Strip at Night- Las Vegas Half 2011

There is a group of us who run training runs together, start races together, and some random chatter came from someone who thought it would be fun to run the strip at night, and it actually happened cause somebody was organized enough to see that it wasn't just random chatter. Sooo if I was going to Vegas, I didn't want to go without Luke and if Luke wanted wanted to go, he had to run a race while he was there. Initially, I wanted to run the full marathon but as they only allotted 6000spots for the full,  it sold out back in September. Thus, I was running the half with Luke. I committed to running the entire 21k with him.

There were seven of us running the race, one volunteer and one spectator. We all went to the expo on Saturday morning. Us and about 30 000 other. I had been looking forward to seeing some products that are hard to come by in Canada, and was hoping for a few American prices, but it was crazy insane time. I did manage a desperately needed new bra and met the author of this book, made an idiot of myself and bought a signed copy.
Was hoping for a fully stocked swag bag....umm not to much. There was a cheapo headlamp and we were lucky and actually got a shirt, as I hear they ran out later in the day.

So Sunday evening came, and we suited up in our matching caveman/ flint stone/ Tarzan and Jane costumes. I knew it was going to be a little busy when at 2:30 there were a ton of people already at the race site. Due to a little logistical nightmare that almost ended our marriage we were trying to park our car at the race site- North end of the strip and could not get a spot, nor could we get a spot at ANY parking lot. All casinos and parking lots were closed and locked tight. ...and thus begins the problems we experienced at the race.

We arrive back at the race site a couple hours later and for this little country gal from Bruce County... I have never seen so many people, and I have been to a Billy Graham Crusade. Between the half and the full there are around 44000 people.  Of course we have to pee, and actually have no trouble finding a portapotti- we just looked for the non obvious location and there wasn't even a line . Felt sorry for the poor suckers waiting 20deep.

This race had an honer system of corrals at the start line. Basically when you registered you indicated your expected finishing time and you were assigned  to a corresponding corral. I had put down a 1:45 time thus was to be in the fourth corral. Luke had put around 2hours and was to be in the 13th. However as a group from Hanover we all wanted to start together so we all seeded ourselves in the slowest of the group 2:30 or the 22nd corral.... and that was our mistake.  The main issue was we were soooo cold waiting for the waves to go off. I had not thought at all about throw away clothes and I like to run almost naked so it was pretty cold huddling in 5degree weather in shorts. I was desperate and  I called out to anybody wanting to get rid of mitts I would be happy to take them. A fellow in front of me gave a hot pocket and I was in bliss. Eventually we started moving towards the start line and I had a practically wrestle a volunteer for a jacket thrown on the ground they were cleaning up so fast.

Once we crossed the start line I thought things would open up a bit, ummm nope, once we went 5k I thought things would open up a bit, ummm nope, once we were past 10k...ummm nope. It was ridiculous. I mean we were supposed to be around 2:30- there has to be  running at that pace! Sure there can be 5-10:1 but there has to be some running!!! Unfortunately,  the  majority  of the race we were surrounded by walkers. It was ridiculous, walkers from the get go right in front of us. And the sure mass of people. I am sorry but the race course just simply could not have handled anymore. We were packed in their like sardines. It was so crazy, I just wanted Luke to be able to open up and run- instead he was on the defensive the entire race trying to go in between people and not lose each other. Sure we should have started in a higher corral but all over people are saying that even in the upper corrals there were walkers from the get go.  Luke's time ended up being 2:31:19- which is dramatically slower than what he is capable of doing. I think in an open course he could have done 2:05- 10.
We started slow and finished fast, at the end Luke was doing 5:15ks and we were flying by people....and I was along for the ride. I ran ahead to get water for Luke and bring it to him. I told him when to take gels. Just as an after thought I brought some. Thank goodness I did as there was no sugar drink on course- apparently they ran out. Nothing new on race day eh, why not try a untested gel.  Anyways, I also was the comic relief. Made a  race out of the port a potty visit. 14 seconds. Seriously what are people doing in there???? Yelled out random stuff, "All right mile 8, whatever that means," "Yippee,it is a tattoo parlor beside the Lily of the valley wedding chapel
Now I know lots of people got sick from the water, we were fine but my major issue had to due with the lack of music on course. That's right, a rock in roll marathon was stone cold quiet. Luke even wished he had his ipod! Honestly there were not that many bands, and when we did see a set up nobody was playing.

We cross the finish line,  immediately grind to a stop. We did manage to get medals apparently they ran out, and I took over for Miss Alabama and put Luke's medal on myself. Then there was anger, Luke started yelling cause he couldn't move, and cause I had temporary put my iphone in my bra. I am trying to calm him down while possibly holding up the line cause 'gasp' I wanted a space blanket and a green banana. Was so intensely cold and desperately trying to hold on to stuff, and to keep Luke from freaking out. Apparently, when I finish races I am quiet and frustrated and Luke is loud and angry.
We didn't even think of going into the host Hotel where all the drama happen, we just wanted to get back to our hotel....which was 3.5k away...and it started raining...It was raining in the desert and we were there for it.  Less than ideal for Luke's first half marathon, notice I didn't say last. He wants to try again, but maybe not in Vegas.