Unlike so many of my other races, this one was all about having a GOOD time, without worrying about having a good TIME!
Molly and I traveled out on Wednesday and checked in at the Wynn late. Enjoyed a few days there taking in some great meals and the gorgeous views and pool for about half the cost of a normal stay at the Wynn (thank you Red Card)
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On Thursday Molly won tickets to a show Friday night and we walked to the expo and took in all the free goodies!
After the show Friday night, my friend Tim flew in and we stayed up late in the casino before relocating to the Luxor on Saturday.
Saturday night dinner with Tim, his girlfriend Rita, and our friend Chris who I've raced with here last time we were out for this race! Then we all hung out dropping pennies into random machines - something they call...gambling?...never heard of it
Strip at night is an evening race that closes the entire strip from 2pm - 10pm. Great to sleep in, but hard to manage prerace routines. Brunch Buffet breakfast and time to get ready. The pre race concert was Kid Rock and was visible from the hotel room.
But the concert view was even better from the VIP area! Thank you Team Chocolate Milk!!
And then...it was race time! Chris and I worked our way to the starting corral! It was dark, very windy, and then...sprinkles! It was getting colder by the minute and it was a solid hour from the time we left the concert until the time we started the race!
I love this race and this course. South past the "Welcome to Vegas" sign was straight into the wind before doing a 180 and heading North - Mile 1 was slow into the wind and Mile 2 was my fastest of the race with the wind at my back!
Molly was waiting for me by the obelisk at Luxor and by the time I got there, the rain was becoming heavy and I really expected her to have sought shelter, but nope...there she was!! Couldn't believe she stood in the rain just to literally watch me run by!
With the wind at my back I found a great pace every single mile down the strip. Super consistent and felt great all the way to mile 8. My fitness level was good enough for me to really run tall and be looking around enjoying the sights and sounds. Although to be fair, the crowds were much smaller along the course this year due to the weather. Still plenty of crazies to keep it fun!
Miles 8, 9 and 10 are near downtown looping through some neighborhoods before you run right by Fremont Street and make the turn South back toward the heart of the strip. The half and full are still together so the pack is thick for a good 10 miles before the fools, I mean full runners split off!
The wind was as strong as ever for the last 5k coming in and my consistent splits were now consistently 20 seconds per mile slower! Always deceiving in Vegas to think you're closer to anything than you really are, but in this race (and with the wind), it was painful to see the finish line (or at least the hotels around it) for soooooo long before finally getting there!
With the lights in sight and the music getting louder I found another gear to finish strong! I was within 3 minutes of my expected finish time and ran every step!
I ran with my phone, but the battery went dead during the race. Miraculously, Molly found me within minutes of my finishing and we made our way to the VIP area!
My sponsor is truly amazing! If you're not recovering with Chocolate Milk after your workouts, I challenge you to give it a try! The benefits are proven, and it works for me! Check out the post race buffet spread they set up for us!
Yes! It does glow in the dark!
Yes! The reels really do spin!
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