Last year’s reviews on Marathonguide.com were pretty bad, but I needed a Nevada Marathon, and this one was only 100 miles from my home, and I really thought that the race directors would improve the run, so I decided to do it. I’ve posted a more critical review on the Marathonguide website, here (look for mine with initials LD) http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2439070506 The running temperature was great - at about 38 degrees. I found my place in the pack, and was waiting for the start when a rumor came down the line that the race would begin 45 minutes late. I asked to borrow a cell phone, and called my husband - since my family was going to meet me near the 2 mile mark of the race. I knew I was in for a long day on my feet, with a goal of 5 to 6 hours, so I found a curb in a sliver of sunlight peeking through the buildings, and sat and tried to relax. Had a nice chat with another runner from California who was doing the 10k, and she let me use her cell phone, so I could once again call my husband as the race was about to start - 1 hour and 20 minutes late! It seemed I was the only runner using the 5 hour pacer to try to keep on track. My strategy was to start out a bit faster, but still comfortable. However, knowing I had ran my last M in 5:55 three months ago, I knew I would probably be slowing down a little throughout the run. I kept with the Pacer for about 6 or 7 miles, and then fell back, and was feeling good into mile 13. For the next few miles, I would walk now and then, but still kept a pretty good pace. My husband and boys found me at mile 3, and then again near 5 or 6. I had instructed him NOT to come see me until after mile 18, since I knew from experience of my previous marathon that miles 10-18 could be the toughest mentally - these were the longest miles, when I start second guessing my abilities and wonder why the h*** I’m still on my feet after 2-3 hours. I thought that if he came by with the car, it would be way to easy to just give up and jump in. At mile 23, as the course turned from roadway onto river bike path, my boys met me with a cold coke to boost my energy, and encouragement to try for my PR. The course had been fairly flat, with just a few short hills and small inclines over rivers, etc. But now, along the river, it began rolling up and down, and my running turned into more walking with only short bursts of running - probably about ½ and ½. Both my boys came cheering me on at 0.2 miles to go, and as I sprinted (lol) my final bit, I was surprised to hear the announcer say that this was my 4th marathon in 4 states (my husband had told him this - one advantage of small races), which drew a nice applause from the meager crowd that was still there…but it made me feel like an elite runner, even though I finished in 5:30:59! It was still a PR, though, and I was very happy with it, being 3 years older, carrying more pounds, and at 4500 feet higher (in elevation) than the previous best time of 5:35. And it’s a gorgeous medal, with the artwork from the Nevada quarter enlarged - running wild horses and mountains! New strategies that seemed to work in this run : Eating high carbs 2 hours before the start Didn’t bring any of my own water with me, relied totally on the aid stations spaced every 1.5 to 2 miles for Gatorade and water I did bring my own fuel, however - energy gel in two small flasks in a cheap little fanny pack from target, at the recommended dosage by Hammer Gel, for my weight, which is quite a bit more than the amount typically recommended Succeed! (salt) tablets every hour to supplement my electrolytes Don’t stop at the aid stations - keep walking! Summary: An easy course, with great race day temperatures for those of us that like it on the cooler side. Scenery was okay - nothing great, but nothing awful, either. Be wary of the racer director’s lack of organization in carrying the event out. Be prepared for anything. Race Organization and Support: 3 out of 5 (all of these points are for the “support”, not for the “organization“, since the aid stations were great!) Course Difficulty: 2 out of 5 Scenery: 1 out of 5 Would I do it again? No way; but the problem is there aren’t many other marathons in Nevada!

Yea - I looked at those, and in fact almost did the Valley of Fire last year, but it looks pretty difficult, and it, and the rest of the runs, are closer to Las Vegas - which is a full 10+ hour drive for me, meaning 2 long travel days. Also - 2 of those you mentioned are new, and I wasn't aware of them until AFTER i had trained for the Reno one. Plus, I've been to Vegas 4 times, and it's not really my thing, nor is running in the heat (the Devil one)! There was a trail run near Reno that I considered, but it ended up being cancelled, and it would have been much more difficult to finish with my slow pace. At least I got the nevada one done - and it ended up being a really good run for me!

Excellent Race report Landy. Congrats on the PR despite your LBs, elevation and 3 yr older conditions! cheers Dave