We finally got home from Las Vegas. Left yesterday at 7:40 AM and got home today at 11:50 AM. Couple of plane malfunctions and a night in Dallas. Yahoo!
Anyway it was a great race. I feel bad as I didn't meet up with any Wishers. I left my home computer at home and it had the cell phone numbers in it, I thought. Only yesterday did I realize that they were online in my private messages - DUH! So, I didn't get to see anyone.
On Saturday we did the Great Santa Run. They were trying to set a record for the most Santa's at a race.
http://www.lasvegassantarun.org/ Great time (but cold).
Friday around noon I went to the Expo. Very well organized, sped right through. They gave out a nice black LV tech shirt. I like it. I had to move corrals as they had me in 14 since I originally was going to run as Elvis. But I had trouble finding a suit. OK, I found a suit but had trouble spending $120 for a one time use Elvis suit. Just couldn't spend the money so I ran as me. Anyway they didn't even ask for proof at the corral change and moved me to 6. Never even looked at our numbers when we went into the corrals either. Anyway, the expo was nice although a lot smaller than Disney I thought. Prices bout the same
First part of the EXPO was all the Vegas themed stuff. All I bought was a magnet. They had a cool hat but I don't wear hats. By Saturday I thought more about it and went back to buy the hat. There were none. Oh well, I had the chance of Friday. They also had a matching jacket for $90 but I had to pass on that too. I rarely wear a jacket down here.
Race morning was -12 degrees. OK, it was closer to the high 30's or low 40's but for a Florida boy that might as well have been -12. Got up at 3:30 and drove over to the MGM to park since it was the closest hotel on my side of the strip (couldn't drive across the strip). There were hundreds of marathoners at the MGM. I think this was the kick off hotel for one of the charity groups. I followed the crowds and took the sissy way to the start. Over to Excalibur then took the tram to Mandalay Bay then walk though the hotel/convention area to get close to the start. Nice having real bathrooms along the way
I walked around the staging area for a while but didn't see anyone I knew. I waited until the last 20 minutes to turn in my checked bag. I had on 2 pair of running pants and a pair of shorts, a long sleeve shirt with two running jackets, a stocking cap they gave out and a hat and gloves. All I took off was the extra pair of sweat pants. I also packed a dry shirt it the bag - came in handy!
About 15 minutes before the start I went to my corral. No problem getting in. Celine Dion sang American the Beautiful then Cher sang the Star Spangled Banner. They started the elite women about 10 or 15 minutes before the men so they could basically meet at the finish. Not sure how that turned out. Had a few fireworks but not that impressive.
At the start they started one wave at a time. Had the next wave move up then started them. Kind of neat as each wave had it's own start but I am sure it slowed down the start. I was about 4 minutes behind the clock time. I wanted to go for a PR in this race as it was flat and cold. Not to be, missed by 5 minutes. Right from the start I didn't feel "fresh". I kept the pace for the first 8 miles but couldn't keep it up. Not sure what it was, the 10 days of over eating in Vegas, the cold (really affected my lungs but not that bad until later), or probably the main reason is that I am not in as good of shape as I thought I was.
Anyway they start you out going South away from the main strip for close to a mile then you turn and go North right down Las Vegas Blvd! This was pretty neat. Plenty of fan support, awesome sights, great bands every mile or so and plenty of water stations along the way. We went North a little past the Stratosphere but not quite to downtown. That would have been neat. Made a big turnaround over a few blocks then straight back to Mandalay Bay. Basically an out and back which was fine as we were on the strip.
Right about mile 11, I think it was, they have the full go off to the right out into the suburbs and the half folks stay on the strip. I was so glad I was doing the half. Couldn't have done a full that day. Up until now I could still see runners coming up the strip. There were a lot of people there. It wasn't until around mile 11 that I stopped seeing people on the other side. It was also neat seeing the elite runners coming up the strip. Man are they fast!
This was my first big race outside of Disney. I thought they did a great job. Actually liked the idea I could show up literally 10 minutes before the start and still get into my corral with plenty of time. Plenty of bathrooms right by the start and no issue getting back into your corral. That was nice. Everything was right there. Bag drop, restrooms, coffee and start.
If I had to do it again, even though this time I had no choice, I would go out race weekend then vacation after the race. I really think the 10 days vacation prior hurt the race effort. Had a great time even though I didn't meet up with anyone. We'll meet up in Disney!
Would I do it again? Maybe if I was going out around that time. I wouldn't go just for the race though. I think the only disappointment was the race was run in daylight. By the time we all go to the strip it was daytime so the hotels weren't all lit up or if they were it didn't matter much.
Just checked - you can see yourself cross the finish line. What an awesome feature!
http://las-vegas.competitor.com/features/finishreplay/ Just type in my bib 14724 and you can see the finish. I am in a black running suit with a red jacket unzipped.
Thanks for reading.
Duane
. I do them on Monday's so you could say the same to me if I am up late Sunday night 
