Valerie Iwasaki)

Seriously, this was Valerie's idea (Photo by Valerie Iwasaki)

This may be the 35th Anniverary of the Los Angeles Marathon, but I didn't start running it until the 25th...

...because I wouldn't even consider running this road race until they introduced the Stadium to the Sea course

When I convinced Valerie to join me for the 2016 running of the LA Marathon, we were surprised to see Skechers Performance had become this race's featured sponsor. Neither of us associate sports with the Skechers brand...and both of us wear ASICS running shoes. When I registered for this year's race nearly a year ago, I had no idea ASICS would be back in this role.

That said, Honda was the title sponsor of the race when I first ran it in 2010. This meant a lot to me since I was such a Honda/Acura fanboy back then. Though my love for the brand has faded over the past decade, I would rather see a Honda pace car than a Volvo...at least as long as Honda's American headquarters remains in Torrance.

I don't quite get how this marathon transitioned from Honda to Volvo. Perhaps I should ask Ramon...his shop Niguel Motors services both.

Yes, I am LA Loyal. This is the fifth time I have registered for this event.

Time to ramen-load...honestly the main reason I run marathons!

Okay, technically this is Tsukemen. I feel their thicker noodles are even more ideal than ramen or pho as fuel before a marathon. This is not the first time I've slurped here before an LA Marathon...and I hope it won't be the last.

Before returning home, we briefly stop at the new Mitsuwa Marketplace. When we first learned their flagship store was moving to Del Amo, we figured it would be a big upgrade...and a bonus that it would now be more conveniently located. The last thing we expected this to be was smaller and with janky parking.

Honestly, our main reason for ever going to Mitsuwa is their food court, which appears downsized as well. They still have many of their previous options available, but the seating area seems much tigher and less inviting. Hopefully Ramen Santouka hasn't lost anything in the move. Should I double down on ramen today? Nah...Tsujita is quite filling (especially because Valerie let me finish her bowl).

When I get home, I make sure I take a photo of my bib...because it won't look like this once I've attached it to my shirt in the morning. Unfortunately, we have been warned against sharing such photos on social media.

Yes, I'll be starting from corral C wearing bib C4731... C-47... perhaps I should use a clothespin to attach my bib?

What's the deal with turquiose finisher shirts? Long Beach's was a similar color, but long-sleeved.

Mochi gives a preview how I will look this time tomorrow. I have NOT been looking forward to waking up at 3:30am on the morning clocks change for Daylight Savings Time. Fortunately, I spent the past two weeks adapting my daily routine to East Coast Standard Time...so I merely need to wake up an hour earlier tomorrow.

SUNDAY - First challenge complete...I woke up head of my alarm and am eating breakfast even before 3:30am. Every little bit I can get ahead of schedule takes a little of the pressure off.

Challenge number two complete - I have not only arrived at my pre-paid parking location (at the Santa Monica Civic Center)...