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| - Whew! I had to do a bit of research before posting my update on the AZ Rock N Roll Half Marathon, because I surely needed to know to whom I owe a HUGE thanks and leave it to me to find him. Steve Slattery! Thank you!!!! Thank goodness, I remember Steve saying his wife won the race last year - which made it easy to find his name so I could give some credit where credit is due.
How can I not give this race 5 Stars - don't I always love a race that I am able to set a new PR in??? :) Of course, I do!
This was my first half of 2013 and first time running the RnR AZ. I surely wouldn't shy away from running it again.
Bib pick up from the expo was easy breezy (as it has been for every other RnR event I've done) - parking around the convention center was ok.
We utilized the Park and Ride and Light Rail Metro the day of the race since my friend was driving me in from the East Valley. This was a simple, smooth and great option for locals. I'd highly suggest going this route.
Very organized race, my only complaint would be the amount of restrooms at the start line - the lines were insane!!!! and I had to dip into a business and wait in a slightly less insane, but still very long line to try and make it to my corral in time for the start. I know it sounds silly, but restrooms should really be set up near each corral or somehow by corral start time. I can't stand waiting to use the restroom behind a long line of people who are starting in corrals 15, 20+ who are going to start the race LONG after other runners in the first corrals.
I opted to seek out the 2:00 pacer and start back a corral with 6. His name escapes me but he was awesome! I've found that pacers are really an excellent way to go, if you are running for time. I let him know early on that my goal for this race was to beat my LA time and I was looking for 1:57. Steve was running with this group and around mile 7.5 they made sure I knew that if I'd like that time it would be time to ramp it up. Breaking free from a pacer always scares me a bit, I was worried I wouldn't be able to maintain the pace I needed and wouldn't hold myself to it, if on my own. Steve was very kind and offered to help get me to the pace that would bring me in where I wanted to be. I was so surprised and elated by such a kind offer. We broke free from the group, ramped it up for a couple miles and when Steve saw that I was on the right track- he gave me some last minute tips and encouragement and set me free. I really appreciated this, as I feel it was really the gesture that gave me my PR.
I ended up coming in 2 minutes sooner than I had hoped for :)
I do wish I understood the Desert Double medal better - I thought after running Vegas in 2013 I'd earn it but apparently it needs to be back to back - so my 2011 for sure won't count and nor will me running Vegas in 2013 so it looks like I'll definitely be back in AZ for 2014 so I can have this medal in hand ;)
The temps in AZ for this race seem to have been a bit above average for this time of year which made for a comfortable run.
Course entertainment was ok - the group playing Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was a great boost/power song :)
Restrooms and water stations were plentiful - although I always run through the middle of these since I wear a hydration pack.
Ah! and last but not least - I love the Brooks long sleeve tech T. It's the first long sleeve I've received from a Rock n Roll event and I am very happy with it.
Time to beat 1:55:49 - let's go!!! :)
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