Rock and Roll Las Vegas – Race Recap
| December 5, 2011 | Posted by Carrie under half marathon, Running |
The good: I made a huge improvement to my average half marathon pace! First half was 11:34, this time 11:03!
My goal was to finish with a 10:59 pace. I’m good with that.
The bad: I either swerved so much avoiding people or just don’t know how to save distances at all, but I ran 13.55 miles.
My chip time was 2:29:53. Technically it’s a 1 second PR. Would have been better if I had been able to cut out .45 of a mile.
The good: we stayed at Excalibur. All the horror stories you read online about the post race stuff didn’t affect us at all. We walked back to our hotel (granted another 20+ min walk after running a 1/2 wasn’t ideal), I got to shower and then we went to eat. I saw lots of people having dinner in race clothes, felt bad for them.
The good: my awesome husband, kids and in-laws braved the cold to cheer me on at the start. I got to see them right before my corral started and that was great.
The good: I wasn’t cold! I dropped my throw away sweatshirt at mile 2. And my throw away gloves at mile 6.
The bad: when I was done, it was REALLY cold, really quick.
The good: while my family was entertained while I ran, they made it back to the course and cheered me on right as I hit mile 13. Awesome!!!!
The good: no knee pain! As I finished the long walk back to the hotel, my ITB went wacky and I was miserable, but then it got better. My ankles had some weird pain during the race, but it was tolerable. They really just feel worked, not injured.
The bad: I made a race day equipment change and am paying the price with two nasty blisters. I don’t use Body Glide since I started wearing Injinji socks, but used it for the race. Don’t know why. Fail.
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Yes, the course was crowded. But, it was great. I saw the Run Through Wedding at the Mirage as I started (they were exchanging rings – hilarious).
I saw the Bellagio fountains in full performance on the way back. Why they were playing ‘New York, New York’, I don’t know. I wanted the usual music.
I kept pace for a long time with a guy dressed as Santa who said ‘Ho Ho Ho’ to everyone. Fun!
I loved the group of runners dressed as Elvis who were pushing a stroller with a speaker blasting Elvis music.
I like out and back courses. I like seeing the Elites. It keeps me busy cheering them on. Amazing athletes.
That’s it for a short race recap. I’m blogging from the car while we drive home. I’m feeling really good today. A little sore. A lot tired. But I feel like I’m in much better shape than the first 1/2. I brought my foam roller (full size one – picture me walking through a hotel carrying it).
I’ll write more of a weekend recap later. Including how I became a blogger stalker.
All in all it was a great event. I enjoyed running at night. I’m glad we were able to stay out of the fray of the post-race craziness. I hope everyone who needed medical treatment (there were a lot) is doing ok.
Great job Carrie! Sounds like a blast! Hopefully you got some great pictures to share in your longer recap. Sorry about the blisters! I told hubs we (me running, him spectating) are doing this next year!
Nicole Arbelo recently posted..Monday and I got up and rocked it!
I saw your pic and jnew younwere at Excalibur…because that’s where we stayed! I wish we’d been able to meet face to face! Congrats on the race!
Congrats on a great race! Glad you missed all the post-race chaos I’ve been hearing about!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Mid-week Motivation
It was so cool to meet you and your kids! I am so glad you had a good race experience
Mine was, too…except for Denny’s …and I do not put any blame on the race for that issue 
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Great job on your race!! Looked like your afterwards was a lot easier than from whhatI have heard!!
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