Miles 1 through 6, The Strip: Started toward the back with Angel, so it was very crowded at the start. Wasn't in a hurry, just trying to find my groove. Great fireworks! Pretty neat running up the Stip in all its glory at dawn. Tossed the sweatshirt in front of the Tropicana but never did go back to get it. Splits were 10:30, 10:30*, 10:19, 10:19, 9:59, and 10:24.(*Missed a couple of mile markers, so some of the splits are based on two-mile times.)

Miles 7 through 14, Fremont Street, North and East: this was the hard part of the race for me. By now the wind had picked up to 15-20mph, blowing from the north-northeast so that it was in your face through this whole stretch. Also this is the part of the race with a 300-foot elevation gain, gradual enough that you did't see it, but it was there. During this stretch I had serious doubts that I would even finish, got stiff and uncomfortable in my running. During Mile 7 I left the course to pee behind a bulldozer, also took time to remove one of my long-sleeve shirts. Splits: 11:34, 10:11, 10:26, 10:22, 10:47, 10:47, 10:47, 10:32.

Miles 15 through 19, Surviving the Road South: Once we made the turn onto Torrey Pines, the wind was no longer in the face and often was directly behind us. Most of this segment I was passed by wind-powered paper cups going more than twice my speed. Here I started to get a little more comfortable and was able to pick up the pace a little. Splits: 10:26, 10:26, 10:29, 10:30, 10:30.

Miles 20 through 23. East on Twain. Realization: In every marathon I have run, there comes a point that, to me, is even more joyous than the finish, that point where you realize you have enough left in the tank to finish the damn thing. Sometimes you don't reach that point until Mile 26, but this may have been my earliest "Point of Realization." As you hit Mile 19, the course does a little W-S-E-N square through a residential area which turned out to be a neat little block party, quite a few vocal spectators. At the same time, for the first time in the race I felt comfortable and loose, and knew I was going to make it. Picked it up just a little and started to enjoy myself. Splits: 10:16, 10:07, 10:10, 10:25.

Miles 24 through the finish, Frank Sinatra Boulevard South, The Homestretch: Cruising here, very little pain or effort, but no real "speed" left. Sinatra parallels The Strip on the back side of the casinos, so it was great to reel them off as you made your way south: Caesars, Bellagio, NYNY, then finally focusing on Mandalay Bay where you know lies the finish. Splits here: 10:11, 10:11, 10:20, and 2:00 for the last 0.2.

Pictures in my album:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/photos/photo-thumbnail...



Take it easy in the days before the marathon. I know we walked over ten miles on Friday, the whole length of The Strip to Fashion Show Mall through all of the casinos on both sides. Saturday we jogged the Great Santa Run 5K, then more walking on The Strip. Could really feel it in my legs come Sunday. Based on my (minimal) training, I thought going in I could optimistically try for 4:15, but knew from the start that it wasn't going to happen.

Got medal, surrendered chip, took picture with showgirl, got the bag of food. Mingled a while, then walked back through the casino to the tram and eventually our hotel. Soaked in a cold tub, showered, changed clothes, then headed back to see Angel finish.


Oh, shoot, how much time do you have?

1. Minimal training (only one 20-miler, no speedwork)due to hurricanes.
2. Too much vacation prior to the race.
3. Headwind and Everest-like climb mid-course.
4. Slow-ass legs, big-ass belly.


Although Vegas had marathons previously, with a new course, a new race director/organization, and a new time of year, many consider this to be an inaugural event. As such, they did a great job, and I would gladly recommend it to anyone in the future. Better than average expo, we saw Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson speak there, is there a more famous American marathon duo?

Nearly 12,000 started the race, and it went off without a hitch. Great fireworks at the start, a wedding chapel at Mile 5 with a ceremony on the run, and many bands, gospel groups, jugglers and clowns, cheerleaders and showgirls (Santa's Hot Little Elves!) to entertain you along the route. Crowd support was lacking in some areas, think if the weather was better the crowds would have been better. Really think this can be one of the country's mega-marathons, could easily see them doubling the field next year if they can overcome some of the challenges.

Biggest gripe: Someone moved several of the mile markers. I suspect it was volunteers at the water stations, because that's where some of them were moved TO. Once I realized it, it was easy to check splits based on the road markings and the mile clocks, but some people were confused and disappointed to have to pass a mile marker twice.

Source of other complaints was the lack of porta potties on the course. Didn't bother me, there was always a casino, bush, or stray piece of construction equipment on hand.