A while ago, I had a really good friend of mine from college come to Las Vegas on business. We spoke beforehand and promised to contact each other when she arrived to meet up and catch up. Our original plan was for me to head down to the Las Vegas strip and we’d meet and have a few drinks. Well, there were a couple of issues with this plan: my work demands and those of my family. As hard as we tried, we just couldn’t get it to work. Add to this the fact that my parents were also in town, the demands on my time were stretched extremely thin.

Ready to succumb to defeat, the running spirits intervened. She had been running in the mornings before her conferences on the strip and I had happened to mention I was going for a long run on Saturday. Well, one thing led to another and we finally scheduled a running date up in Red Rock Canyon for the predawn hours the next day.

Navigating the strip in the early morning hours is a little different from other cities. The streets are not desolate and in fact are filled with the previous nights partygoers finally returning to there wherever they came. Lisa was ready and we headed up into the foothills of the Spring Mountains and up to the canyon in the still sunless sky. I love running while it’s dark and watching the sun rise. It has to be the biggest high I get from running and in Red Rock it’s tenfold.

We setoff from the entrance planning to run to the high point of the loop and then back – 9 miles total. Among the dark shadows of the red and gold sandstone, we talked and ran, talked and ran. There were no interruptions by waiters or struggling to hear one another over a driving beat from the DJ booth. We covered topics from college to what has happened since we last got together many years ago. We arrived at the summit just as the sun reached the top peaks and had someone take the photo above. Now that’s a souvenir that no casino could provide. Learning that a bike race was headed our way, we quickly setoff on our return trip.

While many of us have experienced runs like this before is irrelevant. The point of the story is this: never will I meet an old acquaintance for drinks again. You better hope your a runner because that’s where we’re going if you want to get together. Lisa and I shared a lifetime of memories and stories in the hour and forty minutes running together than we ever would have been able to share anywhere else.

Next time you come to Vegas, bring your running shoes and then give me a holler.

RMFR

The title of this post has two meanings. The first and most important is that I’ve found my love for running once again. The second is paying homage to Third Day’s song “Born Again.” Looking for some really good spiritual music? Third Day is it!!!

If you’ve been following along, you know that I’ve been struggling all year finding my way thru injuries and just finding my groove running. Who knew all it would take would be some rocky trails right outside my front door?

Every once in awhile in my 6+ years running, I hit some trails in the foothills west of Las Vegas. It was fun and different but never really stuck. When I really bottomed out a couple of weeks ago, I thought it couldn’t hurt to give the same trails a shot again. It’s been magical what’s happened and my whole view of running has once again shifted gears.

While training for various races, I had always felt that the trail running got in the way of my weekly schedules and tempo runs. How could I truly determine my pace when running uphill on technical terrain skewing my times? Long runs? No way!!! Again, can I compare 20 miles on the trails to the streets? I think not!!! That’s the kind of thinking that impeded me really appreciating trail running. It’s all changed now.

I no longer care about my race times. I’m more concerned with my love of running and keeping it going for a very, very long time. My last race, the Summerlin Half Marathon, had some very challenging hills and I vowed shortly after that I would not fear another hill again. This brought me back to the trails. Running them requires climbing the entire way until I turn around. While I might not be able to run all the way up, it’s getting easier each successive time.

With no headphones, nature is up front and all around me. That and the fact that I want to hear any signs of danger (snakes, coyotes, mountain lions, etc.) let’s me soak everything in. There are no trees just rocks so orienteering is fairly easy. Yes, you might take a wrong trail every now and again but they all lead down. It’s not a matter of getting down, just where it spits you out.

I’ve vowed to now take all long runs on the trails while inserting a couple of street runs just for times sake. Since it takes a good 2+ miles to get to the “good stuff,” it doesn’t make any sense to take my shorter runs to the trails. I can hardly wait for my next long run. I don’t care about the distance on my running schedule, I just run until nature tells me to turn around.

As always, I want to share some of this with you. If you happen to be in the Las Vegas valley and want to join me some Saturday, shoot me an email and we’ll hit it together (just don’t leave me in the dust).

This is about 2+ miles into my trail run. It’s when you first start hitting the red rock formations and gully’s. Before you get here, you’re sure to bump into the desert cottontails and if you’re really lucky, a family of coyotes.

This is the first landmark worth stopping to look at. You can see this rock formation from all over Las Vegas. It’s much better up close and personal. You have a couple of options here. You can go right and take a little easier climb up or head down to the left. This will take your right to the base and up the “bad ass climb” that requires a little walking.

At the top of the “bad ass climb” one can look back upon the Las Vegas valley. It’s amazing how quickly you can make the Las Vegas Strip seem small. A goal of mine to to run these trails one night for a surreal light show. Need to find a running buddy first. Don’t think I want to tackle this feat alone.

A little further up into the foothills additional rock formations come into full view. While not as spectacular as the first, they all have there own charming qualities.

This is where I called it a day last Saturday. I had set a time limit of one hour before I turned around. This point is approximately 4 miles and 1,500 ft. in elevation change. With the loose gravel and sand, my legs started to scream at me to turn around. The great beyond is what has me intrigued. What wonders wait for me at the crest of the trail? I can hardly wait to find out!!!

RMFR

As strange as it may seem, this is a scene from Las Vegas this morning. Every once in a while we get a dusting of snow but this morning was a little different. During my run this morning the fluffly stuff starting coming down and coming down hard. At times, I could barely keep my eyes open. It also shorted out my headlamp so I had to head back to the sidewalks where the snow was slowing building. It started to feel like running on ice with the Vibram’s…just a little slippery!!!

RMFR

What started out as a desperate situation in the Denver International Airport turned into one of the coolest running experiences I’ve ever had. This is the story of how three strangers joined forces to get to Fargo, North Dakota at any and all costs.

Our flights left early Friday morning from three separate airports. While all were short in length, the anticipation of flying to a marathon destination made minutes turn into hours. Upon landing, the connecting flight to Fargo had to be found. Finding the departure board was the first thing on all our minds and being runners, the distance would between gates could easily be reached, no matter the time constraints. Scanning the sea of on time flights, fate would have it that the flight to Fargo was not just delayed…but canceled.

On any other day, this would be considered an inconvenience but today, it was as disaster. With the 5K scheduled for later that evening, every attempt was going to be made to toe the line when the gun sounded. Nothing was going to keep these three strangers from making their destination…no matter what.

Separately, we all made it to the now canceled gate and eventually the United (yes I’m calling you out) Customer Service counter. As fate would have it, we all ended up at the smaller counter and not the mile long line we would encounter on the way to our eventual destination. The funny thing about being a runner is we can sniff each other out. Whether its the physique, the apparel or even the reading material, we know who we are. While standing in line, we found each other and instantly started formalizing a rudimentary plan. OK, to be honest, we didn’t have a plan – we winged it. While the agent proceeded to tell us we were booked on the first flight out Saturday morning, the wheels set into motion.

Us: “Can you get us to Grand Forks, ND.”
Them: “No available seats.”
Us: “How about Bismarck, ND.”
Them: “Not until later tonight and there might not be seats available.”
Us: “Minneapolis then Fargo!!!”
Them: “There are no seats available to Fargo from any city today.”

By this time, we started joining forces and racked our brains to come up with a city we could fly into and then drive to Fargo in time for the evening’s race.

Us: “Sioux Falls, SD.”
Them: “Oh, well yes, we have plenty of seats to Sioux Falls.”

Before the agent could even finish saying “yes” we had already slammed our tickets on the counter and had her book us seats immediately. Once we had the third member of “Team Fate” on the flight, we began to figure out how in the world we were going to traverse the 250 miles to Fargo. As luck would have it (there was a lot of luck flowing that Friday), one member of our running trio had enough points to reserve a car in Sioux Falls and it would be waiting for us when we arrived.

So here we were. Three runners who never knew the others existed being brought together by a higher power to share a running story that will not soon be forgotten.

Eric Selvig from Las Vegas – a running brain flying to his hometown to run with his family and looking to refuel his spiritual tank.

Dan Harbeke from South Jordan, Utah – a PR Director for Union Pacific going back home to run in his third Fargo Marathon.

Jeff Schiller from Nampa, Idaho – a CPA with his legs set on running marathons in 50 states (Fargo would be his 27th) who had the best line of the trip. “If you can’t get me there today, send me home.”

Not seated together on the flight to Sioux Falls, we still really had no idea who each other were but that was about to change. The 3 1/2 hour drive to Fargo could have been 30 minutes and I don’t think any of us would have known the difference. For as bad as the day looked when we all arrived in Denver, the drive was one for the running books.

We shared a common bond – running – and each had a story to tell (or ten). For every story and factoid there was another just as interesting around the bend. There were no awkward silences. We talked over each other and bit our tongues waiting for our turn to chime in. It was the most intense conversation I think I’ve ever been involved in. Jeff and Dan knew the same people. Dan and I shared home town experiences. We quizzed Jeff about Boston, New York and his goal of 50 states. Running strides, shoes and motivations. Diets, clothes and weather conditions. What we shared wasn’t personal (in fact I had to do some searching write this story), but it was a passion for running that can be found on the streets, trails and races all around the world. It’s the bond of the runner that turns complete strangers into comrades. Our paths may not cross again but I consider them both friends.

God works in mysterious ways. I can’t speak for the others but my soul needed a lift and it was provided to me tenfold. I never could have planned this to happen but thank God it did.

Our paths did cross once more after the weekend was over. I saw Jeff on the late local news being interviewed after the race and happened to be on the same flight with Dan on Sunday, flying back to Denver…where this wonderful journey all began.

RMFR

San Jose, California it is not…but let’s not write off “Sin City” just quite yet.

Bert Sperling of Sperling’s BestPlaces culled data on 50 U.S. cities from both public and private sources and tested each city against 50 select measures in five major categories: physical activity, health status, nutrition, lifestyle pursuits, and mental wellness. Here’s the MSN link.

In this study, Las Vegas is ranked #42 and I think the city gets a bad rap. Yes it is true that we have 24-hour gambling, drinking and general debauchery (enjoyed mostly by out-of-state visitors). We also have 24-hour gyms, suitable weather and loads of Californian transplants – bringing their active lifestyles and healthy regimens with them.

With a Convention Authority that likes to taut and promote an “unhealthy” lifestyle, it’s no wonder most health analyses of Las Vegas would be negative. If I have to see another “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” commercial, I may decide to throw my running shoe at the television (but I digress). If you lived here and saw the amount of people out running and biking on a Saturday morning, you would definitely draw a different picture in your head at the mention of Las Vegas.

While runners are outnumbered 20-1 by cyclists, I couldn’t believe the amount of runners I saw Saturday morning. While the number of us crazy runners at 6:00 a.m. haven’t increased (love the number of hard core faces on my long runs), the shear number of people out running in the mornings is inspiring. From mothers and their daughters to groups of men running/walking on the sidewalk has me believing that it’s a turn for the better. What once was a playground for gamblers at the table is slowly progressing into a playground for the healthy at heart.

With the growing number of running clubs and events (Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas had nearly 23,000 participants), I’m hoping this trend keeps picking up speed and we’ll see Las Vegas move up this top 50 list in years to come.

RMFR

It’s funny how easily we can get distracted. In my case it was dealing with a runner’s low that reintroduced the iPod back into my running routine. Without thinking about it, my 0ne-on-one time with God and prayer became less and less on my runs. It’s difficult to pray with Nickelback and DragonForce blowing out your eardrums.

So it came in the form of a simple message on Facebook, from someone commenting on earlier post on spiritual running, that brought about my Easter Eight with God (sort of ironic that that someone’s name was Faith). I left the iPod at home on a gorgeous Easter morning in Las Vegas. After saying my prerun prayer, I headed out on my usual 8-mile course but with my priorities set straight once again.

I don’t want you to think that this is something you need to learn. An exact science it is not. It’s simply using the time you have during your run to talk to God. In my case it starts with a running mantra “He has risen, saved by grace.” I break up the syllables to my stride and that helps clear my mind and lets me focus on the task at hand. Usually after a mile or so, I’m ready. Today being Easter, my mantra fits perfectly and that’s what my runs prayers focused on. It’s not all about prayer though. I use this time to just talk to God. Asking questions, making comments and saying prayers for other runners and cyclists. Living in the moment and appreciating everything He has done and will do in my life.

While I know this may not strike a chord with some of you, I find it spiritually rewarding and I think you will too. This is Our time. Not performed with hundreds of people but my direct connection with God that’s not limited by rituals or time constraints. It’s from my heart and I know that He is running along side me. Not just on that particular run, but running along side me in life.

Next time out, leave your iPod and distractions at home and give it a shot. I think you’ll be surprised at the results.

He has risen. Saved by grace.
RMFR

I set myself up for this. An extra half hour of shuteye was my downfall and I mother nature had her revenge!!!

I missed my easy 3-miler on Tuesday and decided to stack in on top of my 5-mile tempo run on Wednesday. I was actually looking forward to some longer miles during the middle of the week to offset the stress a little bit. The one thing I wasn’t looking forward too was the forecast. A cold front was coming thru Las Vegas and the winds preceding it had already started howling early in the evening.

By the time I awoke at 5:30 a.m., the winds had whipped up to a constant 25 m.p.h. gusting to 35-40 m.p.h. Not wanting to skip another day of training, I strapped on my gear and head out into the waiting sunrise. At the beginning, it wasn’t that bad. Sheltered from nature’s full wrath by the surrounding homes, the first .8 miles were “breezy”. That was until I hit that stretch of Charleston/Rt. 159 heading west – straight into the beast.

A little foresight spared me from having to worry about a hat a flapping jacket but a face shield and leg armor would have been a good idea now…looking back. You know those stories your grandparents used to tell about walking to school – uphill – both ways? Yeah, this is another one. Not only did I have to fight the wind this blustery morning but I would do so – uphill.

On the way towards Red Rock, there’s a section that narrows towards the top as it cuts thru a hill. On an average day it’s a cool site – Wednesday morning, it was a NASA wind tunnel test. Struggling against an immovable object, a cyclist on the other side of the road circled back towards me and wished me luck, they weren’t having any part of this. With tears streaming from the corners of my eyes and the occasional gust expanding my cheeks, I carried on. Using the 45º angle running form, I made it to the other side with only 1 1/2 miles to go until I got my reprieve…or so I thought.

You might think it would be a “breeze” running downhill with a 30 m.p.h. hand on your back pushing you, but it’s not. It’s like being in a large fast moving crowd – move with the flow or be run over!!! If you’re not going fast enough, the wind made sure I almost toppled over. If there was any thought of skipping my tempo miles this morning, those thoughts were quickly quashed by this locomotive at my back.

The proof is in the numbers (I’m a numbers guy).
4 miles (headwind): 10:45 pace/mile
4 miles (downwind): 7:49 pace/mile

It was a crazy morning but one I’ll remember for a long time. It could have been deadly still and the run would have been just another 8 miles. Instead, I was treated to another running memory I won’t soon forget. Don’t always pack it in when the going looks rough, you never know what awaits you on the side!!!

RMFR

With a couple of weeks left of my self-induced month long rest, I’ve had time to finalize my race wish list for 2010. Of course, this is subject to change and still needs to by signed off on by my better half. I’m trying to run at least one more race per year and this year has five events on the schedule. Please let me know if you plan on running any of these races. I loved to meet you in person (just like Team Flash in Florida).

Walt Disney World Marathon
Orlando, Florida
January 10
Mission Complete

6 Tunnels Half Marathon or Red Rock Canyon Half Marathon or both?
Henderson, NV/Las Vegas, NV
March 13/March 6

I need to do a little more digging on these races. I ran the Red Rock half last year and it’s great. The course is run on the scenic drive that weaves through Red Rock Canyon and the views alone are worth the $70 entry fee (until 2/21). The inclines are steep and yes your legs will be put to the the test but the organization was great and the medals were a really nice surprise.

The 6 Tunnels half looks really cool and I’ve heard good things about it. It is all the way across the valley (Red Rock is literally 5 minutes from my house) but the course route follow an old railway line that was used in the building of Hoover Dam. It goes thru tunnels cut thru the mountains and there are views of Lake Mead and Hoover Dam along the way. It happens to be a day before my wedding anniversary so I need to tread lightly on this one.

Fargo Marathon
Fargo, ND
May 22

Yes, I’ve finally committed and will be going home to run in the city I grew up in. After being lobbied by several friends for several years, my boyz and I will be going back to my roots. This will be another chance to run with my sister and I’m really excited to be running with one of my very good friends from high school who is going to run for the first time since a cervical spine fusion in 2000. They’re shooting for 20,000 runners this year so if you’re looking for a great race around this time, this one’s for you!!! Runner’s World ranked Fargo the 8th in the Top 10 marathons in the U.S. They’re also breaking off the 5K this year a day earlier and are offering participants the Go Far Challenge where you can race both the 5K and either the 10K, half or full marathon and earn a special medal (much like Disney’s Goofy’s Challange). Go Far in 2010!!!

Running With The Devil Half Marathon
Boulder City, NV
June 26

I almost ran this one last year but I think I was a little beat up. This is one of those “what are you thinking” races. The event ranges in distances from 5K to 50 miles but the kicker is the starting times. Each distance is planned to start so you’ll be racing during the hottest part of the day. This is June by the way and it’s the desert – you put two and two together and you’ll understand the race name. The marathon starts at 10 a.m. and the half starts at noon. The one good thing about this race is you don’t have to worry about getting up at 3 a.m. to make it to the corrals. Heck, you might even have a chance for a nap before the gun sounds.

Disneyland Half Marathon
Anaheim, CA
September 5 (Labor Day Weekend)

This will be my fourth year running this race and I can’t imagine not having this race on my schedule. This is the fifth year the race is being held (can’t believe I didn’t know about the first one) and they will be offering a special 5th year medal. This race will also complete my Coast to Coast Challenge – running Disney World and Disneyland in the same calendar year. The Angels won’t be in town again this year so that should mean the route will take us thru Anaheim Stadium again. It’s a crazy adrenaline rush and I’ve been know to walk that section just to spend a little more time in there.

Ragnar Relay
Valley of Fire to Las Vegas, NV
October 22-23

This is going to depend on two things and two things only. First, how is my body feeling and second, can I find a team this year. I was so excited that Ragnar came to Vegas last year. Since my fist expo when I picked up one of their brochures, I wanted to run this race. So last year, I thought I had a team all lined up and ready to go when it all just seemed to fade away. This year, I’m going to be looking high and low for a team. Whether I know you or not it won’t matter – just give me a holler and I’m there.

Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon
Las Vegas, NV
December 5

I plan to bookend my marathons this year. Last year’s inaugural Rock-n-Roll “rocked” and I expect more of the same next year. With over 23,000 participants last year, I’m fully expecting this race to boom in the next couple of years into one of the nations bigger marathons. The organization was top notch, running up and down the strip is crazy and the course is well thought out. Even though I struggled last year I still thought the whole experience was one of my favorite of the year.

So that’s it (for now). After looking over this list after I typed it, I realized that I could be doing 7-8 race this year. That’s double what I’ve ever run before so we’ll see how it goes. I can guarantee that Fargo, Disneyland and Las Vegas are in stone – the others will fall into place.

RMFR

So many times we get caught up in our training runs that we forget how enjoyable running can be when we put all that other crap else behind us. Such was the case with me last week.

Coming off what I considered a somewhat disappointing Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon, I was entering a runner’s low. I took off the whole week before starting up training for the Walt Disney World Marathon. I needed a recharge and it came with snow.

Las Vegas occasionally gets snow every winter and this year has been no different. Instead of putting in a short easy run to get the muscles firing again, I put on the trail shoes and headed up to the white fluffy stuff. Overnight, mother nature had deposited a nice dusting of snow up in the foothills. Since running in snow is something I don’t get to do that often, this was a situation I had to take advantage of!!!

I had my Garmin but didn’t look at it once. Instead I let myself blend in with God’s creation and tried to take everything in. I stopped. I walked. I even thru a couple of snowballs. When I reached a point to turn back, I took photos. I even took the time to call my dad and share with him the beauty that surrounded me. This was running for the pure enjoyment of it. I didn’t care what my mile splits were. I didn’t have any goal except to be one with the moment. Yes, my batteries are recharged and I’m going to try and remember that running IS enjoyable. If it’s not any fun, why do it?

RMFR

Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon Review (2 of 3) Kids Rock Las Vegas

Since I’ve started running, I’ve tried to encourage my kids to be more physically active since they’re really not into any sports. Earlier this year, we all ran in Mickey’s Main Street U.S.A. 5K as part of the Disneyland 1/2 Marathon weekend. With the inaugural Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon, another opportunity presented itself with Kids Rock Las Vegas.

This event was part of a training program by Rod Dixon and sponsored by McDonalds and Springfield products. As part of the event, kids were asked to partake in an 8-week training program which would total 25.2 miles. Then on December 4th, all the kids got together at the UNLV track and ran the last mile together. Although the boyz and I did not complete the entire training program, it was a great event to keep them active and running.

It just happened to be the coldest morning of the winter so far in Las Vegas but that didn’t dampen the spirit of the hundreds of kids at the track. There were a number of schools that participated and they showed up by the bus load. On the infield, they had areas for all the kids separated by grades Kindergarten thru 6th grade. Members of the UNLV track team were there and did a great job warming up the kids and getting them to the starting line. My only suggestion next time would be to have the younger kids go first. Waiting over an hour for the younger kids seemed to make things a little harder on the kids AND volunteers.

The event started with the national anthem and a flyover by two military helicopters – we didn’t even get a flyover for the marathon!!! Just as they would eventually do in the marathon, the kids were started in waves. Not only did this prevent some crazy smashups but it also allowed more than one runner to jump out to a lead. Ronald McDonald was in the house and ran the first half lap with the kids and then stayed at the finish to high five the runners as they passed (yes, this was a big deal). After completing 3 1/2 laps, they had a entire finish area set up for just the kids. They got to take photos, receive a goodie bag and were treated to free food and drinks. The biggest deal of the whole thing was getting an actual metal medal!!!

I really thought it was cool to have Rod Dixon at the event. Not only was it his program but he personally ran with each age group. And he didn’t just run up front. He picked out a kid that was slow or struggling and ran the entire mile with them encouraging them the whole way. In between races he signed autographs and chatted with a bunch of the kids.

Overall it was a great event and I can only hope that it grows with more kids and schools participating every year.