Maui Oceanfront Marathon

In my perfect world everything could be tracked in a spreadsheet or a 3 ring, tabbed out binder.  Yes, I'm an organization freak.  Prior to departing for a race (any race) I prepare a trip folder that contains my flight information, rental car information, hotel information, mapquest directions from the airport to the hotel, hotel to expo, hotel to start line, finish line to hotel, hotel to any points of interest I plan to visit, and return for each of those (even though I always travel with my GPS), as well as course maps, packet pickup instructions, packet pickup waiver, parking info, and any race day info.  Given that the Maui trip/race was tying into the Tinkerbell race I prepared two trip folders, one for Maui and one for California.  It's a good thing that California was tagged onto the end, otherwise I may have been more stressed about the lack on info for the Maui folder...there just wasn't much info to be had about the race!  It was a bit of a stress point for me, but I figured things would be explained well upon arrival and the race organizer had by far been the best about updates so far, so I was sure it would all work out. 

We got to Maui late on Friday night after a long day of flights with a connection in Atlanta and again in LA...by the time we rolled up to the hotel at nearly 11PM local time I was flat exhausted and sick of sitting in planes and cars.  We checked in and headed up and passed out for the night.  I slept in Saturday but woke up to an amazing view.

We headed to packet pickup - a 26.2 mile drive away...yes, the hotel was at the start line for the marathon (something I was happy about when planning the trip)....but I'd somehow missed that the Half actually started at the Full's finish line and was an out and back!  The hotel had a GREAT rate for race participants, so I'm not complaining, but the start/finish area seemed to be more of the center of activity so it may have saved us a bit of time to find something closer...of course the race also had a great rate with Hertz and we got a sweet little convertible so the drive wasn't so bad.  :) 

I quickly found more info would've made things much easier for packet pickup.  We didn't mind wandering through the quaint little town looking for the Pioneer Inn across from the Banyan Tree (which was all the information we had about pick up), but many others were in the same boat and we all just seemed to be mulling about looking at store names and hoping to catch a glimpse of someone with a race tee or bib and head the direction they were coming from.  It didn't take long to do just that, then bib and shirt in hand we continued to wonder through town checking out gift shops and taking in the local crafts under the banyan tree.  As with any race that has a Hard Rock Cafe nearby, that was the plan for pre-race dinner, so as the day turned into evening we headed to the HRC for my typical NY strip with double mashed potatoes and a side salad, followed up with a creme brulee.  (it's a wonder I can run in the morning after all of that!)

While dining I noticed the bartender with his bright blue mohawk...given the fact that we were in a HR, I immediately thought of George.  Murph was nice enough to pose for a pic so I could send it to George.

After dinner I was beat so it was back to the hotel to get some sleep before the race.  I'd made some mental notes throughout the day due to the lack on info on the race website and tried to mentally prep as I dozed off...mile markers count down instead of tracking your mileage like my other races, there's a VERY narrow strip on the side of the road to run and traffic will be flowing as usual just beside you...I was out.

 I don' tknow if it was jet lag, the fact that I was fighting a cold, or just flat laziness, but for the first time EVER I seriously contemplated skipping the race when the alarm went off.  I drug my butt out of bed, got ready, and headed out...but was not awake.   We found out way to the parking lot suggested (turns out it was where we had parked the day before) but couldn't really tell where the start line was.  We wondered around the open area with the other runners for a bit and I sat...in a stuper...half asleep...until just before the start time.

The course site did start there were ample fluid stations along the route, but just off of the Mississippi race that catered to the Full runners and only seeing 1 definite stop at mile 4, I was concerned there wouldn't be any others so I opted to run with a water bottle...and was quite annoyed with myself that I hadn't figured this out before leaving home and brought my hydration belt, but oh well! 
The run traveled along the waterfront and was a gorgeous course.  As the sun came up over the mountains I was awed my it's beauty, then immediately reminded to pick up my pace so I'd finish before it got too brutal.

It turned out there were water stops every 1 1/2 - 2 miles, however, it still didn't seem like nearly enough.  It would be easy to blame the heat/humidity, but I ran Zooma Annapolis under the most extreme heat conditions I've ever dealt with and didn't have an issue.  I didn't feel like the cups were very full at the stops so that may have been a factor, but I really think though I never did get sick, that I was actually fighting off a cold and it had me rather dried out.  I finished my 16.9 oz water bottle before the turn around point...and that was WITH taking cups at the fluid stops as well.

I definitely suggest bringing your own hydration for this race.
I also can't stress enough that while this race is gorgeous and Maui itself is amazing, it is not a race for those that don't like to run with traffic around.  The running area is very narrow, it's on the main highway, and traffic is not stopped for the race.  You have to be constantly aware of your surroundings and there's often no where to go should there be an emergency (though thankfully there wasn't one!).

All in all the traffic wasn't heavy and once you pulled a few miles you got used to it.  I will say the Race Director did a great job with alternating start times and start locations to be able to have as many races as he did without having major runner congestion anywhere on the course.  At times it was easy to get lost in your own thoughts and the gorgeous scenery and just enjoy your morning run (despite the sweat pouring off of you).

With 3 miles to go I started struggling a bit.  I'd been pretty well parched since the turn around point and despite taking water at each stop I was starting to feel the effects of dehydration.  My heart rate was soaring, trying to pump enough oxygen through my body despite my decrease blood volume.  I trying slowing my pace and it helped for a bit, but ultimately I knew I need major amounts of fluid and would have to really push through the last few miles.  By mile 11 I knew I would have to walk some to finish but I held out as long as I could.  With about a mile and a half to go I walked for 30 seconds, then picked it back up.  I barely made a few strides and knew I was done...I walked until the 12 mile mark, then pushed through to bring it in. 

 2:27:58 is nothing to cheer about, but 22 states completed and 28 1/2s in 2 years is nothing to sneeze at either! 

By far, the best part of the race was the water feature just past the finish line!

By far the worst part was whatever that NASTY stuff was they had as an electrolyte drink at the water stops!  It took me a while to get used to Cytomax at the Rock N Roll races and I'm still not a major fan, but compared to this stuff it's heaven!  I tried 1 sip at the first water stop and thought I was going to vomit!  Definitely bring your own sports drink for this race!

With the race over we had the rest of the week to relax and enjoy Maui before heading to Southern California for the Tinkerbell half...and that we did...after the race, it was back to the hotel for a quick shower, then the afternoon on the beach with my feet up...

The next four days flew by with scuba diving

 Horseback riding...

and ziplining...

I didn't do any surfing because everywhere we went was basically flat.  We had been all over the western, northern, and southern sides of the island and the only waves were at the northern most point...and you had to paddle out forever from this cove down in a valley and then you had to pull off the wave before it slammed into a sheer rock mountain...not my idea of fun, so I passed.  I spent plenty of time on the beach, so I enjoyed it, just didn't get any surfing in as I would've basically had to stand up paddle board or nothing.

Of course on the last day we planned to drive the road to Hana...once on the eastern side of the island, I found where the waves are!

But we had planned to do the road to Hana and knew there wasn't time to play here as well.  The road to Hana was beautiful with plenty of interesting stops and gorgeous sights.  I definitely recommend buying the audio CD tour and listening to it as you go...we would've missed a lot of things otherwise.  Our first stop on the drive was a short hike up to a waterfall, nothing major, just a pretty little fall.  The second stop was a nice hike that actually functioned as a bit of a workout...and even moreso if you ignored the signs.  :)

If you take the trail to the upper picnic area you get a bit of a workout...

After going through the eucalyptus forrest...

you reach the upper picnic area...if you ignore the signs and follow the trail (it's HUGE, not like you're off roading)...

you are rewarded by coming out at the top of a gorgeous waterfall with an incredible view! 

Thought I'm sure the signs are to keep idiot tourist (like me) from getting too close to the edge (like this)...

After returning to the car, as you drive around the very next corner you can pull over and walk just down a little path to the bottom of the same waterfall...if you choose to swim, be careful entering the water...the rocks are slippery and if you aren't careful you will be down on your butt...this was a near miss...I managed to catch my balance, but as you see from my hair swinging wildly, I nearly went down.

After swimming at the bottom of the fall...

We walked a little further up the path and found that the top of this fall actually leveled out to another flat area with a little stream coming down from the upper fall we'd been at earlier.  Hiking along the rocks was fun and a beautiful sight, but ridiculously slippery.  After just a few minutes we reached the middle pool which was fed by the fall I'd sat atop earlier.  I swam out to the fall for a better picture with the underwater camera...

Having been at both the top and the bottom of this fall and seeing all of its beauty I was content and hiked back down to the car.  The rest of the road to Hana was equally beautiful, but nothing compared to this little jaunt (at least for me).  Though the opportunity to visit Charles Lindberg's grave was neat. 

After completing the drive, we headed into town for one last dinner on Maui (the food was amazing everywhere we ate....incredible fish and veggies!), then it was back to the airport to head to California and the Tinkerbell 1/2. 

I definitely recommend Maui to those working on 50 states...I've been to Oahu several times and it pales in comparison.  I also recommend planning enough time on the island to really enjoy the trip and not just run the race if at all possible.   

Mississippi Blues Half Marathon

Despite not training, I was getting antsy for a race and ready to start 2012 out right I signed up for the Mississippi Blues Half.  George decided to join me, but it was a REALLY quick trip...as in fly in, grab my packet, crash, run, shower, fly out...barely 24 hours on the ground including packet pickup, sleeping, and running.  But I was still looking forward to seeing George and to running again. 

As soon as I got off the plane I was greeted by a race banner welcoming runners to Jackson (a tiny airport where this sort of thing is feasible).

I knew the majority of the folks on the plane were other runners just based on their conversations and duffle bags.  One of them approached me at the taxi stand and asked to share a ride to the hotel, so we chatted on the way there about running.  She was my first taste of "oh...you're JUST doing the half?"  An atttitude I've not really encountered much through my races.  I brushed her off, checked into the hotel, dumped by duffle bad, and headed the couple of blocks to the expo.  The expo wasn't much more than 4 or 5 vendors with their tables set up and packet pickup.  Again with the "just" the half attitude from the folks there as well.  Not to be bothered I headed back to the hotel to wait for George (who's bus was delayed due to Carnival in New Orleans and college football games along the way) and to grab a quick dinner.  During dinner (hotel restaurant) there were several runners and about the time I'd finished up a table of ladies right next to me invited me to join them thinking I was just starting.  The conversation was good (races) so I joined for a bit and we all chatted about our favorite races, 50 state progress, and race wishlists.  There were three of them and they'd obviously met in the hotel, airport, and/or expo and 2 quickly exposed their "just the half" attitudes.  This was getting old quickly.  I actually was beginning to feel like I needed to justify running "just the half"...I've never felt this way before.  George finally arrived and we gracefully bowed out and headed to our room to catch up. 

We had a great visit (albeit short) and after catching up a bit and laying out our stuff for the morning we flipped through the race day materials before bed.  Even the race day materials advised "slower half marathon runners" to yield the right of way and move to the right for "faster marathon runners".  I was a bit put out by this as it is typical race ettiquette and usually goes without saying.  If someone is running twice the distance I am in the (or less) time than I am I certainly don't want to hold them up...I don't need a race director to tell me that.  No time for hurt feelings though...we crashed for the night.

Race morning we walked the couple of blocks to the startline, said our good lucks and headed to the corrals.  The field was small compared to other races we've run so there wasn't much in the way of startline hoopla.

Before we knew it we were off.  George had mentioned he heard the course was hilly, but I didn't anticipate that much in the way of hills.  I was feeling good so I just kept tackling them...and they just kept coming.  I honestly don't think there was a single flat spot anywhere on that course!  As soon as I crested one hill I was heading down, as soon as I hit bottom it was back up!  They were by no means killer hills, but it was a constant rolling and I knew I was going to be feeling my legs after this one.  Having not trained I got my mind locked on the challenge of beating the hills and refused to walk at all.  I was having a strong race though so it wasn't a problem. 

Around the halfway point I was snapped out of my zone by a large sign on the course instructing slower 1/2 runners to keep right and yield the right of way to faster full runners.  I have NEVER seen a sign on a course like this and personally felt it was a bit of a slap to the 1/2 runners.  I was beginning to get aggravated that this race was so obviously biased to the full and wonder why they even opened the field to a half, if we are this inferior why take our money?  ...exactly...it's a business...it's all about the dollar. 

I was still having a strong race, so I refused to let it get in my head and kept plugging along.  As I came into the last 3/4 of a mile I was snapped out of my zone again, this time by a bike...I don't recall if it was a horn or a bell, but it was there quickly.  I realized it was course support and moved right, then I immediately heard the bicyclist shouting to get out of the way for the marathoners.  Over the last 3/4 mile I really don't know if I was more impressed by the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place finishers of the full as they each strode past me or more aggravated at each cyclist that announced the first three and instructed us mere 1/2ers to get out of the way.  Either way I bounded across the line in 2:23:40, collected my medal, and followed the herd to the finisher's tents.  After a quick snack I headed to the hotel and showered then came back to wait and cheer George across the line.  An hour or so later he showed up, the hills obviously affecting him as well, and I was there to snap a few pictures and cheer him on.

After his finish, a few fan photos, and a snack we headed back to the hotel to pack and head our separate ways.  Again at the taxi stand a runner ask to share a cab and we headed to the airport. 

All in all, the Blues was a good course with a decent amount of crowd support.  There were ample fluid stops, but while the course map showed a GU stop I never did see any GU.  I carry my own so it wasn't a problem and I may have somehow missed it, but I advise folks running it to take their own just in case.  The course was well marked (better than any I've done yet) with signs indicating upcoming poor road conditions.  The weather was great for a January race without the chill, the swag was neat (a blues CD and Blues harmonica), and the medal was great... 

But if you are thin skinned or don't like having your accomplishments of a 13.1 miles belittled, this might not be the race for you.  If you are content with your running and don't mind what others may think then I say go for it!  Apparently a lot of folks use the Blues to check Mississippi off their lists for both the full and half 50 states club, which says a lot for the Blues.  However, I was once again reminded of the fact that I was "just" running the half when a few days after the race the photos were posted...depsite having passed MANY photographers on the course there was literally only 1 photo of me...it was a finishline photo and I wasn't even crossing the line...it was well after I'd crossed, shut off the garmin, and was walking away.

I couldn't help but wonder if it was because I was "just" running the half...but that, of course, is just speculation on my part.  Perhaps the photographers didn't notice the different bib colors and perhap, just maybe, it was purely chance so many of them had for whatever reason not pressed their shutter button as I passed.  Bottom line, for me, I had a STRONG run despite the hills and I felt good about it, I got to visit with George briefly, I got a nice medal, and I checked off another state....20 states and 24 1/2s complete!

Miami Latin Music Half Marathon

November passed rather flat as far as my running goes.  I struggled with motivation and lack of energy.  I basically made the decision nearly daily to focus on family and resting rather than running.  I decided about halfway through the month that I wasn't going to beat myself up over it.  I was tired and work had me busy, so I needed to re-evaluate my goals and make some decisions.  In the long run I opted to let the training slide and have Miami be an enjoyable race as the last in the series with my 2011 RNR friends rather than be stressed over a time goal.  As the race approached I got an email from the Heavy Medal folks at Rock N Roll letting me know that due to lack of planning I wouldn't be getting my Rock Idol at the event and it would be mailed.  That was terribly disappointing.  After being a part of the hub-bub when the first group of Idols got their medals in Philly (as they are friends of mine) it was a bit of a slap in the face to realize my Idol race was going to have no recognition.  As I'm typing this (nearly 2 weeks after the race) I still have an empty spot on the wall where my Idol medal goes and I'm sure it will be a while til it's filled. 

After getting over the initial let down of that, we headed to Miami on Saturday night.  From the airport it was straight to the hotel to check in, then we decided to get a cab to the expo as we were told parking was scarce.  The expo itself was an entirely different feel from any RNR event.  The event was in tents on the beach!

I wasn't really sure about this concept at first as I've been ingrained with a particular vision of a Rock N Roll expo after attending 11 of their events, but I am a beach girl at heart and it was a gorgeous day so it took no convincing for me to kick off the flip flops and enjoy the sand in between my toes.  As I walked onto the beach/into the expo area I saw a couple of boxes of the Competitor magazines beside the entry and grabbed one.  I knew this would be the issue with the race guide and I try to keep one from every race for scrapbooking.  As I picked it up I thought about the fact that there'd likely be one in our race bag, but figured I'd keep one just in case.  Packet pickup was much quicker than most as it was all fairly compressed space-wise.  We then wondered on to the beach and found Tracy for a quick hug and a few hellos before he had to move on for work.  We saw Joseph and David and exchanged hugs and greetings, then began to wonder through the booths.  The expo itself was much smaller so it didn't take nearly as long to see everything, but I did get my P.F. Chang's race fortune cookie and see Shannon Williams.  After a quick chat it was on to pre-pay for my medal engraving.  That box checked we headed to the Sport Hooks booth to place a special order for my Rock N Roll medal hanger and add on bar for my Heavy Medals.  We stopped by the Rock N Roll booth to grab my Rock Idol bib and I felt so bad for Garret...he just didn't know which way to get.  I could tell he felt bad about not having our medals, but I'd already given him my feedback via email so there was no reason to beat a dead horse.  He did have a display version with him so he pulled it out and let me take pictures with it.  I was slightly bummed that my Rock Idol would not have a green screen pic with the Miami logo or the Heavy Medalist logo as there was no green screen photos at the outdoor expo, but when I saw the pix that I did get I couldn't complain...they were actually really good!

From there we wondered through the remaining booths then headed to the main road to catch a cab to the hotel.  When we got back and I'd rinsed the sand off my feet we settled in the room for a couple of hours until time for dinner.  I did my typically pre race routine and laid out my race outfit, filled out my bib, packed my race belt, charged my Garmin, and sort out my swag bag.  I then sat on the bed and picked up the race guide to flip through.  I'd noticed there wasn't one in my swag bag so I was glad I'd grabbed it.  I flipped to the race guide section and squealed!  I was in it!  There was a short blurb and my pic in the "faces in the crowd" section!  OK...so not gonna lie...that made up for the lack of medal - just a little.

Of course I couldn't just have 1 copy of this...so when we headed to dinner we actually went back down to the expo area and I hopped out of the car and grabbed a stack of them!  :)  Then it was off to the Hard Rock Cafe Miami for dinner and a shot glass.   One thing I seem to have forgotten to mention thus far is the guest for the Hard Rock shot glasses...somewhere along the way with the destination races I began going to the Hard Rock Cafes that were within driving distance of the race locations..and some that weren't really within driving distance!  For instance, at the Diva in October of 2010 I had dinner at the Yankee Stadium HR, then hopped the subway to the NY Cafe in Manhatten the day before the race.  Race day, after running and showering, I hopped the ferry from Long Island to CT, drove to Foxwoods Casino, hit the Hard Rock for dinner, and drove all the way back.  In February 2011, I hit the New Orleans cafe for dinner the night before the race.  Race day, after running and showering, I drove to Destin, FL and had lunch in that cafe then stopped at the Biloxi cafe, hotel, and casino on the return to New Orleans before flying out the next day.  My goal is to hit all of the US cafes while doing my races.  I have a few international, but I'm not as concerned with those for the time being.  I also refuse to get a shot glass unless I was at the location.  The collection is growing rapidly.

The Miami cafe was amazing!  The food was perfectly done, the staff was great, and the location was really nice.  I can be a bit hard to please, but these folks were spot on.  After dinner and my shot glass we wondered back to the car.  Once we arrived back at the hotel I was beat!  It was early, but I was exhausted so I called it a night.  Despite a good night's sleep I was not feeling it race morning.  I momentarily considered crawling back in bed and sleeping in...it'd been a busy few weeks and I couldn't remember the last time I'd slept it...why not make this a vacation?  But I knew I couldn't flush my goal and the year of racing like that, so I pulled myself together and headed out.  At the start line area I wondered over to the VIP tent and ran into Rafael.  It was great to see him!  We soon met up with David, Joseph, Denise, Michael, and the other elites.  We snacked on a light breakfast, hydrated, discussed the crazy humidity, and noted that David...well, let's just say he had NOT gone to bed early as I had. ;)   As we headed to the start line Rafael and I discussed running together again and while I was looking forward to that in the end he had to start in Corral 5 with the other Heavy Medal Elites for a group picture

so I wondered up to Corral 2 and took my place.  I clipped the iPod on the sports bra and fired it up...nothing.  I fiddled with it a little before giving up (still haven't checked that thing out actually....need to figure out if it's dead or just malfunctioned).  I settled in for the start and away we went.  I felt good starting out, but that didn't last long.  It was by no means the worst heat or humidity I'd run in, but it is December after all...I've not been running in this for a while, it just sucked the life out of me quick.   Thankfully it was overcast as the sun would've made it unbearable. 

At the first water stop I grabbed two cups.  The first was dumped over my head (my hair is thick and when pulled back in a ponytail it holds heat like crazy!), the second I sipped.  I continued this throughout the race despite the fact that I RARELY dump water over my head...today it was needed.  As we ran I noticed a bit of a rainbow in the distance and as we turned to head toward the bridge from Miami Beach to Miami the full rainbow came into view over Miami.

That kept the mind occupied long enough to forget the humidity and press onward a little.  Then I began noticing bicyclist everywhere.  It soon dawned on me they were support personnel for some of the runners.  Once I realized this I was a bit surprised at just how close they were getting to us and the fact that the race folks were letting them.  I backed off a little so I wouldn't be in the same area of the folks they seemed to be supporting.  (There wasn't just a group of them supporting a group of runners it just seemed to be 4-6 individuals on bikes following 4 -6 unrelated/random runners near me.)  My hunch proved accurate moments later when one of the cyclist (on a big beach cruiser) clipped the heel of a runner just a few strides ahead of me.  The runner went down on the asphalt and rolled.  The cyclist struck him with his front tire before coming to a stop.  The runner hopped up a bit dazed and very confused looking and began rapid fire Spanish and profanity while the cyclist hurriedly tried to convince him he'd actually tripped over the cone and the cyclist just happened to be nearby (BS...I watch it).  The runner took off again and I made sure to distance myself from that cyclist's runner.  By this point I was hurting...not physically, mentally.  Ijust didn't want to keep going.  I found myself humming "just put one foot in front of the other...as you walk across the floor...one foot in front of the other...soon you'll be walking out the door"...I then realized I wasn't even getting the entire song right or in order...walk break was in order!  Crap...I was barely at mile 4...that wasn't a good sign.  I only let myself walk for 30 seconds and then pushed on, but it was the first 30 seconds with 9 miles left...whoops.  From there I remember thinking just how dang long that causeway seemed...even running towards a gorgeous rainbow over the city and through the misty rain to cool off just didn't seem to help.  There wasn't a lot of course support in this area...no spectators cheering us on, save the random bicyclist keeping up with their runner, an occassion Team In Training Coach hollering for folks in purple, and a random band placed by the race folks.  Once we turned off the exit to come through the city I hoped things would improve...and it did as far as course support, not so much so as far as humidity and fatigue.  Around mile 8 I considered a walk break...it didn't take much considering and I realized I was doing.  Once I realized I was walking I kicked my own butt and got going again...this was going to be a long 5 miles at this rate...there was that damn song in my head again too and still in the wrong order and incomplete...I really wished that stupid iPod had worked! Just as I was driving myself crazy we ran into a rain cloud...it was nice.  I could use the cooling off.  I had to force a mental check at this point because things just weren't adding up.  The rain had cooled me off - not overheated, had just come through a fluid station - properly hydrated, popped a GU about 10 mins ago and had breakfast before the run - properly fueled, nothing hurt - no injuries, heart rate was average, stride was...stride was a little off...what was it?  Paying closer attention I realized the cold hard truth...my lack of training had caught up with me.  My hip flexors were just flat tired.  I'd not been running or lifting for weeks and those tiny little muscles were just not conditioned for going the distance.  Not that knowing the problem gave me a solution, but it did let me know I was just going to have to suck it up and push through mentally.  Just as I was figuring this all out we turned onto the causeway to head back to Miami Beach....from here on out it became a mental battle...just run to Mile 9 and you can walk....you've walked 30 seconds, get going now or you never will....just make it another half mile and you can walk....that was your 30 seconds, move it...shoot, there's pictures up here...run and smile...

....ok, you passed them, now walk...gotta get moving...only 1 mile left...you can run a mile easy....ok, maybe after you walk 30 seconds...alright, bring it in...phew!  Yes, there was a lot of mental chatter going on and no I did not make any major time goals...2:25:32 made it quite unimpressive, but I didn't care, now was time for fun!  I met up with everyone at the VIP tent and learned we were all less than happy with our results but enjoyed the race none the less.  After a bit of chatting the awards started and I walked over to the stage.  I was amazed to hear that Kara Goucher's coach had told her to run the race in 1:13 and she finished at 1:12:59...that takes SUCH discipline and being sooo in tune with ones' body.  After the awards the headliner concert began...Pitbull.

It was a great concert, and yes, I really was that close to the stage...you've got to love a Rock N Roll event!

As the music continued I headed back to the VIP area to see if everyone was ready for the swim we'd talked about early.  Before meeting up with everyone I had the opportunity to take a quick photo with Shalene Flanagan and Kara Goucher! 

These incredible athletes were very down to earth.  I can't wait to see their performances in Houston in January and hopefully in the Olympics in London!

As the concert wound down a rain storm blew through and folks began taking cover under the tents and/or heading out.  We threw our stuff in a large trash bag Rafael had and started towards the ocean.  The shower passed in a matter of minutes and Joseph, Rafael, Michael, and I took a swim...surprised by how warm the water was.

After our swim we headed back to our hotels for showers.  Just before getting in the car I realized I didn't want my soaking wet running skirt to saturate the seat given that after my shower we'd be headed to the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, so when we got to the car I wrapped a towel around myself and stripped off my running skirt.  Arriving at the Eden Roc (our hotel) I was KEENLY aware of what a hot mess I looked!  As I walked into the lobby of folks dressed to the nines with my hair every which way from my impromptu swim wearing only a wet sports bra, my medal, and a white towel I made a beeline to the elevator in hopes of escaping unnoticed to my room and a hot shower.  As I stepped onto the elevator and athletic looking gentleman was stepping off with his suitcase.  He asked how I did and I replied.  He asked if I won and I was a bit confused as I am by no means an elite runner (as you well know if you've been following my blog).  The conversation went to a quick explanation of the fact that I'd run a half marathon, that it was my 10th RNR and 15th overall of the year.  Two other ladies had stepped onto the elevator and joined the conversation, offering their congratulations on my great year, as the gentleman stood outside of the elevator holding the door open.  An alarm sounded from the open door, but he didn't seem to be in a hurry.  As we discussed the race another woman joined us on the elevator.  He commented that he'd seen her before and she replied with her name, company, and the fact that she'd been involved with the body building show in town.  She was obviously annoyed with the delay and after one more quick comment about the race, as the door closed the mystery man stretched his arm in the elevator and handed me a dozen long stem pink roses and congratulated me on my accomplishment.  I took them and thanked him as his arm disappeared and the door closed.  I commented out loud that I wondered who that was and the aggitated women informed me he was a professional body builder.  I asked him name (out of curiosity) and she told me he was Edward Nunn, mystery solved.

After a shower and changing it was off to the Hard Rock Casino as planned, where we had lunch, got our shot glass, and turned $100 into $300 before heading out the door. 

Though I'd told everyone to get ahold of me and we'd go out, I found myself exhausted upon arrival at the hotel and was asleep by 5:30pm!  I slept through the night, awoke the next morning, showered, packed, conducted a couple of work telecons on the way to the airport, and flew home...somehow still sleepy!!

All in all, the Latin Music Half Marathon is definitely a run I'd do again sometime, but next time I'd actually train!