Red Rock Canyon Half Marathon 2021

Friday 2/26
Per the usual, I started my weekend trip out to Vegas after eating lunch. I made the usual stop at the Chevron gas station to fill up the tank before hopping on the freeway. It was a decent drive without too much traffic. I even saw the Google Street View car along the way near the Halloran Summit. Maybe my car will show up in the map photos when they get around to updating them.

Google Street View!

For this race trip, I stayed at the WorldMark Tropicana property as it was closer to Red Rock Canyon. I was checked into unit #15104. I like this property, but the concierge will always try and pressure me to attend another owner's update. Normally, I would be glad to take a $100 gift card for them to waste about an hour of my time. However, I've been less inclined to do so during this time while we're going through a pandemic. I got her off my back this time by telling her that I would be back again next month and will decide then. So pushy!

After getting settled into my room, I hopped in my car to go get dinner. Instead of the usual McDonald's, I went to a fairly new Chick-fil-A that was fairly close by. I guess it's pretty new if the building itself doesn't show up on Google's satellite maps. I ordered my go-to Cobb salad with the mobile app. I also got a free order of medium waffle fries. Once I got there, I hopped into the drive-thru lane to pick up my order. Easy peasy lemon squeezy.

Cobb salad with grilled nuggets and free waffle fries

Cobb salad with grilled nuggets

After finishing my dinner, I took a shower and laid out my flat runner for tomorrow's race.

Flat runner

Saturday 2/27
On Wednesday before the race, those that were registered to run in the 6 am half marathon received an email from the race director. She notified us that our race would be moved to the exit at the Lower Red Rock Parking Area. We will now follow the "green" course. Our race was also pushed back to 6:15 am. Her email stated that for the past 13 years, they were allowed access through the fee gate at 5 am in order to start the race at the Red Rock Canyon Visitor Center at 6 am. Unfortunately, with the pandemic, nothing is normal and they were told that they can only allow access through that gate starting at 6 am. That was kind of a bummer as I was looking forward to running the "yellow" course.

I was up early to catch the Man City v. West Ham match at 4:30 am. For some reason, I mistimed my departure time and ended up cutting it pretty close! I left at 5:40 am and got there right at 6 am. There was actually a long line of cars at the fee gate when I passed it on my way to the Lower Red Rock Parking Area. Maybe those people didn't read their email. After I parked my car, I hurried over to pick up my race packet and get ready for the race.

Packet pick-up

Long sleeve race shirt

Back of race shirt

The race started promptly at 6:15 am. With a little over half a mile into the race, I made a left turn for a short out-and-back on a gravelly dirt road. That section did not feel good as I was wearing an old pair of road shoes. Once I made a left turn back on Scenic Loop Dr, it was nice to be back on a flat smooth surface. However, I could tell that my heart rate was a bit high so I took a walk break to let it calm down a bit. Having run this course a few times, I knew that it was full of rollers with most of the climbing in the first half. I made sure to remind myself that I can't get too aggressive on the uphill sections. There were a couple of youngsters that were running around me that would pull ahead of me on the uphill sections and I would catch up to them on the downhills. On the way back, they turned it on as I couldn't catch those whippersnappers!

Race photo

Finish: 2:09:19
Click here for my Garmin data.

While my time wasn't all that great, I did run a pretty smart race for my current level of fitness. I was successful in resisting the temptation to try and keep up with a couple of 20 year olds whenever they passed me. The guy even called me, sir! Maybe it's time to shave the goatee! :) I also ran well enough to beat my friend that normally beats me.

After getting my finisher medal, I stopped by the tables to pick up some snacks. Before heading out, I dropped off the snacks at my car and took some photos of my medal with the beautiful Red Rock Canyon in the background.

Finisher medal

Post race snack table

Post race snacks

Post race photo from Vanessa

Finisher medal

Back at my unit, I got cleaned up and watched a couple of English Premier League matches, starting with Leeds v. Aston Villa followed by Newcastle v. Wolves. Once those matches were over and my appetite had returned, I decided to head over to Jollibee to pick up a late lunch. There was a ton of traffic and road construction along Rainbow Blvd near the 215 freeway. Once I finally got there, I ordered the usual palabok fiesta and pineapple juice. However, this time instead of Chickenjoy, I decided to try their deluxe chicken sandwich. I must say that I'm glad that I did because it was a pretty dang tasty chicken sandwich. I thought it was better than Chick-fil-A's deluxe chicken sandwich! It's always good to change things up every now and then.

Palabok fiesta

Deluxe chicken sandwich

For dinner, I drove out to Grimaldi's Pizzeria based on a recommendation from an old college friend as this was their family's to-go pizza spot. I placed my order via their mobile app which was really convenient especially if you want to customize your pizza. I ordered a 12" Margherita pizza and added grilled chicken. I also ordered a small house salad. They're on the pricier side for pizza, but the quality was there. Also that was one of the freshest salads that I've ever had. I was able to schedule my pick-up time on the app when I placed my order. When I got there, it was ready for me as promised. With COVID-19 protocols in place, to-go orders were directed to the bar from the outside, I never had to step one foot inside the restaurant. If I'm ever in the mood for pizza again, I'll definitely be here again!

Small house salad

12" Margherita pizza add grilled chicken

On the way back from picking up the pizza, I stopped in at the Chevron gas station at the corner of Tropicana Ave and Rainbow Blvd to fill up the gas tank. That way, I don't have to worry about taking care of that tomorrow morning.

Fill 'er up!

Sunday 2/28
I woke up early to catch the Leicester v. Arsenal match at 4 am. The match that I really wanted to watch came after between Tottenham v. Burnley. It was nice to see the Spurs doing well for once against a team near the bottom of the table, winning 4-0. I was packed, checked-out of the unit, and ready for my drive home a few minutes before 8am.

Vegas Golden Night & Day Half Marathon 2021

Friday 2/5
Well, the need to use up my vacation rental credits won out vs. limiting my travels to limit my potential exposure to the coronavirus. So it's another short weekend trip out to Vegas for another Calico half marathon. It's not like I do much during these short trips that would lead to much potential exposure. I drive and only ever go outside to pick up food and run the race. It's actually nice to get away from everyone and everything for a couple of days. That's especially nice for an introvert like me.

After lunch, I hopped in the car and headed on out. Before getting on the freeway, I filled up the gas tank. I might need to rethink making the drive out to Vegas right after eating lunch. I totally zoned out and nearly rear-ended the car in front of me when they abruptly hit their brakes. I should've been paying attention as the traffic always bunches up during the stretch through Victorville. Other than that little close call, there wasn't too much traffic. I made good time and arrived at the WorldMark Las Vegas - Spencer Street property at about 4:15 pm. I got checked-in and was assigned unit #103.

Murphy bed inside

After I dropped off my bags and got settled in, it was time to go back out to pick up dinner. I drove to the usual McDonald's down the street to pick up my traditional pre-race meal. I used a mobile app deal to get a free Quarter Pounder with cheese with the purchase of a Big Mac at regular price.

Big Mac at regular price, free QPC

After finishing my burgers, it was time to lay out my flat runner and get ready for sleep. Tomorrow's race is an ice hockey themed race, specifically for the Vegas Golden Knights. The only shirt that I have that was remotely golden was my Go! Go! Curry shirt that I had recently purchased. As I was taking my evening shower, I noticed that the water pressure was nice and strong. I'll definitely have to make sure to get an unit in the same building as the check-in office whenever I stay at this property!

Flat runner

Saturday 2/6

I got ready and left my room just a little bit after 6:30 am. It was a short 10 minute drive over to Sunset Park even though I had turned into the park one entrance too early. Once I parked my car, I headed over to the start area to pick up my race packet. Per the usual or what has now become the norm, they measured our forehead temperature and asked us a few questions concerning any recent exposure to COVID or having symptoms of COVID. After getting my packet, I went back to my car to relax a bit before the start of the race at 7:30 am.

Race shirt

Back of race shirt

I hung out at the start area a bit with some of my old racing friends. Sometimes it makes me a little sad to see my friends move on to other things. There's life after racing! We used to see each other at most, if not all of the Disneyland races. Even before this pandemic, the Disneyland races were no more. :(

3 friends back together again

As the 7:30 am start time grew closer, I made my way closer to the front of the start corral. That was probably a bad idea since I ended up going out too fast for my current fitness level. My first two miles were both sub 8 minutes. It did feel good to move faster again. Also the scabs from those broken blisters on my arches did not bother me. I took walk breaks after each mile to slow my heart rate down, but it was too late. I was pretty pooped by the time I reached mile 6. My pace per mile plummeted for the rest of the race. I should've been able to finish today's race in under 2 hours, but instead I finished about 3.5 minutes over 2 hours. Every time I start out too fast, the chances of crashing and burning are quite high! :)

Time to race

Mile 1 from Run to Improve Photography

Near mile 2

Near mile 6

Finish: 2:03:29
Click here for my Garmin data.

While I didn't run a very smart race today, I was still happy to have finished another half marathon. After getting my medal and some post race snacks, I headed back to my car to free up my hands and to put on my jacket. I then hung out at the finish for a while to wait for some of my friends to finish their race. While waiting, a couple of my local friends showed up for the second of three available races for today.

Finisher medal

Post race snacks

Local friends show up for 2nd race

Natalie at finish line

After snapping some post race photos, I said my goodbyes and headed to my car to drive back to my timeshare property. I got cleaned up while catching the remainder of the Fulham v. West Ham match. That one ended in a 0-0 draw. I then watched the following match between Man United and Everton. Everton scored a late goal to end the match in a 3-3 draw. I was feeling pretty lazy and not-so-hungry, so I didn't head out to get food until close to 3 pm. Before heading to the usual Jollibee, I stopped at the Chevron gas station to fill up the tank for the drive home tomorrow. For my meal, I ordered the usual palabok fiesta with 2 pcs Chickenjoy, pineapple juice, and a peach mango pie. It was enough food that I didn't go out later in the evening for any more food.

Palabok fiesta with 2 pcs ChickenJoy, pineapple juice, and peach mango pie

Sunday 2/7
I got up early to catch the Tottenham v. West Brom match at 4 am. Thankfully, the Spurs won 2-0. I then followed that up with the Wolves v. Leicester match while getting ready and packed for an early drive home to avoid any traffic. I checked out of my unit just a few minutes before 7 am, well ahead of the required 10 am check-out time. I made good time and the drive home took about 3 hours and 15 minutes. After several consecutive months of making this drive, this has become my monthly race routine.