If you’re just joining us, we left off after the Rock n Roll Vegas 5k on Saturday night. I enjoyed a late-night recovery meal at In N Out Burger (animal style) and turned my sights toward the half the following day.
On Sunday the first order of business was to head to the buffet at the Mirage and carb up like a boss. That’s about the only pre-race thing I got right. I figured I’d eat a big breakfast and taper through the day until race time.
This wasn’t my plate but mine wasn’t far off.
We spent the rest of the day WALKING. Yes on my feet. All damn day. With a half marathon to run later that night, not the smartest strategy. But it’s Vegas after all you have to have FUN!
So we walked, we toured, we shopped, acquired the requisite Las Vegas Starbucks mug. Until it neared time for me to go back to the hotel and get ready for the #stripatnight.
Race-time was forecast to be windy. With rain. Oh joy. Sunday was about 10 degrees cooler than Saturday. Still pretty nice, but I made a game-time decision to go with long sleeves. Good choice.
Caveman dropped me off at the pre-race Kid Rock concert, just off the strip across from the Luxor. I’m not much of a Kid Rock fan. I know him as the guy who sings the newer version of Sweet Home Alabama. But I have to say I quite enjoyed the concert. The vibe was electric. And he rocked. As soon as the concert ended the wind whipped up. Being the desert, sand started to fly furiously. Yikes.
After a potty stop or two and gear check, it was time to head to the corrals. I almost fell over when I saw there were close to 50 of them. I had to get myself up to corral 12. So much walking, so little time. I worked my way up. No easy task. Everyone was in a celebratory mood. So many Elvises (Elvi??) So many brides.
I’m pretty sure the first corral went off before I even made it to mine but I got there in time. The starting arch shot flames in the air as each corral started. Super cool. Before I knew it, it was our turn and off we went in a tight huddle.
Goals for this race? Soak it in and have fun! This was the first time EVER I did not wear my fuel belt for a half marathon. I planned on sauntering and sipping through the water stations.
The first 10k flew by. We ran past the iconic Welcome to Las Vegas sign then looped back for our trek up the strip. I’m so not a gambler and the furthest thing from a night owl. But there’s something about having the entire Las Vegas strip completely CLEARED for you so you can RUN down it, that is indescribably surreal. Oh my the lights and the people, the music, the fountains. It was sensory overload in the best way. The wind was harsh but mostly at my back. I got a couple good blasts of sand in my eyes though. We headed down toward the Stratosphere. That was my focal point.
By the time I got to downtown Vegas it began to rain pretty hard, which was good in that it stopped the sand from flying in the wind. How’s that for a positive twist? I distracted myself with all the cute wedding chapels. People will tell you it was cold, and it was by Vegas standards, but not by Chicago ones. I had my sleeves pushed up for most of the race.
Miles 8-9 were kind of dark, deadsville, except Toyota, bless their hearts, spiced it up with lights and DJs, which I appreciated. After that all I could think about was making it back toward the Stratosphere, which loomed in the other direction now. The final miles were hard into the wind, which was crazy strong now. I was ready to be done, but of course the finish line was nowhere in sight. Not yet, anyway.
At last I was in the final stretch, the finish line electric, just like everything else about this race, and it was over. Caveman and the kids were there spectating and freezing. I heard about that later. I walked what seemed like another 10 miles collecting bling, heat sheets and food.
Final Words: This was an extremely fun race. The night aspect definitely adds a new dimension to racing as you have to plan your food differently. Since it was dark, it was tough to see my Garmin and I could read very few of the spectator’s signs. Heck it was so windy I doubt there were many signs anyway. This neon shirt may be my favorite Rock n Roll Series race shirt ever. Oh and the medal? It spins and glows in the dark. How cool is that? I had my reservations about doing a night race series but even with dead, over-tired legs, I had no problem with the half at all. I’d do it again in a heartbeat!
If you’re up for running the #stripatnight in 2016, register for the half or full marathon right now for a reduced presale rate of only $99. But hurry because that offer ends on 11/22/15.
What races do you have left to run this year? What’s on tap next year?
Wow, that sounds like a blast! Except for the sand. My contact lenses would not have been happy about that! Good to know, If I ever run that race, I’ll have to prepare for that.
50 corrals?
Hi marcia ,
that sounds really awesome over there.
99 Dollar for a Running event?
Here i pay around 50 Dollar for a full Marathon in my area.
But its good that you had fun.
I planned a 9,6 k for december but dont know if i will be fitt there with my legs
I think the RnR races are PRICEY, but they do it up right with the bling & atmosphere. The bling is AWESOME, colorful, quality, and heavy LOL I did a 6-hour Ultra race back in July, which started at midnight. Yes, the fueling and food was a challenge to figure out…and there’s that lack of sleep thing, too 😉
Glad you enjoyed! Told ya so!
The first yr I did it really was cold (just above freezing). And windy. And rainy. Good times.
I actually would like to do it again someday, but I still have 41 states to go and I’ve already done NV twice.
I’m glad you had lots of fun too! It was a great race overall. I wasn’t cold during the run at all but the second we stopped I froze. I felt for the spectators because just standing there would be cold for sure.
Boo to the wind but YAY to the fun! I ran it last year and had the time of my life- it definitely is a great race to check off the bucket list!
Whoo hoo!! It was such a blast despite the weather! I would do it again in a heartbeat! And what did you think of In N Out animal style? Was it as good as you hoped? 😉
Sounds like an absolute blast, despite the weather trying to put a damper on everybody’s race. I’ve only run one night race, which was a 5k with a glow in the dark theme. I’ll be running my first night time half next November when I run Wine and Dine, and I’m sure it’ll be an entirely new experience from the morning races that I’m accustomed to.
Sounds like a blast! I’ve only ran one night race, and worried about tripping over my own feet for most of it, LOL!
Great recap! I hear you on the pain of being on your feet all day long and walking around so much prior to running the race that night. It was the same situation at Disney Wine and Dine. Yikes on that weather and the wind! Who knew it would be raining in the middle of the desert on race night? Go figure!
Love love LOVE that medal and race shirt! RnR did good! I’m running the RnR San Antonio Remix next month, woo hoo!
Just want to say YUM to animal style 🙂 I’ve only had it twice but I want more lol
Great review and congrats on the race! I’ve never run a race at night…that has to be challenging! And with rain, wind and sand, wow! Glad you had a great time! Haha at “Elvi” 🙂
I have only been to Vegas once, but would have LOVED to race in that crazy place !
The sand sounds awful but I love the rest, sounds so fun!
Love the medals! Very bling-y just like vegas haha
I also ran the Vegas half & agree with pretty much everything you said. Running the first few miles up the Strip…it was so cool! I was actually thinking “is this real life??”! My husband & I renewed our vows at the Run Thru Wedding. That was lots of fun. Only downside is that they didn’t “pause” our time so it looks like it took us about 40 minutes longer than actual to complete the race. The downtown part was pretty boring & the last three miles were so windy. But I loved everything about this race and would totally do it again! And not a huge fan but Kid Rock put on a great show!
YaY Congratulations! Sounds like you had a really great time!
I ran their full marathon the last year before they switched it to the night, I have been wanting to go back and try the night version sometime.
My sister was running the half this year too, I was jealous she got to go to a Kid Rock concert and I don’t know what he sings either other than the Sweet Home Alabama remake, LOL
She didn’t even tell me that it rained in the race, but she did tell me she enjoyed it. What a fun race for you all!
I think the hardest part for running a night race in vegas would be trying to be careful what I did and ate all day so I didn’t spend too many trips in the port-o-potties, LOL
Great job though, and I love the glow in the dark medal! Yet, another cool fact my sister forgot to mention, LOL
This sounds like a fun time! I never thought I’d really care to run in Las Vegas, but reading your race report and others, I think I’m now more interested. Congrats on another great race!
Sounds like you had a fun time. I love that it didn’t feel cold by Chicago standards. Different perspective LOL.
Omg you’re making me want to run some races next year! I don’t have any planned – not sure I want to make the commitment. But this Vegas run would be cool.
It sounds like the weather was rough, but running down the strip at night must have been so much fun! Congrats!
I think they did a better job this year at mile 8-9. I remember it being completely dead, dark and super boring last year. Thank you Toyota!!!
So bummed that I didn’t get to see you!! 🙁
Yes, the wind was so crazy during the race, I thought I was going to lose a contact lens!
It was so fun running the strip at night and I would definitely do it again!
Great recap!
Glad you had fun in spite of the snotty weather!
It is such a bummer it rained! I have been in Vegas when it poured and there was quite the wind. It always feels strange in the dessert.
I am glad you still had fun! It sounds crazy crowded. I thought my race was big last weekend lol I would love to see the strip cleared, it is always so crazy with traffic at night!
I really like the shirt 🙂
Awesome! Sounds like a great race despite the weather! I’m hoping to to do Vegas in the future. It’s so tempting to sign up now with the price going up soon!
Sounds like so much fun, despite the sand flying. And that bling…be still my heart!
I guess that bling makes up for that wind and sand ! Night races are hard for me too- the food thing is hard to adjust and like you said you have been up and moving all day. Sounds like you had a blast! Next up- Turkey Trot!
I LOVE the medal! Super cute! Sounds like an experience running on the strip! Thanks for sharing! I’d love to do this run sometime, but just starting on my running skills I think I’ll have to wait a year or so! Plus $99 just isn’t in my budget at this time!
It’s hard to find experienced people with this topic, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about!
Thanks