What Las Vegas Taught Me - How to Run a Race at Night

Have you checked out my Everstride Sweepstakes here (Terms and Conditions here)?


I am a morning runner.  I do not drink coffee or have any other type of caffeine (unless, of course, it comes inside a gel like substance we runners call "Gu").  I do not need these drinks because I have running or any other type of cardiovascular workout for that matter.  I get up in the morning and I jump out of bed (well, sometimes it is more like reluctantly pull myself out of bed) because I know it is time for my morning run.  It is these runs that wake up, that get me charged for the day, that make it unnecessary for me to have caffeine.  I never ever work out at night.  Night is for more important things like Glee and blogging, seriously people.

When I saw the chance to run Vegas, I could not pass it up. Then I saw that it was at night.  This made me pause, but only for a second, because I am NOT a night runner.  I never run at night let alone run a freakin half marathon at night (I think the last time was a 3 mile run at PT in August and that does not count, it was still light and 4 p.m.) .  But come on baby this was Vegas how could I not.  So I signed up and months later I found myself at the big day - it was time to rock the Strip at night.   But the question remained

How do you rock the Strip at night when you are a morning runner especially when you are 3 hours away from your time zone and managed to do everything wrong the day before the race?

Now I am no expert on night running and I have not run a ton of these types of races, but here is what seemed to work for me.  Because in the end, for the girl who hates running at night, I did not mind it at all.  I felt energized, did not have any stomach cramps during or side stitches (which is usually a problem for me), and my legs and ankles cooperated (big plus given all the walking the day before the race and my ever-so angry ankle).  

You know what's coming right....so without further ado here is:

Top 10 Tips for Nighttime Racing

10) Relax the day of the race (a.k.a sit on your butt as much as you can):  Usually the day of the race you wake up at the crack of dawn and go to the race.  Stinks to have to wake up so early but at the same time, if all has gone well you are well rested and coming off a night of good sleep (unless you are running a marathon and then you probably did not sleep at all).  For a night race, you can sleep in (so clearly I slept to 6 a.m., yay time change), but you also have to kill a whole day.  The last thing you want to do is go walking around or stressing yourself out.  Stay put!  Relax. Enjoy an easy day.  I planned to stay in my hotel room the whole day before the race.  I strayed a little bit from that...wouldn't you if these awesome ladies called....

See we are relaxing (Monica, Anne, Meghann and I striking a pose) 

9) Do not freak out.  I wish I could master this.  No matter what type of race it is, I always get nervous before the race.  I just can't help it.  Luckily most races there is not much time between the time you get up and the time you are, well.., running.  But for a night race you have HOURS to ruminate...great....In this case there is only one three things to do - 1) call the running partner - she will calm you down, go over your race plan again; 2) watch a motivational movie - Mighty Ducks - yes please and 3) stay out of your head.  Your head is your worst enemy...didn't you know that?!?

8) Eat and drink right. I think this is the one that I was most stressed about and it seemed like everyone else was worried.  Luckily I have a pretty awesome sports nutritionist, Nancy Clark, who came to my aid.  With her and Robin's suggestions, my fueling and hydration plan worked out great.   Nancy suggested eating more of a dinner at lunch or adding in some extra calories at lunch to be well energized for the race (like pasta or extra sandwiches).  Robin suggested eating breakfast all day long because we know that breakfast foods work before we run normally.  I combined these two suggestions eating foods that I was comfortable with normally before running and eating a bit more.  I had a normal breakfast with yogurt, Go Lean Crunch and a banana.  And at lunch I had PB and Banana sandwich with a banana.  I took a bit extra PB and some extra bread.  An hour before the race I had a granola bar.  And of course all day I hydrated with nuun (until two hours prior to the race) and I had no problems during the race.  Success :)

Meghann and Anne have stomachs of steel! I watched jealously as that ate this and just stuck with my old friend Mr. Peanut Butter. Thanks Meghann for not hating me stealing your picture...right?

Aaron's favorite picture ever

7) Understand your Garmin.  If you are learning how to run at night make sure you know how to work your Garmin at night. This was a major fail on my part!  I knew how to light up the Garmin. But I did not know how to keep it lit.  This was a disaster.  It was really troublesome to see my time as I had to keep lighting up the watch.  I can never figure out my pace based on feel so I need my watch to tell me.  Fail Steph. If you are interested for the Garmin 405, this is how to keep it lit (check here for other manuals):  

Touch and hold menu > select Settings > System > Backlight.

Mode—select how the backlight turns on. Select Manual to press two fingers on the bezel to turn on the backlight for the timeout period. Select Keys and alerts to turn on the backlight once with the two finger press, and then any time a key is pressed or when an alert message appears. Select off to always have the backlight off.  Timeout—select the amount of time the backlight stays on. Use a short backlight setting to conserve battery power.*Source

6) Practice taking photos.  While we are on electronics, don't forget to figure out the camera.   We have a pretty awesome camera and Aaron always gets great shots of me but we were not prepared for night shots and got lots of these...

Hmm, not quite, but good try Aaron 

5) Stay alert.  At night, I kind of uh..how do I say this, get tired and act like a five year old?  My bed time has been known to be close to 9 p.m. (I am choosing not to be judged by this).  So I am not surprised that I managed to forget some things like putting EverStride ever, which created some not so fun chaffing (shameless plug for my Sweepstakes here) and emptying my pockets before taking an ice bath post race (are Gus and Shotbloks still good post ice bath?!)

4) Keep warm.  After the race (and even before) it is going to be cold! So always make sure to bring the fuzzy pants, clearly would you ever go anywhere without them?  But seriously, pack for the weather. 

Fuzzy pants are making a comeback, didn't you know that?

3) Come home to fun packages. Ok this does not really have anything to do with anything but come on how can you be unhappy when you come home to these awesome packages for my Wellness Day (hope you all can come)

Just one of the many cool packages I got last night (got stuff from Stonyfield Farms, Tommie Copper, & Hint Water too, plus giveaway winnings from Danielle's Lunabar giveaway)

2) Refuel Right.  After the race, I was so tired!  After all it was already 7:30 and my time it was 10:30.  We did not go to dinner until 10 p.m. and by that time my stomach was in shambles.  Make sure to eat quickly after the race if you can, and if not, if you just fall asleep make up for it the next day. Does not hurt to be in Vegas where the food is out of this world.

1) Have a cheering squad and support crew.  I could never do all of this without my one man support crew, my husband Aaron (I am such a sap but he is pretty amazing, even the girls noted he was super helpful!) Plus he has this one of a kind race shirts...we are thinking of selling them dri-fit for other support hubbys and boyfriends and a potential runner match-like shirt, interested?

Who would not want a shirt like this - let me know if you are interested!

*credit (thanks Meghann sorry for shamelessly stealing your pictures you are just better at this than me)

Have you ever run a race at night?  What did you think?  Did I miss anything

Vegas - The Tale of Two Races

Have you checked out my Everstride sweepstakes here (Terms and Conditions here)?  You don't want to miss out on this one, I promise!


When we last left my Vegas Recap, I was a bit upset about the lack of a PR but working to see the positive and move on.  Besides momentarily dwelling on the fact that I did not PR, I told everyone about how cool this race was!  How I loved running on the Strip and how amazing that feeling was; how it did not feel too crowded; how I loved the camaraderie; how I got over the starting line in minutes; and how the volunteers at the aid station were great!

Oh hi Elvis

I chose not to share with you that after the race I felt like crap.  That my stomach was a mess and I woke up in the middle of the night crying with stomach cramps.  I also did not mention that we did not want to wait for the tram back to the hotel when it was not their instantly and seemed to be shut down so we just walked a cold mile back to the hotel - Aaron with his massively painful ankle and me hobbling like I had just done a full instead of a half marathon.  I did not share these things, because honestly, I did not really give it a second thought.  At the time, it kind of sucked but I often have stomach aches after I run and there is always crazy logistics about getting back to the car/house whatever post race (after Marine Corps it took us 3 hours to get 15 mins to our cousin's home and after LBI 18-miler it took us 4 hours to get 1.5 hours due to how sick I felt).

So the next day when people asked me about the race, I only had good things to say.  I was surprised when  I received this Tweet.

Following this I spent the day walking around with these two awesome bloggers who PR'd the shit out of Vegas.  And we began to talk about the race and how great it was.  I was again surprised when they mentioned people were all over the RNR Website blasting Vegas.   We were all in shock and kind of confused.

Yes I wore this outfit in public. I will wear anything the day after a race when I am in need of compression.  Good thing Jeff and Tamara were awesome about it

It was not until I read Jill's post that I really began to understand that there had been two races the night of Vegas - the race for those in the first few corrals and then the race for those in the later corrals.    While my race was exciting, well-supportive, not too crowded, fun, and ending with an awesome medal, others did not experience this.  Instead, they got absolutely the opposite - no aid stations, overcrowding, sickness, no medals, and hours of waiting to get home.

As I understand it, apparently,  many of the aid stations ran out of water and were closed down by the time runners got there.  And then when runners got to the finish line people were told there were no more half marathon medals and were given marathon medals, at best.  The race was crazy crowded.  The marathoners hurt bad because of this.  They converged with the half marathoners at their Mile 13 marker and were slowed to a halt and forced to weave like crazy around crowds of people.  At the end of the race, people were crazy sick - tons of GI issues, people lying on the floor/stretchers, and not enough medics.  This has been compared to a war zone.

Medic tent, been there, not fun.  But at least at this race from this picture, people knew how to take care of you = hose you down and give you cookies, take notes Rock n' Roll!

Overall, now that the dust has settled.  People are mad!  They cannot believe that this has happened in what should a well-oiled machine.  These issues should not have occurred and people should not have had such a terrible experience.    People have flooded RNR Facebook page and demanding some answers.  Tonight, as I was thinking about this post, we got an email asking for feedback and letting us know in return we will get $10 off a RNR race, Columbia Muddy Buddy, or TriRock valid until March 2012 (great....).  At first I thought this meant that it had to be raced by March 2012.  But a much wiser girl (thanks Meghann) informed me that you just have to register by then, which is not perfect, but it is something and it is appreciated that they are taking the complaints and issues into account and I love coupons especially on races!!

I have been going back and forth a lot about my opinion on the race.  Originally, I could not believe why people were so upset.  I did not get it.  I did not know.  From the front corrals, I just did not see or understand what people dealt with.  I debated with people about how much aid you should expect from a race and how much the race should help you with transportation etc. and how much you should just have to figure out on your own.

Ultimately, Rock n' Roll major fail on this one.  There were some core basics that a runner should expect from a race - Aid Stations, medics, a FREAKIN medal.  These are no brainers and it is totally not ok what happened.  If you are going to put on a race, you better have the supplies necessary and you MUST have the medical assistance available.  It is NOT ok to not be prepared especially at the cost to run these races.  At the same time, some of these things in races happen, it sucks, it is not ideal, but you know what you going to do...It was not ideal to have to walk back to the hotel but we did it.  It sucked hard core when I was so sick after Marine Corps and stuck on one of those shuttle buses, but that is kind of life.  Nothing is going to be perfect when you put 44,000 people on one street and hope to easily get people back to where they need to be...

In the end, I am so sorry for all of you who had a less than stellar race.  This totally sucked! Thankfully, most races are not like this.  Remember though that you are runners, you are strong and you will be back and running an even stronger race next time.

Ok, what are your thoughts?  What should we expect from races?  Is RNR Vegas a major fail?


UPDATE:  Readers have informed me that everyone always gets that $10 for completing the survey, so not so sure the coupon really does that much after all...

Pre-Vegas Ramblings & Everstride Sweepstakes!

Note I started writing this post before I went to Las Vegas, you will certainly notice this...but then we had some airplane incidents so this got pushed back.  If you want to find out how it all went check out my race recap here.  Back to the important stuff, the Sweepstakes..


Hello from Logan Airport!!!  It is 7:30 a.m., I have been up ellipticaling since 4:30 this morning with my awfully pained ankle and now we are here waiting to board and what better way to pass the time but to blog and especially when it involves a Sweepstakes!  But first I have to gripe.  Why is it that my ankle knows when there is a race just around the corner? With MCM the week before my ankle, which had been silent for months, starting screaming at me big time.  And just on schedule, last night, my ankle, which has not hurt in weeks, began to talk again.  It was pretty painful on the elliptical this morning and I am not going to lie, I am nervous about this.  Aaron must have felt bad for me because he tripped on the stairs this morning and is worried he sprained his ankle.  We are doing well, hopefully we don't end up with more of this....

I am going to try really hard not to worry about either and pray that Vegas magic will take care of it.  You know, as soon as we get to Vegas nothing hurts anymore and we are in a Winter Wonderland of sorts...hopefully...

So on with it, enough complaining.  Lets talk important stuff, Sweepstakes Stuff.  Up today we have Everstride.  Do you all know what Everstride is? It is a Skin Care Product but it is geared towards athletes.    I learned of it because of their anti-chafe cream.  I know many people use Body Glide, but honestly Body Glide just does not do it for me.  It is sticky and just is not for me (no offense Body Glide, sorrryyy).  So somehow I found Everstride and have never looked back!  Since finding the anti-chafe stick I have also been introduced to their Foot Cream, Muscle Cooling Balm, and Facial Defense Cream and I have nothing but good things to say about each of these products.  Further, the company is pretty awesome not only did they send me awesome samples to try but they offering you guys a chance to win some great stuff!  Plus, they generously sent me Anti-Chafe sticks for my Wellness Event goodie bags....pretty amazing check it out:

Oh gosh, there are about 100 of these sticks sitting and waiting for my Wellness Event.  I want them all for myself, don't worry Everstride, I promise not to take them...Shameless Plug for my Wellness Event, this is just one of the many awesome goodies you will receive at the event!

So what do I think of this product?  I can't say enough good things about it! It has saved me numerous times....first up....

The Anti-Chafe Stick

I use this thing religiously and it works!  I love that once I put it on, I don't even notice it.  It is not sticky and does not make my shorts stick to my thighs like other Body Glide products.  Instead, I put it on everywhere and it does the trick.  Simple and easy.  Not much more to say.  People may consider it pricey at $16 but it is at least twice as large as other Body Glide sticks making it actually cheaper than other products and better.  I use this each time I workout, which is a lot, and I would say a stick lasts me 2 months, pretty good deal.  Plus they have awesome sales and are even now are having a great one with the Pro Therapy Foot Treatment (you want to check this out!).  

Source

The Pro Therapy Foot Treatment

This cream is meant to help prevent blisters and chafing as well as help restore dried and cracked skin as well as reduce callouses.  I have only used this after workouts and I love it for that.  I don't use it every day but when I have blisters (which pretty much is everyday) I load up and it has helped my feet a ton.  When I went for a pedicure, the technician was like oo you must be using our foot cream, your feet are much better.  I just chuckled because I was using the Everstride Foot Cream.

The Muscle Balm

Source

Think Icy Hot but just the icy and in a balm that you just roll on.  It is no secret that I have problems with my shoulders so I was happy to try this out.  It does not solve all your problems and it did not totally work for me (I have pretty bad shoulders) but it does give instant relief.  It works to loosen joints and reduce swelling and stiffness after a hard workout.  Honestly, I would die for some right now.  Damn me, it is at home, what was I thinking?!?!  Oh Everstride, I miss you already!

Facial Defense

Source

I only just started using this cream.  I thought it was sun screen honestly, but it is actually face moisturizer, and I was excited to find this out.  Here is a little secret, I don't use anything on my face.  I hardly even wear make up.  I am not going to lie.  I was nervous about trying this face cream since i don't use much.  But I have been trying it out for the past few days and no complaints.  My face gets crazy dry in the winter and this cream seems to moisturizing very nicely.

Who needs makeup she you have a medal and a Team Sparkle Skirt!

Ultimately, Everstride is pretty amazing. Check them out here! Also you can find them on Twitter here! And Facebook here! They love followers and want people to post pictures on their Facebook wall of chafing/blister crazy situations (note you do not need to do this to be part of the Sweepstakes).

Alright, here comes the important stuff…you know the part you all scrolled down to see what you may win by entering this Sweepstakes.  And the best part about the winner for this one is that there are two of them.  Everstride is great that way!  The first winner will win an Anti-Chafe Stick and the Foot Therapy Foot Treatment.  The second will win an Anti-Chafe stick! You all want to be one of these winners! Believe me.

Here come the rules!

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR ROAD WRIST ID SWEEPSTAKES

Check out the full Terms and Conditions here

Basics:  To enter the sweepstakes for an Everstride Anti-Chafe Stick and Pro Therapy Foot Treatment or an Everstride Anti-Chafe Stick, please just leave a comment on this post, meaning the post that announced the sweepstake.  The comment does not have to be anything in particular.  It will be used so that your name can be entered into the sweepstakes as facilitated by Random.Org.   There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY or any other type of consideration that must be given to enter this sweepstakes.     By entering a comment, you are entering in the sweepstakes and are thus agreeing to the full terms and conditions outlined here.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means.

Contact information:  When entering the sweepstakes, please provide a means for the writer of this blog to contact you when the sweepstakes has ended.  You may choose to leave your blog address, twitter handle, email address, or any other means that you are comfortable with and provides a reasonable way for the writer of this blog to contact you.  If you do not want, your contact information put in the comment field, you may e-mail the writer of this blog at 26.2runforfun@gmail.com.  Your contact information will be used so that the writer of this blog may contact you if you win or if the retailer sponsoring the sweepstakes needs to contact you if you win.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means. 

Duration and deadlines:  This sweepstakes starts on Tuesday December 6, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. and will go to Tuesday December 13, 2011 at 9 a.m.  Winner will be announced by Wednesday December 14, 2011 8 p.m. and will be announced through this blog - Runforfun-stephanie.blogspot.com.  A winner has one week from the announcement of the winner to claim the prize or else a new winner will be chosen (Wednesday December 21, 2011 after 8 p.m.) .  All prizes will be awarded.  Thus if the winner does not come forward, a new winner will be chosen.

Prize Description: There will be two winners of this contest.  Winner One will win an Anti-Chafe Stick and Pro Therapy Foot Treatment.  Winner Two will win an Anti Chafe stick.  The value of the prize for winner one is a total of $39.98 (Anti-Chafe Cream is 15.99 and Pro Therapy Foot Cream $18.99).   The value of the prize for Winner Two is $15.99.

A PR is a PR for a Reason

Every time a friend is upset about a race that he or she wanted to PR at, I tell him or her that a PR is a PR for a reason.  It is your BEST time.  Maybe, it is one that you fought hard for or maybe it came easy that time, but nonetheless it is a PR, and these things are not easy to get.  That is why they are PRs.  Sounds sensible right? Hmmm, so why is this so hard for me to accept this morning (and why, if I am being honest did it wake me up at 5 a.m. to check the race stats - I know...hang head in shame here).

So let's see if I can tell you all about Vegas before Aaron needs the computer for work.  Yes we are still in Vegas, but yes he does need to work.  So if you are still in Vegas and want to adopt me for the day, I am free! Anyway, so here we go, this is a looong one, sorry!

After doing nothing right on Saturday to prepare for Vegas, I decided it was best to at least prep smart on Sunday.  I figured I would sleep in - you know so I got up at 6 a.m. and ate a "normal" breakfast for me.  I then lounged around.  I told myself I would not leave the room, but when awesome bloggers want to go to breakfast, how can one say no....


It took all the power in the world to resist this favorite meal of mine:

Aaron got White Chocolate French Toast. My favorite meal in Vegas.

It was not too hard to distract myself from the yummy goodness of White Chocolate French Toast (ok who am I kidding...) as I had great bloggers to spend time with.  I sat and chatted with Monica, Anne, and Meghann.  These ladies were super nice and we spent two hours talking, so much for not leaving the room.  But it was worth it.   Also, Monica's husband came along and him and Aaron hit it off!  Before I knew it, it was time to go back to the room but not before a group photo.

 Yes I am wearing fuzzy pants.  No shame.  Are you jealous? These are the most comfy pants ever!

The rest of the day was filled with nerves, water drinking, and a phone call to the running partner for reassurance.  But then before I knew it, itwas time to meet the ladies to go to the race.  Aaron and I got suited up and went over.

 Team Sparkle power! I was nervous about this skirt, but it was awesome, worked perfectly

Yes his shirt says, I love my crazy bitch! We are thinking of selling them on the site for the men/hubbies/boyfriends.  Girl version to match, something along the lines of "Crazy Bitch" dri-fits. Anyone interested?

So we met the ladies and went over. 

Rosa, Meghann, Anne, and I pre-race

 Vegas has been advertising as being one big party with all your friends.  I sort of brushed this off. But it really was! People were so friendly and fun!  When I lined up in my corral, I stood and chatted with a guy who was spectating and his friends who were running.  They were really sweet and even snapped some shots for me.  At Mile 10, I heard, "Hey Boston!"  It was so nice to see a familiar face.  This actually happened throughout the race.  I saw Jess and her husband multiple times as well as Suar (although I am not sure she knew who I was).  Also, people were supportive throughout.  One girl, with a 1:45 on the back of her shirt, came up to me at Mile 6 and asked my time goal, I said 1:45 and she agreed and said she was not going to make it.  I encouraged her and kept her in sight for a good deal of the race.

Two thumbs up for runner love (thank you super nice spectator who took and texted me this photo)

Well, how was the race, before this post gets any longer?  I am going to be brutally honest.  The race was amazing, but I am a bit disappointed in myself.  But I am not in anyway letting this get me down, I will eventually PR but it makes me start to think...  I ran a hard race. I fought, I stayed out of my head and while I did not go under 1:47,  I pushed, I remained positive, and I looked up and enjoyed the view and had a freakin blast!

The amazing points of this race were the camaraderie and the sights.  It was absolutely out of this world to run along the strip.  I kept telling myself to look up.  To STOP looking at the Garmin (because I could not see it anyway...how the hell do you keep your Garmin lit up at night?!?).   I have been up and down the strip at night before but running it was incredible.  Plus, I had never gone down to the older part of Vegas which was an experience and pretty neat to see.  I kept thinking National Lampoon's Vegas Vacation.  It also was not too bad that the fountains at the Mirage went off while I was coming back (it was an out and back course).   The sights also included tons of Elvis look-a-likes as well as people with cool wigs and costumes.  Although I have to admit when the Elvis and Santas passed me, it was a bit defeating.

Oh hey Elvis, so nice to meet you! (no I did not stop to take this photo, this was before, I am too Type A I guess, props to those who can stop and enjoy though, you rock)

Also the people of this race were amazing - everyone from the volunteers to the runners.  The volunteers were great at encouraging us, screaming water v. cytochrome (please explain to me what this is, I did not even spell it right) at aid stations and opening my banana at the finish line.  It was pretty much the coolest experience to continually see people you knew during the race.  I saw Jess and her husband, Spencer, twice! They were booking it.  I ran with them for a few, but could not keep up.  They rocked it!

Finally, the mile markers were pretty great. In the beginning, I could not find them but then they were pretty consistent after Mile 3.  It was good to be able to see a clock, because I clearly could not see my Garmin (I had to keep lighting it up but then it would dim).   Also, it helped me keep going and push a little harder.  At the end, Team Challenge had great signs saying "You Are"  "A" "Hero."  Just what I needed, perfect addition.  

As per me and the actual racing part, it seemed to start off well, as it always does.  I tried to keep myself slow to begin with but ultimately probably went out too fast and ended up positive splitting again.  Ooopps love those positive splits (hey, remember the time I negative spilt my first marathon).  Anyway, I felt fairly good until Mile 6.  I did feel a side cramp or two coming on but was able to breathe through them and they were never a problem. YESSSS!!!!  I did feel like my stomach was off though and got really nervous about taking anything.  I ended up having to wait until Mile 7.3 where there was a Gu stop to take something.  Not ideal in anyway.  My body is used to something at Mile 5 and 10 and only taking something at Mile 7.3 showed.   But I could not risk it with my stomach plus my fingers were not working and I knew I would not be able to open up my back pocket reach beyond the Sparkle Skirt and get something while trying to get water at Aid Station.  This resulted in me having to get a Gu at 7.3 at the Aid Station where the lady could not hand out the Gu fast enough (not her fault) and water was not well marked.  I prayed that the little water I got along with a flavor Gu I had never tried would be ok, thankfully it was.  

Here I go out too fast again (big props to Aaron who dashed a mile plus up before the race to catch me!)

So after Mile 6, just as in my last half I did, my legs tired.  The Gu helped but not enough, I started cramping, sign of not enough fluids, which I sensed was happening but without a water belt of some sorts (still working on this), trying to grab water at the Aid Stations just did not cut it.  So I did the best I could.  Many times I almost got into my head.  I am proud to say that I stopped that right then and there.  I would make myself sing with the music, think of my mantra for the race "Kill It," focus on the sights and the buildings (landmarks were an awesome plus to this race), and imagine my husband waiting for me.  The last mile was slow goings, I just wanted to me done.  I felt defeated.  But I pressed on never stopping always remaining positive.  But I have to tell you that last .1 was killer...how does that always seem to be so long?!?

Ultimately, I made it.  

Look its me?!? Nope, Aaron stood 1.5 hours on a sprained ankle to get this shot and then someone ran right through it, the nerve! haha, thank you Aaron!

No shiny new PR, but a hell of a medal and a big hug from the husband.  

This thing is for real, heavy and amazing!

And you know what, so what?! Yes, I am sad and disappointed.  But I just ran my heart out after a marathon 5 weeks ago and got to experience the Vegas Strip at Night.  So PR I will see you another time, for now I am going to bask in the fact that I just ran a great race!

How do you deal with not reaching your PR goal?  Would you be interested in a Crazy Bitch shirt?  How do you carry water...I am still working on this one. Oh and how the hell do you keep your Garmin lit?

How Not to Prepare for a Half Marathon - Vegas Style

The day before a marathon, I have been told not to get off the couch.  To hydrate, hydrate, hydrate and to rest up. If you have any injuries, nurse them like a good patient.  And just relax.  By doing this, the thought is that you have the best chance of performing well on the big day.

Apparently, that is not how it is done in Vegas.  For this half marathon, I have done everything but the above.  So here is how not to prepare for a half marathon.

3) Do not spend the entire day on your feet walking everywhere especially when your ankle currently looks like this.  Even if you are in Vegas and who can help it!

All taped up and ready to go?!? I don't know first time with KT Tape, we will see

No heels before race day!

And no ice skating with Penguins...

2)  Remember to hydrate and eat right.  It might be hard because water costs 4 bucks and a small salad costs $15 but suck it up...

 Save the M&Ms and Chocolate Fountain until after the race!

3)  SAVE YOUR $$$. Go to the Expo once and then get out if you want to save your money!!  We may or may not have gone back to the expo and ended up buying more new cool gear...can you really blame me....

Run as far away from the expo, as you can, you will not be able to resist all the amazing gear

Short and sweet for now! Got to get going for blogger meetup.  Yes I am again not taking my advice and not resting...Hmm we will see where this leaves me for tomorrow.  Ever do all the wrong things before the race?  Ever use KT Tape?

Part II: Our Trip to Vegas Emergency Room

Last time we spoke I was waiting to find out how my husband was...Before I could find out this lady came to the rescue.  This is what is so amazing about bloggers, no matter where you are, you have awesome friends who come to your aid.  People who don't read blogs or do not blog, don't get it. They think we are crazy or at least think I am.  But honestly, bloggers are some of the coolest, most generous people that I know.  Jill was the only one I "knew" in Vegas when Aaron hurt himself.  I called her and she came to the Emergency Room to pick us up.  She had never met us or spoken with me more than a few times, but she came.  She is totally my life saver, go check out her blog.  She is sweet, so cool, and apparently her and Aaron have more in common than me and Aaron haha.  Plus she is a coach for Team Challenge and is running to support all of your runners this weekend - so cool!!  THANK YOU JILL!

So just as Jill shows up, Aaron comes out of the back room.  You know how I said I was hoping to avoid another one of these situations....

July 2011, Left Ankle Sprain

Well...

Look familiar? December 2011,  Right Ankle Sprain

Yup, he sprained his Right Ankle!  This summer the Left and now the Right and he has a beautiful new pair of crutches to prove it.

So yea, we get him in Jill's car and to our hotel room.  Here is the thing about our hotel room.  We were only supposed to stay there one night until the real hotel room we wanted to stay in and always stay in opened up.  We get there and get in the room, its not pretty, but manageable for a night.  I take  a less than stellar shower and ask Aaron to call our "real" hotel to see if we can have an early check in.  They answer with sure, how early, you can come whenever, the other people canceled.  Well, that is all I needed to hear.  I had us packed up and going to the other place ASAP.  But ultimately it was exhausting!!

By the time we were settled, it was 7 p.m. Vegas time, 10 p.m. Boston time, we both had not eaten actual lunches and had been up since 4:30 in the morning, forget it.    And thus our first day in Vegas!

The cutest guy on crutches

Hello from Vegas a.k.a the Emergency Room

Hello all!  We made it! We are in Vegas!!!! Well, sort of.  We are actually currently in the Vegas Emergency Department (Grandma, refrain from fainting and calling Dad, we are fine).  So remember when I mentioned yesterday that my ankle was hurting?  Well, this has nothing to do with that..

Instead my day sort of went like this.  I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to get an elliptical session in.  It was painful, my ankle was not happy.  But did not have much time to ice and stretch before Robin showed up at our door.  I guess Aaron was extra excited to go to Vegas or to see Robin because he sort of got ahead of himself and tripped on his good ankle (the one he did not sprain this summer).  He sort of brushed it off until conveniently informing me when we got out of the car at the airport that he thought he sprained or broke it...Goood...There was not much to do at that point.  He could walk so we decided to press on.  He is a pretty strong guy huh? Anything in the name of a race  Vegas Vacation.  We asked the Security if the airport had a Medical Area - no. Hmmm...not great...

Ankle Sprain Number 1 this summer - here's hoping we don't have a repeat today!

So we get on the plane, and I am all excited (minus worry city about Aaron) because there is Glee Movie, Harry Potter Part 2, Contagion, Crazy Stupid Love, Elf.  Good selections!! I have wanted to see Contagion for a while so started watching it.  Next thing I know, Aaron is not looking so hot.  He says he got squeamish from the movie but he was not looking good so we went to the back of the cabin with the stewardess and they gave us water, ice, juice, and free snacks.  Pretty awesome minus Aaron looking like he was going to faint?! But Aaron needed food, like a lunch....

Now ladies, here is what happened last night.  I was packing my PB Sandwich and Apple for the plane ride of six hours.  

Me (while packing lunch): Aaron want a sandwich.  

Aaron: No I am going to have snacks on the plane...

In his defense, the snacks are so good, ever have Blueberry-Pomegranate Quaker Rice Cakes (sooo good, so not filling in the least though).  Hmph, good thing I love the guy because next thing I know he is eating the sandwich on the plane (I should have made two, I knew it) and I proceed to have the weirdest lunch/snacks ever including rice cakes, PB granola bar, two apples, and some cookies. Hahah I am not kidding.  All in the name of love....My body is a wreck right now, needless to say.

White Chocolate French Toast (the best meal in Vegas) was not my meal today, but it will be tomorrow!

Ok but more importantly the hubby.  When we got off the plane, we called his doctor who told him to go to the Emergency Room.  And here we are.  They checked him out and determined that he was ok in terms of the nausea/light headiness.  Then someone came and took him for X-Rays and now he is back here sitting next to me.  I asked him if they examined him before the X-Rays?  Nope!  So cool, just took the expensive test, did not even look at his foot...ooo my health care dollars hard at work.

So here we are folks, kicking off Vegas in style! Playing the waiting game...so fun. Ooo he just got called they are putting on the bracelet as we speak.  And I am once again alone with our bags...PS  I promise I am not awful, someone has to stay with all the luggage and as I am joking I am being a crazy Jewish worried wife right now!

To be continued....