Per the usual for a Saturday semi-local race, I worked a half day and ate lunch before I started my drive out to Vegas. The Tesla charging station in Barstow kept showing no vacancy on the car's navigation display, so I continued on until I reached the Tesla Supercharger in Yermo. I covered this stretch in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. After plugging in the car for a charge, I walked over to EddieWorld to use their restroom.
Tesla Supercharger Yermo
After the car was done charging, I continued north on I-15. As planned, I got off the freeway at Primm to charge the car at the Tesla Supercharger station as well as to get dinner at McDonald's. I covered that stretch in about 1 hour and 40 minutes. On the mobile app, I ordered 2 quarter pounders with cheese using the usual 'buy one, get a second one for 29 cents' deal. After I finished the 2 burgers, I cashed in my reward points to get a large iced coffee before heading back to the car.
Tesla Supercharger Primm
Quarter pounder with cheese x2
Free large iced coffee
The final stretch to my destination took just under 1 hour. I parked the car and checked into one of my timeshare properties, WorldMark Tropicana. They assigned me unit #17204. Then it was onto the concierge desk. I'm guessing that they're actually reading the survey responses that I leave after each stay. For once the concierge did not continue to pester and pressure me when I rejected the invitation to attend yet another owner update that could just easily be done via email. He listened and was smart enough to just leave me his contact number in case I change my mind. The incentive that he was offering was a $125 gift card. That's actually a good amount, but knowing what I need to sit through, I did not bite on that offer.
Different soap and shampoo
After getting settled into my unit, I went back out to pick up my second dinner at Chick-fil-A. On the mobile app, I ordered the usual cobb salad with grilled nuggets. I also added some mac & cheese and a medium Sunjoy.
Second dinner
After finishing my second dinner, I laid out my flat runner for tomorrow's half marathon. It's somewhat strange to take a flat runner photo without the bib, but I always love a race that has race day packet pick-up. I took a shower before calling it a night.
Flat runner
Saturday 4/23
I got ready and left my unit just shortly after 6 am. I drove over to I-215 and headed north towards Summerlin. I exited at Sahara Ave and continued straight along Hughes Park Dr. Per the instructions that were emailed to race participants, to park in the yellow lot, you would turn right on Marketwalk Pl and for the purple lot (aka North Parking Garage), you would turn right at the next entrance on Rosemary Park Dr. The email also mentioned that only the first 300 people would be given a yellow lot parking pass in their race packet. I made the assumption that those passes were already given out and that I should just head over to the purple lot. Unfortunately, Rosemary Park Dr was blocked with barriers. I continued on and circled to the other side of the mall on Pavilion Center Dr. From there I was able to turn on Rosemary Park Dr and pull into that parking garage. The email advised us to park on the 2nd floor and up for the purple lot. It would seem that everyone that had arrived before me had already parked on the ground floor, so I did the same in the first available spot that I came across. It was a large mall and I'll be done way before 10 am. I'm pretty sure that I'm not taking a parking spot from a regular mall patron.
I walked over to the tents next to the start/finish line and picked up my race packet. Then I went back to my car to relax. Lo and behold, inside my race packet, there was a yellow lot parking pass. Contrary to what was stated in the email, the yellow lot was not at all closer to the start area. Also that lot was an open lot. I prefer to be parked in a covered parking garage.
Race packet pick-up
Race shirt
Back of race shirt
Goodie bag items
At about 30 minutes before race time, I headed over to the portapotties that were set up along the western edge of the parking lot. There was a single line for those queuing up to use one. They even had fencing set up to block the view of the portapotties. I don't recall too many races having portapotty fencing. The only one that comes to mind was the Disneyland Paris Half Marathon.
Portapotties
Race photographer's view
My view
The race started at 7:15 am. Man, did both of Achilles burn during that first mile! I wanted really badly to pull over and walk! I need to take some time off of running soon! I have a 3 week gap between races after the upcoming OC Half Marathon. Smart Emil would just DNS the OC race, but I know from past experience that the tendinitis wasn't too bad just yet. I'll have to stretch out the calves throughout the week to see if I can squeeze in one more race before taking a break. I supposed I could still take a DNF. Fortunately, the discomfort started to dissipate as I plodded along the I-215 West Beltway Trail.
Here we go!
After getting through that first mile, I legs felt good enough to keep going. However, the next 3+ miles would be a steady climb. I took a short walk break at miles 3 and 4. What goes up, must come down. After taking a right turn at Far Hills Ave, the next 3+ miles would be mostly downhill. At about mile 5, I hopped back on the I-215 West Beltway Trail. I was passed by a lady in a gray top and black leggings. She looked like she was just cruising along with ease. I tried my best to just keep her within my sights. She would go on to pace me for about the next 5 miles before I passed her in The Arbors Paseo Park.
Around 5k
I took a short walk break at miles 10 and 12. I was being overtaken by a few runners here and there, but I was also able to pass a few stragglers during the last couple of miles. I just didn't have enough in my legs to break 2 hours today. I was happy that I came close even with the Achilles tendonitis.
Around mile 11
Approaching finish line
Finish line
Finish: 2:00:53
Click here for my Garmin data.
After crossing the finish line, I received my finisher medal. Then I got some post race snacks and a couple of drinks before heading back to my car. This was a pretty small race, but I liked the course. It was challenging in about the first third, but not too bad.
Finisher medal
The lady in gray was my pacer from about mile 5-10
Post race goodies
I drove back to my unit to catch the Brentford v. Spurs match. It was really good to see Christian Eriksen play after his health scare. Unfortunately, the Spurs played like crap in the first half. They played better in the second half, but was unable to get a single shot on target. The match ended 0-0.
After getting cleaned up, I drove over to Chick-fil-A to pick up a late lunch. On the mobile app, I ordered a grilled chicken sandwich meal. I added pepper jack cheese and pickles to the sandwich and got it with a Greek yogurt parfait with granola for my side, and a frosted lemonade for my drink.
Really looked forward to that post race frosted lemonade!
Later that evening, I went out to get dinner. Normally, I would hit up Chick-fil-A again, but I decided to go to Jollibee instead. I placed my order on the mobile app for the usual palabok fiesta with 2 pcs Chickenjoy and pineapple juice. I scheduled it for a 6:30 pm pick-up. I got there about 10 minutes early and found my order already on the pick-up shelf. I took it back to my unit to enjoy.
Jollibee
Palabok fiesta with 2 pcs Chickenjoy
Sunday 4/24
I woke up early and got ready for my drive home. There were 3 EPL matches on at 6 am. I caught the first half of the match between Chelsea and West Ham before heading out. I checked out of my unit a few minutes before 7 am.
Chelsea v. West Ham
I drove over to the Tesla Supercharger station in Town Square to charge up the car for the drive home. While I waited for the car to finish charging, I watched the planes fly just overhead as they come in for a landing at Las Vegas McCarran Airport.
Tesla Supercharger Town Square
Per the usual, I got off at Primm to get breakfast at McDonald's. Before going inside, I plugged in the car for a quick charge. I used the 'buy one breakfast sandwich, get one free' mobile app deal to get 2 sausage McMuffin with egg sandwiches.
Tesla Supercharger Primm
Sausage McMuffin with egg BOGO deal
After finishing my breakfast, I hopped back in the car and continued my drive down I-15 heading south. It took about 1.5 hours for me to reach the Tesla Supercharger station in Barstow. I cashed in my free drink reward on the mobile app to get a large iced matcha latte from Dunkin'. It took just under 1.5 hours for me to cover the final stretch home. It was nice to sip on something cold for that final stretch.
Tesla Supercharger Barstow
Free large iced matcha latte
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