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 Ron 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.

Well race week is here and the only the final runs of my training schedule remain. I have a distinct advantage of working near Miles 16-22 of the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon course. So with that in mind, I’ve planned my 3 runs this week to run sections of the marathon course. By the way, can you believe it’s December already?

Tuesday, Dec. 1 – 3.5 mi.
For this run I plan to run miles 16, 17 and 22. Running up Hacienda, I’ll turn and run Rainbow down to Tropicana and head back the same way I came. This way I get to reacquaint myself with the mild hill on Rainbow that crosses over the wash. Hacienda is by far my favorite city street to run in Las Vegas. On Sunday, you’ll find out why.

Thursday, Dec. 3 – 5 mi.
Again, I’ll head up Hacienda and run past Rainbow. This covers parts of miles 16 and 18-22 of the marathon course. Going west on Hacienda is uphill but it’s gentle which I’m hoping will look just as gentle on Sunday late in the race. You’ll also see Spring Valley Hospital on this route – my 5 star spectator spot.

Friday, Dec. 4 – 3.5 mi.
I’ll repeat my Tuesday run again today. As familiar as I am with this area, I think these “refresher” runs will help give me confidence late in the race to help bring me in for a PR in my second full marathon.

RMFR

Again, seeing that the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon is my hometown race, I’d like to offer my expertise to those of you who are not very familiar with Las Vegas. My wife and I were discussing the best place for her and my kidz to see me during the marathon route and it got me thinking of the best places for spectators to watch the race. You can also see the official race website locations by clicking here. I’ll break it down by categories:

Don’t want to deal with traffic and cool temperatures.

• Stay at home and watch the race on KLAS TV Channel 8. Last year they did 2 hours live coverage and then did an hour recap later in the day (so participants could watch). I will know the times of coverage early next week and will update my Twitter and Facebook pages with that information. Not a fan or following us in social media yet? Click on the Twitter and Facebook links now.

1/2 Marathon Spectators

• Seeing that the nearly the whole race is being run on the strip provides numerous opportunities to view the race. Your best bet is to find a place on one of the many overhead walkways that span Las Vegas Boulevard. There are sidewalks as well but a view from above should be really cool.
• The most activity will be around Mile 3 between Tropicana and Harmon (near the MGM and Planet Hollywood hotels). There will be a band there and couples will be getting married near here around 7:15 am. This spot will also give you time to hoof it back to the finish line to cheer your favorite runner home.
• Spring Mountain and Las Vegas Boulevard. On the west side of the Strip is Treasure Island (T.I.) and the Fashion Show Mall. Here you can cheer on the 1/2 marathoners return and also bid farewell to the marathoners as they venture west for their epic journey.
• Start/Finish line. From my past experience, there’s nothing like the excitement at the beginning of a race. Fireworks, Air Force fly overs and atmosphere can be thrilling (no only for runners but the spectators as well). It’s also cool to see the sea of humanity in the corrals. I still am in awe every time that there are so many of us!!!

Full Marathon Spectators

• Hands down the best spot this year is on the corner of Rainbow Boulevard and Hacienda Avenue. Black Market Music will be rockin’ the corner and you will have 3 (yes 3) chances to see runners cross this intersection. The route goes west on Hacienda and turns north on Rainbow – does a U Turn back to Hacienda – west on Hacienda where we U Turn again back down to Rainbow and towards the Strip. On the southeast corner of this intersection is Spring Valley Hospital and there will be ample parking available. It also has easy access but you need to approach the intersection from the south. I recommend taking the I-215 and exiting north on Rainbow. After your favorite runner passes you the third time, you can take Russell Road east straight down to Mandalay Bay for the finish. Depending on how fast your runner is you’ll have about 30-40 minutes to make it down – should be plenty of time.
• Any of the other 1/2 marathon sites will work here as well but you’ll have more time to hang out before your runner returns to the finish.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. See you all in a week!!!

RMFR

To be brutally honest with you I’ve been scared to run for the last week. The tragic and needless death of Jeremy Kunz in this years Las Vegas Ragnar Relay effected me greatly. Over the past couple of months we here at One Runner’s Brain have tried to advocate runner safety. Whether it’s rules of the road or wearing the correct clothing, there’s a lot we need to do to make sure we can be seen by motorists. I’ve tried to lead by example but I decided the amount of reflective clothing I wore was not enough.

Most of my long runs are on Charleston Blvd./Nevada State Route 159 which treks thru the beautiful Spring Mountains and The Red Rock Canyon Conservation Area (if you’re ever in Las Vegas you have to run out here). This is a popular route (especially for cyclists and more and more runners) because you can take this road to Blue Diamond Road (about 15 miles) and back and not have to worry about one single stop light. What you do have to worry about (especially in the dark, early morning hours) are vehicles seeing you on the shoulder of the road.

This weekend I went out and purchased a Nathan Night Fall Vest and I’m sleeping and running with a much clearer mind. Knowing that I’m going to light up like a Christmas tree to oncoming drivers is much more comforting than wondering if they’re going to see you. I still carry a flashlight and prepare to launch myself into a gully at the first sign of lights heading my way, but I know they can see me.

If you’re not wearing reflective gear, please go out get some. There are many inexpensive items from reflective tape, wrist bands and vests. Don’t leave it up to chance. We can’t stop drunk or reckless drivers but there are steps we can take to make running a whole lot safer!!!

Fall is officially here. While some of us have races coming up soon (good luck to the Portland and Twin Cities Marathon runners this weekend), others are currently training for winter races. Gone are the dog days of summer and here are the cooler temperatures of fall. Depending on where you live, you’re either in the perfect running conditions or about to enter the more difficult weather conditions. Here are a couple of things to remember:

• With the cooler temperatures you absolutely need to dress the part. Trading out short sleeves for long and shorts for tights/pants is common place but don’t forget the gloves and hats. I usually find gloves at a 99¢ store because there are plenty of times when you get hot and have to ditch the gloves instead of carrying them. If your temperatures are moderate, look at getting a running headband that covers your ears. You’ll find that you won’t overheat while wearing a hat. A simple rule of thumb is to dress so you’re just a little chilly when you step outside. If you’re warm, you’ve got too much on.
• Hydration. For those of us used to running in extremely hot temperatures (i.e. Las Vegas, Phoenix), remember that you won’t need to drink as much water. While hydrating is still important, you’ll find you don’t need as much as you did in the summer. For those of you in the snow, try to keep your liquids out of direct contact with the elements. Try putting a layer of clothing over your bottles or packs.
• Don’t let the elements cancel a run. Yes, that 20 mph clipper out of the north may be barreling down on you – but as long as there are no extreme health risks (below zero temperatures and wind chill) have fun with it. I always find challenging elements a fun test of what you can do in them. As an added bonus, it’s always fun to see the reactions of others when you tell them what you just did.

It may take a little while to grow accustomed to the new weather patterns but keep putting one foot in front of the other and before you know it, you won’t even notice (OK, that’s a lie but it won’t be as hard).

I’d like to take this time to personally thank Zappos.com for stepping up to the plate and being the presenting sponsor of this year’s Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon. The were the presenting sponsor back in 2007 when the Las Vegas Marathon was being run by Devine Sports and then did not sponsor the 2008 – for good reasons.

Devine Sports didn’t pay their bills and were close to not even being able to stage the 2008 event. They owed the city, vendors and even the race winners money from the previous years event. In order to pay their debts, they had to sell the Los Angeles Marathon and the Chicago 1/2 Marathon. If I were Zappos, I wouldn’t have wanted any part of Devine Sports either!!!

Now that the Competitor Group is running the event Zappos is back on board. As a local company, I’m proud to be running under their banner this year and I hope this is a relationship that continues for years to come!!!

Advertising footnote: If you’re driving from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, you’ll notice a lot of Adopt a Highway signs with the Zappos.com logo on it – 29 of the first 34 miles to be exact (yes I counted, it’s a long trip). With companies trying to save dollars, I can’t think of a better way to get your name viewed by the driving public every single mile.

Well, I’m two weeks out from the Disneyland 1/2 marathon and am so excited to get out of Las Vegas, I (and the family) can hardly wait!!! So far training has gone by the books and to my own astonishment, I’m injury free (knock, knock).

Yesterday was my longest run of my training (11 miles) but I stretched it to 13.1 – why not? The morning was relatively cool (80º) with overcast skies and a slight breeze. I had made up my mind to go hold an easy pace out and back just to get the enigma of the distance out in the open and put it behind me. After 2 1/2 miles, everything was going fine…and then I met Joe.

It was at the time that I heard somebody gaining on me from behind. I had just passed over the Red Rock Bump and was going slightly downhill so I wasn’t completed surprised that somebody would be cruising up behind me but I wasn’t totally prepared for what happened next.

He slowed down and introduced himself as Joe. Now you can just tell from looking at certain runners how fast they are and Joe – he was a machine. With introductions over, we covered our running histories and upcoming races; training regimens to nutrition and supplements. It was a great distraction that I don’t get to enjoy that often since I run alone. Because I run alone, I don’t ever get pushed like I got pushed on Saturday. Without fully realizing it, Joe had brought my pace well under 9 min./miles and we were still climbing uphill. Once I fully understood that we had just done a little over a mile at that pace and I was about a 1/4 of the way thru my run, I knew I had to back it off. Wishing Joe well, we went our separate ways.

I was spent. I had gone much faster than planned and struggled to my 6.6 mile mark to turn around. Since the out is uphill, I was dying to head back and hopefully coast most of the way home – but there was a problem. Joe was running for 2 hours (not distance) and I knew he was going to be coming back my way. With my bravado getting the better of me, I challenged myself to see how long I could hold off the ultra marathoner. As it turns out, not that long. With about 4 1/2 miles left, familiar foot falls sounded behind me and Joe greeted me once again.

I was proud of the fact that I hung with Joe (or to state it simply that Joe slowed for me) and we shared the road until we had to go our separate routes home. I wish I could say I broke my PR but I did not – far from it exactly but I did see what I could take physically which to me was a lesson I will take with me on all my races. Running alone is great. I love the solitude – but running with somebody that’s going to push you over your comfort level is much more rewarding.

Now Joe, if you read this please don’t get the wrong impression. I really did appreciate the comradeship and quicker pace. I hope to see you out there again and this time, I’ll be ready for ya!!!

It happens to every runner training for a race. Usually towards the end of your training there’s that one long run that falls in the middle of the week. I’ve been planning today for the last 3 weeks. Whether you run in the morning or evening, chances are you’re running in the dark.

For me, 4:30 AM came fast and as luck would have it, there was no moon. For my long runs, I’ve been running a stretch of road that leads out into the Nevada desert. That means I have street lights for the first 1 1/2 miles – after that, it’s pitch black. I don’t have a headlamp and instead use one of my sons small flashlights. It’s lightweight, shines bright and has been very reliable…except for this morning.

I don’t have many reflective surfaces on my running gear (shame on me and we’ll get into this later) and was depending on my trust flashlight to get me to daybreak. I’m running in a bike lane on a paved road so the flashlight isn’t necessarily to ensure sound footing. My biggest concern are motorists speeding into Las Vegas to work the early shift. Most have coffee in one hand and are rubbing their eyes with the other. The flashlight serves as a warning beacon to those oncoming death darts of destruction.

After 2 1/2 miles (1 1/2 of those were lit) my flashlight started to dim. At this point I’m thinking about my son staying up all night playing with a beam of light on the ceiling. A slight panic started to set in. Sunrise wasn’t for another 40 minutes and I was only a quarter of the way thru my run. So I did what seems to be popular these days – I went into conservation mode. My plan was to run without the flashlight until I saw headlights. At that time I turned it on, and because it was dimming, I would half shine it directly at the car to let them know I was there.

The moral of the story is this – as runner’s, we need to advocate and practice runner safety. Over the past couple of weeks, Troy and I have become aware that runner safety is being overlooked – and with grave consequences. We both promise to take up this cause and we ask you to help promote runner safety among your running peers. We will post safety tips/articles and we’ll do our best to try and partner up with companies offering safety products for runners.

It only takes a pebble to start a wave.