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Saturday February 04 2012
 

Las Vegas Half Marathon - Race Report

Printer friendly version Posted on: Tuesday December 16 10:07:17 AM
Las Vegas Half Marathon - Race Report Well, this one was a bust! 

This report is late, in part because we are stupendously busy...or stupid busy if you will these days. 

The story on Vegas is divided by a few different topics. The travelling, the race, the company and the city itself.

1. The travelling.

US Air 4 thumbs down from Anita and myself, as I am sure Julie and Nir will agree. $15 surplus fee to check in our bags. Checked baggage - $15 USD extra? Outrageous.

2. The race.

Las Vegas, should be a great place to run a half marathon, or so we thought. After an average race expo, we were hopeful that the race itself would be interesting. There was zero on course entertainment, very little crowd support, sparse with spectators aside from a handful scattered here and there. The route was fine for the first 8K running along the famous Vegas strip in the early morning darkness, but then we headed into industrial wasteland, commercial grayness, potholes, construction and dullness before finally heading back behind the hotels on the strip for the final 2k. The highlight? The fireworks from far off before the race started while Robin Leach counted us down (which we could hardly hear on the poor sound system used for pre race festivities)

As far as our race goes, we didn't shine, although Julie did set a Personal Record of 2:13:58. We were hoping to do 2:09. Maybe next time under better conditions as the start was very crowded and slow for the first 5k until it opened up a bit. We did start way too far back in the pack. My fault. I really should have known that with 18,000 runners and all.

Anita pushed as hard as she could to get on pace, and for a while, we weren't too far behind our goal but her nagging injuries got the better of her and she did an amazing job just persevering and holding on to finish about 5 minutes behind her best time. I have now ordered her to rest up and cross train only for a while to get those injuries healed in time to train for a spring marathon.

I enjoyed my duties as pace bunny and would like to have another go at it in the future. Running across the finish line, hand in hand with Anita may be schmaltzy, but it was nice.

Oh, and I must mention, of all major races we have run, and most small races too, these were one of the worst finisher's medals and the worst (cotton!) t-shirts...and for a fee as high as we've paid anywhere else.

3. The Company

Yes, now we have our moment of brightness. It was nice to travel with Julie and Nir and great to meet up with old friends Ron and Lisa who joined us from Vancouver. Even though we weren't all in sync as to when it was time for napping and time to party, it was a good time. And of course, any time travelling with Anita is a good time. I just plain love to travel. Even if it is to Vegas! I;d travel anywhere to be with and meet with friends.

4. The City

Which brings us to the city itself. God awful place it is. Well, there are some good points. We saw a great show "O" by Cirque du Solei. Maybe not $300 CAD good, but quite enjoyable. Some (some) of the food was really good, although much more expensive than the last time we were in Vegas. 

If we were looking for hookers, we were in the right place. They're everywhere as are the people who hand out their 'business cards'. For instance, $35 gets you Candy, but for $38 you can have Victoria. The some are $150....are they that much better? They are beautiful girls if their business card photos are any indication. Do you think the girls on the cards are the same as the ones who will show up at your hotel? Do you think the $35 gets you any more than a 'Hello'? No and no. (I am assuming :)

The casinos were not nearly as fun as last time due to the smaller crowds. The recession has really hit Vegas hard. No more loud constant ringing of slot machines and people cheering for big wins. And the bars and clubs all want an exorbitant cover fee to go into mostly empty establishments. I must say though, we did enjoy the (free) time we spent in New York, New York's "Nine Fine Irishmen" a small but neat pub that featured a great band playing Irish classic tunes, new and old complete with a great step dancer joining in every few tunes.

That's it, our fabulous 4 days in a nutshell. Is there  a doctor in the house, I NEED A DOCTOR! (Inside Joke, sorry to those who don't get it :)

Julie and Anita, before the fun began!

The dynamic duo before the start of the race
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 COMMENT 
 Posted by Dave on: Tuesday December 16 10:07:17 AM

Comments:

comment bubble Julie
 
Of everything that you wrote (accurately I must say) guess which is the only part I focused on....? Give up?
It was NICE to travel with Julie & Nir and GREAT to meet up with old friends Ron & Lisa.
That's all I register at is a "Nice" nothing else?

Nice, Dave, real nice.
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Posted on: Tuesday December 16 01:17 PM
comment bubble Jennifer Reece Maxwell
 
Congrats on the race you guys! Good on you! I was in Vegas at the very same time! I'm amazed we didn't run into each other as we frequented New York, New York, several times. And Dave, your description of Vegas is bang on! That place is WAAAY tooo much... Anyway, wishing you and the family a wonderful Christmas...! Cheers, Jen
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 12:02 AM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
Julie, we see you guys every week, sometimes 3 times. If we lived in Vancouver and saw Ron and Lisa every week, it would be nice to travel to Toronto with them andf Great to see you guys again.

Jen, Great to hear from you. I can't believe we werer in Vegas at the same time! Of course it won;t happen again because I can't see us going back anytime soon.

Merry Christmas!

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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 09:22 AM
comment bubble Anita
 
How can so many people I know be in Vegas at the same time, it is like some mass hysteria!
Jen-Merry Christmas, so good to hear from you.

Julie, it is always nice to see you and great to hear from you, I love you more than you love me.........
The reason I love you?  Cause you are so needy but don't think you are.
WE adore you!!!!
xoxoxo
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 09:30 AM
comment bubble julie
 
Dave, kiss my nice arse.
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 12:50 PM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
would you like some cheese to go with that wine?
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 02:43 PM
comment bubble julie
 
parmesan reggiano please. 
yummy!
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 02:59 PM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
Oh, you mean Parmigiano-Reggiano right?
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 04:09 PM
comment bubble julie
 
according to www.m-w.com I spelled it correctly.

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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 04:21 PM
www link icon  comment bubble Dave
 
So you are right. I forgot Miriam Webster was Italian. Ah, the language of love.
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Posted on: Wednesday December 17 09:25 PM
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