Running in Vegas

This past weekend, Labor Day Weekend, my husband and I had the opportunity to visit the City of Sin. I fully understand why it is called that after seeing the sights. This small-town girl was way out of her league! As we walked with my family (cousins and sister) down the famous Strip, people we literally lined up handing out business cards --- for prostitutes! These cards had pictures of naked women and their 'specialty', and contact information. Ya don't see that in Perry County! Quite honestly, Hooters Casino was about the most conservative place we visited! All-in-all, we had a great weekend. Gary and I enjoyed some time together; I spent time with my cousins and sister; and we experienced nightlife as we had never before experienced it. I even discovered that I rather like Blackjack after adamently stating to friends that I would not be gambling! We all decided that we would go back.

On Saturday morning Gary and I ran a 5K in Henderson, which is just outside Vegas city limits. The first order of business (at 5:30 am) was to get a cab. They were lined up outside the Luxor Hotel, so that was easy. I had ridden in a cab years before, but Gary had never been in one. What a shock as we sat in the backseat watching the meter. It moved faster than the odometer! The race was about 15 minutes from our hotel, and it cost $38!!! And we still had to get back to the hotel after the race. After catching our breath, we retrieved our numbers and our computer chips and just waited. Considering that the high that day was to be 100 degrees, it didn't feel hot yet. I had hoped to run the race in just under 30 minutes so that I could beat my personal record. The course was flat and the weather was beautiful. I ran hard, but was really tired. I kept telling myself to look around - I was running in Las Vegas and could see the mountains as the sun was just peering over them. What an awesome sight! As I turned the last corner and had about 1/2 block to go, I saw the timer - 29:30! I had to pick it up to get in under 30 minutes. I pushed through, and I made it. My pace was 9:37 per mile, which was great for me. My first race at the end of June I ran 11 minute miles, so I had knocked off quite a bit of time. I ended up placing 4th in my age group. Gary placed 3rd in his.

And what about the cab ride back? I had no pride. When they announced the winners, I heard them announce a guy from North Carolina. Hoping that he and his wife were also staying on the strip, I asked if they wanted to share a cab. They had a rental car and offered to take us back! They were both so kind, and we really had a nice ride back. We offered them $20, but they wouldn't take it.

On Sunday we all took a bus trip to the Grand Canyon. Although it was a long day, and we spent 10 hours on a bus, we all felt that it was worth it. It was an amazing sight! That area of Arizona is actually rather ugly to those of us used to trees and grass, and just the color green, but all at once there is this immense hole in the ground that was carved out by a single river. I don't really know how anyone can doubt the existence of God after seeing such pure beauty.

Now I am trying to get back into my running routine here at home. I didn't run Sunday or Monday; I was just too tired Monday when we returned. Jackie and I ran 4 miles Tuesday, and last night we actually ran 6.5!! That is Jackie's furthest run, so we were excited. I had had a stressful day at work, so the run felt incredible. Today, I just can't get going. I took Addison to Owensboro for violin, cooked dinner, and now here I sit gazing at the treadmill. I know I should jump on for a few miles, but gosh I am tired. Maybe I will take a break and make up for it tomorrow...