Daily Quote: "Gatorade and banana peels replaced the empty beer bottles that typically crowd newspaper racks. The only strip show involved athletes shedding sweatshirts as the sun peaked over the casinos." --Las Vegas Review Journal, December 6, 2010, article "28,000 Take Part in Las Vegas Marathon."
Awoke early for my half marathon, 5:00 a.m., as to allow a small breakfast and to prepare for the 7:00 a.m. start. Left home 45 minutes early as to assure a parking spot, but the only parking I could find was at the New York, New York Hotel and Casino about 1/2 mile from the starting line. Due to the crush of humanity couldn't reach my Corral #3 in time, had to settle for Corral #22. Didn't really matter as I had plan to run this race as a fun run as my right hip is iffy and missed alot of training due to the flu after my last 10k race. Besides, I gain points from the LVTC Competition Series if I just completed the half-marathon. I doubt that I could achieve a personal record in this event anyways as their wasn't much room to maneuver and couldn't find a clear path through the throngs of runners.
I couldn't ask for better weather at the start, 49 degrees, partly sunny, winds SSW at 9 mph, with a humidity of 41%...if anything, I wore too much as I had short tights and long sleeve technical shirt.
The race was fun due to the excitement and entertainment at most mile markers, plus it was entertaining just to watch my fellow racers in their variety of costumes. This race is more of an event rather than a competition for most runners.
I probably had too much fun as my finishing time was very slow, in fact the slowest half-marathon I've ever ran with a result of 2:10:56. Funny, but my right hip flexor only complained until after the race! Next year I would like to run this half marathon again, but with a more serious attitude.
This race was a nice victory lap to a very busy racing year.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Half Marathon Tapering
Daily Quote: "It’s the 4-5 spots that are still undecided and are very closely contested. In fact, so closely contested that I’ve decided to add a 6th place for awards. Craig, Carl Wright (98), Brian Schreiber (98), Jesse Triplett (89), Sergio Ibarra (89), Bruce Robison (88), and Chris Perrine (87) are all in contention for those last two—now three—spots." --Southern Nevada Running News, December 2010
I'm currently ninth place in the 2010 Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series and with only one more race (2010 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half-Marathon) I have a chance for the 4-5th place spots. Considering the Las Vegas Track Club has 1,060 members my finishing in the top 10 would be pretty cool! I wonder how high I would have placed if I had completed all ten races rather than just nine races due to my hip injury last summer?
Today was an easy 3 miler at about 10 minute per mile pace. I didn't wear a watch, Garmin Forerunner, nor heart rate monitor as I wanted to recover as easily and stress free as possible. During my recovery run wore all the clothes I'm planning on racing this Sunday...no problems with the clothes or shoes, I'm now fully prepared for the race. I don't plan on running any more training runs until the race on Sunday, the rest of my tapering will be in the pool or on the upright stationary cycle.
My only goal for the "2010 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon" is to have fun! I don't plan on racing hard as my right hip flexor is still iffy and don't wish to cause further harm. Nevertheless, I'm usually so competitive that I would get wrapped up in the excitement and race faster than I intend. The extended forecast for Sunday is a high of 65 degrees and a low of 46 degrees with intervals of clouds and sun. The race starts at 6:00 a.m. and I'm guessing the temperatures will be in the low 50's. Normally I would be extremely anxious to start racing during the taper, but this week I feel surprisingly calm and relaxed.
I'm looking forward to picking up my race packet on Saturday and exploring the race expo.
I need to get ready for work (I'm a Checker Cab driver)...I'm going to wear my Boston Marathon cap, maybe I'll pick up a few marathoners at the airport!
I'm currently ninth place in the 2010 Las Vegas Track Club Competition Series and with only one more race (2010 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half-Marathon) I have a chance for the 4-5th place spots. Considering the Las Vegas Track Club has 1,060 members my finishing in the top 10 would be pretty cool! I wonder how high I would have placed if I had completed all ten races rather than just nine races due to my hip injury last summer?
Today was an easy 3 miler at about 10 minute per mile pace. I didn't wear a watch, Garmin Forerunner, nor heart rate monitor as I wanted to recover as easily and stress free as possible. During my recovery run wore all the clothes I'm planning on racing this Sunday...no problems with the clothes or shoes, I'm now fully prepared for the race. I don't plan on running any more training runs until the race on Sunday, the rest of my tapering will be in the pool or on the upright stationary cycle.
My only goal for the "2010 Las Vegas Rock n' Roll Half Marathon" is to have fun! I don't plan on racing hard as my right hip flexor is still iffy and don't wish to cause further harm. Nevertheless, I'm usually so competitive that I would get wrapped up in the excitement and race faster than I intend. The extended forecast for Sunday is a high of 65 degrees and a low of 46 degrees with intervals of clouds and sun. The race starts at 6:00 a.m. and I'm guessing the temperatures will be in the low 50's. Normally I would be extremely anxious to start racing during the taper, but this week I feel surprisingly calm and relaxed.
I'm looking forward to picking up my race packet on Saturday and exploring the race expo.
I need to get ready for work (I'm a Checker Cab driver)...I'm going to wear my Boston Marathon cap, maybe I'll pick up a few marathoners at the airport!
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