♠ Posted by Paul Naylor
The Mt. Charleston Marathon - where do I start with this one? The race was over before it began. I hate saying that because it is so negative, but looking back, I probably should have sat this one out.
This was a race I've been looking forward to since Revel Races announced it several months ago. I really enjoy their events and to have one in my hometown Vegas is awesome. Much training went into the months leading up to the race with an eye on a BQ. Nutrition was on point. Gear was set, and all that was left was to run the race.
I arrived near the finish line and made my way toward the buses. I was in somewhat of a hurry because I wanted to have enough time for a warm up at the start line. When the buses where in sight, I was so focused getting to them that I was not paying attention to the terrain. I mean, it is a parking lot, how bad can it be? Well, I ended up tripping on a cement parking block and ate asphalt, with my left knee taking most of the impact.
There was intense pain. There was blood. There was crying. And I wanted to die.
I laid on the ground for a few moments trying to recoup enough strength to stand. Once I was able to get up and walk around, I knew this was not going to be a BQ race, and probably no race at all.
I limped my way to the bus and having this internal battle trying to decide; Do I sit this one out, or run anyway? But as most runners, we know we are a different breed. We run until we physically cannot put one foot in front of the other. With this in mind, I boarded the bus.
We arrived at the start line. It was not as cold as I thought it would be. However, it started snowing once the race started. About a mile into the race, I was so excited for the race, I didn't really think about the pain in my knee. At mile 5, my pain was not really bothering me and I thought this will be a decent race.
After hitting the half marathon mark at 1:32, I was feeling the pain starting to increase. I tried to shrug it off, and continued with the pace for another 4 miles. My knee decided it had enough fun for one day. At the mile 17 aid station, I asked the medic if my knee could be bandaged and taped. This was the first time I had medical assistance during a race. It was a surreal feeling having your knee worked on and watching the runners go by. The surreal feeling soon left, I soon hated the point that I was not moving.
Once I started running again, the pain was getting more intense. each step soon became a battle. My pace was decreasing at a fast rate. The clouds started to clear, which brought up the heat. I ended up taking off the bandage job because the sweat was making them useless. My only focus at this point was to complete the race.
I winced and grimaced my way to the finish line, very happy to be done. In the end, grateful to run another marathon from one of the best-running organizations.
What I remember from the race:
- Snow at the start line, sun at the finish line.
- Great downhill race, at some points, you don't feel you're running downhill. Yet, you are..weird.
- Great support along the race, plenty of aid stations!
- Saw several Instagram friends, this was the best part.
- Saw a deer in the distance at mile 9.
- There was pie at the finish line! I think that's a first for me.
This was a great inaugural race from Revel. Which should be no surprise, this organization has some of the best marathons out West. Even though I did not reach my goals, I'm very happy to be part of this race and be in the company of great and inspiring runners.
I'll be back next year!
And I'm going to redeem my [knee] in the marathon!
This was a race I've been looking forward to since Revel Races announced it several months ago. I really enjoy their events and to have one in my hometown Vegas is awesome. Much training went into the months leading up to the race with an eye on a BQ. Nutrition was on point. Gear was set, and all that was left was to run the race.
I arrived near the finish line and made my way toward the buses. I was in somewhat of a hurry because I wanted to have enough time for a warm up at the start line. When the buses where in sight, I was so focused getting to them that I was not paying attention to the terrain. I mean, it is a parking lot, how bad can it be? Well, I ended up tripping on a cement parking block and ate asphalt, with my left knee taking most of the impact.
There was intense pain. There was blood. There was crying. And I wanted to die.
I laid on the ground for a few moments trying to recoup enough strength to stand. Once I was able to get up and walk around, I knew this was not going to be a BQ race, and probably no race at all.
I limped my way to the bus and having this internal battle trying to decide; Do I sit this one out, or run anyway? But as most runners, we know we are a different breed. We run until we physically cannot put one foot in front of the other. With this in mind, I boarded the bus.
We arrived at the start line. It was not as cold as I thought it would be. However, it started snowing once the race started. About a mile into the race, I was so excited for the race, I didn't really think about the pain in my knee. At mile 5, my pain was not really bothering me and I thought this will be a decent race.
After hitting the half marathon mark at 1:32, I was feeling the pain starting to increase. I tried to shrug it off, and continued with the pace for another 4 miles. My knee decided it had enough fun for one day. At the mile 17 aid station, I asked the medic if my knee could be bandaged and taped. This was the first time I had medical assistance during a race. It was a surreal feeling having your knee worked on and watching the runners go by. The surreal feeling soon left, I soon hated the point that I was not moving.
Once I started running again, the pain was getting more intense. each step soon became a battle. My pace was decreasing at a fast rate. The clouds started to clear, which brought up the heat. I ended up taking off the bandage job because the sweat was making them useless. My only focus at this point was to complete the race.
I winced and grimaced my way to the finish line, very happy to be done. In the end, grateful to run another marathon from one of the best-running organizations.
What I remember from the race:
- Snow at the start line, sun at the finish line.
- Great downhill race, at some points, you don't feel you're running downhill. Yet, you are..weird.
- Great support along the race, plenty of aid stations!
- Saw several Instagram friends, this was the best part.
- Saw a deer in the distance at mile 9.
- There was pie at the finish line! I think that's a first for me.
This was a great inaugural race from Revel. Which should be no surprise, this organization has some of the best marathons out West. Even though I did not reach my goals, I'm very happy to be part of this race and be in the company of great and inspiring runners.
I'll be back next year!
And I'm going to redeem my [knee] in the marathon!