There was a lot of doubt and skepticism leading up to this "free" race. I paid the $50 to secure a spot and booked my hotel. We would receive a refund of the $50 after crossing the starting mat. We were sent emails from the race director that the race was on. So Friday after work, I headed straight for Las Vegas. The traffic was horrible. It was at a standstill for a long section on the 91. I rolled into Vegas about 5 hours later. I stopped by a nearby McDonald's drive-thru to pick up a late dinner before checking into my hotel.
Big Mac and McNuggets
The race start was at 6am, so I didn't get much sleep. I picked up my friend at the Hacienda Hotel to carpool and save on the $10 park entry fee before heading up to Boulder Beach. It was really dark and there was no signs on where to go. I just turned at the sign that said Boulder Beach and found the race director's car. She directed us on where to park. We were able to park near the start/finish line. We kind of walked around and found a line. We figured it was for the bib and shirt pickup. After waiting for about 10-15 minutes someone was there to get us checked-in and give us our packet. We went back to my car to get ready.
The race is on!
The course was a couple of out and back sections on the River Mountains Loop Trail. Here's a link to the course: map
The Maniacs somehow gathered in the dark and managed to take a group picture before the start of the race. The race start was delayed about 15 minutes because it was still too dark. Their plan was to release in waves of about 100 runners to ease congestion on the bike trail. I'm guessing that there wasn't a whole lot of fast runners in the race since they had a hard time rounding up 100 runners for the first wave. They started asking for anybody. I was planning to go slow from the beginning, so I was hesitant to go up to the front.
Marathon Maniacs!
The Race
The course started on a gentle but long uphill. I took it slow. I kept the pace between 9 and 10ish minutes per mile. The rolling hills wore me out by the time we got to the turn around point at about 11 miles. I had to take extended walk breaks to get my legs back. But I was already starting to cramp up. During mile 16, I pulled over to get a pebble out of one of my shoes. It was a beautiful course, but the weather just kept getting warmer and warmer. I was able to reawaken the legs around miles 18-21. But the cramps came back. It was fun to see my friends heading towards the finish line. That's one of the good things of an out and back course.
Running in remembrance of Mari
Lake Mead
Going up to the final turnaround point at about mile 23.5 was a killer climb. It wasn't too steep but it was just a gradual climb that slowly sucked whatever energy you had left in your legs. I had to walk a lot just to get the cramps to subside. But after the turnaround, I was able to run most of it. The final downhill stretch to the finish line was pretty fun and nice.
1: 10:15
2: 9:38
3: 9:50
4: 8:59
5: 10:38
6: 10:34
7: 9:40
8: 9:36
9: 10:19
10: 10:28
11: 12:38
12: 13:08
13: 9:40
14: 12:21
15: 12:35
16: 16:00
17: 14:08
18-20: 40:03 (13:20)
21: 13:55
22-26.2: 1:12:26 (13:55)
Finish: 5:16:53
Post-race
After crossing the finish line, I stuck around with some of my friends to wait for our other friends to finish. While waiting, I got to see a guy in a full turkey suit sprint for the finish line followed shortly by a pilgrim with a huge battle axe. Marathons are fun. :)
The turkey beat the pilgrim to the finish line
Recreating the first Thanksgiving Dinner!
As of 11/16/12, I have yet to receive the refund of the $50. The race turned out to be a good race experience, but I'm not entirely certain that I would be back if there's a race next year. It was just too gimmicky and unpredictable. I guess it would help if I ever receive my refund.
This was the first marathon that I've run in remembrance of a fellow Team in Training friend that passed away in a tragic accident while training for her Ironman race. I will honor her memory by running marathons in support of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (donation page).
After leaving the race and dropping off my friend at his car, I finally stopped by the infamous "Dino House" in Henderson. The front yard of this house and the roof is littered with dinosaurs. No picture could do it justice. You really have to see the house for yourself. It was a ridiculous sight to behold to say the least. :)
Dino House!
For dinner, I met up with a couple of my Maniac friends to eat at the Bacchanal Buffet located at the Caesar's Palace. The line wasn't too bad but only because we got there pretty early at around 4pm. After about 4 plates, I had to exercise restraint by not stuffing myself with anymore food. This buffet was nice, but I don't think most people that dined here were remotely getting their money's worth. They should be eating at a nice regular restaurant. This was the second time I've been here and the service was pretty bad both times. It must be a tough job being a waiter or waitress at a buffet.
Clam bake, ribeye steak, sausage, seafood paella
Steamed crab legs
Ginseng chicken soup, salmon, halibut, seafood paella
Ginseng chicken soup, spicy ahi poke, siu mai, har gow
I slept in and relaxed in my hotel room. I checked out of the hotel and met up with a friend in Chinatown for lunch before heading home. We ate at a relatively new restaurant called Japanese Curry Zen. The food was pretty decent, but not spectacular. I would definitely come back here if I ever want to take a break from eating ramen.
Oolong Tea
Tonkatsu, shrimp, and sausage curry on white rice
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