Beethoven In Trance - Episode 22

so we went to the 2nd Las Vegas Marathon (also the first half marathon).

It was our first half marathon. We came up with this idea about last month when we were thinking about how to celebrate our wedding. Half marathon sounded like a very daunting quest to us at that time as we didn't have any training for that long distance. Neither of us has ever run longer than 7 miles at that time. We were not in the best shape either.

First thing came to her mind is that it's a great idea, second though follows along is 'it's crazy, we can't make it'. Third thought is 'if we don't do it now, we won't do it forever'. So we booked the hotel, flight, and registered ourselves to the marathon. That was 4 weeks ago.

I trained myself the week we booked the tickets, and I hurt my knee. 'Runner's knee', that's what they call it. Rested for couple days, and reduce the distance. Bought the running shoes. Tested them on the road. Didn't do any long distance, wondering how to complete this race?
Checked some website and got some tips about warm up, strech, and how to run strong by run slow at the begining. Key strategy it turned out to be.

Meanwhile, she had blister on the toe and have to wear my shoe (because it's a large size).

We went to Las Vegas with only one mission - to finish the race.

Checked in Luxor late at night, the hotel is totally smoked. The room has good view, but it doesn't have an individual air condition. It's dry in Vegas. Drunk lots of water, and went to bed right away. Got up 6am next morning and tried to get accustomed to the local weather. Toured around the strip and visited some casinos, took some pictures, and got to the Expo for the race bib and goodie bag. Got back to hotel later and went to sleep around 6pm local time.

Waked up around 11pm, when the night just started in Vegas. We could heard the noise from the lobby, as people started to pull into the casino. Kept sleeping till 3am, woke up.

Got breakfast, esspresso, energy bar and gatorade. Stretched, unloaded the system. Went down to lobby at 5am. It was a crowd there already. Went off the road to the start line and it was chilly. Got into crowd way back from the start line around 5:30am. There was fireworks, and bluemen's group. Waiting... waiting in cold, and with an urge to go to bathroom...

The people in front of us started to move, and it moved faster than we expected. Running slow and steady, warmed up the boddy bit by bit, eyes on every mile mark to see if there is a long line for the bathroom. Miles 3, water break. Had a cup of Gatorade, and waited in line for the bathroom. 10 minutes lost.

Got back on the road, and still running slow. Felt better and better as body started to warm up and sun started to come out. It was very windy though(supposed to be 50 mpg).

Mile 5, the 'run through wedding chapel'. A group of people is going to get married in this chapel and it attracted some crowd. There are 'I dos' shout out. We stopped by for some pictures, then went back on road.

Mile 7.5, the full and half marathon split, and a group of 'Elvis' joined us in the race.

Mile 9.5, enjoying the songs from Elvis

Mile 11.5, stomach started to complain, nothing huge, but getting uncomfortable, knee started to complain too.

Mile 12, crowed on both sides of the road, people were cheering, realized it's time to put on some speed for the final rush.

Mile 13, saw the finish line, and speeded up a little bit

Finish line, kissed just before step on the finish line. We did it.

Our bib says 'JustMarried'

Took off the chip on the shoe (the timer), and took some pictures, got the medal and got in line for the finisher photo. Took two photos and went to get some water and banannas.

Legs and knee were complaining.

Went back to hotel and took a shower, rest, then go out for food. Had vietnamese noodle (price is suprisingly reasonable). Went back to hotel, rest again. Then went to the Spice Market buffet at Aladdins. Had some great food. Stuffed. Came back out, watched fontain shows in front of Bellagio.

Went to La Village buffet at Paris the next day for lunch. Food was good.

Sick of the casino buildings, went to Tj Max, found a Lenox plate for $2, good deal.

Returned the car, then went to airport.

Loaded the pictures to computer, then to the website. Talked to people on MSN, waiting for the boarding.

Finally, leaving Las Vegas.

Got back to Cleveland around 6am. Drove back home, took a shower, and sleep. 3pm, got up, went out grocery shopping. Had dinner, went to bed again.

We are back to Cleveland lives now.