Through the winter of 2008 into 2009 I was able to get out and put some miles in, however my knee wasn’t feeling too great… Iliotibial Band Syndrome – or ITB, I needed to get stronger! Even with the pain, I decided to enter the Red Rock Canyon Marathon in Nevada, just outside of Las Vegas. It was held in March and at first I entered the full marathon. Then after a few runs with some pain, I decided I would still make the trip, but do the half. However, when I got there, I changed that thought. I was already there, if my knee was going to bother me, I’d just treat the run as a hike; the location in Red Rock Canyon is stunning!
My Dad, mom, sister and myself arrived and made the drive to Red Rock to go over the course.
Really beautiful, to drive or to run or hike.
You can see Vegas in the distance. It’s a nice change from the strip if you’re making a trip to Vegas. Give yourself a casino break and get some Nevada Red Rock under your feet!
The marathon is held on the Red Rock Canyon Scenic Loop, which is 13 miles out. So runners go out, and then come back for the full!
Dad reading all about the area, as always.
Again a look in the direction toward Las Vegas. Map below is from redrockcanyonlv.org Great deal of information at that site!
There are trails where you can hike up the Red Rock. Can you see the people? This rock looked like a turtle, and is called Turtlehead Peak!
The Scenic loop was absolutely beautiful! It was a bit windy, especially when we made it to the highest point, and the air had a chill to it, but so nice to get out and soak in the sun and the outdoors!
Hikers in the Red Rock… they’re so small!
Red Rock Canyon information center had caveman-era design of my sister and her dog Wookie. Or myself and my dog Dallas! ; )
We stayed at Tahiti Village, my mom happened to have a time share there, it is a nice hotel, not on the strip, with a great zero-entry pool and lazy river.
We of course made our way to the strip. I’ve been to Vegas probably seven times now. I don’t gamble and there’s a ton of things to do and see, it’s a cool hot place to visit, but I prefer the mountains or in this case, the red rock!
Protein shakes the night before the race!
So here we go! Morning of, a little over a minute to the start of the race! This pic looks bright, but the sun was just barely coming up.
You start running at sunrise…
And as the sun rises in the sky, it begins to reflect against the beautiful red rock!
Running past Dad, Kristen and Mom! They were there super early braving the chilly desert air and wind! All bundled up just outside of Vegas!
Beautiful views!
Eventually my knee did begin to hurt, around mile 15. So I was out there on the loop back, mostly by myself. That was fine. I walked a bit and ran a bit. And enjoyed the sunshine, the views, just the wonderful feeling of me being out in the grandeur of nature! A place very different from where I lived!
Made it to the highest point, nearly 5000ft! I was ok with the altitude, it was just my knee that would give me a bit of pain through the last 10 miles.
There were some climbs along the route! With the altitude and the steep uphills, a lot of people walked!
Finished the race in a time of 5:16, definitely not a great time at all for me, it’s actually my worst time ever! But I was walking the last 10 miles. And I did enjoy the views!
And I did finish in 3rd place for women in the 20-29 age group. The reward for this was a fantastic red rock trophy!
