Before I get into the review of the Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon, I would like say my thoughts and prayers go out to Eric Reitman’s family and friends. Eric collapsed shortly after finishing the half marathon and was rushed to an area hospital before passing away later that evening.

I waited all year for this event. Devine Sports that put on the previous 3 Las Vegas Marathons was mailing it in. When I heard The Competitor Group was coming in and making Las Vegas one of their Rock-n-Roll series of races I was “all in” – and they didn’t disappoint.

With temperatures in the low 30ºs I opted for wearing running pants and long sleeves (ol’ blue) with Under Armour underneath. Luckily (or not) the temperatures didn’t get any higher than the mid 40ºs and I didn’t need to worry about shedding gear.

There were nearly twice as many people (27,000+) as the year before and you could feel the excitement in the air from the minute you arrived at the starting area. For those of you running in this event in future years, duck into Mandalay Bay to stay warm before the race!!! With so many people, I was worried about crowding in the corrals but overall it wasn’t bad (at least in the back). In the future, I would hope they would monitor the corrals or at least set up barriers between them. I met a really nice couple from Canada and chatted while we struggled to stay warm. That’s one of the really cool things about races is that you can strike up a conversation with just about anybody!!!

They promised “something never seen before” at the start. For most of the crowd, I think it stayed that way!!! Parachuters drifted in the dark sky with lights on their feet and landed near the start (ummm, OK). Anyway, the local broadcast of the event was displayed on the huge Mandalay Bay video board. For us in the back who couldn’t hear anything (note to the organizers, put speakers in the back corrals) it was cool to watch the elites and first waves of runners take off.

Spanning Las Vegas Blvd. was a huge stage that housed a Blues Brothers band with showgirls and white tigers flanking each side of the start line. The wave start implemented by the race was genius. Even though it took me a half hour to start, it eliminated a lot of the crowding you usually get at the start of the race. It also helped when we reached the hairpin turn that brought us back on the other side of the strip heading north.

As with most races, runners were shedding gear along the first two miles. The funny part was that about the same amount of runners were scrambling for gear on the road to put on!!! You’ve never seen so many uncoordinated outfits in one race.

Running up the Las Vegas strip is just plain cool. I could describe each hotel and attraction but they’re all spectacles in their own way. To be honest, there was so much going on in the first 4 miles it’s sort of a blur. The one thing that stood out was all the Running Elvi and the runners getting married at the Paris Hotel. By the time I got there, the Elvi were already serenading the couples.

With both sides of the strip closed to traffic, it was fun to see the elites coming at us in the opposite direction. I had heard a lot of complaints that seeing runners coming at you would “demoralize” the other runners. It was just the opposite. As the front runners of the marathon and half marathon passed, they were cheered and encouraged by all of the back-of-the-packers. I hope they got lift from us because I saw a bunch of running forms improve in our mass of humanity – mine included!!!

Once the route entered the older downtown area things were starting to thin out a little. At this point, the marathoners and half marathoners were still running together. With 20,000 doing the half, I was eagerly awaiting for the course to thin out.

At about 10 1/2 miles, we broke from the strip and started our trek out west. Las Vegas is a valley with the strip at the bottom which meant a good part of our middle distance was slightly uphill. Once we hit Twain Ave., it didn’t take long to get used to the incline and I don’t think it bothered too many runners.

At the halfway point, I was slightly ahead of my goal pace in 2:07:23. I’ve never been “on pace” in my life and I immediately had thoughts of grandeur!!! Thoughts of a 4:15 finish were in reach – but not for long.

Miles 13-15 ran south on Decatur Blvd. Some small climbs but nothing as steep as I run in my training runs. At the beginning of this stretch, I was fine. By mile 15, I could have eaten a small child!!! I have no idea what happened but I was starving. I even thought about running into one of the many convenience stores along the route to eat something…anything!!! I had already gone thru 3 gels and was loosing energy fast. Mile 15 was the turn back up the valley on Hacienda. By this time, the fast runners were flying down the hill already, it gave me a small and short lived boost up until the Rainbow hairpin turn. BONK!!!

For me, the rest of the race was a will of putting one foot in front of the other and restraining from trying to steal food off of spectators on the street. There was a gel table after mile 18 but at that point I couldn’t eat anymore GU or Cytomax – I needed way more and it was going to come for another 8 miles.

Big props to all the bands, spectators and volunteers that came out. On more than one occasion I saw a few stages with a crowd of runners rockin’ away.

At the 20 mile turnaround, I had slowed way off my pace and was hoping just to make it in under my previous 5 hr. mark when I was stricken with every cramp known to man. At mile 24 I was able to grab a banana from a half marathoner walking towards us and a Pabst Blue Ribbon from an “uncertified” aid station. Gotta love spectators who show up on the course with beer. Seriously, those 3 people were able to snap me out of my hunger coma.

I was able to put it into high gear for the last mile and cross the line in 4:40:27 – a PR by 21 minutes. Although I had my sites set higher, I was proud to push on thru my lack of fuel and energy. The most important part was I didn’t get hurt. With the Walt Disney World Marathon 30+ days away, my sister would have killed me if I did something where I couldn’t run her first marathon at her side.

I know this is a long post so I’ll make this short. I’d just like to thank the Competitor Group for bringing a Rock-n-Roll to Las Vegas. Everything was great and I can’t wait until next year!!!

RMFR

The Rock-n-Roll Las Vegas Marathon is in my backyard and it’s my fourth time running some form of this race. I thought I’d be as helpful as possible and breakdown the marathon course for first timers and those of you traveling to our wonderful city to run this event. First of all, congratulations to the Competitor Group for a marathon route that is 100x better than previous routes. After running my first marathon on the old course, I promised myself that I wouldn’t run it again until they changed it. For those of you running the half marathon, you’ll be basically running the entire race on the strip.

Please let me know if you have any questions about the course and I will try to answer them the best I can.

RNR Las Vegas Marathon Course

Mile 1 (Ascent 38 ft./Descent 4 ft.) –  If you’re aiming for a PR, beware of the first mile. Since they’re shutting down both sides of Las Vegas Boulevard, the marathon is starting south – instead of north like previous years. This fact doesn’t concern me. Near the airport and the train tracks, the course turns north to the other side of the street. If the organizers expect 15,000 runners to squeeze thru the opening left by the tracks, it’s going to be tricky. Even if they turn us around at the stop light at Sunset Road, it could cause a backlog – especially for those back in the pack.

Mile 2 (Ascent 29 ft./Descent 43 ft.) – After navigating our hairpin turn, it’s back towards the start and Mandalay Bay. Could get interesting if there are a bunch of early morning flights since we’ll be running adjacent to the airport.

Mile 3 (Ascent 94 ft./Descent 73 ft.) – Here is where the sightseeing really picks up. As you near Tropicana Avenue, the Luxor, Excalibur, New York New York, Tropicana and MGM hotels dominate the skyline. There’s usually tons of people during this section. Watch for spectators on the walkways over the strip. There is some construction right around 2 1/2 miles on the left side of the road. Not sure if it’s still going to be there in two weeks but it could cause some backups. Try to stay to the right side of the road if possible.

Mile 4 (Ascent 214 ft./Descent 280 ft.) – Don’t let the elevations fool you because any grades are gentle. Our newest behemoth, City Center, looms on your left and check out the huge video screen at the apply named “Miracle Mile Shops” at Planet Hollywood – there’s usually a running message on it on race day. I don’t seem to recall if the Bellagio Fountains or Mirage Volcano were on during past events but there’s always the possibility.

Mile 5 (Ascent 171 ft./Descent 195 ft.) – Remember the Fashion Show Mall. That’s where we will be turning on our return trip down Las Vegas Boulevard. Besides the Wynn, we start to leave the glamour and glitz behind.

Mile 6 (Ascent 14 ft./Descent 28 ft.) – Not a lot going on here. We’ll pass the Riviera, Circus Circus and Sahara and some construction. This section is really flat. Might be able to really find your stride in this section and the pack should be thinned out.

Miles 7 – 9 (Ascent 107 ft./Descent 148 ft.) – Here we’re heading towards downtown Las Vegas. Previous routes went down to Fremont Street but we’re spared that this year. The turnaround comes at Garces Avenue and the route winds thru some older residential neighborhoods and commercial/industrial buildings before reconnecting with Las Vegas Boulevard heading back south.

Mile 10 (Ascent 68 ft./Descent 63 ft.) – Déjá vu will strike as we head back. It will be interesting to see how many people you’ll see on the other side of the course. Depending on how fast you are it could be quite a site.

Mile 11 (Ascent 108 ft./Descent 56 ft.) – Right around 10 1/2 miles the route turns west at the Fashion Show Mall and Treasure Island. At the second light we veer off Spring Mountain Road to Mel Torme Way (you’d be amazed at some of the streets we have named for entertainers around here) and down to Industrial Rd. There is some construction on Industrial so mind your step.

Mile 12 (Ascent 132 ft./Descent 64 ft.) - Driving this was confusing but it should be well marked to get onto Twain Ave. Here we meet our first real incline as we pass under Interstate 15. It’s not that long but could zap you a little if your not ready for it.

Mile 13 (Ascent 63 ft./Descent 39 ft.) - Twain is basically uphill since the Strip lies in a valley. It’s a gradual ascent and the street is nice and wide. At almost 13 miles the route turns south on Decatur Boulevard.

Miles 14 & 15 (Ascent 77 ft./Descent 56 ft.) - Decatur is mainly a commercial street and it should be easy sailing along this stretch. There are some inclines but they’re not that bad.

Mile 16 (Ascent 81 ft./Descent 29 ft.) - Make Hacienda Avenue your friend because you’ll be seeing a lot of it for the rest of the way (about 8 miles of it). Mile 16 comes right after Jones Boulevard and is blocks away from where I work. I’ve run on Hacienda countless times and is one of my favorite city streets to run on. The incline is gradual and we’ll be running thru residential neighborhoods.

Mile 17 (Ascent 70 ft./Descent 10 ft.) - For those in dire need, we’ll be passing Spring Valley Hospital at Rainbow Boulevard (although I’d suggest having someone take you to St. Rose Dominican Hospitals San Martín Campus a few minutes away – shameless plug for a client). The route also brings another hairpin turn into play. Once we get to Rainbow, we turn north towards Tropicana Avenue and double back to Hacienda. There is a gentle incline/decline on Rainbow that may come into play – depends on how tired you are.

Miles 18 – 20 (Ascent 168 ft./Descent 98 ft.) - Back on Hacienda, we run up the backside of the Spanish Trail Country Club. It’s filled with some high end homes and I have to assume they will be more than a little annoyed that this street will be closed. This section of Hacienda is my favorite. There’s not much going on as far as scenery but it’s just a straight simple road that’s fun to run on. Again it’s uphill but it’s gentle.

Mile 21 – 24 (Ascent 92 ft./Descent 197 ft.) - It’s all downhill from here!!! How many times have you heard that? That gentle incline we just went up now turns into a gentle downhill. Enough to keep you headed in the right direction but not so much that it will tear up your hamstrings. The Strip comes back into view here too. On the first part The Hotel will be right smack dab in front of you and then the Luxor will dominate your view. The elevation change is skewed slightly because we hit a nice bridge over the railroad tracks right before mile 24. This could be our version of Heartbreak Hill.

Mile 25 (Ascent 46 ft./Descent 85 ft.) - There’s another climb on the bridge over Interstate 15 down to the Luxor. Let’s call it Heartbreak Hill Too.

Mile 26.2 (Ascent 157 ft./Descent 234 ft.) - I think my Garmin started smoking crack at this point. It’s flat to the finish. A lap around a Luxor parking structure gets us down to Frank Sinatra Drive (remember what I said about street names) to the back of Mandalay Bay to the finish. If it’s like any of the race finishes before, they’ll have a huge setup in one of the parking lots. There’s tons of room for spectators, food and rubdowns.

Total Ascent: 1,730 ft.
Total Descent: 1,704 ft.
*Approximate since my Garmin obviously has a drug problem.

Can’t wait until race day!!! Hope everybody’s training went well and you’re heading into the event injury free.

RMFR

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.

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!!!