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

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

This weekend is the Red Rock Marathon and 1/2 Marathon. The route follows the road that loops through the Red Rock Canyon Conversation Area. The 1/2 marathoners run it one way while the marathoners go out and back. This is a great race for one simple reason, the views are absolutely breathtaking and with some snow on the upper peaks, it’s even better. For my race review from last year, click here.

I ran this for the first time last year. The start is five miles from my front door (yes, exactly five miles) and I hit this route regularly during my longer training runs. For those of you fortunate enough to have run these hills before, you know what I’m talking about. I’ve met some really great people on this stretch of pavement. The crew from Team 180 Energy. Erin, Melina, Tanya and Mei Lan taking a time out from their girls weekend. Cruising up and down the hills with fellow “Lober” Troy.

Point is, this weekend will add another great memory to these torturing inclines. With my achilles still not 100%, I’m going to just enjoy the whole experience again. When it comes down to it, isn’t that what running is all about? I’ve always said that if I didn’t enjoy running, I wouldn’t do it. This Saturday, you can bet I’ll be enjoying every painful second!!!

RMFR

It all started during the Walt Disney World Marathon. While trying to be the “pillar of strength” for my sister in her first marathon, it turned into an intense internal battle with bursitis in my hip. It struck without warning and I hadn’t experienced it since three years earlier when it took a month of rest to fully recover.

Another visitor came calling just two weeks later. My phantom ankle injury came out of nowhere. I couldn’t tell you when or how it happened, but one morning I could barely walk. After applying the R.I.C.E. (Rest. Ice. Compression. Elevate.) rule to this unwelcome visitor for a week, it left as quickly as it appeared.

Now comes the latest in this short but crazy year. My achilles is now as tight as a knot and sore as can be. This one I felt coming and have taken measures to control the pain as much as possible. Thank goodness for Ben Gay Pain Relieving Patches and KT Tape, I’ve been able to work through it.

These are all taking place on the left side of my body. Even though I’ve waiting until one ailment is healing/healed, one injury is compounding the next.

With only a week and a half remaining until the Red Rock Marathon and Half Marathon, I can’t afford another week off. I’ve already canceled my back-to-back halfs and will then concentrate on getting ready for the Fargo Marathon in May.

I’ll sprinkle a prayer for all of you that are injury free in the hope that you stay that way.

RMFR

Saturday I ran and felt fine. Sunday night I could barely walk on my left ankle. Nothing of any consequence happened in between. Figuring it was some freak feeling that would go away, I did nothing. Monday morning I woke up and it was worse. I started to R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) all Monday and Tuesday it was better. The worse part of this whole thing is that I had to stop training even before I really got started. This Phantom Injury has now sidelined me for another week so I’m scrapping my plans for back-to-back half marathons in March. I’ll be lucky to be ready enough for the climbs of the Red Rock Marathon the first weekend of March.

I’m sure these injuries have some reason for happening somewhere along the way but the way they present themselves make no sense whatsoever. Have you had any Phantom Injuries that just showed up in the middle of you’re training? Let’s hear about them.

RMFR

With the introduction of combining speed work with hills, I’m hoping to build leg strength and speed at the same time.

There is a 1/3 mile stretch of road near myself that I have dubbed “The Road to Nowhere.” It actually is a paved road that really does lead to nowhere. It’s close to traffic and hasn’t been connected to any other streets until more housing developments are completed. The name also has another meaning. It’s a really steep climb – ascending over 100 ft. – over the stretch of the climb. At the bottom is starts out gradually and evens up into a steady ascent which attacks your legs unmercifully!!!

After a 1 mile warmup running to the street and down to it’s base, I planned on doing 5 intervals for my first time out. I’m going to have to work up to sprinting the entire .3 miles so I’ve decided to start with half that distance (.15 miles). Using lampposts as my guide, I would sprint up at a fast but sustainable pace and then do a recovery jog back down to the start.

To my surprise, I was extremely consistent on my intervals (without timing them) averaging 1:03 per interval (6:45/mi. or 8.9 mph). For me this is extremely fast and going uphill, an awesome workout!!! After finishing, I walked and recovered up the remaining part of the hill and then jogged it back to my house. The entire workout ended up being 3.2 miles total but it wasn’t the total mileage that I was concerned with.

The change in pace and workout type has actually spurred my need for this workout. There’s nothing better than the feeling of near exhaustion and recovering just as quick. I’ll keep you updated on these workouts as I increase repetitions and distance in preparation for the Red Rock 1/2 Marathon where the hills are long and steep.

RMFR

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

I received a nice email from Jeff Bockhorn, team captain for the 180 Energy Runners today. He sent me this press release and I wanted to share it with you.

Birren/Small Take Titles at Red Rock Marathon and 1/2 Marathon Races

On Saturday March 7, a small contingent of Anheuser-Busch’s 180 Energy Runners participated in the 2nd Annual Red Rock Canyon Marathon and Half just outside of the “Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada.” “The race director (Joyce Forier) said, ‘It’s hard, when you have some altitude… ’,” was the only warning given to these St. Louisians. Runners of the Red Rock pay a hefty price for their scenic run by having to climb within the park to a summit overlook at 4,771 feet above sea level.

Sean Birren was Anheuser-Busch’s top runner in the full marathon; he was challenged by defending Red Rock champion Dan Kuch, 34 of Lake Havasu City, AZ, also the winner of the 2008 Whiskey Row and Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathons. “The lead switched back an forth for the first half,” states Birren; however, Sean Birren was able to not only win the marathon but break the course record – his time  2:48:17.  

Jeff Bockhorn, team captain for the 180 Energy Runners claims, “The race was challenging from several angles, everyone ran their slowest marathon times, I think due to altitude, you had to summit 6 times. You went up and down – around 1000 feet climb. Not only were the hills, excuse me, mountains were a challenge but we had a head wind going out and just to be an additional challenge – I think the wind changed and we had a head wind returning – all you could do was laugh and enjoy the scenery.” Bockhorn states that he was extremely proud of his teammates – Sean Birren and Tyler Small.

Small, also was in a tight Half Marathon battle where the lead changed several times. “We were shoulder to shoulder for the first half of the half,” states Small, “I was able to pull away on the downhill section.” Small set the course record in 1:17:09.

 ”The race and the Red Rock Resort, treated us like family,” claims Bockhorn, “we had a blast.” After the race, it was just as much a challenge climbing the mountains and finding incredible waterfalls. We tried jogging the trails but they were more of a climb than a jog. We didn’t want to leave the desert – it was new to us – new challenges. When people think of Las Vegas, they think of gambling, I won’t think of that anymore – I’ll think of the mountains.”

RMFR

Pictured from left to right: Tyler Small, Sean Birren, Jeff Bockhorn and Joanne Bockhorn

I woke up this morning to approximately 40 degrees and a wind howling out of the NE at 20-25 mph. Not the most ideal conditions but we can’t control that anyway so why bother. The Red Rock Conservation Area doesn’t have a lot of parking so participants were asked to meet at the Red Rock Station Resort parking and bus up to the starting line.

A large group collected in the parking lot and I was fortunate enough to strike up a conversation with Tyler Small from St. Louis. Turns out Tyler is sponsored by 180 Energy Drink and he and another member of his team came out to run the event (this fact bears more weight towards the end). The ride up was quick and we ended up arriving about 20 minutes before the 7:00 start time.

I had to laugh to myself when the called the runners to the line. I was first in line. First and last time I will ever be leading one of these races – I purposely took off fast to be alone in first (for about 3 seconds). The Red Rock loop isn’t quite 13.1 miles so we did 1 1/2 loops around the visitor center before heading up the scenic drive.

It doesn’t take long to get your heart pumping. The first 5 1/2 rise 1,468 ft. and top out and a great scenic overlook at 4,700 elevation. There are a bunch of switchbacks leading back down to the canyon floor. They aren’t quad killing declines but after the uphills you just finished, they’re a welcome site.

Once on the bottom, you come to a hairpin turn at 8 miles which starts the journey back south to the finish. In most cases, this is a welcome thought but when you see the hill that awaits you, your attitude quickly changes.

There are some really subtle hills/descents after that hill but by now, you’re thighs have taken a beating. The finishing touch (and would you expect anything less) is the slight incline to the finish line. There’s no turning back at this point – you just bury your head and go!!!

Finished in 2:17:55 which I was very happy with. With all these hills, I was just trying to keep it under 2:30:00.

Remember the 180 Energy Drink runners? Well Tyler and his teammate, Sean Birren won the 1/2 Marathon and the Marathon. Great guys. Glad they enjoyed their time in Las Vegas and I hope to cross their paths again sometime.

Overall, Calico Racing put on a great event. Really nice technical tees, the medals are nice and the overall organization and planning was second to none. This is one race I will definitely do again. Hopefully next time I’ll beat on the hills instead of vice versa.

RMFR

CE: There are months of preparation - buying presents, making travel arrangements, planning menus, etc.

RE: There are months of preparation - logging miles, eating right, cross-training, etc.

CE: Christmas eve day is all about getting ready for Christmas day. After the kids go to sleep, you lay out presents, pack the stockings with trinkets and try to get to sleep early knowing you’ll be woken at the crack of dawn hoping you don’t forget anything.

RE: Race day eve you pick up your bid and timing chip and getting your last nutrients in your body. You spend the rest of the night laying out your clothes, attaching your bid and chip and hoping you don’t forget anything.

CE: You lay in bed visualizing what your kids are going to do after opening up the latest high priced gadget or your spouse unwrapping that “special something”.

RE: You lay in bed visualizing your race. Are you heading out strong or holding back? When are you tearing open your first gel and do you drink at the first water station or wait until the second?

CE: You wake up early and hope to get enough energy to make it thru the next half hour of flying paper, hugs and smiles.

RE: You wake up early and hope you’ll have enough time to digest your breakfast. The next half hour is full of stretching, smiles and anticipation.

HERE’S WHERE THE SIMILARITIES END!!!

CE: After cleaning up and eating breakfast, you lay on your ass – exhausted.

RE: After toeing the line, you run your ass off until crossing the finish line - exhilarated.

Now this is a running blog and my head says that Race Eve takes this by at least 13.1 miles. My heart on the other hand cherishes my family and nothing can replace a hug or a smile. To be fair, let’s call this one a wash!!!

RMFR