I don’t think I hallucinate – at least nobody has ever called me out on it. This is why I’m so confused. Nearly everyday on my way home from work, I see the same guy running. Same clothes, same hat and same stretch of road. I never put much thought into until I noticed when I saw him. See, it doesn’t matter what time I come home. Every day that I don’t run, I see him.

Is it a sign? Is he my reminder? My encouragement? My kick in the rear? I don’t know but it’s the strangest thing. I’ve thought many times to give him a wave or yell out the window but I wouldn’t want that to happen to me, so I don’t. The question remains – is he real or is it just a figment of my imagination? For now, I think I’ll settle to see him as my Running Spirit Guide, the truth is probably less exciting.

Great news for you Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon runners…we have a new route!!! When Competitor Group, Inc. bought the Las Vegas Marathon last year, I had a feeling good things were going to happen to the December 6th event. It was released this week that a new, more friendly route will be used for this years race.

In year’s past, the marathon course ran the first 6 miles down the strip and then set off into Never Never Land. Runner’s were sent out north into the “desert” out to Carey Avenue and Smoke Ranch Road before trekking across Torrey Pines and eventually back down Twain until you came back to civilization. The half marathon wasn’t too bad unless you call passing several strip joints and “not so nice” neighborhoods on Industrial Road until reveling in the awe of the back of the strip casinos.

This year, they are shutting down both the north and south bound lanes of Las Vegas Boulevard (aka “The Strip”). The half marathon will be run entirely on The Strip. How cool is that. The walkways over the street are great for friends and family to witness the mass of humanity – not once but twice. The marathon will also spend more time amidst the “Towering Money Makers”. After 10 1/2 miles, we’ll head west up Twain to Rainbow. Here’s where it gets interesting…for me anyway. I work near here and have run these streets during many a lunch hour. It will be a welcome site come miles 17-23 near Spanish Trail Country Club. I know these streets like the back of my hand. It’s back down Hacienda to the finish after a little loop that I’m not quite sure about.

Overall, I couldn’t be happier. The old route is why I only ran the marathon once. I couldn’t stand the marathon course. Having a little foresight, I signed up early and now I’m being rewarded for my leap of faith. See you all in December!!!

Just over three years ago in the sweltering heat (115+ degrees) of Las Vegas, Nevada, one man set out on a journey from a downtown office location to the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa located in the outskirts of town. While this man ventured out on his own two feet to pound the pavement for the next 5+ miles, members and guests of the American Media Corporation traveled to the same resort in air conditioned luxury cars and plush leather bucket seats. Among many of the guests traveling the lazy man’s way was this writer…Troy Schrenk. Yep, that was me. That is, until I saw the Man, the Running Man that is, appear before me and all of the other guests just moments after arriving by car.

At first I thought it was a mirage of a man. I asked myself, “How could anyone possibly run in heat like this?” Sure enough, the Running Man was REAL…not a mirage. Who was this guy? His name and reputation was best known in hockey circles.  To me he was known as “E”, the bruising, bashing hockey star that could body check you into to tomorrow if you weren’t careful.  Little did I know that “E”, the former hockey star from North Dakota had become a “runner”. “E” a runner? How could that be? Well, it only took one look to know that this bruising body checker had truly become a refined athlete who could withstand the unbearable L.V. summer heat and had carved his body into a lean, mean running machine!

What an inspiration…I was in awe of the transformation that had taken place over the course of one year as “E” (Eric Selvig) had taken up running to transform his life (literally): physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It was in that moment, seeing him appear like a mirage in the Las Vegas desert that I too wanted and needed to transform my life.

So, it was then that my running journey began. I was inspired! That was the first step and nearly three years later my personal transformation through running is ongoing, ever changing and constantly evolving. Just as I was inspired, it is my hope that others will be inspired, motivated, and encouraged as a result of our writings, experiences and thoughts. I am thrilled to be a part of the ORB team and look forward to running with each of you.

RITN, Schritter

There’s nothing more frustrating then life getting in your way. I, like most of you, have a job. A very demanding job where I usually work long hours. I’m not complaining about my job mind you but it, along with other responsibilities (spouse, kids, hobbies) make sticking to your running schedule – sometimes impossible.

I am lucky enough to have a boss that encourages me to run during my lunch but sometimes that’s not possible. We have to juggle our days, mileage and preparation for races. The point of all this is that we care enough that we WILL do these things because we want to….not HAVE to.

How do you deal with snags in your running routine?

RMFR

There are some things we can control and others that smack you upside the head while you’re not looking. I consider myself a very regimented person. I do the same routines every day – from timing my breakfast perfectly to my boyz alarm going off to laying down to bed the exact same way everyday.

I’ve been battling a cold all week along with some long hours at work. This has obviously thrown some kinks into my running routine. It literally eats away at me from the inside. I’ve missed 2 running days already and if my “hack” doesn’t clear up by tomorrow – a third will follow.

It’s not just the routine that bothers me, it’s something else. It almost feels like your cheating or lying to someone you care about. You know in the end, it’s all about the miles. You can’t fake it when you toe the line – ready to take on 5, 13 or 26 miles. That’s my biggest internal worry when I have to miss days.

Off to go take some more drugs and get some sleep. Here’s to happy dreams and seven miles tomorrow!!!

RMFR