The Las Vegas Marathon was, more or less, just as I remembered it … long.  However, there were some positive changes.  If the winds were howling last year, this year they were just above a whisper and were totally silent during the first half of the marathon.  For those who participated last year, this year’s weather seemed pretty good.  I felt a little nervous but ready.  My music was pumping and I felt like this could be my day.  The outcome?  Well being the undercover elite runner that I am, I surprised them all, stole the show, walked off with top prize and have been labeled the next Pam Reed/Ann Transon.  Yeah, we know that didn’t happen.  But, hey, I did have a great time.

So what do I have to complain about this year?  Try as I may, I can think of very little.  I hit a rough spot somewhere around mile 19.  It could have been because I didn’t eat breakfast, and unlike the trail runs I’ve done, the slow runners like myself only found Gatorade and water after the second aid station.   I did have two whole GUs though … plenty of fuel … NOT.  And, as hard as it is to admit, I used them at the beginning instead of the end of the run … big sugar crash.  I was even warned about this.  Can you say, IMMENSE display of stupidity?  But lesson learned.  I ended up just walking for most of mile 20.  But then I felt my second surge.  Once again the run became fun and it was on.  I was cutting people down left and right, giving them the look of death and then taking them down, zooming so fast I wanted my own special lane.  Okay again … didn’t happen.  But I felt good and I really was passing people.  So what if they had leg cramps, were hobbling, were spectators and not participants … I passed them and took pride in it. 

Did I tell you guys my goal????? Well for those who I did not tell and those who do not remember, it was 5:22:55 and I hit on the money … absolutely great pacing.  You do believe me don’t you?

Well, my son got a chance to experience Circus Circus.  My husband got a chance to gamble.  And I got a chance to run a marathon.  We all had a good time.  What a great and perfect weekend!