Rock N Roll Half-Marathon Recap

So, yeah, this is overdue (and it's just a small part of my Vegas recap, too), and we may all be past the half-marathon chit-chat 'round these parts anyway, but it would be a very anti-climactic half-marathon training recap without the half-marathon race recap, I think. So, sit down, make yourselves comfortable, this may take a while.

First, Vegas is and will probably always be a favorite place of mine. I simply love a place that is all "hey, I am ugly and crowded and blinding and very, very drunk, and, FUCK IT, TAKE ME OR LEAVE ME. Also, here is an escort card while you drink your champagne from the bottle on the street." It's just so unapologetically itself, and I love it.

So, when I saw the chance to combine a favorite city and a huge life goal -- run a half-marathon -- and I wanted to go to Vegas to celebrate my 30th birthday anyway, it all seemed very perfect, and in many ways, it was. It was perfect that I got to run this race, after all this time, with so many people I love.

But, okay, let me back up a bit. The day after we got to Vegas, we headed to the race expo, to get our bibs and race bags. It was an incredible expo (best I've been to, honestly), and if we didn't have a show to see that night, I would have stayed until it closed.

Then came Sunday, and, OH BOY, was I nervous. I was nervous that it would be tough, that it wouldn't be fun, that it would be really cold or that I'd hurt myself mid-race or something else sucky-yet-predictable, but I wasn't expecting what happened.

First, we had to gather at our assigned corrals (of which there were 40-or-so, total) and we probably stood around for over an hour waiting for the race to start, maybe longer. I turned on "The Cave," right before we started inching toward the starting line, and I felt good. I teared up in anticipation of doing it and I felt, right then, that I was ready.

We finally got to the starting line and took off. Kristie and I had talked about walking every two miles starting at mile three, but we both felt great at mile three and kept going. The first 4-5 miles were on the strip, and it was incredible to see all the lights around us and hear the spectators cheering. I felt great, other than a slightly annoying foot cramp (maybe because of the cold?), but it wasn't anything impossible to deal with.

Once we got off the strip, the race started to feel less organized. The bathrooms seemed to disappear, the lights were sporadic, the water stations became more insane, and we decided to stop around mile 8 (still feeling good) to use the bathroom at a Burger King. Unfortunately, the lines weren't budging, at all, and we probably waited a good ten minutes and, shit, I just got stiff. When we started running after that, it was pretty painful. Miles 8-9 were just hard, but not impossible, and then we hit mile 10.

I've run 10 miles, I've even felt good running 10 miles, but miles 10-13 of this race were excruciating. What was so frustrating was that, mentally, I was there. I was repeating every mantra I've ever used, I was looking at this beautifully lit-up strip and trying to channel all the energy of it, I was reading every handmade sign I passed, and I was thinking of every single person I loved, but I felt my body begin to shut down. I've honestly never felt like that during any run. It wasn't exhaustion or being mentally beat down, I just felt sick and it was very strange for me because, well, I so rarely get sick.

I will never know how I made it across that finish line. It wasn't sheer determination or strength or willpower, it was just autopilot, and I think that's why I feel so crappy about it. I didn't feel anything but pain when I finished.

Once we finished, everything got blurry. I couldn't think of eating or drinking anything, but I knew I needed something. I tried a bite of (green, under-ripe) banana, and wanted to throw that up. I tried an energy drink and wanted to throw that up. I couldn't really speak, which felt weird, but I finally saw Mike and kind of lost it for a bit. I finally felt a little relief after seeing him, and I knew that no matter what, thank goodness, I'd at least have him. From there, we went inside Mandalay Bay, the hotel where the race ended and tried to work our way back to our own hotel.

{I did not want to take this photo, but I'm so glad I did. Thank you Kristie for making me!}

Oh, guys, inside the hotel is when things really got awful. I don't know if the race organizers didn't communicate well with the hotel staff, but they somehow let thousands of runners (there were 44,000 total runners) walk through a somewhat small corridor of the hotel when a show was also letting out (and foot traffic was allowed the opposite way). I don't know why so many runners felt like I felt -- very, very sick -- even though there's speculation on the race's Facebook page and in articles around the web that there was contaminated water at one of the water stations, although who knows if that's true -- but it just got nightmarish in Mandalay Bay. Runners were fainting and vomiting but medics couldn't get to them through the wall-to-wall crowd. I was getting panicky because I'm short and in claustrophobic situations, I feel, well, claustrophobic, but I also felt really sick, and it was bad. Just bad bad bad.

It took about an hour to get through the crowd and when we finally did (oh, thank goodness), I finally got sick in a Luxor trashcan (and felt much better) and then had to walk another half mile or so to our hotel. I kept saying to Mike, "I honestly don't think I can do this. I don't think I can keep walking." And he kept saying, "I know you can, I know you can, I know you can." And that's all that got me through it. Oh, shit, it sounds so dramatic, I know, but it was hard and I've never been so happy to see a hotel room in all of my life. I collapsed into bed and slept until the next morning and it might have been the best night's sleep of my life.

I kind of hate that it all ended with a tough last four miles and a really tough trip back to the hotel, but I like to think any race I run from here on will be better. This is a race that took in nearly SIX MILLION DOLLARS and while a big chunk of that, presumably, went to charity, it just seemed that for the sheer SIZE of the race, it would be meticulously organized. It actually fueled my desire to organize a race one day because so many of the issues seemed preventable. (So many aren't worth getting into, either, but OH THERE WERE A FEW.)

Putting all that aside, can I just say, I am so glad to have had Kristie running with me and Mike waiting for me at the end. Shit, for a solitary sport, I sure do require a helluva support system to do it, don't I? (And I have one HELL of a good support system, too.)

All that really matters is that I finished the half-marathon. I somehow dug deep enough to do it, even though every part of me screamed to stop. I kept beating myself up because it wasn't fast enough or I didn't feel strong enough but screw that, right? I did it. I crossed the finish line (in 2:47:44) and I know that every half-marathon from here on will be better because of this first one. And, yeah, I can actually think of running more now, even though if you had asked me right afterward, I would have said NO NO NO NO NO NO, NOOOOOO, HAAAAA, NO.

Good thing, too. I run another in six weeks.

Comments

[Heather]

You better believe I sat in my bathroom sink with a cup of coffee and read this the moment I got out of the shower! YOU.DID.IT. it doesn't matter how you felt at the end, you dug deep and you finished, and that is what matters. Because it means that you pushed yourself and you believed in yourself and you achieved a goal that you worked so hard to achieve.

I am so sorry the aftermath wasn't the celebration you were dreaming of. But I am glad that you are going to give the last four miles the big ol' middle finger in six weeks. You are a rock star!

[Bethe]

Bad news... Rock & Roll is for-profit, none of their proceeds go to charity.
Sorry your first half was lousy, but congrats on finishing!

[jodifur]

Congrats! What an accomplishment!

Oh my! It must have been that weekend b/c I ran a race in Dc that was also a clusterfuck! (Can i swear on someone else's blog?)

[Jen]

I can't wait to hear more about it in person. Adam and I did the RNR race in Virginia Beach and it was so hot (Labor Day weekend). I remember crossing the finish line with him and feeling so sick but RNR's whole thing is that they keep you walking for probably more than a mile through the aid stations (in our case the VB Boardwalk) and I just wanted to sit down and cool off. So I go to the side and immediately 20 RNR people come up to me and either yell at me to keep moving or ask if I needed a medic. I felt awful but really all I needed was to take 5!

Like I said, the 3M is pretty much the antithesis of an RNR race, if it's similar to the one I did in '09. No corrals and waiting an hour to get to the start line and when you finish, you're done :) While running a big race is AMAZING and you can really get swept away in it all, it's tough at the start and finish because there are just so many flipping people.

And the fun thing about running lots of different types of races is that you can become a race snob and know which ones are good :)

[K]

Congrats, Jennie!!!!!
I think that weekend was not a good one for races. Did you hear about the Hot Chocolate 15k/5k race in Washington, DC that same weekend? I ran it and it was a logistical nightmare too. I can only imagine how you felt trying to fight through a crowd while feeling sick though. That sounds dreadful.
I'm glad your experience didn't turn you off from running and racing though. I've heard that the RnR races are really crowded and that's one reason why I have no desire to do one.

[A'Dell]

Wait, what? It's for profit? But I thought it benefitted the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation? Anyway, either/or no excuse for a badly organized event for more than forty thousand people. I have been in that narrow corridor you describe and it IS narrow and LONG and it's right by several things that let lots of people out and it's just stupid.

I am so proud of you and Kristie! You did it! Even when it sucked, you did it! I always knew you would, of course, but I am so so so proud of you.

[Jenn]

I'm so glad you finished the race, but so sorry it was a nightmare. At least you still have the mindset that "next time" will be better! That is all that matters!

[Steph]

OH MY GOSH!!! I have been waiting to read your recap, because I am just soooo excited for you!

Jennie, YOU DID IT! You crossed the finish line! Oh man.

I am sorry that the end wasn't spectacular, but I hope you know that no matter how hard the finish was...YOU DID IT!!!

Congratulations! :D

[stephanie]

Congrats!! I'm sorry that it sucked so much at the end, but you can now officially say you are a half-marathoner and that is AWESOME.

[Elizabeth]

I am so proud of you for doing that. You are inspiring!
I have been in SO many races with dicey water situations that now I just always carry my own.

[Lawyerish]

Congratulations again on this awesome accomplishment! Those last three miles are always bad, bad, bad for me, too, but the important thing is that YOU DID IT. You are so tough and so strong, and on top of that you made it through that awful post-race scene.

And I'm so excited that you're doing it again in six weeks. :)

[Tia]

Congratulations!!!! My co-worker did the 1/2 as well, and she also complained about how poorly run it was. BUT YOU DID IT! That is something to be really proud of!

[Jennie]

Bethe & A'Dell: I know they encourage a "team" element to all Rock N Roll events, where teams can raise additional money for charities that are given press and coverage through the event website and social media platforms, but it's not clear if any of the participant's actual registration fee goes back to any of those same charities. I'm going to look into this.

[Kristie]

We did it! This next half will surely be a much better one. I can feel it!

[ant_danielle]

I was a big crying mess reading this post...especially when you said Mike was telling you "I know you can". You guys are so awesome for having done this race!!

[Kate]

Congratulations Jennie!! I've been waiting anxiously for your recap. I thought about you all that weekend and was sending good vibes your way, and then when I heard what a nightmare the race ended up being, I was SO worried for you. I was praying that your silence wasn't because you were still sick or injured.

I have to say, I've done the Seattle RnR the last 3 years and every year it's been a dream. It's a bit smaller, about 26,000 people, but it's always been pretty flawless.

Anyway, congrats again. Hang that medal where you can see it every day to remind yourself of your awesome accomplishment. You deserve it!

[Rebecca (Bearca)]

Amazing job, Jennie! Wow. Proud of you!

[Home Sweet Sarah]

Oh man, I'm practically crying for you over here. You're so awesome and I'm so glad you did this. Rock it, lady!

[Ali V]

Congratulations! I've been anxiously awaiting your recap after reading a bunch of awful reports on the Vegas race. I'm so sorry all that happened an I hope it won't keep you from trying another half. I was really disappointed to hear about your experience because I thought that might be a good race for me next year, but I don't think I'd dare try it now. Sounds like it was really poorly organized affair, which surprises me because I did the RnR half in New Orleans last year and it was such a great experience, though I think it was a much smaller race overall.

Way to power through to the end in not ideal conditions. You should be so so proud of yourself!

[elz]

Congratulations!!

My friend ran the RnR in Vegas & also said it was horribly disorganized (she's run numerous races, so she has a pretty good idea of what works & what doesn't). She said it was a cluster*&^ from the start when too many people were jumping ahead in time slots they shouldn't. She said the worst was in Manadaly Bay. They also tried ordering room service that night and were told there was a 4 hour wait time due to the amount of people!

Sorry your first 1/2 wasn't awesome. At least it's over!

[Ashley Applewhite]

3M is SUPER organized and a really great race. I PR'd there many years ago, and I have nothing but good things to say about it. I know you'll enjoy it much more than you did Las Vegas (based on what I read above). <>

[Katy]

WEll, that was one of the more dramatic running posts I've read in my lifetime.

But, hey! You finished! And possibly while poisoned! That's pretty damn impressive. I'm pretty sure you'll be able to kick the half's butt the next time you attempt it. Kudos, Jennie!

[Elsha]

You amaze me.

[Erin]

Congratulations on completing your half marathon! What a bummer that the organization was so poor. All the more power to you for getting through the rough last few miles and the badly organized exit. I'm looking forward to reading more about your Vegas trip and hearing about your next half marathon in 6 weeks! You rock!

[Andrea]

congrats on your finishing! I also had friends that ran and said things were awful. One of them had planned to run another half in April and is now totally in the camp of 'never again' :( Good for you for movin' on and doing another one. I'd also be curious to hear about your investigation into how much/if any registration $ goes to charity... I had thought about doing the Seattle 1/2 in June and now I think I'll take a pass on all RNR events.

[Erica Huff]

Since the only reason I bother running is to feel great afterward, I would be SO PISSED if there was just sickness at the end. I hope you finish the next one feeling amazing!

[Dianna]

Way to go, Jennie! I'm so proud of you for finishing even if you felt like crap. I started training yesterday for a half marathon in May...eek! Can't even run a mile at this point so we'll see how it goes. If you're going to be in the Seattle area in May, not likely I know, would be awesome to have a pro runner along! Again though, you did great and should be so proud of yourself.

[natalie]

You are such a rock star... and you and Kristie will do wonderfully in Austin! Plus, I'll be your chauffeur post-race, so no crazy shenanigans in hotels. ;) Congrats, a million times!

[Tara]

You are awesome for even attempting to run a half marathon, so to finish it? Rock star. That's all there is to it!

Congrats on powering through this one...and here's to hearing all about the fantastic runner's high you get from the next one, to make up for the crappy finish in Vegas :)

[natalie]

I'm so proud of you! What an awesome accomplishment. In a few months you won't even remember the bad stuff, you'll just remember the awesomeness, just like child birth. ;)

[A]

Huge well done to you, having run one, I know how hard it is. You are amazing!

[Retro Jordan Sale]

One of them had planned to run another half in April and is now totally in the camp of 'never again' :( Good for you for movin' on and doing another one. I'd also be curious to hear about your investigation into how much/if any registration $ goes to

[Caitlin]

Jennie, I keep coming back to this post trying to find something eloquent to say about this monumental thing you've done, and I just can't, so I'll say this: You are inspiring, and awesome, and thank you for sharing all of this and I LOVE YOU.

[Bethe]

Jennie - I know for a fact R&R is for-profit because I serve on the board for a non-profit marathon, and we're very familiar with the organization. However, they put on a fabulous half in San Antonio...

Again, congrats. It's a huge life accomplishment, you should be so proud of yourself!

[Camels & Chocolate]

YAY! CONGRATS!