Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas – December 5, 2010
I did it! All 13.1 miles, with no stopping and a truly phenomenal “Game Face” on! It was just like Brett Michael’s sang at the end of the race, “Something to Believe In.”
My “official” Rock ‘n Roll 1/2 Marathon Las Vegas Recap:
I began getting fairly nervous the night before, as we had walked a lot and my feet, legs and lower back were extremely achy. My plantar fasciitis was throbbing, but my husband gave me a fantastic foot massage and I fell asleep.
I woke up at 5am on race day. I went to the hotel lobby to grab some Starbucks. Ew. They were closed, so I had to settle for McDonalds Coffee (surprisingly not bad). I didn’t have any bananas on hand and due to all the bloat going into the day, I thought it would be best for me to just drink a little coffee, water and endure the run. Ryan got this hot shot of me, which I promised one of my BFF’s (you know who you are yizzies):
Told You I'd Rock the Fanny: Rock 'n Roll 1/2 Marathon Las Vegas
We headed out to Mandalay Bay around 6:15am. Calm, quite and perfect.
My #1 Fan
As we were walking there, I started to get nervous and excited. It’s the most bizarre feeling and the only other time I’ve had it is when I did my 1st 1/2 marathon. I’m scared. Nervous. I want to cry because I’m scared and nervous. But then I’m so happy and excited and proud. So then I want to cry because of that. It’s a whole mish-mash of feelings all bottled into one, ready to explode at the starting line.
I headed to my Corral (#5). I got into my “zone.” And by “zone,” naturally I just mean a positive frame of mind. The national anthem sounded, I looked up on the big screen to watch. It was CHER! Yes, the Cher! By this time I definitely have goosebumps and I’m ready! Shortly after the anthem ended, I was off, since I was so far towards the beginning.
Run!
Mile 1 – 5 I was cruising! I thought I might finish in 1:40 at that pace. I was calm as can be, passing people left and right. I had amazing energy, and I truly had no idea how I was able to do it. There were people cheering everywhere. Great rock bands, local cheerleaders, spectators – thousands! I told myself after mile 5 that come mile 6.5, I would pick up the pace even more and remain around a 7:30 for the rest of the race.
But then around Mile 7-ish my body breakdown began. And by the time I got to Mile 8, I was sure I’d have to slow to a 10 min/mile pace. I was horrified! My energy was there. I was not tired, but my quads, hams, feet, left lower back and hip flexors were tightening up and making me miserable. My body just naturally slowed down. And then my mind played tricks on me for a second saying, “It’s okay, slow down.”
Around Mile 9 I told myself, “No it’s not okay. There are only 4 miles left. And you’re done.” At this point in “the game” it’s mostly mental. You either get your mind right or you’ll probably be overtaken. Fortunately for me I kept telling myself many, many things. And each time I said something positive or thought of something/someone positive, miraculously I ran faster. This struggle between pain and positive thinking continued on to the 20K mark.
By the time I hit 20K, I truly just wanted to be done. But good news then is less than 1 mile to go! So I hauled. And as soon as I turned the corner and saw the final small stretch and huge Las Vegas Banner waving over the finish line, I sprinted. There was a man right next to me and I just told myself, “You must beat him.” And I did!
Upon crossing the finish line, I was definitely dizzy and thirsty so I took my sweet time walking out to grab bananas and water. I just enjoyed the moment, even though I felt less than great! Ryan met me, and I was so happy to have someone there supporting me! I was cold, so he gave me my sweatshirt/coat.
Done! And with a huge smile....
I had 5+ lbs of extra bloat with me that day, and I had not “truly” trained for a month. And so yesterday when I got my final results, I could not be more proud!
Rock 'n Roll 1/2 Marathon Las Vegas - Final Results
Ryan & I enjoyed the rest of the day and night. We had a great lunch (grilled salmon salad), then grabbed frozen yogurt, headed to our room and relaxed by watching “The Town.” When that was over, we gambled awhile and went to dinner at the Toby Keith Bar (salmon + wild rice + veggies + corn tortillas and salsa). We watched the Vegas Rodeo live on TV. I had to have this mason-jar drink!
A beautiful mason jar at The Toby Keith Bar
The day ended by meeting up with the most adorable Amy Burford I know:) We went to the Jake Owen concert and had a great time!
Sarah Kay & Amy Burford
I was reminded again that finishing a 1/2 Marathon, Marathon, Ironman or anything else that’s physically enduring is NOT about the race itself but instead about making a commitment, having dedication, setting goals and following through. And these are the basic principles I strive for daily in my life. It is not my goal to do another one in the near future because I am looking to heal my body, work on the “food” side and engage in other, new and exciting goals (more on these coming soon)!
Surely there will come the time when I’ll be back….and I’m looking to make the Rock ‘n Roll Series a part of that!
Count Your Fortunes!
ps. Thank YOU – again – Ryan for coming with me, dealing with me (!) and supporting me. You are my #1 Fan always in life and love:) YOU give me something to believe in:
Battle Lake 5K – July 25, 2010
Nike Plus 10K Human Race – October 24, 2009
I Did It: My First Half Marathon Success Story – October 18, 2009
I did it – all 13.1 Miles! Not only did I do it, but it was an AMAZING experience!
My words cannot and will not do this perfect day for me any justice. I am just hoping that through some of these pictures you can “see” a little bit into my day!
From the beginning of the weekend at the Nike Women’s Expo…the journey had started.
I met some FABULOUS Nike Human Race Pied Pipers: Ms. @anotorias & Ms. @bicoastalite. Pretty cool that we all originally met via Social Media! I can’t wait to see you guys again!
Nike Town was BOOMIN’ on Friday!
I had to Spread my PASSION on the HUGE Nike Town White Board!
I had a relaxing day on Saturday before the event on Sunday. I ate, had my Baristas latte and got out for a 3 mile jog. As I laid my head down that night, though, I started to get so nervous. I h ad 3 things on my mind:
- Would I make it in under 2 hours, like I wanted so badly?
- Would my stomach finally hold up for all 13.1 miles for me?
- Would family, friends and Pipers be proud of what I accomplished?
Needless to say, I did not sleep very well. I probably fell asleep about 10:30pm. I woke up at 3am and when I could not fall back asleep, I made the decision to get up, brew coffee and mentally get in this game.
We left the house at 4:38am. We arrived in San Francisco at 5:38am.
Standing there at the starting line was an overwhelming experience. There were 20,000 people ready to run. It was still dark. The only lights were those in Union Square and the ones that lit up for the course. Looking straight ahead all you could see was the “countdown” to the start. The National Anthem was sung. My heart was beating so. Then music was playing, energy was soaring. Some were crying, others were laughing and still others were just mentally preparing themselves as well!
10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1….
And we were off!
I paced myself so well! I just kept moving. The views were unreal. But I was not prepared for all the hills. I was so thankful I had done treadmill hill workouts. I was also thankful that I had prepared a lot with HIIT.
There were times throughout the race when I wanted to cry just because I was so happy! I’m not saying that the whole 13.1 was such a breeze that I was on Cloud 9 the whole time. What I am saying is that there I was -doing it – REALLY doing it. I did it for me – for the me I am NOW and for the me that I hope I NEVER HAVE TO BE again with so many stomach problems. I did it for everyone who could not be out there running. I was so thankful. I felt so blessed. And so when the hills got tough for me, I just fought them right back!
My Nike+ SportBand also got me through that race. I realize that most of you know by now that I’m an Ambassador for the upcoming 10.24.2009 Human Race and that perhaps I have to say this, but trust me when I say that that statement is 100% true! The SportBand tracks total distance, pace, calories and overall time. I kept it almost the entire time on the “pace.” I figured that if I kept it on “distance” it would play too many mental games on me. This way, when I kept it on “pace,” I was able to use those mental games to my advantage. I knew that it was okay when I was going up those hills at a 10 minute+ pace because when I was on a flat or downhill I would typically pace between 7-8 minute mile. With my SportBand, I could make sure of it! The challenge was fun for me!
I only made a PowerSong Playlist of 14. In hindsight, I should’ve probably had 20. But these 14 songs were magic for me:
- Rollin’
- Playaz Club
- Smoke a Little Smoke
- Lotta Boot Left to Fill
- Poker Face
- ‘Till I Collapse
- U + Ur Hand
- Yeah!
- Boom Boom Pow
- Fight Like a Girl
- Pink Guitar
- I Didn’t Know My Own Strength
- Beverly Hills
- That’s Not My Name
My body started to hurt around Mile 10, which for the NWM is not a good place to start having breakdown because there is so much cheering there and you think it’s the end. But then you see the Mile 10 Marker and you know you still have 3.1 left to go.
So I told myself….”It’s less than a 5K to go!”
Around Mile 11 or 12 there people standing with bananas, holding them out for us to grab. I decided I better grab one, since I didn’t stop for anything before then. I held it in my hand like a baton. I just tasted it. Somehow that taste helped me get through.
Mile 12 was the “Chocolate Mile.” Oh how nice it would’ve been to participate in that:) I just kept on moving. At that point I was ready to be done. I started to pick up the pace. I could feel that my knees were going to be an “achin’ unit.” AND THEN…..the roaring and cheering was heard. I knew the end was there. For about the last .25 miles I felt as though I was in the Olympics. There was Blue Carpet. A straight shot. A sprint. Thousands of people on both sides of you. The time clock high above to see in clear view. 1:47:58…..just seconds away – loud music, cheering, speakers – my last all….everything I had….Crossing the NWM Finish Line!
My “Official Time” – 1:48:30. Out of 2,065 1/2 Marathon F25-29 year old, I placed 48th! You can find me HERE.
There are many great “Official Pictures” from the Brightroom Photography of me HERE.
When I was done, I was definitely hurting. But I was so excited. So happy. So proud. I found a whole new part of me that I never knew existed! I found even more Passion and Inspiration. I can’t wait to see where this leads me next!
Amanda and I were freezing after the race! She was happy, too…she just was giving me “the look!”
We Celebrated at Lefty O’Doules near Union Square with Mike, Tracy and Baby Avery….to watch the Vikings of course!
And then we did one more stroll by Nike Town.
The Husband I Adore.
From the Curly Girl Design, “I am fairly certain that given a Cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world.
I am just getting started….these past 2 days since my mind has been going a million miles an hour! I hope to share my new project(s)/goal(s) with everyone soon! But for today…..I DID IT! BECAUSE I CAN!
Oh, and just one more thing……….YES, the men in tuxedos were waiting for us at the end – ready to hand us our perfectly-colored turquois Tiffany’s Box!
