This past Saturday was the Red Rock Marathon and Half Marathon in Las Vegas and what a great event!!! This demanding course is well worth it for the scenery alone being run in the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area (just 20 minutes west of the Las Vegas Strip) but what makes it a great event is the event organizers – Calico Racing.

I ran this event last year and loved the organization and attention to details and this year exceeded my already high expectations. From packet pickups on both sides of the valley to the constant email updates runners were kept well informed. Since there is no parking at the Canyon itself, buses transport runners from the Red Rock Hotel & Casino to the starting line every 15-20 minutes. It’s a great place to meet new people and I’d like to give a shout out to Hobey from Seattle (in Las Vegas with his wife for their 25th wedding anniversary) and Bobby from Las Vegas (going for his Calico Slam) – my bus mates to and from the race.

With two starting lines – marathoners started at the finish while the half started at the other end – both were well equipped with food, water and bathrooms. Race director, Joyce Forier, personally sees to the start of both races and seemed to be everywhere at once. Around 600 participated in the half marathon (another 100+ ran the marathon) and while the start of the race was a little tight packed, the group was easily separated when the climbs started. The really cool thing about this race is when the marathoners (who start before the half) meet up with the half marathoners. Constant encouragement (both ways) could be heard up and down the line of runners and really gave the race a hometown feel.

Running this route often, there’s NO WAY I could handle the hills out and back and I’m very content running the route one way. With around 1,800 ft. in elevation change, this is definitely not a race to go hunting a PR on but the challenge of the long climbs and fast descents is a running reward in it’s own right. Since I’ve been hampered with injuries all year long, this race was going to just be a fun run for me. With all races, it didn’t end up that way and I bested my time from last year by over 8 minutes – no worse for wear.

Want to talk about food? By far, the best post race feed I’ve ever experienced. Waiting just past the finish line was the Salvation Army serving up eggs, pancakes, pasta and peach cobbler along with cookies, bagels, fruit, etc. I’m not usually hungry after races but there was not way I was going to pass up this feast.

Calico Racing puts on a series of events in and around Las Vegas. While I’ve only run the Red Rock races, I’m certainly going to sign up for more in the future. If you haven’t run a Calico race in Las Vegas yet, you’re missing out on great smaller races from a well organized and dedicated group of racing professionals.

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

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!!!

Titus 2:7
And you yourself must be an example to them by doing good works of every kind. Let everything you do reflect the integrity and seriousness of your teaching.

My run this past Saturday (well pretty much all my long runs are on this road) was on a long stretch that leads out to Red Rock Canyon. This stretch of road is well traveled by cyclists and a few runners lured by the incredible scenery and the long inclines for training. There’s a lot of of strange things you’ll see dumped on the side of the road (makes you wonder if anybody remembers the old PSA commercial on pollution).

On this particular morning, I happened upon a rubber glove on one of the road markers greeting every person that passed by. At first, I took notice and kept on going since I was almost to my turn around point. On the way back, there it was again, greeting me for the second time in all it’s unglory. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve been known to forget to raise my other fingers on occasion but never this publicly. I kept running downhill for another 100 feet before I crossed back over the road. I couldn’t let that glove stay there in it’s current state. Without having a means to transport the glove to a trash can in the middle of the desert, I decided to change its greeting.

The title of this post has nothing to do with your stride, frame or running style but with the way we should lead our lives. In Roger D. Joslin’s book “Running the Spiritual Path,” he talks about the “Mother Teresa Run.” As you run, offering blessings to everyone you meet whether they acknowledge you or not. It can be as simple as a smile or a wave or a prayer to God to see them safely on their journey. That’s what I was trying to do on my run, take something negative and turn it into something positive.

Grace is something that was gifted to us when Jesus died for our sins. As a follower of Christ, it is my responsibility and honor to lead by His example. Enjoy your run, be one with nature and love one another as He loves us.

This afternoon, I went out to do my favorite run in Las Vegas – Red Rock Canyon. Red Rock is a relatively small and narrow valley that 15 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. Red Rock gets its name from the red colored sandstone formation embedded in the mountains that form the western and northern margins of the Las Vegas valley. Simply stated, it’s nature at it’s best.

I’m actually training for the Red Rock Marathon and 1/2 Marathon March 7th. The best part of running here is that the first 4 1/2 miles rise 1,000 feet (doubling back for a 9 mile route). It’s a great hill workout!!! I ran it once with my good friend Troy but I usually do it myself.

Today started out the same way. After spending the morning with my wife and boyz for Valentine’s Day, it was time for my workout. As I pulled into the parking lot and gathered my things, I car slid into the space next to me. As I headed towards the scenic drive, 4 girls (dressed for running) followed. Now I don’t usually see a ton of runners on this run so I had to strike up a conversation.

Turns out Erin, Melina, Tanya and Mei Lan were in Vegas for a girls weekend but Tanya “needed to get her miles in”. I love hearing that!!! After some short introductions, we headed off for the hills. Mei Lan head off to the Visitor’s Center while the rest of us started the climb. After passing the second “scenic overlook,” Erin and Melina tailed off leaving Tanya and I to carry on.

Now, I’ve never claimed to be a fast runner nor great on the hills but I was definitely no match for Tanya. She comes from the peaks of Winter Park, Colorado and I could tell that she was a “Hare” from the start. Eventually, I had to walk up the next major incline. I don’t mind walking. If I torture myself running, I wouldn’t enjoy it. I told Tanya not to wait and go conquer the hill.

My goal is to hit the scenic overlook 4 1/2 miles in (I was close but not quite). Wasn’t in the cards today so I rejoined Tanya as she was on her way back down. We ran back a couple of miles together before I had to let her go again. I can carry a 8-8:30 pace but not today. I ran the rest solo as Tanya sped off.

The five of us rejoined in the parking lot and said our good byes. The best part of running in groups is the camaraderie you feel. You share the same interests, you’ve experienced the same things and you’re all there to help and encourage each other. Running is a solitary sport, but you wouldn’t know it. Thanks ladies for a running experience worthy of talking about and I hope you found some hot bartenders at Kahunaville!!!

RMFR

Tanya Garrett, Mei Lan Wong, Melina Powell and Erin Johnson