LVHM - The Legend December 3, 2007
Posted by kimayars Run
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Ah Vegas. It feels like such a distant memory. Yet, the pain still courses through my body…
Seriously, it was an EVENT. I’ve never run in anything like that before. Good heavens, it took Beth and I nearly 10 minutes to cross the start line! Before I get into the gory details, here is a summary:
Clock Time: 2:25:16
Chip Time: 2:16:56
Overall Placing: 3416 out of 8162 (59th percentile)
Placing in Women: 1508 out of 4774 (68th percentile)
Age Division Placing: 334 out of 887 (62nd percentile)
I’d say not too shabby!
There was a ForeRunner “malfunction” (I accidently turned it off while removing my jacket and missed about 2/3 of a mile). But, here are our recorded splits:
Mile 1: 10:40
Mile 2: 10:22
Mile 3: 10:12 (this is the mile that only recorded 1/3)
Mile 4: 9:57
Mile 5: 10:08
Mile 6: 9:41
Mile 7: 10:18
Mile 8: 10:06
Mile 9: 10:15
Mile 10: 10:25
Mile 11: 10:27
Mile 12: 10:47
Mile 13: 11:44
Beth and I donned these new fangled timing chips — they were attached to our bib, and we peeled them off and tied them to our shoes. The cool thing is they were disposable, and make a really cool keepsake!
It started off with a bang. Literally. They tried to use an air horn, but to be honest it sounded a little weak. But the FIREWORKS! Now that was a way to start off a race. We were serenaded by an Elvis impersonator and Robin Leech emceed. Our little Apline Days 5K fun run in North Bend has a lot to aspire to…
Beth and I agreed to start out and try and maintain 10min miles. Neither of us had run a full 13.1 miles yet this year, so this seemed like a good plan. And, I must say, it was a brilliant plan. I felt really good until mile 6. That’s when I first started to notice aching from pounding the pavement. There is a HUGE difference between running long distances on trail and running on asphalt. But the distractions along the way were pretty cool. 
Around mile 3 there was a performance by Blue Man Group. At mile 4 or 5 there was a run-through wedding chapel. I got to see Elvis marry Marilyn Monroe. And yes, if you couldn’t tell, I did run with my camera. (Hey, when am I ever going to do something like THIS again??) Just after the wedding chapel we were cheered on by over 150 running “Elvi” as we started the loop back around toward home. At mile 6 Beth and I fueled up ready to bring it home.
The second part of the run wasn’t as interesting. There was some form of music at every mile, but I don’t really remember much of it. The funniest thing we passed was a showgirl supplies store. I guess they have to get their “gear” somewhere! Next year I’m doing my souvenier shopping there.
That last mile wasn’t impressive, but there’s an explanation for that. Just as we passed the Mile 11 water station, I started feeling dizzy and nauseous. I turned to Beth, and said, “I think I’m going to have to walk. I’m not feeling so well.” Her answer started me. I fully expected her to say, “Yes, let’s walk and see if you feel better.” Instead she said, “If you are still upright, I would encourage you to continue running. Otherwise you’ll regret it and always wonder if you could have made it. We’ll hit the 
water station at Mile 12 and keep going.” I thought that was a pretty good plan. Or at least I was in no condition to argue. So at Mile 12, Beth took a bio-break and I drank as much water as I could for the last mile. And yes, the picture of Beth was taken just after my water break. She looks WAY too happy, don’t you think?
When I saw the 13-mile flag I nearly cried. For the first time I realized that I was going to make it.
We crossed the finish line together, and walked through the chutes to get a medal and a really cool silver blanket. We got bannanas, water, and found our hubbies in the “finish line festival” area.
I am really happy with this race. For one thing, I finished well below my goal of 2:30:00. I also feel like I gave it everything I had. I wouldn’t change a thing. I have no regrets. There was pain. There was joy. And there was the *knowing* that I did something I never thought I could do.
So, will I do another one? Well, like childbirth, the memory of the pain of that last mile will have to fade considerably before I will even consider it. Until then, I’m content to going back to running 4-5 miles with an occasional long run thrown in on weekends.
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 12/02/2007
- Time: 06:00:00
- Total Time: 2:16:56.00
- Distance: 13.1 miles
- Average Pace: 10:27.18/mile
Comments
Woohoo! Way to go Kim!
I think I see the makings of a 2nd cape
Kim, great to meet you on Saturday! Sorry we didn’t see each other on Sunday.
Your race report is awesome and I love that you took pictures. How great that you acheived your goal and had fun doing it. That’s the way to do it. Like you, at just under 2 miles to go I got vertigo and thought I was going faint right there in the road. Just as I was trying to come to grips with the idea of my race getting cut short it passed. Something in the air - or lack of it.
Keep running, you’re a natural!
Excellent race report! I’m so glad you took on this challenge! I’m so proud of you! You’re an inspiration to me!
That’s a great race report, and having seen the excellent photos, I’m so jealous!
Thanks for taking the time to write it up. Despite what you say now, you know you want to do another one - if only so that you can stop off to buy your ’souvenirs’ next year. (I’ll bet that most people click on that link, though it’s really more Von SmallHaussen’s idea of keep fit wear!)
congratulations, wish we could have seen the race, maybe from the comfort of our pillow top mattress at the hotel…I can’t believe they televised it. But we were on the red eye home! Sorry we never met up on Saturday, I am sure you were very busy..Ai
I know how far you’ve come and what this meant to you. Thanks for sharing with us. I got a little choked up when I got to your mile 13 nearly crying moment. You’ve achieved big here girl. Keep on keepin’ on! And, CONGRATS!
Congratulations!! I am very proud of you. You are a great inspiration.
Congrats! That’s a great time!
Congratulations Kim! Great race!
Great job - I would say not too shabby at all. WOW!
Thanks for sharing. I wish I could have joined you all. It seems like everyone had quite the experience!