You know how you get the option? I get to use BOTH.
As many of you know, I started off this year by joining forces with Rock ‘n’ Roll race series as an Ambassador of Rock and agreed to run all 5 of the California races: Pasadena, SF, San Diego, San Jose and LA. When I was in San Diego, I went to RnR headquarters and met many of the faces behind the guitar, so to speak. In conversation, it was mentioned that I should come and do the San Antonio and Las Vegas challenge. At the time, I was unaware such a thing was possible and when it was explained to me, I was all in. Here is a roughly how the conversation went.
RnR: You should come do the San Antonio and Las Vegas race – 2 halfs in one day!
Me: Isn’t there a full in Las Vegas… it could be half, then a full.
RnR: hahaha… wait, he’s not joking…
Me: No. I’m serious, let’s do it.
And a few months later, with some logistics being worked out on if there would be enough time to cover the distance and make it to the start line of both races, I’m officially a part of the #SA2LV crew. I don’t have the exacts on how many people are doing it and what the combination is (half/half or half/full… or if anyone is doing the full/full), but rumor has around 30 people are signed up for both races.
And just like that, I’ll be ending my 2013 Rock ‘n’ Roll race calendar with a bang:
39.3 miles. 2 races. 2 states. 1 day.
Here is a rough outline of how my weekend will go:
Friday: Arrive in San Antonio
Saturday: RnR San Antonio Expo
Sunday:
RnRSA Half Marathon start: 7:30 am
Flight leaving San Antonio: noon-ish (3-hr flight)
Flight landing in Las Vegas: 1-ish
RnRLV Full Marathon start: 4:30 pm
As you can see there is some downtime between the races which I plan to take full advantage of stretching and recovering.
Perks:
Limited Edition #SA2LV Vanity Bib
Exclusive Double-Sided Medal (see video here)
Shout outs: online at RnR HOF, start line mentions, event guide
San Antonio:
- #SA2LV Check-in Booth at the Health & Fitness Expo
- Luggage storage pre-race at the Alamo-dome
- Free commemorative group photo at the Start Line in San Antonio
- Shower at the Finish Line
- Shuttle to Airport
Las Vegas:
- Waived fee for Race Day Packet Pick Up at Start Line Village
- Luggage storage
- and much more (TBA)
So those are the details… sounds simple enough… oh wait, I have to run it as well.
Race plan (both of them)
San Antonio Half Marathon:
This is the race that will determine how the rest of the day goes. There is a fine line between racing TOO strong or TOO easy. If I take this race too conservative, then my legs will actually feel more heavy and fatigued. THAT’S what I’ll be trying to avoid. I feel strong in the 9 min. per mile range and will try to keep it consistent through all 13.1 miles. That get’s me to the finish line in under 2 hours. After I cross the finish line, my flight is not for a few hours, but recovery will begin immediately. Lots of immediate stretching and a proper balance of resting the legs, but not letting them get too stiff.
Flight:
This is the variable. I’m not sure how my legs will respond to sitting on a plane for 3 hours after a Half Marathon. Between the finish line and the plane, I should have 2-3 hours to stretch and keep the legs loose before boarding the plane. I’ll be rocking my compression gear on the flight, hydrating and replenishing. And maybe squeeze in a nap… :)
Las Vegas Full Marathon:
Now here is the fun part. That’s right, I said fun. I imagine that the energy for this race will be off the charts. There are going to be so many people who I know from Twitter at this race, so I’m hoping to see a lot of you. I’m bummed that I won’t be at the expo, so I’m going to have to come up with a way to meet up with you all in Vegas. Oh wait, I’m supposed to be talking about my race plan. Ok. As I said earlier, I find comfort in my 9 minute pace which would get me to the finish line in under 4 hours. If I could do the morning in under 2 and the night in under 4, that would be a win. The Vegas race is going to be completely by feel. I’ll know within the first 10 miles of how the race is going to go. If I feel strong, then I’ll ride it through and hold on. If I’m feeling fatigued, then it will just be a matter of running smart and getting to the finish line. Either way, I’m planning on having a bunch of fun.
Why?
Good question. I’m THAT KINDA CRAZY, but you knew that. I love challenging what my body can do and I love the atmosphere of a race. I’ve always wanted to do the Goofy Challenge (half Saturday, Full Sunday), so this is BETTER than that. Honestly, I’m already thinking about if the full/full is a possibility (but not this year).
The other factor is that I am training hard for nailing a 3:30 marathon at the beginning of December and this is a great way to train. I love running on back-to-back days and pushing on tired legs. With this race three weeks before that race, I’m viewing this as a great training weekend — like I said, THAT KINDA CRAZY.
I’m going to be all over my phone all weekend long with tags, mentions and photos galore, so keep an eye out for the official #SA2LV tag.
When all is said and done, I will have run SEVEN Rock ‘n’ Roll races this year (5 half marathons and 2 full marathons).
* * * * * * *
LAST DAY to order!
Hashtag runner shirts and RUN ALL DAY shirts orders close (extended to) Tuesday 11/12 at midnight.
$25 each, flat shipping, all kinds of color options.
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Let’s here it:
Am I crazy? Am I awesome? Am I both? Will my legs fall off?
At first – yup he’s kind a crazy but then when you broke it down I thought – that’s a lot of awesome!! I’m sure you’ll have a blast. And like you said, the vibe and energy in Vegas will carry you for sure. Good luck!
Crazy on the outside but you are pure AWESOME on the inside!!
One of the craziest challenges I’ve ever heard of, but sounds fun.
You are crazy haha! I’ll see you in Vegas!
That’s crazy! But it sounds like a lot of fun! Good luck, train smart!
You go! I will be spending most of the 17th making my way home to upstate NY from Richmond, having run my goal fall marathon on Sat. I’ll try to keep an eye – at all those stretch stops – twitter to see progress! Have a great weekend!!!!
That’s awesome!
AWESOME. Ok it seems silly to only post a one word comment, so I’m trying to think of more to say but I really feel like that encompasses it ;) I love crazy run filled weekends, they lead to some of the best life long memories
You’re nuts but I can’t think of another person who would be better to do this crazy challenge. Have FUN!
You’re crazy but in a freaking amazing kind of way. Good luck and have an amazing time.
Awesome in the way only a runner would understand. Have a blast!
Pretty Awesome! I can’t wait to see it happen!
Holy Moley Pavey!! This is CRAZY!! You are seriously a wild man! Although I must confess that Vegas Race sounds amazing! It is on my Bucket List for sure! I can’t wait to follow your crazy antics on instagram.
Definitely crazy – but a totally cool challenge! I’m still thinking about a hat trick with Runner’s World in Boston next year…
Love ti!! you are a bit of a crazy runner… but you can do it! :) Have fun and i look forward to hearing all about it!
You are crazy awesome :) Can’t wait to hear how it goes! Good luck!
You say ‘crazy’ like it’s a bad thing! I heard people were doing it, now I get to say I know one of them! Hope to see you in Vegas! Oh, what’s the race in Dec you are preparing for?
Crazy YES–but knowing your love for running and a challenge, this is WICKED Awesome! Totally cheering you on & looking forward to following your journey this weekend!! Yay!!
Way to go! I can’t wait to hear how it all goes. You are so amazing/impressive!
You are crazy AND awesome!!!! Can’t wait to follow along your journey!!!
By the Power of Greyskull, you are awesome Pavey! Simply Epic… I love #ThatKindOfCrazy!
Pure crazy for sure! I love it though- it will be such a fun story for you to be able to tell and no doubt there will be quite a story behind the day! SA is my hometown- wish you had more time there but wishing you the best of luck and lots of prayers! :)
I am tired!!! OH, no, that is you!!! ;) AMAZING!!!!
A Texas-size thumbs up. Sounds like so much fun, I think I’ll join you. Haha. I, too, am excited for this challenge and this is my first year running long distance. Everyone I tell about this challenge thinks I am crazy too. I fly in from Dallas on Saturday morning, I will hit you up when I get to the expo. If you have the two #runner shirts I ordered, I’ll rock those.
Last year I was able to go SA to LV because it wasn’t on the same day…color me green with it cause I am #sojelly. Im gonna be one of those faces in the #RnRSA crowd, so keep an eye out for @LemonheadRacing and say hello.
Everything about that whole day is going to rock, believe it…
#havefun
#shamelessplug
#tweetup
I think you’re crazy awesome. I will be sending good running vibes your way and stalking you on social media to find out how it’s going!!!
I think your are crazy, but that equals awesome in my book. Good luck!!!
You are awesome! This sounds totally nuts but if I had the opportunity to do it I would totally jump on it!!! I can’t wait to hear all about the experience. Good luck and have a blast!
Love it! This sounds like such an amazing time!!! It is totally my kind of crazy. I’m jealous, haha. :)
I think crazy awesome is the best way to describe it! Such a cool experience, and definitely a great way to end the year with a bang! Hope you have some recovery time scheduled after!!!
#CrazyAwesome but we knew that already- Rock on!
Two races in one day? Guess I’ll just run extra long this weekend. I really hope you can squeeze in a nap before LV, I’d be beat after that first half. Can’t even imagine having to run a FULL marathon after!!!
I love this challenge! Although I’ve only run one full, I feel drawn to this type of craziness. I’d love for that to be my weekend some day! Can’t wait to follow your progress over such an epic few days!