The Running Thread - 2021

[ValW]

We are taking a trip out west next week, and I'd like to get a couple of runs in, given that I'm running Goofy in about a month. We have a few days in Las Vegas. Can you run outside there? I'd probably get out early morning. Is it dangerous? Traffic-wise or crime-wise? I've lived in several major cities so I'm not scared of seeing wacky stuff or anything like that. But if it is outright dangerous and just a stupid idea let me know. Anybody done this? Can you go a block off the strip, or is that worse?

It really depends on where you're staying. The Strip is a VERY LONG stretch of Las Vegas Blvd, so that doesn't really narrow it down. If I was staying closer to the north end (ie: the Stratosphere) I would not recommend running outside AT ALL. Even Flamingo & Paradise (just east of the strip) can be a little uncomfortable - I've run the area many times from Fire Station 18 (during lunch time) - it's close to UNLV, but if you're not familiar with the area I wouldn't recommend. All this to say, if you can be more specific of location I might be able to make some recommendations.

 

[GollyGadget]

We are taking a trip out west next week, and I'd like to get a couple of runs in, given that I'm running Goofy in about a month. We have a few days in Las Vegas. Can you run outside there? I'd probably get out early morning. Is it dangerous? Traffic-wise or crime-wise? I've lived in several major cities so I'm not scared of seeing wacky stuff or anything like that. But if it is outright dangerous and just a stupid idea let me know. Anybody done this? Can you go a block off the strip, or is that worse?

Vegas is one of my favorite places for an early morning run. There will usually be a few runners out as well as a few people who should have called it a night several hours ago. I've always stayed on the main street but never had any safety concerns between the welcome sign and old Vegas.

 

[ValW]

Vegas is one of my favorite places for an early morning run. There will usually be a few runners out as well as a few people who should have called it a night several hours ago. I've always stayed on the main street but never had any safety concerns between the welcome sign and old Vegas.

I'm curious what you consider "old Vegas" (My mom was born in Southern Nevada in '36 and our family has been here ever since - most of "old Vegas" has been imploded LOL!!)

ETA: The Welcome sign is just about as south as you can go. I would feel pretty safe running there.

 

[The Expert]

I've done the RnR Vegas Half three times and there were always runners doing that or the full who would get in early runs along the strip. Just stick to the sidewalks, obey the cross lights or use the overpasses. You're much more at risk from a rogue taxi than anyone out at that time of day. It's mostly folks who work at the casinos and hotels headed to work or home from a graveyard shift. I wouldn't go north of Resorts World or south of the Vegas sign, but the many miles in between should be fine.

 

[SheHulk]

It really depends on where you're staying. The Strip is a VERY LONG stretch of Las Vegas Blvd, so that doesn't really narrow it down. If I was staying closer to the north end (ie: the Stratosphere) I would not recommend running outside AT ALL. Even Flamingo & Paradise (just east of the strip) can be a little uncomfortable - I've run the area many times from Fire Station 18 (during lunch time) - it's close to UNLV, but if you're not familiar with the area I wouldn't recommend. All this to say, if you can be more specific of location I might be able to make some recommendations.

I’m staying at the Venetian. I don’t know this area at all obviously so hopefully the name of the hotel is good enough

 

[ValW]

I’m staying at the Venetian. I don’t know this area at all obviously so hopefully the name of the hotel is good enough

Beautiful resort! If I was running, I would stay on Las Vegas Blvd and just head South (towards Ceasar's, the Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, etc). You can go as far as Sunset Road (just past the Airport, and, unfortunately, the 1 October site). To the west of you is I-15 - no good route. To the east is Koval and Paradise Rd - Not bad (it's all relative), but having spent time as a first responder in the area it tends to have a bit of homeless, prostitutes, some drug activity. Hope you have a great stay.

ETA: Hubby reading over my shoulder and having worked at Mandalay Bay for many years said "why don't they just use those gorgeous gyms?" FYI: he's not a runner LOL!

 

[SheHulk]

Beautiful resort! If I was running, I would stay on Las Vegas Blvd and just head South (towards Ceasar's, the Cosmopolitan, Planet Hollywood, etc). You can go as far as Sunset Road (just past the Airport, and, unfortunately, the 1 October site). To the west of you is I-15 - no good route. To the east is Koval and Paradise Rd - Not bad (it's all relative), but having spent time as a first responder in the area it tends to have a bit of homeless, prostitutes, some drug activity. Hope you have a great stay.

ETA: Hubby reading over my shoulder and having worked at Mandalay Bay for many years said "why don't they just use those gorgeous gyms?" FYI: he's not a runner LOL!

Thanks! Yeah I’d rather be outside for sure!

 

[GollyGadget]

I'm curious what you consider "old Vegas" (My mom was born in Southern Nevada in '36 and our family has been here ever since - most of "old Vegas" has been imploded LOL!!)

ETA: The Welcome sign is just about as south as you can go. I would feel pretty safe running there.

I was referring to actual downtown Vegas/Freemont street. I'm not sure the official name of the area. It seems to be the area that is the oldest, but maybe that's just my perception...

 

[SheHulk]

Thank you @Jillfo @FFigawi @ValW @GollyGadget @The Expert
So looking at Google maps, even if I just stayed on that big street, Las Vegas Blvd ("the strip"?) and headed south to the "sign" that's almost 4 miles! I'm not running more that 8 miles (with an out-and-back) in Las Vegas, I don't think, so that's plenty! And maybe a few side streets are ok if I did want to noodle it and make it a little more. That's so good to know.

 

[ValW]

I was referring to actual downtown Vegas/Freemont street. I'm not sure the official name of the area. It seems to be the area that is the oldest, but maybe that's just my perception...

That’s it! A lot of folks don’t know Downtown (Fremont St).

 

[The Expert]

The RnR course goes through the area between the Strip and Fremont and it is sketchy, even in a group of organized runners during a race. I definitely wouldn't run there alone.

 

[Baloo in MI]

@camaker. Just catching up on the thread and saw your post. Our pets are our family, and 2 1/2 years is way too short. So sorry for your loss!

 

[GollyGadget]

The RnR course goes through the area between the Strip and Fremont and it is sketchy, even in a group of organized runners during a race. I definitely wouldn't run there alone.

I guess it just depends on your comfort level. I've ran that path alone many mornings and never feared or questioned my safety.

 

[gjramsey]

BCS (Bryan-College Station) Half race report

I signed up for this race after my first fall half turned out better than expected (and before a price increase). This the 2nd time running the half. (two fulls here as well)

The race parking is at a mall in College Station, and the start line is less than .25 mile away. The mall is just over an hour from the my house, and got there about an hour before the start of the race. Hit the porta-potties before the lines grew too long, but that turned out to not be a worry. They had about 150 for the est. 3000 runners, and there were no long lines before the race. Sat in the car for a little while, than ran a warm-up lap around the mall.

Saw several of my running club buddy's while walking up to the start line. A couple were running the full, and others running the half. One of my fast friends ran a sub3 at CIM last weekend. So yesterday I reached out to see what his goal was for this race. He said around 1:35 and he asked if I wanted someone to pace with. The fasted pace group for the half was 1:40, and we started off behind him, and he was running way below 1:40 pace, doing 7:15 miles early on. We finally passed him around mile 8 with no one really running with him anymore. The morning started off nice and crisp, T+D was around 70.

Splits:
1 7:17.0
2 7:20.7
3 7:10.1
4 7:13.0
5 7:10.9
6 7:07.3
7 7:23.3 (long sustained hill)
8 7:14.0
9 7:10.1
10 7:15.0
11 7:04.3
12 7:05.2
13 7:06.6

My finish time was 1:35:07 and a bright shiny PR! My friend and myself finished with the exact same time, and since we are in the same age group, we took 1st and 2nd, and the results had him listed first. AG 2/65. 76/730 gender, 88/1854 overall.




4 races this fall, and 1 clunker and 3 really good one. So happy races are able to occur. Next race is not until early February, but will be taking 3 weeks off during an extended vacation over Christmas and New Years.

 

[GollyGadget]

BCS (Bryan-College Station) Half race report

I signed up for this race after my first fall half turned out better than expected (and before a price increase). This the 2nd time running the half. (two fulls here as well)

The race parking is at a mall in College Station, and the start line is less than .25 mile away. The mall is just over an hour from the my house, and got there about an hour before the start of the race. Hit the porta-potties before the lines grew too long, but that turned out to not be a worry. They had about 150 for the est. 3000 runners, and there were no long lines before the race. Sat in the car for a little while, than ran a warm-up lap around the mall.

Saw several of my running club buddy's while walking up to the start line. A couple were running the full, and others running the half. One of my fast friends ran a sub3 at CIM last weekend. So yesterday I reached out to see what his goal was for this race. He said around 1:35 and he asked if I wanted someone to pace with. The fasted pace group for the half was 1:40, and we started off behind him, and he was running way below 1:40 pace, doing 7:15 miles early on. We finally passed him around mile 8 with no one really running with him anymore. The morning started off nice and crisp, T+D was around 70.

Splits:
1 7:17.0
2 7:20.7
3 7:10.1
4 7:13.0
5 7:10.9
6 7:07.3
7 7:23.3 (long sustained hill)
8 7:14.0
9 7:10.1
10 7:15.0
11 7:04.3
12 7:05.2
13 7:06.6

My finish time was 1:35:07 and a bright shiny PR! My friend and myself finished with the exact same time, and since we are in the same age group, we took 1st and 2nd, and the results had him listed first. AG 2/65. 76/730 gender, 88/1854 overall.

View attachment 629986


4 races this fall, and 1 clunker and 3 really good one. So happy races are able to occur. Next race is not until early February, but will be taking 3 weeks off during an extended vacation over Christmas and New Years.

Nicely done! Congrats on the pb!

 

[xjillianpaige]

This is tangentially related to running, but I’m thinking of making a running Instagram account - thinking of usernames. Jillianontherun or seejillianrun ???

 

[Naomeri]

This is tangentially related to running, but I’m thinking of making a running Instagram account - thinking of usernames. Jillianontherun or seejillianrun ???

I like SeeJillianRun

 

[camaker]

I like SeeJillianRun

I agree. It sounds a bit less felon-y.

 

[gosalyn_mallard]

This is tangentially related to running, but I’m thinking of making a running Instagram account - thinking of usernames

Do you like running hills? I vote you go for something rhyme-y. J/k

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

This is tangentially related to running, but I’m thinking of making a running Instagram account - thinking of usernames. Jillianontherun or seejillianrun ???

Hmm. I like Jillianontherun. If that's taken, maybe Jillianonthelam...
SeeJillianrun - not bad
Other thoughts:
AJillianruns (Say it out loud. Good word play IMHO)
ChasingJillian
RunningJillian
RunJillianrun
Jillianruns
Jillianhastheruns (oops, went too far)


To quote Ron White, "I had the right to remain silent, but not the ability"