It has taken me a while to write this, as I wanted to be able to reflect and share with you the experience I had running the Humana Rock and Roll Half Marathon in Las Vegas. My husband, four friends and myself ran this race on November 17th. One of us, actually, ran the marathon - and WOW did she impress. What a feat to accomplish!
We flew into Las Vegas the night before and got to our hotel around 9:30pm. When you know you are going to be running a huge race the next day, the whole "arriving in Las Vegas" scene looks very different. The next day we were sure to start hydrating as soon as we woke up. We tried to sleep in, but we ended up making it only to about 9am. The race began at 4:30pm, and we had to be at the start village to pick up our race packages at two.
The start village was a quick walk from our hotel, so we returned to the hotel after getting our numbers. We walked back to the start village about an hour later, and the first three of 6 of us entered the corrals. They had a 4:30 start time, and I had to wait until 5:17.
Myself and a friend were the final start wave, and we entered the corrals about 4:50. Waiting, hydrating and using the porta-potties was about all we did until then. It was nerve-wracking watching our friends leave to begin their race while we waited.
I was feeling really well hydrated. I waited patiently in the corral and then we were ushered up to the Las Vegas strip to the start line. Once we reached the strip, it was so cool to be walking down the road with all the lights and people lining the boulevard. The start line was pulsating with energy, and a wave of fireworks signalled the final wave's start - my start.
As I crossed the start line, two things struck me. I had to pee, and I was thirsty already. I had to put it out of my mind and run. I started my watch to track my race, and began my music. Although the race had entertainment along the way, I wanted to be able to have my music/playlist accompany me. One kilometer in and I was feeling good - this is the last time I measure in kilometers, I think. I am in the US, and here comes mile marker 1. I keep running and I am feeling quite good....uh-oh.... $hit...I have a pebble in my shoe! How the heck did that get in there?! Every once in a while it really hurts as it moved under a toe... and I still have to go pee.
Keep running.
Around mile 2 I see a row of porta-potties and I rush in there. Not in my plan, as I didn't want to waste time, but it must be done.
About this point in the race, we are heading north on the strip, and heading into the big lights and crowds of people watching. My headphones just quit on me, so I shove them into my pocket on my leggings, and I keep running. I am feeling so good at this point, as I just hit a water/rehydration station (I was PARCHED), and I have gone pee and the pebble in my shoe is not bothering me anymore. This is now going well!
Approaching the half way mark (mile 5-6), I am running in the middle of the strip and going by the finish line on the other side - so many people are crossing and look relieved, and I can't wait to be one of them. I search for familiar faces. Running is going well, and I keep heading north.
Shortly after hitting mile 6, I look to the other side of the course, those who are about 5 minutes from finishing, and I see Shannon - a friend who used to train me! She got me started in running several years ago. "Hey Shannon!" I call out... she looks over and waves and shouts back words of motivation. I keep going a little bit longer, but now hydration is starting to be an issue. Every single hydration station is so precious, and each time I get to one, it is needed. I can feel my muscles starting to fatigue due to this. I need gels. I don't see them at this station, so I grab a Gatorade and slow to a walk for a bit. I didn't want to walk much, but I need to at this point.
I eventually start to run again, and as I am running I am nearing the end of the north end of the strip. Pawn shop after pawn shop, wedding chapel after wedding chapel. The crowds are thinning, and the lights are not so bright anymore. Now I begin to struggle with the mental game. It is late in the race and I am alone and my mind begins to play with me. I think to myself, "You got this, keep strong." I look at my Google watch, and the watch face I have chosen says, "Babe, you SO Got This"... I need to keep going.
After the weird turn around through what I call the "armpit" of Vegas, we begin to head south again, and I can see the sign of the Mirage Hotel in the far distance. I know it's still a few miles to go, but at least I can sort of see the finish line. I know that once I get to the Stratosphere, I have about 3 miles to go, so I keep working on it. Hydration continues to be an issue, the dry Nevada air is tough on me. I employ a walk-run strategy.
I am getting closer now, and texts on my watch are coming in fast and furiously as people finish up. I see one from my friend Amy, "Charity - you are so close!" They are tracking all of us on the app.
Mile 11 - 2.1 to go. I feel the pebble again. Damn. I stop to take it out. Bathroom! I need the bathroom! I stop at the row of porta-potties on the boulevard.
I get a text from my husband, who has finished, and he says he loves me and to keep going. I exit the porta-pottie and keep going. I am so close.
Mile 13 - run fast! I start sprinting, there is the finish! People everywhere cheering - the energy is amazing, just like at the start.
I cross the finish line. DONE.
Shortly past the finish line I see my husband waiting for me and I collapse in tears in his arms. I am so happy to be done, but so grateful to have done it with the people I have here. He takes me down to my friends who are on the other side of the fence in the finish area. They have bubbly and cold beer to celebrate.
My time was not what I trained for. I struggled hard, but I did it. I found myself stronger than I thought, as I encountered many obstacles in these 13.1 miles that I didn't anticipate, but I got through it and finished.
I know it's crazy to say, but I think I want to do another!
We flew into Las Vegas the night before and got to our hotel around 9:30pm. When you know you are going to be running a huge race the next day, the whole "arriving in Las Vegas" scene looks very different. The next day we were sure to start hydrating as soon as we woke up. We tried to sleep in, but we ended up making it only to about 9am. The race began at 4:30pm, and we had to be at the start village to pick up our race packages at two.
The start village was a quick walk from our hotel, so we returned to the hotel after getting our numbers. We walked back to the start village about an hour later, and the first three of 6 of us entered the corrals. They had a 4:30 start time, and I had to wait until 5:17.
Myself and a friend were the final start wave, and we entered the corrals about 4:50. Waiting, hydrating and using the porta-potties was about all we did until then. It was nerve-wracking watching our friends leave to begin their race while we waited.
I was feeling really well hydrated. I waited patiently in the corral and then we were ushered up to the Las Vegas strip to the start line. Once we reached the strip, it was so cool to be walking down the road with all the lights and people lining the boulevard. The start line was pulsating with energy, and a wave of fireworks signalled the final wave's start - my start.
Keep running.
Around mile 2 I see a row of porta-potties and I rush in there. Not in my plan, as I didn't want to waste time, but it must be done.
About this point in the race, we are heading north on the strip, and heading into the big lights and crowds of people watching. My headphones just quit on me, so I shove them into my pocket on my leggings, and I keep running. I am feeling so good at this point, as I just hit a water/rehydration station (I was PARCHED), and I have gone pee and the pebble in my shoe is not bothering me anymore. This is now going well!
Approaching the half way mark (mile 5-6), I am running in the middle of the strip and going by the finish line on the other side - so many people are crossing and look relieved, and I can't wait to be one of them. I search for familiar faces. Running is going well, and I keep heading north.
Shortly after hitting mile 6, I look to the other side of the course, those who are about 5 minutes from finishing, and I see Shannon - a friend who used to train me! She got me started in running several years ago. "Hey Shannon!" I call out... she looks over and waves and shouts back words of motivation. I keep going a little bit longer, but now hydration is starting to be an issue. Every single hydration station is so precious, and each time I get to one, it is needed. I can feel my muscles starting to fatigue due to this. I need gels. I don't see them at this station, so I grab a Gatorade and slow to a walk for a bit. I didn't want to walk much, but I need to at this point.
I eventually start to run again, and as I am running I am nearing the end of the north end of the strip. Pawn shop after pawn shop, wedding chapel after wedding chapel. The crowds are thinning, and the lights are not so bright anymore. Now I begin to struggle with the mental game. It is late in the race and I am alone and my mind begins to play with me. I think to myself, "You got this, keep strong." I look at my Google watch, and the watch face I have chosen says, "Babe, you SO Got This"... I need to keep going.
I am getting closer now, and texts on my watch are coming in fast and furiously as people finish up. I see one from my friend Amy, "Charity - you are so close!" They are tracking all of us on the app.
Mile 11 - 2.1 to go. I feel the pebble again. Damn. I stop to take it out. Bathroom! I need the bathroom! I stop at the row of porta-potties on the boulevard.
I get a text from my husband, who has finished, and he says he loves me and to keep going. I exit the porta-pottie and keep going. I am so close.
Mile 13 - run fast! I start sprinting, there is the finish! People everywhere cheering - the energy is amazing, just like at the start.
I cross the finish line. DONE.
 |
| feeling strong and grateful |
Shortly past the finish line I see my husband waiting for me and I collapse in tears in his arms. I am so happy to be done, but so grateful to have done it with the people I have here. He takes me down to my friends who are on the other side of the fence in the finish area. They have bubbly and cold beer to celebrate.
 |
| a high five to our friends who were there in support |
My time was not what I trained for. I struggled hard, but I did it. I found myself stronger than I thought, as I encountered many obstacles in these 13.1 miles that I didn't anticipate, but I got through it and finished.
I know it's crazy to say, but I think I want to do another!
 |
| L-R: Kali, Tyler, Jeanelle (marathon runner), Greg, myself |
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