Sunday, May 8, 2016

#MedalMonday: Revel Mt. Charleston Review & Recap!

I LOVE Revel races!  And I am not just saying that because I am an Ambassador!  I love them.  They are beautiful, well organized and super fun!  They are on the smaller side - Mt. Charleston had 700 runners for the Full and 1300 for the Half.  I wish I had done the Full!  Next year maybe!  You can check out all the details about the race here but this recap is done in pictures!  For purposes of this review, you just need to know that Mt. Charleston is right outside Las Vegas.


I am doing this a little backwards because today you are getting the race recap and tomorrow, you will get the Expo and We Run Social meet up recap.  But...#MedalMonday!  Okay.  As per usual, I set out my race day outfit before going to bed and set my alarm for 2:45 a.m.

I had a Sparkle Athletic visor, Spandits singlet and skirt, Pro Compression socks, Orange Mud VP2, Hoka One One Huakas, Superfeet Carbon insoles, Skratch Labs hydration/nutrition and Moving Comfort bra.

We got to the buses at 4:20 a.m.  The Full buses were leaving between 4-5 and the Half buses left between 4:30-5:30.  Steph was running the Full and Barbara and I were running the Half.  


Barbara and I got on the super cushy charter buses to make our way up the mountain to an area called the Twilight Zone.  (umm..can we change the name?  A little scary!)


I ate for the first time since waking up on the bus.  About 90 minutes before go time.  Some almond butter and a banana.


When the buses dropped us off, we looked around and dawn was just about to break over about 50 porta pottys!


Isn't the sky just gorgeous?  We kept marveling at the sky!  Even when the sun came out, the sky is so big in Nevada!


We were one of the first buses so we had the place to ourselves!  And we could see snow where the Full marathon runners were scheduled to start.


I ran into some fun friends!  Like Sandy.


You want her cozy onesie!  And Bain...


And super awesome Jared, the race director for Revel!


Then it was time to ditch our pants and make our way to the start line!  Everyone in the world needs a pants around the ankles picture!


We had to walk a ways to get to the start line.  I wasn't expecting that but for safety reasons, we couldn't be where the start line was.  I am guessing on this.


Again the sky!  And let me tell you, the weather was PERFECT!  I have never had a better race day in terms of the elements.  40ish at the start and 70ish at the finish.  Overcast with just the right amount of cloud cover!  And we were off!


Barbara and I love running together.  We don't see each other often and so when we do, we have plenty to catch up on.  Super excited because the next time I see her will be next month at Rock n Roll San Diego.


And of course, I needed an on the course jumping picture.


And I didn't end up using my VP2 as much as I usually do on the course because of the awesome weather and the course support.  And one guy said I look like Blastios from Pokemon because of my pack.  Haha!


The course from the start to Mile 8 is downhill but not crazy downhill.  Just a gradual decline.  From about 9 to the finish is flat and then the last 10th of a mile is slightly uphill.  Very slight but its there.  I started having a little GI trouble at Mile 9 and had to stop for a potty break.  But after that, we just chatted and made our way to the finish.  It was not a PR but it is the fastest Half I have done since 2014!


And the closest I have ever been to 13.1!  We made our way into the Finisher's Chute and saw a bunch of things I can't eat (dang wheat allergy!) but looked really good!  Yes, they had pie and pizza!


We ran into Sandy again who had an awesome race!


And made our way to the finisher's area where they had vendors, booths, race merchandise and back drops for pictures!  But we don't need no stinking back drops!


Loved it!  What a great race!  Did I mention Revel has free race photos?


And free massages?  Steph got a FREE massage after her FULL!  I am so proud of her!  32 minute PR!  AMAZING right?!


This race has me jumping for joy!  Cannot WAIT to do it again next year!  And Anna, the lady in charge, did an incredible job!


And if you do 3 or more Revel races in one year, you earn yourself the Triple Reveler medal!  What more incentive could you want?


And finally, I am linking up with the Weekly Wrap hosted by HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin and also with Megan!  I am also linking up with #MotivateMe Monday, hosted by Run Mommy RunFitness Cheerleader and Running Rachel.  I’m also joining up with Marathons & Motivation and Ilka’s Blog for Sunday’s Fitness & Food Link-up.

So tell me, have you ever done a Revel race?  What are you waiting for?  Rockies (Denver) is in June, Big Cottonwood (Salt Lake) in September and Canyon City (LA) in November!  Come back tomorrow when I tell you all about the expo and the We Run Social meet up!

As always, I wish you Happy Feet,
SD Mom

10 comments:

  1. Looks like a beautiful race day! You sure made an early start! I will be in Nevada in a week and a half and hope I see some beautiful skies like that for our zip lining adventure!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I think I may be adding this to my calendar next year... :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Whoa Smitha a 2:45 am alarm sounds like a Disney time lol
    You are right the sky is so big there or at least it looks that way in pictures since I've never been.
    I do like a good warm up walk to the start. As long as once you get there you don't have to wait another hour.
    I love the medals and it's very cool the more you do the more bling you get! Thanks for linking up with us.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I think that's a pretty great time when you consider the pictures, the potty stop, and the gabbing! Congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  5. What a fun recap and it looks like a great race! I've heard all good things about these Revel races. I may need to travel west again to do one!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Sounds like a great race!! I wish I could have done it. Probably won't be able to next year either but maybe 2018! LOL!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I ran the inaugural REVEL Rockies and it's still one of my favorites, if not THE favorite. I came *this close* to doing Mt. Charleston but the travel just didn't work out with it being Mother's Day weekend. It sounds like you had fun and the race direction was great as always. Thanks for linking with us, SD!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sounds like a fun race, minus having to get up so early :-) I loved seeing the pictures & it looks like you enjoyed some nice scenery. Also, love a good post-race FREE massage!! Thank you for sharing at the Sunday Fitness & Food Link-Up.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Where can I find the Huakas?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I buy them on line. Running Warehouse usually has them cheap!

      Delete