2025 Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon Race Recap - Lamoille, NV

I think I am on the right in light blue.

Official Time: 1:55:40
Placement: 2nd in age group
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Mid 40's at the start, low 60's at finish
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2021] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:42	Uphill to start. Hard getting the engine started
2	9:02	Felt like this should've been faster
3	8:41	Finally the fun part -- glorious downhills
4	8:16	Cruising along
5	8:10	350+ feet per mile of descent == awesome splits
6	8:32
7	9:06	A reality check here as I hit a little bit of an uphill
8	8:14	Dropping again
9	8:34
10	8:19	Seeing more sunlight and it is getting warmer.  Last of the fast miles
11	9:22	Some rolling hills -- quite steep in spots
12	9:15	Picking it up on the flats and down hills.
13	9:44	Please finish line come on!
13.06	0:32
Total Miles: 13:06 1:55:38

All Smiles in the early miles

Introduction

Once again it was time to visit one of my favorite places on planet Earth: Lamoille Canyon.  If you browse around on this site, you'll see I've run this race a number of times and hiked here.  I've had a ton of good times in Elko and running this race is always a special treat for me.

Heading out to the race at 4 AM

The Lamoille Canyon Half Marathon is what I'd like to describe as a "boutique race."  It is kept small -- about a 100 runners for the 5K and half marathon (each).  The feeling is that you are doing a long run with friends rather than eyeballing your neighbor to see if they are in your age group.  Don't kid yourself, though, it is a race and people are shooting for a fast time, but the atmosphere is a bit more low key.

The race is held at the end of a paved road -- the service drive -- to the top of Lamoille Canyon -- about 13 miles from the main road.  It also starts at a thin-aired 8500 feet. The course promises a fast time though, with nearly 3000 feet of elevation drop over the course of 11 miles or so.  If you are looking to set a PR, this race might be right up your alley if you don't mind running downhill.

The Race

I had arrived in Elko on Friday afternoon. I had toyed with the idea of driving down to packet pickup (about a 25 minute drive each way) but after the 3.25 hour drive, I was simply tired of driving.  You did have the option of picking it up on race morning and given the size of the race, I figured it'd be no problem to get it the morning of.

I grabbed a fairly light dinner and turned in early.  I had problems sleeping, although I shocked myself by getting about 3 to 4 hours (at best).  My room's air conditioner really couldn't keep up with the warmth and stuffiness and I wound up sleeping above the covers with a cold rag on the back of my neck.

With a bus loading time of 4:30 AM, I was up at 3:30 AM and I shoved as much food as I could down.  I was out the door by 4 AM and at the bus loading by 4:30 AM.  Packet pickup was a snap and I was on the bus by 4:45 AM and on my way to the top by 5 AM.

I wound up making small talk with a fireman who I sat beside.  I always seem to make friends at this race -- the Elko bunch are usually a friendly bunch.

The drive took a while but we made it and I had about 30 minutes to use the porta pottie and get settled in.  The top of the canyon is usually cold and I had brought a lot of winter-ish gear, but it wasn't terrible and the time flew by.

With about 10 minutes to spare, I walked down the canyon about a third of a mile to the starting line.  We were given brief instructions by the race director (the course is very simple) and told to keep to the left to avoid traffic.  I was able to dump my gear into an awaiting vehicle and I was ready to run: choosing thin gloves, short shorts, Saucony Endorphin Pro 3's and a technical t-shirt.

I didn't have any hard goals on this race. I was shooting for 2 hours though.  Given the downhill nature of the course, I felt that was an attainable goal.  My training hasn't been that great for a half marathon race, so I was a little worried about my endurance.

The race starts off going back to the drop off zone.  It is a horrible experience. I wasn't entirely warmed up and almost immediately it feels like you are breathing through a straw. The air is just so thin.  I told myself to be patient as I started to breath rapidly.  The first half mile or so is just a grind and I was jealous of all the runners who were ahead of me who seemed to be impervious to the elevation.

Once I started downhill though, even though it was slight, my breathing recovered and I began to overtake some of the runners who had gone out a little too fast.

I think I was too conservative going out though and I knew mile 1 was going to be slow, mile 2 wasn't much of an improvement.  I just didn't have a lot of confidence in what I could do.

We have to run back to the top of the service drive

Miles 3 through 6

The course suddenly got more "fun".  This is where the efforts came easily.  I settled into a nice rhythm and I began to soak up the beauty. I was cruising at below 10K pace without a care in the world.  To my left, a stream could be heard babbling and to my right (and left) impressive walls of rock.  Also, despite it being 6 AM there was plenty of light to see, but I wasn't baking in direct sunlight.  There seemed to be a nice breeze at my back too.  Perfect!

I was still picking people off.  I was keeping myself motivated by finding someone ahead of me and trying to reel them in.  With a race this small, I wasn't really running with anyone for very long and it gave me a drive to run a little faster.

I hadn't seen anyone in my age and honestly I didn't care. I was running strong and I was questioning whether I was going too fast, as I hit paces that have cost me in the past.

I wound up consuming a Roctane GU, which definitely perked up my pace.

Miles 7 though 10

Mile 7 was a bit of a hiccup. I knew it was coming and mentally I was ready for it.  Here, the race levels out and there is a bit of a hill you have to climb.  Your quads have been pounded by the preceding miles so making yourself push, when everything hurts is definitely a challenge.

At this point I was working on keeping up with a woman runner.  She was holding a solid pace and a good hundred or two yards in front of me.  There was another runner (or two) even further ahead but she kept me in the game.  Over the course of these miles I picked up my pace every so slightly and started gaining ground on her.

As I sped down the S-curves of the canyon, I noticed that soon we'd be running in broad daylight.  We'd lose any sort of shade, which I was really enjoying.  I also knew the final 5 kilometers where most people's dreams of a great race are dashed.

If only the race continued to drop a few hundred feet over the final 5K.

Final stretch

Mile 10 through 13

I was on the woman's tail by the time we hit the sunlight.  I was honestly kind of surprised I had caught up to her.  At about the final downhill, I overtook her and figured it was time to start working on the next competitor.

I was still running, what I felt was strong, and was trying to summon my inner speed -- recalling the great final 5K I had had at the Sun Half Marathon in January.

It was getting warmer and the uphill sections came more often.  The woman I was "competing" against, kept overtaking me on the uphill portions.  Once we had ascended, I would resume more normal pace as we either took on the flat sections or got another small downhill.

This back and forth lasted until mile 12.  It was fun while it lasted, but I felt like my pace dropped off a cliff.  She obviously had another gear and she put me in the rear view mirror.  It was good spirited and after the race we congratulated one another on our efforts.

The final mile was a doozy.  There just wasn't much left.  I felt like my once smooth, easy going glide was now a desperation shamble.  I was overtaken by a few other runners in this final desperate time.  There is a bit of a drop as we headed into Lamoille Grove -- the village's park -- but I couldn't take advantage of it.  Glancing over my shoulder, I didn't see anyone I was too concerned about passing me.

I knew there'd be photographers at the finish and I put on a brave face as I ran on the grassy lane that was lined with American flags to the finish.  There was a lot of crowd support here, with families cheering people on.  For a small(ish) race, this almost felt like crossing a finish line of a much larger event.

Finish line Chute

Conclusion

So, from about mile 8 or so, I knew I had a good shot at finishing under 2 hours.  I had banked so much time on the faster sections.  While my times were definitely slower on the final 5K, I was still in solid contention to finish under 2 hours.  I was really pleased with a 1:55:40.  However, there is no way, I could've gotten anywhere near this on a flat course.  I suspect the race does give you about a 5 to 10 minute boost.

All smiles at the finish line

Post race refreshments were chips, Gnarly sports drink, water, and chocolate milk.  I think there were bananas as well.  Typical fare for a race.

I loved the finish line vibe. The park was decorated with American flags, there was an announcer shouting finisher's names.  The 5K runners were getting awards and people were just friendly and willing to recount their race.  It was also a picturesque day: sunny, warm and just enough of a breeze.  I didn't mind too much that it took a while to dole out the awards.

Shirt + finishers medal + age group award

The new starting time (6 AM) also gave me plenty of time. Normally I have to rush back to the hotel to get cleaned up and out of the room. This time, I had another hour to loaf around and mingle.

Initially, I had thought I had won my age division (55 to 59).  I had fears they were 10 year brackets.  I do think my name was called out in first, but looking at the results, one of the top finishers was definitely in my age group.  So I am claiming 2nd.  The age group award was a simple ribbon. 

Overall, I was very happy with my experience. The course was easy to follow, there were several aid stations (I think 4 but I could've used another).  The volunteers at the aid stations offered encouragement and had hydration ready to go.  The bus ride to the top was nice too -- coach buses are always nicer than the yellow school buses.

The finisher's medal was pretty basic and the cotton t-shirt was a bit ho-hum. I still wear their grey technical one all the time that I got years ago.  I wish they'd go back to that style of shirt.

Overall, though, I was had a wonderful experience. This course is so incredible and I hate to spoil the secret that this canyon is indeed Nevada's Swiss Alps.  Definitely put this race on your list if you want a fast time and don't mind smashing your quads to get it.

Upcoming Races

06/21: 2025 Run Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

06/28: 2025 Taylorsville Dayzz 5K - Taylorsville, UT (Confirmed)

07/04: 2025 Sandy City 4th of July 5K - Sandy, UT (Confirmed)

07/12: 2025 Farmington Days 5K / 10K - Farmington, UT (Maybe)

07/19: 2025 Mantua 5 Mile Race - Mantua, UT (Maybe)

07/26: 2025 Handcart Days Races 5K - Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

03/26: 2026 Mount Charleston Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2025 Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

About to head off!

Official Time: 2:04:02
Placement: 2486th overall, 1798th  male, 80th in my age group
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 60s / low 70s.  Slight breeze from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2024] [2023] [2022] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:25	Getting settled in. Hemmed in and feeling out how warm it is
2	9:22	Still trying to figure out if I am in the race or not
3	9:19	Very consistent
4	9:22	Back to the Strip, getting some cheers
5	9:16	Crowd spurring me on. Time to bump the pace up
6	9:05	Sailing along here.
7	9:10	Should I go now?
8	9:13	Holding steady
9	9:04	Time to go. We need to hit some faster paces. Can I do 10K pace?
10	9:23	A bit of a headwind. Trying to will myself forward
11	9:37	Felt like I was still holding a solid pace but I was definitely wilting
12	10:06	Yuck. Only a mile to go though.
13	10:12	Again, felt like I was running pretty quickly.
13.15	1:24	Finally all done.
Total Miles: 13.15 2:04:03

Checking out the expo in my 2009 shirt

Introduction

So first off, I'll state, I am a legacy runner with the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas race series.  I've done it every year, so it isn't really a question "if" I am doing the race, it is a matter of how I am going to perform at the race.

The Las Vegas race was also the site of my very first full marathon and I continued to come back year after year to the race until I could no longer do the full marathon (and then eventually the full was no longer offered).

The race has gone through a number of changes over the years, sometimes with good things and sometimes with bad.  But I do keep coming back -- it is a vacation that also involves a race.  As a frequent racer and as someone who does like to gamble and eat at buffets, it is a perfect match for me.

At the expo for the 2024 edition, I did take advantage of the early bird savings and decided to jump into the 2025 version.  I had run reasonably well in 2023, fair in 2024 and so I was hoping I'd rebound, if the conditions were right, in 2025.

Party at the Expo!

Pre-Race

Early Saturday morning, I left Salt Lake City and headed south to Las Vegas.  Leaving early beats all the traffic and makes the trip feel a bit faster.  It is about a 5.5 hour drive.

The first order of business was to hit the Resorts World Hotel and Casino and do the packet pickup.  Last year I had made the mistake of walking from the New York hotel to Resorts World, and I think that had worn me down a bit for Sunday night's race.  I wound up going directly and parking at Resorts World.

    Resorts World Expo

Packet pickup is a bit of an ordeal but after finding the new spot and getting my bib, it didn't take long to navigate the area.  There were a number of exhibitors but nothing really caught my interest.  Compared to years past, the expo seemed smaller than usual.

Fortunately, the whole ordeal (and meeting a YouTuber) didn't take too long and I managed to dodge any parking fees.  

I wound up eating at a sports bar for Saturday night, eating a normal breakfast at a café and I had made the smart decision of packing my own food for Sunday night's pre-race meal: granola bars, Tailwind, pudding, a banana and some apples.  I've learned my lesson from races in the past that trying to make restaurant food work for a pre-race just doesn't work.

Gearing up for the start

The Race

The Las Vegas half marathon's best feature is that it is a night race -- starting just before dusk at 4:30 PM.  The runners own the iconic Las Vegas Strip and it is entirely closed to vehicular traffic. Running it is a very unique experience and one that keeps me coming back year after year.

Corral loading situation

I was in corral 2, which meant I had about a 10 minute wait for corral 1 to start the race. In all honesty it was too bad, but it did feel weird seeing others start running which I was helplessly watching.

As usual, the corral loading situation was a mess -- but on the plus side we did make it. It just took a solid 15 minutes (or more) of standing shoulder to shoulder with people as we somehow maneuvered our way into the gateway to the loading zone.  

Let's go! 15K runner friends waiting!

I had a very achy hip and standing for long periods of time aggravates it.  By the time I made it into the pen, I had to find a small place to sit and let it "reboot".  I was really worried about being able to run after the painful experience.  I had quite a bit of ibuprofen in me, but it was still an agonizing experience.

Up to the lead up to the race, I was hoping to run 1:55 or better.  Given the heat and the crowded I conditions, I decided I'd go for about 2 hours.  I still had hopes I'd be closer to the 1:55 side of things.

Off we go!

Miles 1-4: 

With the race underway, I quickly found myself surrounded by people.  We were all roughly going the same pace, but it took some effort. My breathing came easy, and I felt pretty good. I was loosening up, the hip issues had disappeared and my body instinctively knew what to do.

Right away, I realized it was warm.  I was working up a sweat.  While I had hydrated a lot pre-race, I was worried about it not being enough.  Fortunately, the race organizers had a multitude of water stops.  Often, I'd grab something to drink and a cup of water to toss over my head.

Heading back into the heart of the strip - about mile 4

Disappointingly, my pace was consistently slower than 2 hour race pace (9:09).  I knew I was running pretty easily but usually the 2-hour pace comes a lot easier. I kept telling myself to be patient and that after the 2nd half or about with 8 KM to go, I'd kick it into high gear.  My training and history seemed like this was reasonable.

This part of the race isn't the most exciting. You head southwards, towards the airport, make a U-turn about 1.5 miles outside of town and head back.  The crowd is thinner and you can hear the din from the airport.  The sun is also starting to set at this point, so you know the fun is going to start soon.

Miles 5-8:

This part of the race gets exciting.  You are back in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, and you have the crowds.  Of all the races I do, the crowds are the best here.  Plenty of signage, people cheering you on, and the you have the lights of the casinos just starting to get going.

My pace, sped up.  Not a lot, but enough to make me feel better about negative splitting.  I also grabbed a Lemonade flavored Roctane gel and wound up nursing that for nearly 4 miles. 

I was pretty full feeling -- I think I had overeaten leading up to the race and it just wasn't clearing.  I felt bloated and heavy.  My legs weren't ticking over very well and I think I just felt tired: like I wanted to take a nap.  I also felt like I wasn't drinking enough: I'd grab a cup of Mortal and sip a little and it just wasn't enough.

As we continued north, the crowds got thinner and eventually the casinos gave way to pawn shops, small motels, and vacant lots.  It also got significantly quieter.  I was still passing people and my pace was still solid.  I kept delaying "go" time though.  I just didn't have the confidence.

Miles 9-11:

Finally, a break in the race, we make it to the downtown area.  Instead of incessantly plodding our way, we finally made a dedicated turn, did a jog around a few blocks, made another turn or two, before heading back south towards the finish line.

This is where I'd power and show everyone that I could negative split!

I kind of did pick up the pace.  I broke it down that I had put in many tempo runs and knew I could hold an 8:40 or so pace.  It'd hurt but I could do it.

The problem was, I couldn't do it -- at least not tonight.

I managed to move pretty quickly but by the time I was plowing through mile 10, I knew the chains were on.  I wasn't going anywhere very fast.

I was still passing a few people, but I was getting passed more. We were back to approaching the main part of the Strip and while I did get some crowd support, it seemed limited to a bit more of drunks.  It was also dark but lighting wasn't a problem.

The temperate had dropped off as well -- with the sun gone, but still it was warm.  I was still dumping water over my head.

My head was telling me to go, but my body wasn't responding.

Miles 12 - 13.15:

My pace was gone and as many times as I did the "math" I wasn't going to go sub 2 hours.  It was just a matter of how much over I was going to be.

I could see the Bellagio -- where the finish line would be -- but while it seemed so close, it was still miles away.  Everything in Vegas appears close, but in reality it is going to take some time to get there.

Finally, the crowd got louder and I did my best to put on a brave face.  There wasn't even really a final kick, but I did push on through, crossing under the fabled Rock 'n Roll arches in 2:04 -- nearly 9 minutes behind what I was hoping to do.

Finished!

Conclusion

So, I was happy to finish.  I had completed my "C" goal, but my "B" and "A" goals, not so much.  I wasn't too upset about it.  I had always bartered for a bit of leeway - if the weather was off or I just 

wasn't feeling it, I knew that the 1:55 wasn't going to happen.  So I had my "virtual" cry and got over it.

The Iconic Bellagio

I grabbed my medal, a bottle of water, and some Mortal sports drink.  On the plus side, they had prebagged goodies, so it made it so much easier to grab your snacks and not have to worry about carrying anything.  They also had some bananas.  The race also had had water stops at nearly every mile, so there were plenty of opportunities to hydrate and fuel along the way.

I grabbed a seat, took some photos and made sure I was okay before walking about half a mile to the exit (near the Cosmopolitan casino).  I had a brief scare -- when I did get up from my seated position, I did find myself a bit woozy.  And also, I started to feel a little sick at times. When I got back to my hotel room, I realized after a potty break that I was very dehydrated.

I did have a friend meet me near the finish line and he came with a root beer for me, which saved me.  Carbonation and sugary drinks definitely will revive me. Together, the two of us, trekked from the Cosmo to the MGM.

Overall, I was happy with the shirt.  Definitely a different design and it just wears nice.  The medal, seemed a bit of a let down. It didn't stand out like they usually do.

I really enjoy this race -- despite some let downs, it is a one-of-a-kind experience.  The course is the same as previous years, and every time I run it, I have memories of all the times I've done it in the past.  It is also a reminder that I am not as young as I once way.  I remember running the race at the tender age of 39 and running the half marathon during a marathon much faster than I do now.  It can be a humbling experience.

My performance -- well it was what it was.  Not the greatest but I've certainly felt worse during a race.  There have been times when things get tough where I just want to stop and walk and quit running forever.  While my confidence wasn't the greatest going in on Sunday, I never reached that point where I felt hopeless.  I just knew what it would take to get the job done and I didn't beat myself up over it.

Shirt and medal

Mistakes I felt like I made:

1) I didn't swallow enough of the water / hydration.  I basically rinsed my mouth out with it.  A sip or two isn't going to cut it.

2) I over fueled.

3) I should've put in more longer runs to build up my endurance.

All in all, there is always next year.  I am not too worked up about it. I got it done and there is always another race around the corner where I can try again.

Upcoming Races

03/01: 2025 March Madness 10K - Woods Cross, UT (Confirmed)

03/15  2025 Lucky 13 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)
04/26: 2025 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

05/10: 2025 Run Farmington 10K - Farmington, UT (Confirmed)

02/22: 2026 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)

2023 Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon Race Recap - Las Vegas, NV

Official Time: 1:54:25
Placement: 1526th overall, 1177th male, 118th in the 50-54
Results:  Here
Race Website: Here
Weather: Upper 40's, 12 mph wind from the south
Garmin Dump: Here
Previous Years: [2022] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015] [2014] [2013] [2012] [2011] [2010] [2009]

Mile	Time	Comments
1	9:02	Pretty casual start. Easing into the race. A bit of a headwind
2	8:53	Just working my way through the course.
3	8:38	Finally a bit of a tailwind. So much easier.
4	8:38
5	8:38	Making my way past the starting line.
6	8:40	Still enjoying the tail wind. Definitely very consistent and feeling good.
7	8:37	Debating on when I want to pick it up a bit.
8	8:41	Ending the tailwind. It's now or never.
9	8:31	Working my way through the downtown area. Felt great. Push the pace!
10	8:31
11	8:31	Still getting some shelter from the wind.
12	8:50	Into the wind. Wishing there was someone I could draft off of.
13	8:59	Yes my pace was slower, but the effort was there. Just keep going.
13.17	1:10	Gut it out to the finish. Done!
Total Miles: 13.14 1:54:25

Entrance to the runner Expo

Introduction

So without fail, every year, I do the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Half Marathon (or Marathon).  I am one of about 50 or so runners that have done the race every year since its inception in Las Vegas (2009).  

At first, I was all about the marathon, but as time has gone by, I can no longer run marathons as much as I'd like and eventually they discontinued the full, opting simply for a 10K and half marathon.

I've never run particularly well in Las Vegas -- with the exception of last year (2022), in which I ran 1:57 for the half marathon.  It was the first time completing the race that I felt like I had run "well".  In fact, last year, it made my top 3 best race performances.

I had signed up for 2023 in 2022 at the expo, so I was committed to seeing if I could recapture the success I had had in 2022.

I left Salt Lake City for Las Vegas bright and early on Saturday morning and made the 5.5 hour drive to Las Vegas.  It was smooth sailing and it went quickly.  It also gave me plenty of time to walk about a mile from the Bellagio hotel to the Resorts World hotel (and back) to get my bib.

The expo was well organized and I was easily able to get my bib, look around at some of the vendors and items for sale and get out in a reasonable amount of time.  It was noisy but I've been to more crowded expos.  I didn't see anything I had to have either.

Runner Village

The Race

The Las Vegas Half Marathon is a night time race.  It starts at about 4:30 PM -- just as the sun is getting ready to start.  You still have about 45 minutes of daylight before it starts to get dark.  Being in the second wave, my start time was closer to 5 PM, so I had even less daytime running.

Las Vegas weather in February can be a wildcard.  It can rain (as it did for the 5K the night before) or it can be warm or cold.  As with most spring time races, the wind can also be a factor.

On the way to the race start

This year the air temperature was brisk -- coming in at around 48 degree Fahrenheit.  There was a strong wind coming from the south -- about 12 mph.  It wasn't constant but it definitely reminded you that it was there.

Dialing in your food for the day is always challenging. In the past, I never really got it down.  In the days leading up to the race, I'd overeat and wind up feeling bloated.  Last year, I managed to get it right and this year, I pretty much followed the pattern that I did in 2022:

1) Stay off my feet.

2) Eat a normal breakfast (omelet / coffee / hashbrowns)

3) Eat a light lunch -- consisting of pretzels, cold cereal, a banana, Tailwind and a few cookies.  

4) Take a shower and do some stretching.

I carried a few snacks to the starting line as well -- just in case I was delayed a bit.

I wound up wearing a simple t-shirt, shorts, and thin gloves.  I was beginning to doubt my wardrobe choice while waiting for the race start in the massive runner village behind the Planet Hollywood casino.  Fortunately, there were patches of sunlight, which I greedily took advantage of.

The runner's village was a bit more chaotic than the previous year.  There seemed to be less room, less bathrooms and more people congregating near the entrance to the race start.  Even those whose bib numbers were significantly later in start time hung around a very thin entrance to another holding pen.

I saw the elite group head off and then eventually the first group.  The first group had just finished heading towards the starting line -- which was at least a half mile walk -- before they called my group.

It was packed and very slow going.  I wasn't that far away from the entrance but it took forever.  The security that was present were checking everyone's big and with a narrow entrance, only a few runners could go through at a time.  There were several thousand in my corral and it seemed like we'd never get through.

Finally I did get sucked into the main flow and another 5 minutes later I was walking towards the starting line.  I quickly used the bathroom and enjoyed the atmosphere as I power walked to the start.  They really dressed up the route by having music playing and decorations.

Venetian day before the race.

I wasn't in too much of a hurry -- as I figured I'd have another 15 - 20 minute wait before I actually started.  But I was in for a bit of a shock.

As I got closer to the starting line, I realized there weren't many people.  Normally, 1000s of runners would be shoulder-to-shoulder waiting for the announcer to send their groups out.  There was absolutely none of that.

There were maybe 50 - 100 runners milling about, doing strides, drills, or like me, walking to the starting line.

When I got there, I could simply start running. No fireworks, no cheer leading going on, just start running.  Did I miss something?  It was the most anti-climatic start of a big race I had ever experienced.  It was nice that I didn't have to wait -- in fact I could've gone back and warmed up a bit more but the vibe / energy wasn't there.

So I just started. 

I felt the southern wind blowing in my face as I ran.  There were a few runners that I had to meander around, but for the most part I could settle into a decent pace.  I think some of the runners helped break up the wind but it was definitely a force to be reckoned with.

Mirage the day before the race.

I kept telling myself to be patient, be strong and get about 2 miles out before we'd turn around and I'd get a nice tailwind -- for at least 7 miles.

The first 2 miles I ran in around 9 minutes.  Right on target for about a 1:58 half marathon.

I was wearing my carbon-plated shoes and I felt light and fast in them.  I had put in some longer runs in them.  They don't have a lot of support in them, but I knew I could run 13 miles in them.

It was incredible seeing the elite runners fly by me on the other side of the road.  Their stride was so smooth and effortless.  Eventually, more of the regular runners started to make an appearance.  I had finally caught up with all the people and it now felt like a mass participation race.

Around mile 2.25 I rounded the corner and started to run northward. The airport was now on my right and Mandalay Bay and Luxor were starting to appear on my left.  I could see the entire Las Vegas Strip before me.  In the dusk, it was so beautiful with the darkening sky and the lights just starting to come out.

Bellagio "Lake" Morning of the race.

I turned to the runner next to me and mentioned how much easier it was to run with the wind at my back.  He agreed -- I was actually working up a bit of a sweat.

The next 6 miles I felt even better.  I was working on passing people and keeping a consistent pace. I'd slowly bump up the effort. Nothing crazy just yet but just running under 8:45.  Was I going to fast?  Should I turn up the pace?  I had run 8:30's in training without blowing up too badly.

I was worried about pushing too hard too soon. I knew at some point I was going to pay a price for the tailwind.  I kept looking at the palm trees that lined Las Vegas Boulevard to see if they were rustling in the wind.  Had it died down?

The downtown area can be a little rough. The crowds had thinned and the glamour of the city high-end casinos turned into pawn stores, wedding chapels, and other small businesses.  

The organizer has plenty of music on the course. I don't remember too many bands, but I do remember many DJs.  A couple of them were playing songs that really got me motivated, which helped just as I normally feel my pace start to slip.

While the race was a night race, there is enough light to see clearly.  I was never worried about tripping on something or hitting a pothole.  I was so focused on running evenly and in control.  The miles just seemed to slip by.

Around mile 9, when I reached the downtown area and started to make a series of turns before heading back to the strip, I decided I was going to really crank it up a bit.  I wound up pushing it to 8:30's.  I really started to reel in runners.  Normally, I go out too fast and wind up dying at the end, with the humiliatingly feeling of being passed. By now, I was in charge.

Caesar's Palace Day Before the Race

Around mile 10 I was heading south again.  Just a 5K to go.  While there was some wind, I was being sheltered by it from some of the buildings.  I was I going to dodge a bullet? Maybe the wind had died down.  In fact, at times, I felt like the wind was at my back.

Mile 11 I was slapped back to reality.  I could see Circus Circus and the final miles laying ahead of me.  I had the will and energy and my effort doubled down.  I was still passing people, but occasionally a speed demon would work their way past me.  But for the first time in a long time I was having not a good race, but a great race.

My pace, however, did suffer the last 2 miles.  The wind was intense.  I kept looking for someone bigger than me to draft off of.  The problem was that most people were running significantly slower than me.  The few that were passing me, I tried to keep up but simply couldn't.  More often then not, I had to fend for myself.   

The effort was there -- I knew I was running at least 8:30's but the wind had me running 8:50's.  And I was getting fatigued mentally and physically from fighting it.  I was counting down the quarter miles, thinking about how many times in training when I was hurting, I could just grind out one more quarter mile.

I didn't have a lot left when the finish line came into view.  The wind had gotten the best of me.  I was sort of afraid to look at my watch too, to see where I was going to come in at.  I had seen my most recent splits and spiritually, I was crestfallen.  But still, I was trying to save every second.  The Fashion Place mall came by, then Treasure Island and finally the Mirage.

I crossed under the finish line -- having run 13.14 miles in 1:54.  I could hardly contain myself -- a fantastic race!

Time to celebrate at the Bellagio Buffet

Conclusion

This race exceeded my wildest dreams in terms of performances.  I had 3 goals on this race:

1) To finish

2) To finish under 2 hours

3) To finish in 1:55 to 2:00

4) To finish under 1:55

I hit my top goal.

I had put in a fair amount of work into the race -- a lot of longer runs with speed thrown in.  But I had my doubts about this race.

In the past, I've had issues with my stomach or weather or being undertrained. But those things never surfaced this year.  The weather was windy, but I want to say it worked to my advantage.  Most of the course was run northward and with a southward wind, I got a gentle push for a lot of the race.

The few southbound miles at the end were a bit sheltered from the wind, so I didn't have to content with the wind except for the final 2 miles and the first 2 miles.

I also had the added benefit of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, which made the running feel easier.

While the last 2 miles probably cost me 60 - 90 seconds, I felt that my time could've been further improved.  I should've started my speed-up at about mile 6 or 7.  I was feeling pretty good here but I wasn't really sure what I had until mile 9.

I haven't run this fast of a legitimate half marathon since I did Riverton in 2021.  

After finishing, I was feeling fantastic.  Usually I am pretty gassed and want to just sit down, but I was over the moon in terms of emotion.  I wound up taking a bunch of photos of the finish line -- having run with a phone in my FlipBelt.

I was so excited that I almost forgot my finisher's medal.  If I hadn't seen one of the volunteers I would've totally forgotten.

They had plenty of refreshments after the race. Gatorade, water, chips, bananas, and other snacks.  They even had wine spritzers of some sort which I almost grabbed by mistake.

It was getting colder by the minute now that I had quit running. I hadn't stashed a bag and the foil blanket that I had grabbed was helping only a little.  One of the downsides to the race is that there is quite a walk to the exit -- nearly half a mile.  

I was still glowing by the time I made it back to my room.

Overall, I was very happy with my experience.  Packet pickup was convenient and easy. The shirt was nice and the medal was cool.  The volunteers on the course were enthusiastic and excellent in supporting me.  My only gripe about the race was the starting village and the cluster-mess it was to get out of the runner village.  Also another demerit was that there were once again NO bathrooms at the finish line. 

I did sign up for 2024 and I am looking forward to seeing what next year brings.

Upcoming Races

03/04: 2023 March Madness 10K - West Bountiful, UT (Confirmed)

03/18: 2023 Vineyard City Gold Rush 5K - Vineyard, UT (Confirmed)

03/25: 2023 Riverton Half Marathon - Riverton, UT (Confirmed)

04/08: 2023 Eggs Legs 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

04/22: 2023 Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

04/29: 2023 Blossom Run 10K - Santaquin, UT (Confirmed)

07/29: 2023 Timp 10K - American Fork, UT (Confirmed)

08/19: 2023 Rock 'N Roll Salt Lake City Half Marathon - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

09/23: 2023 Witch Run 10K - West Jordan, UT (Confirmed)

10/21: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Salt Lake City, UT (Confirmed)

10/28: 2023 Haunted Half 5K - Provo, UT (Confirmed)

03/04: 2024 Las Vegas Half Marathon - Las Vegas, NV (Confirmed)