We were corral 21 out of 40-something corrals so even though it took about 45 minutes for our corral to be let go after the race started, I was just happy we weren' further back. I set my watch for 8:2 intervals and the “8” part was more like a trot than a run or even a jog. I was all about avoiding any pain arriving in my foot and knee, which meant taking it real slow.

So I trotted along. I said goodbye to George around the 5K mark to allow him to actually run the race at a decent clip instead of my 12 minute pace during the 8 minute intervals. I took in the sights and sounds of the amazing downtown area of the Strip, of the people cheering. I was in a much more easygoing mood for “taking it slow and careful” this day than I had been for MCM. Even with lingering injury, 13.1 miles felt like a cakewalk after the Marine Corps Marathon. Like a 5K after your first half marathon. Even though I was moving slower than ever in a race, mile 8 approached and I was like meh, more than halfway done, what’s up.

I mean, taking it slow for Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas means you really get your sightseeing foot tour money’s worth of the Strip. When else in your life do you get to do this? Never. Amazing.

For more, visit my blog! https://writingreadingrunning.wordpress.com/2014/11/28/race-recap-rock-n-roll-las-vegas-half-marathon/