Hey, Seattle Runners
I skipped the Seattle Marathon this year to train for an inaugural race down in Vegas. As, a native Seattleite, I felt a little guilty watching my fellow runners slog through the rainy/snowy mix of grayness on Sunday, November 25th. I thought about doing the half-marathon as a training run, but decided to avoid getting out my Heli Hansen and hit the treadmill instead.
A group of us are going down to Vegas, to stay at The Mandalay Bay and run the new half-marathon. This new marathon started in 2005; a half-marathon was added this year. The loop course starts in front of The Mandalay Bay Hotel and proceeds down the strip, including the Freemont Street Experience. The course has a gradual incline towards the middle and then a nice decline finish. “A course designed to break records”
Gambling, dancing and a downhill finish were the points that influenced my choice of races this fall. We plan on doing some shopping and hitting the spa afterwards too.
The race is started with fire works and “Viva Las Vegas.” You may have heard of “The Flying Elvis’s”, this time they are running. Hopefully, I will break a personal record and beat the Elvis’s.
Sorry Seattle. Maybe I’ll run next year.
Although I got a late start, I’ve been a serious runner since 1994. I ran my first marathon in 1995 on my 30th Birthday. It’s been my goal to run the Boston Marathon since then. I missed qualifying by 12 minutes that year. I needed to run 3:40 and ran 3:52. Running in the most prestigious marathon, is the ultimate for most runners. The fact that you have to qualify, only fueled my competitive juices.
Over the next 9 years I ran 6 more marathons. I love running so much that I became a 
