ET Full Moon Midnight Marathon

People do stupid things in Vegas. Here's an account of the stupid things I've done this past weekend.

Pre-race
I drove up Saturday morning. Took my usual pit-stop in Primm. I stopped by the Rei in Henderson to buy some reflective gear and just to waste time before the restaurant opened for lunch. I ended up buying a Sprigs wrist wallet as well. I didn't wear it for the race because I brought my shorts that had a pocket. I then headed over to eat all-you-can-eat sushi at Sushi Mon. Their sushi was pretty good for a buffet. I ate maguro, hamachi, amaebi, uni, tako, ikura, salmon, albacore, tiger roll, spider roll, hamachi kama, edamame, shrimp tempura, misoshiru, and strawberry mochi ice cream. I stopped myself pretty early, but still I ate too much. My stomach was just not used to it anymore. I vowed never to eat at a buffet ever again.

I checked into my hotel, the Doubletree by the airport. I didn't know that they give you cookies when you check in. I relaxed while watching The Dark Knight. The more and more I watch this movie, the more I think the movie sucked! The only thing good about it was Heath Ledger's acting. At about 4pm, I drove over to the Hard Rock hotel to pick up my race packet. It was my first time driving through the airport tunnel. I try very hard to stay away from the Strip when I'm in Vegas. I saw a few of my maniac friends: Marcia, Mitch, and Don. I drove back to my hotel to relax. Didn't even bother with dinner.

When it got close to 8pm I got ready and headed back over to the Hard Rock to catch the shuttle to the starting line which was about 2 hours away. Casey spotted me in the parking structure. Looked like we had the same idea and drove to the top of the parking structure instead of trying to find a spot in one of the lower floors.

It was pretty crowded inside the hotel. It was full of people running one of the ET races. You could tell that the regular patrons were somewhat annoyed by the runners crowding the corridors. I rode one of the quiet buses with some maniacs: James, Don, Marcia, and Casey. Once we got there, we all kind of split up.

I sure could've used an ET powered flying bike this past weekend!

Goals:
A: 4:30
B: under 5
C: beat last year's time 5:26:33

The Race
It felt warmer than last year. No headwind this year at the start. I heard a bunch of mooing cows this time. I slowed down gradually from about the 5k mark because I kept feeling like I was overheating. The right ankle started to bother me at mile 8. The first half was one big steady climb. I got there in about 2:20. Hip discomfort started at around mile 14 during the downhill section to A'le'inn. It was mostly a brisk walk coupled with some jogging to the finish. You can see the A'le'inn from far away, but it was tough since it seems like I wasn't getting any closer. Having ran it last year, I knew the inn was at mile 20. It was windy during the last 10k. Again this section was hard mentally since it's an uphill 5k climb to the tiki torches where we turn around. James caught me near mile 21. Once I reached the turn around, it was a downhill 5k to the finish line. The hip did not like the downhill. It was good to see some of my friends on the out and back. Most of them were doing the 51k. Near the finish line as I passed a guy finishing the ultra, he was confused as he couldn't see the finish line. So I told him to follow me and make a right turn up ahead. The finish line was improved from last year. The sign was a nice touch, but it was blocked from view by one of the buses. They should probably move that bus next year so people can see the finish line from the road.

Splits:
1: 7:21*
2: 10:25*
3: 7:28*
4: 9:32
5: 9:53
6: 10:41
7: 12:07
8: 10:01
9: 11:02
10: 12:17
11: 12:24
12: 13:22
13: 12:47
14: 14:13
15: 13:12
16: 13:28
17: 13:59
18: 14:33
19: 15:24
20: 14:21
21: 16:24
22: 16:04
23: 16:47
24: 17:11
25: 14:09
26: 13:36
26.2: 2:01
Finish: 5:34:44
*The first couple of mile markers were most likely off because I ran at an even effort for the first 3 miles which was about an 8:20 per mile pace.

Post-race thoughts and stuff
I took my first salt tab 1 hour into the race and 1 every half hour. I took a gel every 30 minutes to an hour depending how my stomach felt. Hammer Heed and gels worked better for me. I don't know if it was the sushi or the fuel that was causing the occasional flatulence. Sorry fellow ET runners. :)

The Nathan reflective straps cut into my skin. I'll have to wear it over clothing next time... if there is a next time. During the race, I thought about giving up my attempt at ultras. If I'm having such a hard time with a marathon, I should stay away from ultras. This also might be the last time that I run ET. It's just too hard for this morning person. I was unable to meet any of my goals.

I ate some delicious garlic shrimps at an Ohana Hawaiian BBQ Restaurant before leaving Vegas. Good stuff, but I want some from the truck in Hawaii.

America's Finest City Half Marathon 2010

Pre-race
The alarm went off at 1am. I rolled out of bed about 15 minutes later. I got ready, left the house around 2:45am for the drive down to America's Finest City... San Diego! This year I decided not to follow the directions given to us in the final instructions. I took the 163 and got off at Washington and took University over to Park Blvd. I parked in the small parking lot near the zoo. Ate my Powerbar and took a quick nap before boarding the bus a little after 5am.

Once we got dropped off at Cabrillo, I walked over to the visitor center and sat down against a wall to get out of the wind. Later I got up and walked around so the legs wouldn't get stiff. I ran into my San Diego friends: Charlie, Adam, Louis, and Jackie. I went to make one last visit to the portapotty and made my way to the starting area where some friends of my college friend Joe recognized me from the La Jolla half. Shortly thereafter, the national anthem was sung, we moved up to the starting line, the gun went off, and the race was under way.

Goals for the race:
Goal A: 1:49:59
Goal B: 1:55:00
Goal C: go home

Strategy: Run "hard" for the first 10k, cruise the next 5 miles, and survive the 6th Avenue hill.

First 10k
For the most part, it felt fine. The first 10k is fast, but not easy. There are huge descents but some pretty good size rollers. I was kind of feeling sick in the stomach around mile 5, so I pulled it back. Besides, I knew there was no way I could keep that kind of pace for another 9 miles. I think this was the first time that I've gotten to the 10k mark of any race including a 10k in under 50 minutes. Here was the only time in the race that I felt that I had a shot at goal A. I just needed to cover the next 7 miles in 1 hour.
1: 7:38
2: 7:49
3: 7:31
4: 7:15
5: 8:44
6: 8:26
6.2: 49:01

Mile 7 to the Finish
Then I got to Harbor Island and things just began to fall apart. I took my salt cap and gel between miles 7 and 8. The right foot started to get sore at mile 8. I knew goal A was out the window. I really wanted to walk starting at mile 9. But I just kept slowing down until the foot wasn't hurting as much. Mile 12 was the huge 6th Avenue hill. It's a hard climb, but every year that I've ran it, it has gotten easier. As I crossed the bridge with all of the flags, I finally convinced myself to just take off and finish the race! I must have passed at least 50 people except for 1 shirtless guy with a safari hat who was really hauling butt. After I stopped I really felt the soreness in the right foot.
7: 8:35
8: 9:19
9: 9:06
10: 9:22
11: 9:47
12: 10:38
13.1: 10:07
Finish: 1:54:17
Course PR
Tied my half marathon PR, but I actually ran 13.1 miles faster during SD RnR Marathon in 2010 (1:53:32). I know I can run much faster, but first I need to fix the flat tire. :)

I had to work hard for these 3 items: 1 fugly shirt, 1 big triple crown medal, and 1 finisher's medal

Post-race
This race was a good mental training run. I was successful at resisting the urge to take unscheduled walk breaks. At one point it was interesting where I had an internal debate going on. One voice said to dig deep... no stopping until I cross the finish line. Another voice said the more you dig, you're just digging yourself a deeper grave! I settled the argument by running slower and fooling myself into thinking that I would save the walking for the 6th Ave hill. I ran that entire hill. The foot doesn't hurt as much when I run uphill.

I bumped into my faster friends near the exit after picking up the triple crown medal and my fugly race shirt. We chatted a little about our races, took some pictures, and reconvened later for lunch at Louis and Jackie's house. I couldn't wait that long for food, so I stopped by Santouka to eat some ramen and natto gohan before going over. It was fun hanging out, but man I was a zombie. Definitely not used to staying awake for that long. I was dozing off a little on my drive back home. Once I got home I showered and drove up to Arcadia for Red Lobster with some old church friends. I love seafood!