Las Vegas Marathon - RunMarathon

Very hectic start, first 6 miles are all about shifting gears, going left or right, avoiding Elvis groups, or some military formation of 25 guys doing the airborne shuffle, walkers.

So many people that were not seeded very well at the start. With a combined start of half and full, knew the water stations would be hectic, glad I brought my 16 ounce water bottle of NUUN.

Met MM Art J. from Minnesota (also on track to get his 50 state next year)also a couple time Ironman. Had the same pace as me and so we ran together for the next 22 miles. Lots of conversation (maybe I should run with somebody in training?)

Runners split off around 6 miles, streets got more manageable, but the number of marathoners was enough to always be around somebody passing or getting passed. Which is kinda knew for me, I'm so use to running smaller marathons where I'm all alone and in my private hell.....here I could pass others and see their agony and I didn't feel that bad. Plus the pace and conversation was a carthitic (?)

Had to hit the PP around mile 22 and just couldn't catch back up to Art, tried to hang on to the 75 yard gap and survive. Not much speed in the legs until I got into the final stretch where I heard the announcer say "here comes another MM, they will be under 4:30" so I put the hammer down and sprinted (not really).

Not much. Hard to not eat in Las Vegas, so my weight was probably around 220. Felt good about the pace. Had to waste about 2 minutes at the first pit stop porta potty around mile 7. When in another half mile we went under and overpass that I could have used.

Got to say thanks to Art and met his GF who did 4:05 and BQed. Officials were herding runners to keep moving out of the corral. Saw my wife and smootched her over the fence, grabbed a bottle of water and kept moving.
Got a picture between Elvis and a Vegas Showgirl. Didn't feel like eating any after race grub, had a buffet waiting for me at the Bellagio.

Caught the tram at Mandalay and rode back to the Excalibur.


Weight.


I ran the old course out of Jean, which was sorta cool, but since this is Las Vegas, this course is more in line with being called LAS VEGAS.

Logistics of these events I know are enormous and to make money, they have a half at the same time as the full. Should have a split start like Seattle.

Fun race though, interesting to run the strip, even though it is conjested and you have to watch where you run. Fireworks at the start. Weather was overcast the whole day so it was perfect for running.

Expo was pretty good, lots of stuff to look at and buy.

Will probably do it next year .