With the completion of the Red Rock Half Marathon this weekend, that makes 10 long distance races under my belt. While compared to others this number may not be earth shattering, but if you would have asked me or others that knew me and my eating habits before running, I would consider this quite an accomplishment!!!

Most know my story but when I started running in 2006, I weighed 270 pounds and decided to make a life change. Now in my fifth year of hitting the pavement, I thought I’d look back and reflect on where I’ve been:

2006
Las Vegas Marathon – 5:01:24
My first marathon. With the support of my entire family cheering me on and cramps in every muscle I finish with cheers and hugs. Discouraged with the course, I vow not to run the marathon again until they change the route.

2007
Disneyland Half Marathon – 2:29:02
The first trip to the Magic Kingdom has me hooked. Running thru Disneyland, California Adventure and Anaheim Stadium will become a yearly trip for the entire family. To date, the hottest race I’ve run in. Race was nearly black flagged before the start.

Las Vegas Half Marathon – 2:00:46
Course didn’t change and I was starting to like this half marathon thing. After being discouraged by my previous half, I set my current PR that still stands (but hopefully not for long).

2008
Disneyland Half Marathon - 2:10:53
Back again for my second running. Since the Angels were in town, we didn’t get to run thru Anaheim Stadium but the weather was much more suited to running. Now used to running longer distances more often, I quickly shower and then off to the parks with the family.

Las Vegas Half Marathon – 2:18:09
I was really hoping to go under 2 hours but a severely sprained ankle 3 weeks before the race changes my plans drastically. I end up limping to the finish but “finish” is the key word in this sentence. There’s always next year…or is it?

2009
Red Rock Half Marathon – 2:18:00
Wanted to expand my race frequency, I opt for a race right out my back door. While I know the hills will be a challenge, the scenery more than makes up for the burning thighs and breakneck downhills. Will end up being a staple on my race schedule.

Disneyland Half Marathon - 2:02:13
Missing out out a Ragnar Relay team, we’re back to the family’s favorite race. From their perspective, it’s wake up, eat, wait for dad and then go see Mickey. Tried to go under 2 hours again but ran out of gas after trying to make up for lost time with heavy traffic at the start. Will settle for a course PR.

Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon – 4:40:28
Finally!!! Devine Sports out…Competitor Racing in. This move was highly anticipated and didn’t let anybody down. A new course with nearly half of the marathon run on the strip. Cold weather, extreme hunger, cramps and bonking prevented a better time but a 20 minute PR shouldn’t be looked down upon. I considered this race as a tune up for what was to come.

2010
Walt Disney World Marathon – 4:55:18
My most memorable race to date. After encouraging my sister to start running, we met in chilly Florida to run her first marathon. While I was hoping to “help” her finish strong, I was the one who had to battle bursitis while she was the strong one. Still a great running experience and can’t wait to run with her again.

Red Rock Half Marathon – 2:09:36
Another great race. Running in the opposite direction of the previous year, I overcame a lack of training due to injuries to PR the course by over 8 minutes. If you haven’t run this race, I highly recommend it.

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

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!!!

Jeremy and Melinda Kunz (wife) at the start line of the Ragnar Relay Las Vegas.

This weekend, a great event turned into tragedy. During the Las Vegas Ragnar Relay, Jeremy Kunz was struck and killed by a drunk driver. While I have no connection to the race or the Kunz family, the news of this tragedy hit me hard. For the news story, CLICK HERE.

In an official statement from the Ragnar Race officials:

In the early morning hours of Saturday, October 10 Jeremy Kunz was struck by a suspected drunk driver while providing support to a runner on his team. Police and Rescue responded quickly, as did several Ragnar teams. Unfortunately Jeremy could not be resuscitated. Special thanks goes out to team 184, “The Dog Pound,” which was first on the scene and provided immediate aid to Jeremy. Jeremy’s family has asked us to thank team 184 and other teams who were there. Thank you!

The driver was apprehended and arrested for DUI and other charges. He is currently in custody. Police have released very few other details.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Kunz family and those closest to him. As runners, I think we form a bond with runners and what happens to them affects us all.

There is now a way to make a donation to the family. You can do so at www.jerandmin.com there is a link at the top of the page inside the photo of Jeremy. They will be setting up an account with Zions Bank tomorrow. For now this is the best way to donate. Donations will benefit Jeremy’s children.

You can read and add your sentiments at the Ragnar Relay Facebook page.

As we enter triple digit temperatures here in Las Vegas for the next 5 months, I’m already daydreaming about the fall and winter race schedule. This year it filled up pretty quickly without much thought having been put into it. I’m dying to get back on a training program because not having one leaves room for skipping workouts. Here’s the schedule and a review of each:

2009 Disneyland Half Marathon
September 6
This will be the third year in a row that I will have run this family-oriented race. The course runs through Disneyland and California Adventure theme parks as well as the well manicured streets of Anaheim. While running through the parks is an event to itself there is a small let down as you head out on the streets during miles 4-8. Things again get interesting as you run by the Honda Center (home of the Anaheim Ducks), down the Santa Ana Trial (flanking the Santa Ana river), around/thru (ran the foul lines in 2007 and thru the “A” in 2008) Angel Stadium until heading back thru California Adventure and Downtown Disney to the finish. Running thru the parks with the characters and employees is awesome and the community support with bands and cheerleaders is second to none.

Ragnar Relay Las Vegas
October 9-10
(Valley of Fire to Las Vegas)
I’ve been interested in the Ragnar Relays since seeing their booth at my very first expo in 2006. Now they are finally coming to me and I’m pumped. This isn’t set in stone as of yet, but I’m working on a team as we speak. The relay calls for teams made up of 12 runners and a couple of support vehicles. You run for 5 miles, relax/ride/sleep/eat, run for 5 miles, relax/ride/sleep/eat, run for 5 miles and you’re done. The spirituality and camaraderie that will accompany this run has me so excited that I can’t wait for it to come.

Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon
December 6
As excited I am for Ragnar, I’m just as excited for the new management for the Las Vegas Marathon. This was my first marathon in 2006 and the event was going downhill ever since. The previous owners ran into financial trouble and it showed. In 2007 and 2008 I ran the halfs, but now that the Competitor Group has taken over and brought Rock-n-Roll to Vegas, I going long again. If you haven’t run the Las Vegas strip, this is a must run. It’s hard to give a proper review with the event changing hands but if it’s anything like what I’ve seen from the other Rock-n-Roll’s, it’s going to be great!!!

2010 Walt Disney World Marathon
January 10
Yes, I know I’ve told you that I’m excited for each of the previous races but this one is it!!! Not for the fact that it’s Disney World or that the entire race is run thru the park. Not for the fact that I’ve never been to Florida or that it’s another great Disney family trip. This one is going special. My sister, who just finished her first marathon relay, is going to be running her first marathon with me. She’s been so supportive of my recent running conversion that I could not be more excited that she has made the running leap of faith and we’ll be side-by-side cheering each other on. I’m sure the race will be great too.

Looking at my schedule will help me thru my training runs this summer. There’s only so many times you can tell yourself that 95 degrees isn’t that hot – at 10 PM!!!

I’m assuming this is not breaking news but it was to me. Like you, I’ve seen and signed up at the Ragnar booths (for the schwag – ask Tiff) at many race events. They’ve never had one close to me until now and I couldn’t be more excited.

For those of you who don’t know what the Ragnar Relays are, here’s the basic premise. You get a team of 12 runners together and take turns running legs of a long distance. The “Valley of Fire to Vegas” relay is 180 miles long. Don’t bother doing the math, that’s 3 legs of 5 miles for each runner. You get a couple of vehicles together, lots of water and food and run until you’re done (yes, no breaks or beds).

I’ve already been in touch with a couple of groups about joining their team and I seriously can’t wait. What a great way to celebrate running and connecting with people stuck in a van of sweat and dust.

RMFR