{In my last post, I should have written “right” not “left” in the title; I changed it. I wrote it at midnight and after the clock strikes twelve, I turn into a dingbat.}
On to the race…
I ate a burger at 1pm thinking it’d be enough time to digest. Got all ready in my Team Refuel gear, got to the start and in my corral seamlessly around 3:45pm.
What I wore:
The top is Stella McCartney for Adidas
The skirt is Nike Holiday Set Point Skort (it runs big in the waist, I would have ordered a smaller size had I known)
The black socks are CEP compresion socks – awesome, highly recommend
The sports bra is from Target on clearance
And my favorite BIC Band of all – also awesome, didn’t move at all even with my lighted headdress I was wearing
Thanks for the pics HRG, who had a post-injury PR!
Casey Abrams from American Idol sang God Bless America and then we were off attempting to run 26.2 starting at 4pm. Never imagined I’d do that.
I took very few pictures because I didn’t realize when it’s dark and you have a crappy camera, all your pictures look like this:
It’s special.
Anyways, Pam (thanks for the lighted hat!) and I started off running right around 8 min/miles: conservative, perfect pace. Problem was that my burger wanted to make an appearance at the party too. I told Pam to take off and go ahead of me because I was feeling pretty crappy.
The 3:30 pacer long passed us and I kept burping up burger and feeling like maintaining any sort of 8:05 pace was a tremendous effort. You know what’s a big running bummer? When you feel like you’re running way faster than you are and working so hard just to realize you’re not even close. crap.
Pam was supernice and even though I told her to take off because I was holding her back, she stayed, talked and took my mind off of beef patties.
I didn’t drink any water until mile 9 (normally I drink something at every station) and things started feeling better; I guess the burger finally digested.
By mile 10 I was sorta getting into and feeling decent.
The first 13 miles are out in residential areas and even manufacturing areas, definitely boring. and lots of out-and-backs. I kept telling myself, Just get to 13 and it’ll be fun from there on out.
We hit the halfway at 1:45ish, a little behind a 3:30.
And that’s where it got CONGESTED. We were running 7:45’s and we hit the strip with the half marathoners who had crossed the start about 16 minutes after the half started so our paces were not congruous and it was just way too crowded.
NOTE: I am NOT bagging on half marathoners; pretty much all my friends ran the half at this race. If you run any distance (or pace or time), that’s an accomplishment and you should be proud!
It was just emotionally very frustrating that since there was no corral enforcement, I had to weave around half marathon runners for 13 miles who were running in the marathon lane and at a much slower pace. for 13 miles. 13 miles. that’s a long time.
Anyways, it’s just a race, I’m over it, I didn’t win the gold medal so it’s NBD. no big deal.
I actually didn’t check my garmin once in the second half of the race; I was just running on emotions. I was so tense, frustrated, and stressed that I just focused on finishing and being done without stabbing someone.
(This was like at mile 10)
For energy, I took gels at mile 14, 18 and 22. I didn’t think my stomach could handle anything before that, but it worked out fine.
I finished in 3:26:07, 3rd in my division, 30th woman overall and 287th place. shows you how few marathoners there were.
I nearly started crying at the finish (and I’v never cried over a race before) because I was so tense and worked up, but I met all my new homies and let it go. It’s just a race.
Runners Rambles, ShutUpandRun, HungryRunnerGirl
I’m missing a few others like Page and Monica in my pics but HRG got one:
I was so excited that my brother, SIL and husband were able to see me and the start and finish; love having my family and husband there… if for nothing else, just to make fun of me. keeping it real.
Billy and Marlie having a grand ‘ol time.
We met up with Team Refuel, got our low-fat chocolate milk recovery drink and then said our goodbyes to everyone.
We stopped at a lounge in Mandalay Bay for a celebratory drink and to warm up; it was pretty cold outside by that point, and it turned out great because we missed most of the post-race traffic. Some people waited for 90 minutes for a cab, but we were able to get out of there quickly.
A big thanks to Refuel with Chocolate Milk for sponsoring me in this race and this weekend.
I really enjoyed meeting my teammates, meeting readers on the streets, meeting tons of bloggers at meet ups. It’s a lot of fun meeting people who share the same passions as you do.
Next post I’ll share what I ate yesterday – pre and post-race. if anyone cares. Right now my mom’s like, Nope, not reading that. Gonna go wash my hair.
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{ 55 comments… read them below or add one }
Thats the only complaint you had? Others tell a MUCH different story. Like how it was like a war zone at the end and how awful the whole experience was and that for that kind of money you would think RnR had their shiznit together. Or maybe just leaving that part out so as not to put a red X on the RnR name or to bad mouth them (for future sponsorship) or maybe due to your sponsorship with chocolate milk?
And curious are you saying that you would have placed/finished faster if not for all the halfers in your way?
go read my rock n roll savannah race review and you’ll see i have no problem pointing out a race’s flaws. this isn’t a review, just a recap of my personal performance. i have zero affiliation with RNR and chocolate milk in no way could tell me how to review a race.
and no, i am saying only what i actually said. i take 100% responsibility for my performance and dont give credit or blame to anyone else.
great response. this is what we were talking about at ghiradelli! i would be flattered, remember?
Kari, what’s your blog address? Just curious. Not sure if you’re being a real ‘B’ or if you are just super inquisitive.
Honestly, I don’t think it sounds like she was blaming the half marathoners at all. If anything she was saying the organization left something to be desired. I ran too…ran the half and started in corral 7 but on the out and backs, I saw many marathoners having to dodge walking halfers. I don’t think there is anything wrong with walking a half, I think its wonderful to be out there no matter what pace you are, but they should have planned better for this…not just for the speedier marathoners sake but for the slower half marathoners. If I was a slower runner or walker, I would have felt in the way and very discouraged by that set up. All in all, I had a great time, but it was a very packed race and I’m very impressed you did so well under the condition SR! Placing in an RNR is freaking awesome!
Loved all your Vegas post. I can’t believe I haven’t run into my favorite blogger as I am also staying at Cosmo and was also in the PH sportsbook
Blahh, note to self, I won’t eat a burger the next time I got for a power walk!
When I first heard about this race, my first thought was….there is no way I would be able to figure out how to eat that day. By 4:00, you have to eat something substantial, which is not something that usually happens at 7:00 a.m. when you can get away with something light and fast-digesting. I hate that burp-while-running feeling. I also hate weaving when races converge.
What were tourists on the strip thinking of this race? It must have been a shock to see…and I imagine it made for some awesome/interesting people cheering
That is one crazy hat! Good job! This looks like a fun race!
Why does the race start so late?
the idea behind was to run the las vegas strip at night, under all the lights. this was the first year that they did it.
Love the crazy hat! Looks like some good times. I’m thinking it may be a fun halfer for next year.
Yep….my lunch choice sucked too and I felt it the whole time. Glad you liked the pics and I am sure Jay loves the close-up. I would have been very frustrated too. I can’t imagine trying to weave around people when you are pooped and I probably would have just walked off the course and gone to get food or something.
Good job! Breaking thru the crowd is never fun can’t imagine it hitting you half way into the race. Glad you didn’t stab anyone.
Is it just me or does anyone else LOVE seeing the blog world collision pics… Marlie & Billy and JayBob & Janae. looks like a super fun time for everyone!!! Great race SR!!! Way to show that burger who’s boss!!
Sounds like a very frustrating race. I hope they can figure out the logistics for the future. I don’t understand why they did not just start the marathon first? The thing that really bothers me when I hear about this stuff is how dangerous it is with that many runners at different paces. Can you say broken ankle?
PS – I totally get that you are not bagging on half marathoners – the problem is in the logistics and planning.
you are such a champ. I don’t think I could ever not look at my Garmin for that long.
I also just added “night marathon” to my bucket list. ugh… sounds so awesome.
Too bad about all the course congestion, seems like RnR would be smarter than that. At least you were able to channel some of the frustration into negative splitting. Running at night is fun for a 5k/10k, but not sure I’d ever try it for a longer distance.
Congrats on your speedy 3rd-place-in-age-group marathon, my friend!!
LOVE how you negative-splitted the shit out of it. Nice work.
And oooh my gosh I love that first person’s comment, that was some funny reading there.
That race sounds miserable. Glad you at least got to have fun with your team and family.
Side question, completely unrelated to the race: Where did Marlie get her hat? It’s awesome!
she said she got it from nordstrom in the bp section and its hand crocheted.
It sucks that you had to deal with crappy enforcement and a burger-loaded belly. I hate the feeling of running when I thought I was fully digested, but alas, I was not.
I think the idea behind the Strip at Night is awesome. I perform much better exercising/running at night because I happen to be a night owl, so it sounds great. I actually did a 5k yesterday that started at 4pm.
However, it sounds like they need to work on the logistics. I hate having to weave around slower runners at a race, regardless of the distance.
I guess the idea of “strip at night” made them forget or rather downplayed the need to worry about the two courses colliding.
That is a terrible way to finish the second half of a marathon. No wonder everyone’s second half splits looked kind of crazy. It’s really a bummer, though, if someone trained for months only to get super frustrated and slammed by a swarm of slower runners.
Hopefully next year they will have a better strategy.
Congrats on the age group placement!
Did you know you were running with everyone’s favorite “celebrity” reality mom?
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20551012,00.html
I agree, it stinks to have to put on the breaks and go around other runners…I can’t imagine doing it at the second half of a marathon. Keep up the honest recap’s, it’s the only way to help the race committee’s see what worked and what didn’t. Hopefully they’ll change it by next year because I just may want in on that, and while we’re being honest, honest…a burger is never a good choice!
I can’t believe no one has commented on this yet, but you have amazing arms!! super jealous over here. You seriously don’t do weights or anything?
Congrats again on your newest marathon. A stomachache the first 10 miles? I don’t know if I could have done that (had a stomachache or ran 10 miles). In fact I’m training for a 10k right now, so I’m pretty sure I couldn’t. One day.
Completely agree about the arms – bloody fabulous!
I was anxious to read your review. Yesterday was my 8th 1/2 marathon and after running my first full last month (NYC), I knew I was in the best running shape of my life but because I was running with a friend, I knew I wouldn’t be setting my PR. I did not, however, expect to set my personal worst!! It was SOOO congested that we could never get in our zone. I felt for the marathoners and I SWEAR I moved as far over as I could.
I know, it’s just a race, and ultimately I need to get over it but it was frustrating and I take comfort in the fact that other people found it to be too! I thought perhaps NYC had just spoiled me for life.
I’m guessing you didn’t see Kate Gosselin out on the course as she ran it in 4:59! Congrats on another excellent finish time!
What a great team of girls!!! I love your headdresses too. That would be SOOOOO irritating to have slow people in the way. I’m always super conscious not be in the way in races. I’d rather be behind and catch up later because I know it’s annoying to get trapped. Great finish anyways!!!
Your blog and HRG are in my morning rotation when I eat my cereal. Honestly your pics on each other’s website is kind of eerie, especially the pic of Billy and Marlie – like when sitcom characters cross over into each others shows.
Anyway, love the blog, congratulations!
Totally agree – a sitcom crossover. And because I’m slow to catch up with all my regular blog morning reading, I’m not catching this till 1.3.12 – well done, everyone!
You always rock
I saw you walk by when I was waiting for a taxi at the Luxor. I was going to text you, but my hands were frozen.
i loved reading all of your posts from the weekend! it looks like you all had soo much fun.
That’s sooo frusterating about having to dodge people as your racing.. but congrats on a great run despite not feeling so hot. you did great!! loved the glowing headpiece too!
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20551012,00.html
Did you hear that Kate Gosselin ran it?
I guess running after a billion kids helps with training
At least you got to have tons of fun in Vegas! Too bad your race didn’t go as planned, but you still did awesome!
I’d be frustrated with all of the congestion, too. I am not yet running marathons (just ran a half) and my pace is pretty darn slow (10 min mile), but I would still be frustrated. It just messes with your mo-jo (did I spell that correctly? You get the idea.
)!
Sorry to hear this one didn’t go exactly as planned- I totally get your observation about not keeping the course organized with halfers thrown in the mix. I ran my first half last June and they had 10k & 5k runners start right behind us and it wasn’t a pretty sight at mile 6! I think it’s just hard when people are running different distances on the same course…it’s no fun for anyone to get passed all the time or having to dodge people constantly.
Great performance despite the drawbacks though
I felt bad for you full marathoners. I knew it was going to be a huge cluster when I saw that you guys were “joining” us at mile 13. Ummmm…who planned this? People who don’t run?
They also didn’t tell the half marathoners to stay on the right. So we had NO IDEA what the heck the orange cones were for until the first mile or so when I heard a guy on a bike shouting at us. Huge fail.
Seriously, what a cluster. I’m pretty convinced I won’t be running another RnR race again.
Glad the burger stayed down!
I did the half yesterday and it was a nightmare!! I actually READ the signs on the cones telling the halfers to stay to the right and I went clear to the right side and ran a lot of it up on the sidewalk because there was so much congestion. It was insane and I can’t even imagine how frustrating it must have been for the full runners because I was frustrated trying to bob and weave through the mob myself. I started in corral 12 and there were SO MANY PEOPLE in the wrong corrals. They just didn’t grasp the concept or the importance of them I guess. The finish area was a nightmare and my legs were so done when I finished that all I wanted to do was stretch a little and get a water. Impossible considering how thick the crowd was. I will never do this race again. The expo was a nightmare and the logistics were terrible for the race.
I second everything you said, except I was in corral 13.
this sucks…not your post but the race situation
I am a half marathon runner, I was not there in LV but I get what you are saying, this had to be frustrating.
I read on their FB page (for the race) and people are not happy.
This is not OK for a race that charges the big $$.
congrats on your performance in not ideal situation…
I love all the pics, so fun you got to meet many bloggers!
I love your light-up headdresses! That is awesome. I want to run a night race just to wear those. Actually, night races sound like they would be really fun.
I am loving seeing all you bloggers in one place!
I hate congestion – nasal or in a race.
Is that a tennis skirt? I like your style.
Still, 3rd place?! Did you win a trophy? Some money to play craps? Jewelry? Eternal glory? That’s awesome.
yeah its a tennis skirt. only 3rd in my division so no, i dont get squat.
Triple “Yays” for you chica…
1.) “YAY” for NOT losing your burger. Not gonna lie the reason I let you go in front of me was because I was afraid I was going to taste your burger.
2.) “YAY” for 3rd in your division.
3.) “YAY” for NEGATIVE SPLITS!!
Awesome, Awesome, Awesome!! Way 2 GO!! xo
Not only am I seriously amazed that you got 3rd in your AG, but even more so bc you got 3rd with that headpiece on! Hot damn.
Congrats on a strong finish despite the manic merging.
Congrats on another fantastic marathon result!
I look forward to your race re-caps… the good AND the bad! Keeping it real, this girl!
-Second time caller, long time listener.
I can see how the corral situation would have been frustrating for marathoners. I ran the half and can attest that I made sure to stay as far to the right as possible the entire course!
I will say that the post-race experience and general disorganization with this race makes me send a big ol’ middle finger to RocknRoll events. I’ll never spend my money to run one of their marathons again. Ever. I really hope they come out and say something about all of the complaints. I think it’s just making them look like bigger jerks by remaining silent.
I felt so bad for the marathoners. No one even told us that we had sides of the road and the cones would be there sometimes and not other times. I did run with the 3:45 marathon pacer and felt like I was speedy for about 20 seconds…until he passed me.
Where were you to scream this in my face after the race? “Anyways, it’s just a race, I’m over it.” That is an excellent point. Note to self: Think like SR next time you eat shit on the course.
Congratulations on another stellar marathon. Next time grace me with your presence, won’t you?
I remember seeing you and your friend on the run because of your light up hats! **said in the least creepiest way possible.**
I was in the exact same boat as you as soon as we stepped foot onto the Strip. It was a rough 13.1 miles from there until mile 26 where we split into our own finishing “shoots”. Congratulations on your finish!
I promise I was one of the half marathoners stay to the right
I actually felt bad for all you speedy marathoners. I saw the 3:10 pace group pass me and people yelling out half marathoners stay to the right but they didn’t listen. Bad bad race ettiquette. I’m glad I decided to run the half and not the full. I would have been extremely fustrated. I already was trying to weave thru everyone and never got to meet my time goal. Running the strip at night was fun but I wish it was a little smaller and more organized.
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