Busy with life stuff since the race. NOW, finally, I am forcing myself to break for a bit and type, type, type (or is it keyboard, keyboard, keyboard).
LV RR HM; PM 2011 - there is a heading for ya?
Well, it was not a complete fail. Yet, it ominously started out with me forgetting an important piece of race day attire. No not shorts - or shoes. BIB NUMBER! Luckily this a hometown event for me. I live (depending on traffic lights) less than 15 minutes from the start of the race. Yet, due to road closures you can only get so close to the start in comfort. So, between doing a warm-up run/jog/walk to the starting area, only to realize the BIG OOPS! Then running back to the area my wife and kiddo's dropped me off so they could get me the bib. Then of course going back again, which at this point was not a run/jog/walk - it was a very fast Slomohusky. Oh, of course (again), only to huddle back into my corral area realizing 40,000 plus runners don't move very fast themselves trying start a race in Las Vegas. I had pppllllenty of time. Wasted energy I really needed at mile 9. In all, I believe I ran 3 miles, half of which in racing pace before it all started. Nice.
It actually would not have been bad accept for this. The - this - being not only my first HM since the first of June. This - was the first I have done that distance or more since the first of July. Silly me. I was not even planning for anything other than this being a pricey ($155.00) long run for the week, and - well - just doing my hometown obligation thing. Plus, I couldn't miss a race on the Vegas Strip at Night? Doesn't that just sound like pure Viva Las Vegas/Showgirls/Bright Lights/Elvis Impersonating awesomeness?
..... not really.
On second thought, actually post race thought - never in the PM again. I am glad I did it. Just to have the experience. Now that I had it - I will stick to early AM races. It was fun at times, yet any logistical issue you might think happening for a PM race on a closed, narrow corridor of large buildings with distractions at, or on all of them - well pretty much happened. Except for needing police intervention that is, or escort.
The biggest problem was having the Marathon and HM runners ALL (40,000 plus) together on the strip at the same time, on the same side of the street. Oh, and did I mention trying to keep both in separate (but certainly not equal) lanes. I reeeaaally felt sorry for the Full Marathon runners. It was like trying to get through Junior High age football offensive line at times. Lots of elbows to get away from and ahead of. TOOO many walkers as well. However, what the heck, I couldn't beat them. So, I joined them. At least for a mile of my last 3.
I was tired - no - I was exhausted by mile 9. Started out way too fast. Plus, given the lateness of the race I gave up on a respectable time. I was also really hungry by mile 9 as well. How does one prepare for a night time race anyway? When do you sleep or fuel before the race? What are you supposed to do all day before it starts? So, anyway, I decided to walk some and enjoy the lights, sites and crazy other runners (walkers) willing to do this. Which actually allowed me a really cool view of the Venetian and Bellagio at night for Christmas. Not bad as far as Vegas goes. The best site was while I was still trying. Trying to run the best race I could. A big wedding in front of the Mirage made for a huge eruption of the Volcano in front. Very cool. Glad I saw that one.
I did try to run again. It hurt, but I ran the last 1.5 miles as fast as I could (or should I say, as Slomohusky as I could). I had nothing in the tank, and my right knee IT band was barking. My longest run prior to this was 7.5 miles twice. So, that and not racing an HM since June - what was I supposed to expect. I will take it though. Even the rain - yes - rain. Cold Vegas rain in the desert at the finish. That pretty much was the cherry on the cake - ice cream cake that is. It was chilly.
Next adventure? Still in the desert. South in Phoenix for the AZ RR in Jan. I registered for the Full. Hmmm .... maybe? :) A week later in Carlsbad for the best HM course one can run. That one is a must! I should be in shape by then. Or, at least afterwards anyways.
Cheers.
6 comments:
Glad to see you are back and continuing to have adventures.
Your story reminds me of my first marathon, Portland in 2006, during which I lost my timing chip and did not discover this fact until I hit the finish mat and did not hear a beep. Turns out it came off during all the pre-race milling around. Haven't lost one since . . .
I heard today that one of the people in my running group got pulled from the LV HM by the medical team. Sounds like a rough night from what you describe.
Ongrats on your race! Forgetting my bib...that's always my nightmare! Glad it happened where you could get it!
I've never done a night race. I can totally see where it would be really hard to rest any before. Sounds like you made it a good time no matter what, though. :)
Forgetting the bib is STILL much better than forgetting the shorts. Just sayin....
Ahhhhhhh! No bib! That is a rough start!! (but a good warm up!) Glad you had enough time to return for it.
This race sounds like pure craziness to me. So...would you recommend the RnR race after this?
WOW, I sure needed and appreciated your kind thoughts regarding our new situation!! I think you are probably the ONE person in my life who thinks this is actually a blessing for all involved. THANKS! Totally needed it today.
Also, FUN post about LV. I didn't think you'd do it! Glad you did and the warning came through loud and clear...but I'm still so tempted to run at night there, it does sound fun except for the strip.
Carlsbad?!
**P.S., I'm happy you've all decided to stay planted in LV. It sounds like you made the RIGHT decision.
Cheers and cheerfulness to you all!
meg
So much craziness! I don't know if I will ever do a night race. I hope I would run better at night than I drive, but it could be kinda scary :)
There's a lot of good info in here about the course and the crowding. Great report!
Thanks for posting your new URL...however you changed it was smarter than how i did mine a year ago. It transferred right over from blogger for you so I was already "still" following. Hooray for easy transfers!
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