2018 Laughlin Runnercard Half-Marathon and 5k; Race Report #26

     Two weeks ago today Robin, Andrea, Trevor, and I lined up behind the Avi hotel for the Laughlin Runnercard Half-Marathon and 5k. Robin, Andrea and I entered the half-marathon, while Trevor opted for the 5k. We were staying at the Harrah's in Laughlin which was about 20 minutes away so we all were up early and at the starting line for warm-ups about 6:15. I did about 1.5 miles of warm-ups and drills before the start. The weather was fairly warm, about 68 at the start with a forecast high of 92 later in the day.

The sun about to rise before the start of the Laughlin Runnercard Half-Marathon and 5k.

     The course was flat, but all dirt and gravel. I elected to wear my Nike Terra Kiger shoes as did Robin and Andrea.

Our Nike Terra Kiger Trail shoes ready for action

     The race started promptly at 7:00 AM when race director Ken Carlson gave us all the go-ahead to take off. Trevor and the rest of the 5k runners would start at 7:15. I went out easy, trying not to do my usual banzai start. I hit the first mile in 7:30 which was close to what I wanted to run. The traction was terrible, we were all looking for the best place to go. I tried tire tracks, running on the edge of the road, following other runners, but the footing wasn't conducive to fast times and I knew if I pushed it too hard I would pay for it at the end of the race. My second mile was a 7:23 so I backed off a little bit, and I started drinking my Tailwind about 20 minutes into the race. It was increasingly difficult to maintain a steady pace for me because of the footing so I concentrated on maintaining the distance between me and the runners ahead of me. I did pretty well staying in the 7:30's and 7:40's to the turn around point and heading back the other way. I was ninth overall at the turnaround so being in the top ten felt good. I think it was around mile 8 or 9 for me I saw Robin and Andrea running together on their way out. We all waved, cheered, and high fived as we went by each other.

Andrea took this photo of Robin and I passing each other. Note the cool shadow

     I felt really good at the pace I was going for 10 miles. Miles 11-13 were tough for me to stay under 8 minute per mile pace but I did it. After the turnaround, I was passed by two runners, but I managed to pass two myself, one right before the finish, so I still ended up in ninth place. My official time was a 1:40:26.5. I averaged 7:40 miles on a dirt course. It was a little slower than I had hoped to run but considering the conditions I was happy. I know on a paved course I can go 10-15 seconds per mile faster.

Trevor took this photo of me finishing

     Trevor was at the finish and I grabbed a water, my finisher's medal and walked around. The only thing that felt tight was my hamstrings. One of the cool things about this race is you get a card with your finishing information and age groups awards within minutes of finishing. There was no waiting around and sitting through a long awards ceremony. I got second in the 50-59 age group so I grabbed my medal and headed to the Avi for a cold beer while we waited for Robin and Andrea.

The wallet-sized finishing card with unofficial results on it that we got right after finishing

    The first cold beer tasted great, and Trevor and I enjoyed them while waiting for our wives to finish. I fared better at the running than I did at what little gambling I did. We slowly drank our beers then headed back out to the start finish area to cheer Robin and Andrea in. 

     Andrea was the first of the two to finish in 3:10:07. Robin was the very next runner in a minute and a half later in 3:11:27. They both said they had walked the last 2-3 miles. Robin did good enough to snag second in her age group.

Andrea getting her finisher's medal

Robin getting her finisher's medal

     Everyone collected their medals and we headed back to Harrahs and some lunch. Trevor had finished 5th overall and second in his age group so he scored some medals too. We all decided to go to a little cowboy bar next to Harrahs for lunch and more cold beers. The food was decent and the beers were cold. We ate, then headed back to Harrahs for some more fun. 

We all signed a dollar bill and Trevor added it to the collection on the wall

     The rest of the day was spent drinking a few more adult beverages and playing some of the adult games available to us. We did manage to try out the Guy Fieri Mexican restaurant for dinner before walking to the other end of Laughlin for some ice cream. By then we were all tired and went to bed early so we could get up and head back home.

     I would consider this a lager race since there was a lack of hills. The organization, communication, price, and awards were all fantastic. There were enough porta-potties, they even had one on the course. This is a small race, but lot's of fun. I will give it a full 6 lager rating.