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Las Vegas Marathon - RunMarathon


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Las Vegas, Nevada
United States
Las Vegas Roadrunners
55F / 13C
Overcast
Total Time = 4h 29m 39s
Overall Rank = /
Age Group = 50-54
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Got up early and walked up to Krispy Kreme to get coffee and some donuts. Stretching in the room watching sports center.
Event warmup:

Walked from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay start area. Very crowded area. No chance to get into a portapotty line. So wandered down to the street level and the mass of runners.

Both Half and Marathon started together, so the mass of runners was stretched out for as far as you could see (also it was still dark out). So we got to listen to Robin Leach babble and other dignitaries talk about 20000 competitors and stuff. Started to get the prerace "I've got to pee feeling as the gun went off for the wheelchair and pros"

Finally the start, 4 minutes later (approx) crossed the start pad.
Run
  • 4h 29m 39s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 10m 17s  min/mile
Comments:

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).
What would you do differently?:

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.
Post race
Warm down:

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.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Weight.

Event comments:

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 .




Last updated: 2008-10-01 12:00 AM
Running
04:29:39 | 26.2 miles | 10m 17s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance: Good
No HRM used. Missed any mile markers at the start and figured I wouldn't worry about splits. I know I did a sub 30 minute 3 miles and 10K was sub 60.
Course: RUNNING ON THE LAS VEGAS STRIP! Viva Las Vegas. City streets, flat, surface was smooth. Just had to avoid the turtles in the conjestion. Couple short climbs going under overpasses.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4

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2008-12-09 11:16 AM

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Champion
6931
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Bellingham, Washington
Subject: Las Vegas Marathon


2008-12-09 11:25 AM
in reply to: #1845541

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Master
1591
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San Diego, CA
Subject: RE: Las Vegas Marathon
Nice race!! Sounds like fun. Great RR
2008-12-09 2:23 PM
in reply to: #1845541

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Pro
4277
20002000100100252525
Parker, CO
Subject: RE: Las Vegas Marathon
Nice race and RR!  LV was my first marathon way back in 1987.  Back when they dropped you off around Jean.  Not much to look at during the run and just past the 1/2 way point you could see the stip.  Seemed like forever to get there!  We did finish on the strip at what use to be the Aladdin.  I think this course might be an improvement.  Sounds like you had a good time!
2008-12-10 12:19 AM
in reply to: #1845541

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Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Las Vegas Marathon
Congratulations! Great job! I love that you ate Krispy Kreme for your pre-race breakfast.
2008-12-10 1:25 AM
in reply to: #1845541

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Master
2808
2000500100100100
, Minnesota
Subject: RE: Las Vegas Marathon
I did the half. I'd concur that they should start the half and full at separate times. Boy was it chaotic with the walkers and Elvis's. Nice fireworks tho, ya think?
2008-12-11 5:57 AM
in reply to: #1845541

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Regina, Saskatchewan
Subject: RE: Las Vegas Marathon
Nice race Spence. You had a GREAT run there, congrats !!!!


2008-12-12 12:02 AM
in reply to: #1845541

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.
2008-12-12 2:26 PM
in reply to: #1845541

Expert
1148
100010025
NW Suburbs, Illinois
Subject: RE: Las Vegas Marathon
Good work!  sounds like you had fun.  I agree with everything you wrote about the race.  I will probably do it again someday
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