Last night, I completed the RnR Vegas Marathon.  It was hard for me to complete it.  I seriously wanted to quit since Mile 10 but I had nowhere to go but forward.  I finished it as my third worse (5:21).  In positive news, at least my quest for a second maniac star continues.

The race started at 3pm.  Weather in Vegas has been really nice, until race day.  Temps were to be 65-59F which felt way colder, but the not so nice part was the wind that started Sunday morning.  We had at one point in time in the race 30mph headwinds.

For me, that was not the issue.  It was windy but I didn't feel it by then.  It was the dust that came with it.

Miles 1-6 - The first few miles went great.  I was running at MP and my HR was spot on to where it should be.  I actually kept looking at the pace and the HR and saying damn, everything is working out fine.  These miles started at the Mandalay Bay going South and then turning back to the Strip and going North all the way til the end.  Best part was seeing DH at the NY NY Hotel.  Instead of saying hi, I gave him my Body Glide and yelled take it!  LOL.  Poor guy.  I don't think he'll spectate ever again.  By Mile 6 I was still on pace feeling OK, slightly slower because of the headwinds.  My bib was about to be torn out of my body several times.

Miles 7-10 - The horrible miles.  It's like when you're watching a movie and you already know what's going to happen and you're yelling at the TV for the victim to run.  Except I didn't feel that way then.  I should've known.  At Mile 7, the wind brought sand and dust.  A lot.  My shoes filled with it.  My eyes, especially my nose.  I should've known that was going to kill me (in fact, it could've killed me).  But I continued on, surprised that the Mile had gone so slow compared to the others.  20 seconds off.  First mile above 10mm.  Mile 8-9 continued the slow down and me (silly me) wondering why.  Doh, girl, asthma attack coming soon!.  At Mile 9, I started hyperventilating.  I took one puff of albuterol but continued running.  By Mile 10 I had to use one more puff.  For those wondering what caused the attack, it was not the speed, it was the fucking dust.  I am lethally allergic to dustmites and the wind was already screwing up with my breathing, but the dust "storm" finished me.

Miles 11-15 - These miles follow the new course, all the way to North Vegas.  There is nothing to see, nowhere to go.  All lonely streets with neighborhoods close by.  I really wanted to quit.  I was already walking.  Longest I could go running was 1/2 mile before I had to walk.  Breathing was still an issue although not badly, but all my body was super sore. It took me 5 miles t o figure out why.  Since all your oxygen goes to your lungs so they can breathe, the rest of your body works with less oxygen and therefore, the more you move, the more sore they get.  I've experienced this before, why the heck didn't I notice then?  Although my HM point was not recorded (although I did cross the mat), it was 2:19.  And it kept getting worse.

Miles 16-20 - I continued pushing on because I had nowhere to go.  At Mile 20, I met this guy who was finishing his first, local guy (I already turned off my music I was sick of it).  We walked and run together for 4 more miles.  I saw the sag wagon further back picking people up and as I was crossing the Mile 20 mat, I was so tempted to hop on it, but by then, the Strip was nearby and I thought, I paid all this money to come here, the least I can get is a medal.  So, I didn't hop in the van.

Miles 21-26.2 - I continued run/walking and by now I could run 3/4 of the mile but my muscles were exhausted.  This has happened too many times before for me not to be fucking frustrated.  I didn't ask for this stupid asthma.  Please go the fuck away!  We got together with the HM course at Mile 24 but this year they had us cordoned off so they were unable to cross our way.  It was pretty well organized this year.  I crossed the mat with a third worse marathon and over 5 hours.  I even texted DH from my new BFF's phone to tell him I was still at Mile 22 and to entertain himself while I got to the finish.

The race was well organized.  The bands were playing for the back of the pack as well as for the front.  They even yelled encouragement to us (I was probably 20 from the back).  The volunteers were serving water cups even thought the sag wagon was close to  us.  The sag wagon was full, so I wonder whether they got their medals for not finishing, just like we've heard RnR events do.

Anyway, on to the next.  It was a very frustrating and painful night.  I am stupid for having signed up for a marathon covered in dust.  Oh, well.

Congrats, Docket, on finishing in terrible conditions.  Check it off and move on to the next one!

You are truly, ONE TOUGH COOKIE (Donut?)!  Glad you will get your star but wow, that does not sound like fun. 

This is the second year I have heard of RnR Vegas being less than ideal.  Mental note, maybe not ever run RnR Vegas.

The race was awesome and the organization too.  It was just not ideal dusty weather for me, but other than that, it was very nice.

thats a rough one Docket. you have a great outlook with the "on to the next one". You are tougher than a two day old donut.

Have you ever considered running while using a "buff". They use them in saltwater fly fishing. They are light and breathable, may help act as a filter. I know nothing about asthma but......you could be a NINJA runner

Great job toughing it out Damaris, sometimes it is a victory just finishing the damn race and getting the medal (as with my 5:01 at Copenhagen - stupid calf!)

Docket - great job in just finishing.  Not sure I would have kept running given the circumstances.  Thanks for sharing the race report.