If you’re lazy and don’t want to read all my hard work, I mean all my pictures of myself, here’s all the Vegas posts in link form from Friday to yesterday:
Meeting Team Refuel, meeting bloggers, being dumb per usual
Looking like a fool, acting like a tool (meeting lots of bloggers)
Going to “O” and eating at a really good restaurant
Wearing running tights on the Strip like a total dork and eating
I’m mad! Finally no food in this post
The Marathon recap and drinking (LF choc milk)
What I ate on marathon day (eating)
Going to Pawn Stars and eating
Random Thoughts on The Weekend:
THE MARATHON:
I’m not going to do a complete race review because I’ve ran the race 3 times now and have already reviewed it, but I do think a few things are worth mentioning since it’s sorta like a “new” race.
Every inaugural race has some issues, RnRLV had some HUGE ones, at least from my perspective. Some people had great races; my experience was sorta miserable.
My opinion is that the race was simply too overcrowded – the streets can’t support that many people so halfers ran in the full lane because they had nowhere to run (Cely described it perfectly: she saw the 3:30 marathon pacer with half marathoners running 10:45 min/mile pace funneled in together in an already too small area), aid stations were undermanned and ran out of water, expo shirts and medals, there were long lines (SUAR waited 90 mins for a taxi!) to get out of the area, medics couldn’t get to injured runners and on and on.
Apparently a lot of people on RnRLV’s Facebook were pretty upset too. like some are seriously mad.
What I think needs to happen is the race be capped at about 25,000 entrants. The night race idea is great; there’s only a handful of places that could do a night race with this much excitement and there’s huge advertising potential behind the “Run under the Strip lights at night!” idea. I mean, 44k people bought into it, me included.
from FB
Post-race. I’m going to guess that’s some sort of safety/fire hazard having that many people crammed in a hallway at the Mandalay Bay.
But it’s just way too many runners for an efficient, well-run race and if they’re going to have 60,000 runners next year like the word on the street is, I’m doing CIM.
The rest of the weekend, random thoughts:
***The Cosmopolitan is really nice, swanky and modern, but it didn’t seem that user friendly as far as the hotel. To go to the room was a hassle – you had to walk 12 miles just to find the elevators. I kinda felt like it was more of a casino/lounge/club place than a great hotel.
***I think I really like the Trump hotel – for $100, you get a huge room with a mini kitchen, close enough to the Strip to walk to, no extra fee for the fitness center, no smoking, quiet. I’m pretty sure that means I’m getting old when I go to Vegas and want to be where it’s quiet.
***Friday-Tuesday is too long to stay in Vegas; Fri-Mon would be good or Sat-Tues. You stay too long and you just go broke.
***I’m ambivalent about my finishing time for the marathon, 3:26:07; I’m neither happy nor bummed. It was 4 minutes slower than last year and that’s that.
***I brought 2 bottles of champagne and didn’t drink either. Yep, getting old.
***For how big the race is, there really aren’t that many spectators. But I saw these two sparkling crazies cheering which was fun and gave me a little pick-me-up and a stop-wanting-to-hurt-someone:
***I brought dresses, high heels, tank tops and wore none. It was cold and windy! I lived in long sleeve shirts, sweaters and jackets all weekend.
***Loved my Stella McCartney for Adidas top, loved the CEP compression socks; the Nike skirt was just ok, the fit was a little off. Also had fun wearing lighted headgear and 2 blinking bracelets. If you do Vegas, dress up!
***Regret: around mile 25ish Sandy from BICBands called out to me and I barely lifted a hand. I was exhausted and mad and barely even responded to her. We hung out during the weekend and texted, but still… I could have been nicer. Sorry, Sandy!
***Hash House a Go Go is worth mentioning 15 times. We even said the next day how good our waiter was let alone the food.
***I really don’t like Zappos’ new ad campaign. Sorry bro, don’t wanna see that.
***I loved having people to meet and talk to after the race. Normally after a race, I might see Jabe and that’s it. But on Sunday my bro and sis were there, other blogging friends, low-fat Chocolate Milk peeps, it was just fun. even after a stressful 13 miles.
***I really enjoyed meeting so many bloggers, TeamRefuel runners, readers and new peeps; I truly had a great weekend.
***I truly don’t think this guy did:
He did not pass the breathalyzer if you were wondering.
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{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
And that is why I usually try to avoid RnR races. I think they are great for newbies but I just hate crowds. Sorry about the last 13mi…that would have driven me crazy!
That last picture made me laugh out loud!
You wrapped it up! I was sold on the “Strip at Night” too and luckily, Coach and I ran a good race before all the madness set in. Can’t imagine your frustration as a marathoner though!
Great to hang with you at Ghirardelli’s!!! Hugs!
“But it’s just way too many runners for an efficient, well-run race and if they’re going to have 60,000 runners next year like the word on the street is, I’m doing CIM.” -skinnyrunner
My thoughts exactly! So, disappointed in the whole darn thing. Wayyy too congested, very demotivating, worst racing experience EVER! This is the first time I’ve ever been disappointed by an RNR event. Course support has always been stellar in the past. I’m giving my registration $$ to CIM next year IF they don’t change things. YES, YES, YES, cap it off at 25,000. I love Vegas and have always said that if I only run 2 marathons a year Vegas and LA would be it. But, some peeps really weren’t putting too much thought into the ones that were running the full. It was RIDICULOUS!!! Did you see the bike guy? He was riding his bicycle down the middle yelling at the halfers to stay to the right but, of course they were oblivious. In a way, I can understand because it was even congested for them. But, COME ON! There wasn’t enough cytomax distributed the first half or GU’s. Water stations were way too crowded. I’m sad for the halfers that didn’t receive medals. That’s just WRONG!! The positive is that it was a FUN weekend and that was very compensating.
Emily and OUAL were the BEST!! I loved hearing them cheer. Second wind was felt when I saw them! I think they were having more fun than we were.
Sorry for the long comment but, it felt good to let it out. My hubby is like “enough already!!”
xo
just read that RnR’s facebook page is SPAM’ing negative comments. how are they going to learn to get it right if they can’t accept the truth. Soo disappointing!!
If you guys come to run CIM next year let me know. It’s my neck of the woods (seriously around the corner from my house) and I can tell ya good places to stay. HRM ran it last year and loved it…….well it’s her home town too.
I would love to run Vegas again next year but not unless they cap it. And for the record, I was a halfer on the right side of the road. LOL 
Definitely!! Nice meeting you and congratulations on the race!
hearing a lot of great things about CIM.
Thanks!! Nice meeting you too! I loved your tubes, I saw SR pass by me but never saw you or HRM. I’m sure I was on a mission and looking at the ground.
Sac is an awesome town, it’s not Vegas but a short drive to Tahoe or SF all in the same weekend. My friend runs CIM every year and loves it.
Great summary of the race. They definitely need to lower the amount of people that they allow in this race. It was insane. Running is not a contact sport! I had no problems last year when there were 20k less people.
For how much that race costs, I expected a lot better. I think you ran a great race considering how much you probably had to dodge and weave through the second half!
Would you do another night race?
I love this recap and completely agree that they need to cap it at a much smaller # of participants next year… it was TOO.CROWDED.
I have the SAME picture of the drunk driving dude. Course now I’m just bummed that maybe I was standing nearby you and didn’t get to meet you!
I love all of your reviews!! You’re hilarious
It figures you do CIM the one year I probably won’t be in town! ha
Still you will laugh at the small town comparison with RNR. 6,000 runners vs 60,000.
I didn’t realize there were THAT many people. I mean, i knew it was crowded and nuts, but 60k??? Holy cow. Now I understand why you were so mad!
I enjoyed your Vegas race summary! That’s so many people they plan to have run next year, it’s going to be so crowded!! ugh!!! I have only done the Philly Rock n Roll half where they don’t make it over crowded at all and there is only one race distance. Sounds like they really need to cap the field.
So very very sad…..I totally had RNR Vegas on next year’s list. Boo.
I thought the time requirements would knock out a lot of participants! Apparently they were not very strict as Kate Gosslien finished at 5 hours.
Ahhh yes, agree. Way too many peeps in this race. It was a spirit breaker for someone like moi who kept an even pace through 20 to then hot a sea of walkers (who clearly had no room) and ended up having to run on the sidewalk where people were drinking/smoking, etc.
Loved seeing Em and OUAL at 24. That was AWESOME!
CIM is a great race! Definitely an option for next year- or maybe White Rock in Dallas. Heard that’s a fun one!
Your review was spot on. I’m a middle of the pack runner (try 2:55 for a half) and even I hated this half marathon. I felt bad for you full marathoners because the halfers were a disaster. I spent the first 6 miles weaving in and out of the recreational walkers. People were rude. The aid stations were horrible. Everything was all out bad.
And then, the Mandalay at the end was SCARY! Wall to wall people with runners fainting was nuts. I actually started to get scared.
I did this run because it was at night and on the strip but I honestly don’t think I’ll do it again. It was my first RnR and I’m already dreading Phoenix in Jan. Here’s hoping there’s not that many people!
People complained that they didn’t get their medals but I’m not sure how that happened because I got mine and let me tell you – I was pretty much playing SWEEPER in that race I was so far back.
Thanks for the ever fun posts. I’ll definitely be skipping this race next year and doing CIM. After all – it’s in my hometown and I miss it so.
Pamm
Fairbanks, AK
Apparently I AM the only one that had a good race. I’m glad that naivety is bliss in this one.
You pace me in a full and I’ll pace you in a half – deal? I’d die for a 3:26. Still an awesome job all things considered.
Oops, commented on the wrong post somehow…;) But seriously, we love that you’re rockin the pink laces. They look so hot on you. Hope your race went well and let’s get ya a Sweat Pink tank to go with them!
It was great meeting you! I was feeling so badly for the full runners who had to merge with the halfers. I hugged the right but a lot of people were pretty clueless. I can’t imagine how extra frustrating that would have been
And yeah… my taxi driver on the way to the airport on Monday was telling me all about how next year they want to secure the top spot… Biggest Marathon Event in America by going up to 60K entrants. Nutso. I agree with all that you said about this event. Super cool idea… way too many people!
i’ve loved reading all the vegas posts, i’ve drooled over too many of those food pix! tho i’m lazy and instead of commenting on each one i’m gonna do it all here…sorry. first of, dang SR u are always looking so freaking cute in ur running outfits! also, it looks like all the runner bloggers seriously partied and tore up vegas, way too fun.
as for the race, i would have been equally as pissed if i had to spend 13 miles swerving around the stragglers for the half. honestly, such bad race regulations, as well as u pointing out that there were people who didn’t even finish in the supposed ‘cut-off’ window. that said, u HAVE to do CIM next year…i’m local and watched it this year (i’m injured right now, can’t run) but the course is great, many people get PR’s and i know the people who are in charge and they do it up right.
I’m so jealous that you got to meet Sarah and Dimity.
Looks like so much fun (minus the congestion drama!!!). Get it together Vegas
Congratulations on another FABULOUS run!!!
Hopefully they will get enough complaints about the issues with the half and full people merging that they will fix that for next year. and 60k runners? Yikes! that’s a LOT. They’ll have to have three separate expos.
Ugh. What a nightmare. I think I would have just ditched the race and gone for a mai tai. Or one of those bottles of champagne
Seriously, though, congrats! Only 4 minutes slower with having to negotiate that ginormous crowd sounds like a victory to me. And, of course, I love that you’re rocking the pink laces!!
i get a lot of people asking me where i got them! i always say from you.
I went to Vegas for my 21st this summer and made the mistake of staying for a full week. (my friends mom is a flight attendant so we got a 2 bedroom suite with full kitchen/living room for $200 at the Wyndham for the entire week!) everyone that I talked to on the plane told me that 4 days was the MAX they recommended for Vegas… But I figured, I’m turning 21 today! I’m young and legal- this is my kinda town!
Between the time change, not being able to sleep the first night due to excitement, drinking way more than I’m used to (because of course I had my first drink on my 21st….), mass hangovers, some strange rash from the sun, and spending 24/7 with another female (my best friend.. I love her, but we clash after so long together)… I was ready to go by the 3rd day.
I think that maybe had we gone and planned to see a few shows and have nice dinners instead of just getting schwasty faced every day, 4 days wouldn’t have been bad, but a week is pushing it.
However, 21st birthday bash sash + short dresses = I only spent $70 the entire week I was in Vegas
We ran last year and it was not nearly as crowded and therefore, not as many issues. I have a strict policy NEVER to run something in the first year. I am sticking to it (Savannah, and now Vegas at night).
The Kidless Kronicles
Do CIM!!! I did it on Sunday and although there are a few things that are very “small” race that need to change for the most part it was AWESOME! Not to mention, warm, dare I say hot on race day. Yes I am from Oregon so I am used to no sun and wet weather that hovers around 40 degrees. If I get around to it, hopefully sooner rather than later, I will have a recap of CIM and maybe that will convince you!
That was a great review and I’m so glad you are honest. I think I said that last time but really for someone like me who hates Vegas and crowds, but thought about running it next year, you are doing me a huge favor. Unless I hear things would be WAY better next year, I’m out. Not to mention I have yet to run my first half…so I hope I don’t hate that too.
Jessica
runningtobeskinny.com
Wow, I had no idea it was THAT crowded. That is insane! Regarding my previous comment, I absolutely understand your frustration now. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out the way you were hoping.
I ran my first ever marathon at CIM and I had what you would probably call a Suri-is-Magical experience
After reading so many blogs of people going to this race, I really wanted to do and was getting pretty psyched up for trying it out next year. But no one has had good things to say about it. I read SUAR’s recap and it sounded terrible! Like a lot of runners getting sick post-race. I guess it’s fun to be in Vegas and the refuel team seems like a blast too. Better coordination would have been the game changer. Maybe next year!
Yeah don’t think Vegas will be on my list for races anytime soon… thanks for the honest feedback about your experience. Hopefully they get it all straightened out. I also agree, shorter trips like one or two nights is best for Vegas (we once went for three nights and went to the airport six hours early).
I’m hearing bad stories from everyone. Glad I didn’t take my time, and money to make this trip! I was thinking about doing RnR St. pete in February but I may have to rethink it.
Hash House A Go Go was AMAZING!! We had dinner there on Friday night and breakfast Monday morning. I still have to post my pictures from it but soo soo soo good.
My husband and I ran the half on Sunday night, my 4th half and his first. We experienced some of the negatives (crazy crowded streets, jam packed finish line, long wait for the Tram after the race) but still enjoyed running on the strip at night. I don’t think I will run LV again, but the rest of the weekend was so much fun. So sorry I missed the afternoon blogger meet-up, I would have loved to meet you in person. We stayed Fri night to Tuesday but I was ready to be home Monday night.
Btw – I saw your post where you were packing for Vegas and thought DANG that girl is going to freeze her butt off this weekend! I wore boots and a winter coat everywhere, not the look I was going for in VEGAS!
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