My last half marathon of 2015 happened around 4 months ago but then life happened.  So here is my recap of the Rock N Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon from November of 2015.

I went into the weekend and race very unprepared. I was just 10 days post-op from having some cyst removed.   I almost didn’t go but I would not let myself back out and I was so glad I did not back out…  This was a race full of so many first and so many memories.

One thing that made this race special was that it was first trip to Las Vegas.  (You can read more about that here).   Additionally,  I was there with a group of friends, which meant I actually had people to encourage me and cheer me on, which made the race even more special.  I can’t tell you how happy I was that I had friends at the race because it my first half marathon that I attended without my husband and while the race was going on my father in law, who is a huge lover of Las Vegas, was entering the final weeks of his life, which for me was very bittersweet.

I choose to stay at the MGM Signature Resort, which was closer to the start of the race but further away from the finish.  It was overall a good location because it was on the monorail route which made getting to expo and back from the races extremely easy.

The Expo

I typically just fly through the expo picking up my race pack and making sure I have / know everything I need to for the race.  Since I was running with friends this year I had someone to attend the expo with and it was actually a lot of fun.

After picking up our packets we strolled around the convention center floor browsing through the different booths.   We had fun making signs, picking up free stuff, shopping and getting our picture taken.

I definatly enjoyed attending the expo with a fellow runner 🙂

The Half Marathon 

I estimated that it would take me 1:45 to complete the half, which landed me in coral 6 (my best coral placement yet).   The only disappointment was that my friends were in a different coral.   I thought about hanging back and running with them but them I decided to go with my assigned coral.

Since the marathon is held a night.  The concert is held before the race.  I got to the start area just in time to hear the last part of the concert – Kidd Rock was the headliner.

After I got to my coral and stretched, I had my first disappointment… my bluetooth headphones would not connect. Luckily I had brought a wire pair.  Then I discovered my playlist didn’t sync across right; this left me in a bit of panic.  So I decided to listen to podcasts as I ran.  After the national anthem was belted out by a electric guitar, the flames went off and we were off.

Starting in the first couple of corals meant there was no standing around – something I was not use to.  I was on the course in a matter of minutes.  Honestly I was not ready to start, when I did.  The nerves took over and I had trouble settling into pace for the first mile. I think I literally sprinted for the 5K turning in pace marks of 6:59, 7:15 and 6:40 respectively, for a 5K pace of 20:54.  By this point I was past the Vegas Welcome sign and making my way back up the strip. The wind had picked up and it started raining lightly.

As I moved into the heart of the strip, I settled down to around a 9:00 minute pace.  There was something magical about running the strip.  I am not a gambler, drink or night owl, so I never thought I would find enjoyment in this but at this moment I did.   The lights, the people, the buildings, the music all made the strip magical.  At times I actually thought I was a big shot runner because I was running down the Vegas Strip!!!

When I reached the 10K point I was doing ok, I was a little head of pace but I also knew that if wind and rain did not break I would not be able to keep up my pace.  As pushed through last 5K I felt my body starting to breakdown.

I never cry when I run and started crying because I felt lonely, cold and exhausted. I was ready to quit.  I pulled myself off the course into the middle medium, for a few minutes, composed myself and gave myself a pep talk.  After a few minutes I was back on the course.  I made my way to right side so that faster runners could pass me and settled into a slow but steady pace.  I was running so slow the a member of the medical team stopped me to make sure I was ok (another half marathon first).

I don’t know how I got there but I reached the finished area.  I think all of the runners on the course at this point had one goal – to finish.  Everyone at this point was giving it their all to finish the race, you could see the determination in everyone’s face among the madness and celebration that  we running into – the music, the cheering crowds, the lights and fog.

When I hit the finish line the clock was 2:04:58.  I was so glad to be done that it didn’t sink in right away but that was a personal record.

I collected my medal, got some chocolate milk and water, then checked the stats on my watch… total running time was 1 hour and 58 minutes.  It hit me…. I set a new personal record!!!!

After I located my friend who was not running, I found a spot next to the Bellagio Fountains and just broke down in tears.  I did what I thought I would not be able to do … not only did I show and up run but I set a personal record.   The moment was bitter sweet, I called my husband a few minutes after to share the new with him and his dad but then reality of the situation with his dad hit me.   I sat in front of the fountains at the Belliagio and cried.  I cried because of my father-in-law, I cried because I was exhausted and I cried because I just want husband there to share the moment with.  After awhile, I met up with my buddy to watch our friends cross the finish line.  The Las Vegas Rock N Roll was by far the most exciting, unique, biggest and most memorable half marathon yet!

Post Race Celebration 

After we were all reunited we decided to do celebratory dinner at Gallagher’s Steakhouse.   I can honestly say – steak never tasted so good!