2006 Las Vegas Marathon

I've been inspired by reading my about.com friends blogs and decided to start my own running blog. This way I'll be able to keep a daily journal so family and friends can keep up-to-date with my progress too. Another nice feature of a blog is my experiences will be more permanent as about.com's running/jogging forums do delete all posts eventually. How I wish I had saved my running camp journal that was at Cal Poly Institute in San Luis Obesipo several years ago, or my previous Las Vegas Marathon experiences. The following is my report of the 2006 Las Vegas Marathon that was originally posted at the about.com's running/jogging forum:

The weather was 52 degrees at the start with 25-30+ mph winds, which made the temperature feel much colder. The skies were cloudy, but fortunately we didn't get any rain!
A record 16,000 runners (both half and full marathoners are running together until we reach downtown) were at the starting line at 6:00 a.m. for the "New Las Vegas Marathon," but the race didn't actually start until 6:15 a.m. due to a Robin Leach's speach about "Roy" of Sigfried & Roy fame walking the marathon course the previous day and throwing away his walking cane after two miles...Sigfreid said this was real "magic." A five minute side show by the "Blue Man Group," an amazing fireworks show and then we were off! I learned my lesson from last year's marathon and placed myself as far up in the line as possible and took me only two minutes to reach the starting line after the gun. The Rolling Stones' "Start Me Up" blared over loudspeakers.

Mile 1 8:33 Pace Acc Time 8:33 For some strange reason the organizers had several dozen running Elvis impersonators in the front, just behind the Elite runners...made it surreal passing and weaving around these singing white suited runners. My time is only three seconds off from my planned 8:30 pace, which would make a coveted 3:45 BQ. Passed the Mandalay Bay, Tropicana, New York-New York, MGM Grand, Monte Carlo. Thousands of spectators at the start! My wife was watching me from the pedestrian overpass at Tropicana...this was the first time she watched me start a race and later said she was flabbergasted with the number of runners.

Mile 2 8:17 Pace Acc Time 16:50 Had to make a decision, I'm running with a very strong 31 mph tailwind (learned later from the newspaper about the exact wind speed at McCarren Airport, two miles from the start) that is just pushing me along...should I stay true to my pre-race strategy of staying on 8:30 pace or take Randy's advice of running according to how my legs feel? Decided to take Randy's advice, but pay close attention to not only my legs but my perceived effort (I'm not wearing my usual Polar Heart Rate Monitor during this race.) Also, was very concerned about facing strong headwinds when this looped course returns to Mandalay Bay!! Passed Bellagio, which had its fountain show playing, Paris Hotel, Caesars Casino, Flamingo, Bally's, Venetian and the Mirage that had the volcano eruption playing. Many cheering on the sidelines, quite a few whooping cowboys due to the National Finals Rodeo being in town this week.

Mile 3 8:18 Pace Acc Time 25:07 Slowed a little as to drink Performance Gatorade at the water stop, the cheerleaders there were amazing! Passed the new Wynn Hotel, New Frontier Hotel, Fashion Show Mall, Riviera, Circus-Circus, but less spectators cheering. Passed a shirtless runner wearing a straw skirt and a Hawaiian headress, that for some strange reason reminded me of Angie and Starr's skirt!!

Mile 4 8:18 Pace Acc Time 33:26 Ran through a section of town with old businesses and cheap "one hour rental" motels. Only a few homeless curiously watching us pass. Two runners dress as dice made me chuckle.

Mile 5 8:22 Pace Acc Time 41:48 Running down 4th Street passing the 28 couples who made a pit stop to get married at a small run-through wedding chapel!!! Feeling very strong, luckily didn't get any thrown rice in my hair. Felt a very strong urge to urinate, ignored it, sometimes the urge goes away...I just don't want to stop.

Mile 6 8:24 Pace Acc Time 50:12 DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS baby!! My Garmin 301 had lost satellite contact underneath the "Fremont Street Experience" canopy that stretches about 4 football fields. The half marathoners split off that provided more breathing room. No wind pushing me as we are closely surrounded by Casinos before heading West on this looped course. The urinate urge is getting stronger, still ignoring it.

Mile 7 9:29 Pace Acc Time 59:40 Heading West on Bonneville, strong 30-35 mph winds blasting me sideways and headwinds too...brutal. Finally had to stop and urinate...this mile I was about a minute off my pace due to this porta-potty break. I'll try and recover the time later. Passed a church choir singing Southern Baptists hymns.

Mile 8 7:56 Pace Acc Time 1:07:36 Struggling North on Martin Luther King Blvd, a tough neighborhood at night, but very peaceful this early morning. As we turn the corner North, a runner named Mark Kassue bumped me on the right passing and apologized, I noticed his "Las Vegas Track Club" shirt and asked him if he was a Vegan too. He's not, he's from Mason City, Iowa, who is running the marathon just for fun as he already has a BQ from a previous marathon. He's something of a veteran marathoner with running about 60 marathons. Curiously, he didn't bring any racing shirts, therefore, bought the LVTC shirt at the Race Expo.

Mile 9 7:48 Pace Acc Time 1:15:25 Still on Martin Luther King Blvd, pushing myself to make time from my previous urine break. My new friend, Mark, have been chatting non-stop during this part of the course. Talking about my job here as a cab driver, our supportive wives, etc. He wants to help pace me during the upcoming rough patch by the North Las Vegas Airport.

Mile 10 8:00 Pace Acc Time 1:23:25 Turning West on Carey Blvd, which I view as the toughest part of the course...slight 4 mile upgrade past the North Las Vegas Airport that provides no cover from the fierce 30-35 mph headwinds. I've practiced this section of the race course many times during training, striving to mentally conquer its difficulties. Took a little water at the enthusiastic pit stop...many young girls wearing high school cheerleading uniforms with short skirts waving pom-poms...they must be freezing!!!

Mile 11 8:32 Pace Acc Time 1:31:57 Still heading West on Carey and weaving around many racers who are surrendering to the fierce headwinds. Mark keeps asking me if I'm o.k. as I'm breathing rather heavy. Mark encourages me to stay on his right shoulder, which I happily complied.

Mile 12 8:38 Pace Acc Time 1:40:36 Crossed Rancho Blvd, now the same West bound street changes its name to Smoke Ranch Road. I'm really struggling, but know that we'll be getting out of this headwind soon as we approach the southbound route Torrey Pines...must hang tough. Slowed to a water stop for some Gatorade.

Mile 13 8:41 Pace Acc Time 1:49:18 Finally that tough stretch and heading South on Torrey Pines...no headwinds, and the neighborhood homes help block any sidewinds. Even the sun is peaking through.

Mile 14 8:40 Pace Acc Time 1:57:59 South on Torrey Pines, I've ran this section so often in training it feels comforting. I'm feeling very upbeat, not realizing my time is slipping as I'm chatting away with Mark and a couple of other racers.

Mile 15 8:40 Pace Acc Time 2:06:33 Still traveling south on Torrey Pines, only a couple of blocks from my home, several neighbors with lawn chairs sitting along the course cheering. One guy with a very loud foghorn blasting, which wasn't very helpful as it was painful on the ears. My effort feels relaxed and easy. Slowed at the water stop and decided to drink a little water this time...didn't realize how slippery the stop was and almost fell.

Mile 16 8:45 Pace Acc Time 2:15:18 A little speed bump on Torrey Pines as we reach the bridge that crosses over HWY 95...my right ankle complains with the climb, which causes me some concern. The spectators are rather sparse and I'm starting to get discouraged as I realize my time is slowing.

Mile 17 8:50 Pace Acc Time 2:24:08 Finally crossed the bridge and the rest of the course is downhill, maybe I can now make up some time, now my right arm is sore along with my left ankle. Can my body hold together? I'm getting discouraged, and I'm starting my prearranged mantra..."Never Give Up!" Suddenly, I hear my name being shouted on the sidelines...it's my close friend and extended family member, Glenn Ely yelling, "Bruce, man in black," which I thought was rather strange. Then a minute later I realize he was yelling my description to his wife, Mary Ely who is farther up the route with Grandma Cady so they wouldn't miss me as I past. I did yell their names, but didn't stop. They did help me during this rough patch of the race!

Mile 18 Unfortunately, My Garmin went kaput and couldn't connect with the satellites...therefore, I no longer have a record of my mile splits. I do still keep track of my pace from the timers at every mile marker. I did find it amusing that the pacers wearing balloons were very close...the 8:40 balloon was about one minute behind the 8:45 balloon....I wasn't going to trust these balloons!!! Still racing South on Torrey Pines and making up time!

Mile 19 Still heading South on Torrey Pines, I'm a few minutes behind my BQ pace, which means I really need to push. At his point I ditched my hat and gloves as to mentally uplift me...I'm getting lighter! A row of neighborhood children with hands outreached...I tried to slap as many as I could.

Mile 20 Finally heading back East towards the Strip....the huge Hotels appear close to those who don't live here...it's farther than you think! Slowed for Gatorade, a knuckleheaded racer literally stops in the middle of the road to drink, the girl in front of me curses at him like a sailor! I just had to laugh.

Mile 21 Reached the steep portion of Twain Blvd, poor Mark's quads are cramping and I had to jettison him like a NASA booster rocket. I felt a little guilty ditching him as he was tremendously helpful during the middle miles of the course. My right ankle is still complaining, but I'm still running strong. Read the timer, tried to do the arithmatic of the necessary pace needed for a BQ, but my head just couldn't compute.

Mile 22 The Twain Blvd route is still a downhill fall, I can feel my pace quickening, but is it enough? I try to keep positive, remembering my range of success is wide, all I want is something less than 4:00, but deep down I really want that 3:45 BQ.

Mile 23 Almost to Frank Sinatra Drive where we head South to Mandalay Bay and the finish! I'm frustrated with my GARMIN that still doesn't have any contact with the satellites....how far behind my pace am I? I just can't think of calculating the distance, I just keep picking off more runners ahead of me and hope for the best. Only a little more than three miles and I haven't hit any "Walls," decided not to slow for anymore water or Gatorade, as I need every second I can spare. Of the more than 30 acts on the course, 10 were located between mile 24 and 26 alone, which is a critical stretch for most runners...for me the acts were too much of a distraction as I wanted to fully concentrate on upping my pace!

Mile 24 Turning South on Frank Sinatra Drive where we rejoin the half-marathoners, most of them who are walkers, which is not a problem as the road is wide and they are few at this point. The BIG problem is the blast of 30+ mph headwinds through this back corridor of the hotels...so frustrating to have to fight the headwinds again. "NEVER GIVE UP!"

Mile 25 Only 1.2 miles to go, the water stop's timer says 3:37, I need to run a sub 8 minute mile to reach the "gun time" of my BQ. Not only that, I must fight the headwinds as well...it's going to hurt, but I need to push very hard for the finish.

Mile 26.2 Finally reached the finish line with a gun time of 3:46:54...did my chip time get under 3:45:59 to get that Boston Qualifier??? Limped back to my room at the Excalibur Hotel, and collapsed in bed. I wouldn't learn until late Monday that my chip time is 3:45:27!!!!! I made a Boston Qualifier with a whole 14 seconds to spare! I'm still in shock.

Monday's paper had an interesting quote from Andy Fusco, "it's a bad day to wear a kilt," the pipe major of the Desert Skye Pipes and Drums, an eight-piece Scottish drum and bagpipe band performing near the finish. I'm glad I didn't wear a kilt, but wore compression shorts with running shorts on top.

Kenyan Joseph Kahugu won the men's field in 2:16:19. the women's winner was another Kenyan, natch, Jemima