2015 Rock 'n' Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon

November 14-15

Heavy Medal race #10, largest RnR race since San Diego. I had not been to Las Vegas since the early 1980s, and had never flown into McCarran airport. First evening races, too.

Saturday Fly

Since we didn't have a ride to the airport (my daughter is at college in another city). We choose to leave our car at the Economy Lot at the San Diego Airport. This is one of the lower priced lots at $13 per day, but also one of the further from the terminal. The shuttle bus picked us up right in front of our parking spot, and the driver gave us a ticket with the exact spot written in. We also got a bonus $5 voucher to use at the airport shops or restaurant. Since it was early, we headed straight to the terminal because there were no other passengers. We had 2 hours before the flight boarded, so we used the $5 for some bagels and a cookie. Early morning flight on Southwest would get us to McCarran Airport around 9:30 am.

Took route 109 bus to the South Strip Terminal, then the SDX which pretty much goes down the strip to the hotel. This is actually a nice route for a (nearly) first time visitor, since the SDX goes by the famous Welcome to Las Vegas sign. I saw an Elvis under the sign as we passed it, and took a picture of him. A 2-hour pass cost only $3. A taxi to the hotel would have cost at least $14. Arrived at the hotel lobby around 10:30am.

Saturday Expo

Early check in at the Luxor started at 11 am, and cost an extra $20. Long lines everywhere, even for the bag check, so we waited until the check in opened so we could drop off all our stuff in the room. I prepared all my Elvis gear in a bag in case we couldn't make it back to the hotel before the 5K race start. Lunch at Shake Shack since there aren't any in SoCal yet. Pre-purchased the monorail tickets for 48-hours, and arrived at the Expo at the LV Convention Center at around 1 pm. A quick change into Elvis, then the Toyota Ride 'n' Drive to get another $10 voucher to spend at the Brooks Merchandise Store at the Expo. With all the previous races, we had $60 to spend.

Saturday Evening 5k

From the Expo, the start line is north on the Monorail at the SLS Station, just a few stops away. Race started at 6pm, but at 3:30, I realized that I had forgotten several items, my ankle strap (for the timing tag), my Body Glide, and most important, my GPS watch. About 15 minute travel time on the Monorail, and 15 minutes to walk back to the hotel. Saw lots of runners heading to the 5k as I was heading back, still dressed as Elvis. Got all my stuff, and back to the monorail, but only a few runners going that way now. Arrived at the SLS station at 5pm, and at the start area at 5:30pm. As we were entering the staging area, volunteers were handing out foam blinking LED light bars.

The race started and ended at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds lot across the street from the SLS LV Hotel. From the PDF map above, there isn't too much detail about the route. The SAT 5K info circle covers part of the route, but I didn't know that until after the run. Even if I looked at the details on the web site, the route ended up being reversed. Click on images to get a detailed view. As I walked around, the top of my right big toe caught something sharp. It was dark, so I could not see any damage, but a quick touch did not reveal any blood. I started up close to the front in Corral 2, and was able to say 'Hi' to the race announcer, Ann Wessling, whom I know from previous RnR races.

The Competitor photographer was taking video of the crowd, and later I was interviewed with the question "What are doing afterwards?", with my response, "Paaar-teee", which made it on the Instagram video. The start area was dark, but all the waving light bars, and music made for a festive atmosphere. Just before we started, I noticed the guy next to me was barefoot, and tapped on his foot to get his attention. Soon after the start, and wearing my Elvis sunglasses, I felt lots on loose little rocks on the route. The area paths are a party area and parking lot, so some debris was expected. I doubt the area is cleaned often. The other thing I saw was small broken glass, so I made sure to step lightly. Within a half mile, we headed out to the street on Sammy Davis Jr Drive (Industrial Drive), which was much cleaner. The road was slightly rough, and an out and back behind the Circus Circus. I was able to see some of the other runners, but it was still dark (road was not that well lit) and I was wearing sunglasses. Just before mile 2, we headed back to the Festival area parking lot. I can see from all the blinking bars on the runners, that the course zigzagged around the lot before the finish. I had to slow down as glass was still present along with all the small, loose rocks. I took off my sunglasses when there were no spectators to get a better view, but tried to stay in character as much as possible to please the crowds. Not a great finish time at 43:02 (13:51 min/mile pace), but the cautious form left my legs a bit tired at the end.

Saturday Evening Dinner

My RnR running family planned a dinner around 9 pm. I had planned to go to dinner as Elvis, because it's not often when I can walk around town comfortably in costume. There was a long line for the Monorail, about a half hour wait. Exit at the Flamingo/Caesars Palace Station, and we arrived at Carmine's at 8:30, a bit early. Our group was so large, we split up into 3 tables. Started dinner at 9 pm, and done at 10:30. The Monorail line was much shorter on the way back, but it probably would have been the same amount of walking if we just headed straight back. We arrived at hotel just before midnight. The monorail is on the east side of the strip, so even if it saves some walking, getting to and from the station adds miles. Also, the entrance to the Monorail is usually through the hotel casinos, where we had to deal with the smoke filled rooms. Total distance for Saturday (including the 5k) 16 miles. Much more walking that I usually do on a race weekend.

Sunday Fun Day

No Expo on Sunday, so a chance to explore Vegas before the evening race (that was the plan). Woke up late (expected since staying out late the night before). I found a Church that had a Catholic Mass at 11am and located across the street and next to the staging area for the Pre-race concert. We finished mass, then looked for a place to eat lunch. Took the hotel tram from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay to find some food. Most places were crowded, and after a while, we just stopped at Johnny Rockets (I love burgers) to eat at 2 pm, later than I had planned, since the race was only a few hours away. Pre-Race concert at 2 pm, with Kid Rock, but I was too tired to attend, and wanted to rest as much as possible before the race start.

Sunday Evening Half

There were 48 corrals, so the walk to the start seemed long. Stopped for requests for photos with Elvis, as I made my way down. Concert may have still be going on, as there were not to many people in the corrals at 3 pm. Once I got to the start line, more photo requests. I took a moment to say Hi to the race announcer Ann Wessling. There were some ladies devils in pink, which turned out to be a team from Chile sponsored by Brooks Running. The Elvi took several photo with the group. In total, we have 2 Elvi from Florida, one from Las Vegas, 2 from L.A. area, and myself. My RnR running family was back in corral 10, but since I was already in the first corral, I decided to stay. There would be a walk through wedding at mile 3, where I would wait for the group. It would have been difficult to move around, since there were so many runners everywhere. Technically, I was in the wrong corral anyway, so I didn't want to take the chance that the officials would keep me from entering somewhere else.

The national anthem was played by a Rock 'n' Roll Guitarist. The Geico Gecko started at the front, to get a nice race photo. I doubt that he/or she would get far in that costume. One of the other Elvi told us that there was a photo op at the Welcome sign just a half mile into the course, but we would have to enter on the right side. We were currently assembled on the left, but I figured that once the corral dispersed, and before the next corral started, I would be able to make it over to the other side. The strip was not that well lit, and with my sunglasses, I could not see very well. The asphalt on the start wasn't too bad, but I had to be careful with my steps, since I could not see any rocks or debris on the road. As we got close to the Welcome sign, I saw some people (not a lot) headed off the road to the center. OK, that was my cue. The gravel section before the paved center was a bit tricky, but as I got to the sign, there were 2 MarathonFoto photographers set up, and a taped line where we would stop and pose. The fence kept other runners out, so if you didn't get there before, you had no opportunity for quite a while. I ended up with a really nice shot.

The wind was gusting from the south, so once we turned around to head north, I switched my glasses to the lensless ones. Even with the wind at our backs, occasionally there would be a spiral mini tornado, and the dust got into my eyes. I ended up switching back to my sunglasses, so that my eyes would be protected. As we headed back to the hotel area on the strip at Mandalay Bay more spectators lined the course. This was the beginning of the strip, and there were people cheering for severals miles. As we passed the start line, corrals were still beginning, and I could see more runners waiting. It would take over an hour to get all the runners pass the start line. The Run-Thru wedding was from 5:45 PM – 6:00 PM. I estimated I was there just after 5 PM, which would explain why I didn't see the area, it probably wasn't set up yet. I felt some moisture in the air, and the winds began to pick up. I looked up the weather forecast for tonight before I left the hotel, and rain wasn't predicted until after 10 PM. Another runner said that the forecast was updated, and there was a 40% chance now. At mile 6 (maybe around 6 PM) the roads were totally wet. By this time, all the runners were on the course, and most of the faster runners were rained on. Being slow actually worked to my advantage. The wet ground made it more difficult for my bare (and wet) feet, so I slowed to make sure I would not get injured by stepping too hard on something. The wet ground would continue from mile 6 to mile 11.

Around mile 8, I felt like I needed to use the restroom, but the lines were long with only 2 units. I waited until just after mile 9, where there were 8 units, and no line. At this point, my legs were getting tired, and the course turned back south on the strip, right into the gusting wind. I normally start to feel tired at this point in a Half anyway. I slowed more, and just tried to enjoy the scenery as the strip was lit everywhere. Walkers started to pass, so I knew I was moving slower than a snail. My GPS watch low battery warning started beeping, which shouldn't happen, but the cold probably zapped some of the voltage (the watch is old too). Winds gust to 45 mph, made seeing difficult, as dust would get into my eyes. The sunglasses did a pretty good job keeping more of the wind out, but my inflatable guitar was feeling the effects. I held it close to my body, so that it would not blow away. Mile 11, the Marathon course would merge back along the strip on the right side, but still separated by some caution tape.

As I was headed towards the finish, I saw a super bright light in the distance. The other side (mile 5) of the street was begin cleaned up with the street sweepers, a common sight for me when I run slow. As the bright light got closer, I realized that this was the Photo Banner area, and positioned myself in the clear for a good shot. Not sure where to look, up or down, as there were photographers all around. The last few miles were even slower. The ground had dried, but the surface was still rough, and I could not see the surface well enough to avoid stepping on small debris. I knew I would finish, and the big 10 heavy medal was awaiting me.

When I could see the finish, and hear the announcer calling my name, I was excited. High five to Ann, and a fist bump to the Elvis just before the finish line. I had planned for this race all year. Finish around 8:30 PM, but runners still around me. I estimate the course would stay open at least another hour for the Half, and two for the full. 3:51:30 finish one of my slowest times this year. Splits: 12:15, 12:26, 13:40, 14:36, 14:20, 16:34, 17:06, 16:16, 19:46, 21:14, 21:04, 22:56, 23:14. Total runners, Full 3097, Half 23057, 10K 5113, for 31267 official finishers.

The exit chute was extremely long, about a half mile. First station was water, then further down the medals. The marathon side handed out the medals just after finishing. There were several stations handing out space blankets, which nearly everyone was using. Chocolate milk, snacks, and the usual RnR goodies, except that you had to walk far between stations. Although I had my Xero sandals with me, my feet were fine, just my legs hurt. Finally exited the secure area at Flamingo Road near the Bellagio Fountain, where the Heavy Medals booth was located. There was a long line since many were doing the Remix challenge, and they had someone just handing out medals from the box along the line, which shorten it quite a bit. I walked up to the desk to get my 10 medal, and had someone take my picture. I waited around a bit, in hopes that other runners I know would see me, but I was actually getting cold, and just wanted to get back to the hotel. Finally put on my Xero sandals, but wished I had my cushioned flip flops. Heading south pass the UPS Gear check trucks and the Bellagio Fountain, few runners left, but the strip was still closed on the west side. The Marathon cut-off time was 5 hours, so the entire area would be cleaned up soon. I saw some other runners heading south, but mostly just normal non-runner Vegas people on the sidewalk. A few bridges to cross, and one flight of stairs because the escalator was not working. I had planned to walk 1.5 mile walk back to hotel, since the monorail would involve long lines, and smoked filled casinos. Finally got to the hotel at 9:45 PM. A quick shower, then a small Philly cheese steak sandwich for dinner at the food court at the Luxor. My feet were pretty stained from the dirty rain on the ground. Total distance walk-run 22 miles. Sleep at 11PM.

Monday Return

Woke up at 8 AM, breakfast at 9:30, then check out time at 11 AM. Not much time to explore Vegas. Still windy, and I only had shorts, so I wore my toe socks with the flip flops to keep my feet warm. Took the tram from the Luxor to the Excaliber, then the bridge across the the Tropicana. A bit of a wait for the airport bus, but at 11:45, the WAX bus took us directly to airport, only $2. We arrived at the airport around 12:30, since the bus didn't leave for a while as it waited at the pick up point for other passengers before we departed. Original flight departure time was 2:30 PM. Flight was delayed an hour, so we grabbed a quick snack. Another hour delay, but we finally took off at 4:30 pm, and arrived in San Diego by 5:30PM.

The Economy Lot shuttle seemed to take a while before it arrived, and when it did, there were lots of passengers. Several drop offs before we got to our vehicle, then dinner at El Indio Mexican Food, since it's along the way back home. Total walking distance 4 miles, much more normal for a day.

Summary

Typical race weekend, with not much time to sightsee. I guess next time need to plan an additional days to visit. So much in Vegas to see, so hopefully next year, things will go smoother. Learned quite a bit from participating in an evening race. This knowledge will come in handy if I decide to to the Wine and Dine race at Disney World in the future.