Saturday, January 30, 2016

2016 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Weekend - The Expo



How does the popular saying go, “Third time’s the charm”?  I won’t dispute that about the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona race weekend. 
 
The first time I participated in the RnR Arizona races was to run the 2014 Marathon: I had a great time with friends and family and had a fantastic Boston Qualifying run.  The second time was last year’s (2015) inaugural 5k and the Marathon: I got to run the 5k alongside Olympian Ryan Hall, I ran my first (and only – to date) sub-3 hour marathon, won my Age Group for the marathon distance (and first ever award from any Rock ‘n’ Roll event), and got to celebrate my sister establishing a new Personal Record for herself in the marathon distance.  It was a weekend filled with personal and family glory.  This year’s event topped them all; not because of any personal or family glory but because I got to experience the entire race weekend in new and stimulating ways and because I’m coming back from hip/labrum surgery over the summer and this was the final proof to myself that I'd be able to return to long distance running and racing.  I’m going to tell you all about it (from my perspective), please pull up a chair and enjoy:

My sister and I were offered the opportunity to run the 2015 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona 5k and Half Marathon in exchange for telling everyone we knew (and everyone who’d listen) about the entire race weekend.  That by itself is an incredible honor; to have someone (especially a company so important to the world wide racing community) believe we would have something to contribute, believing we could say or do things that would inspire others to join this running journey.  That is something very important to the both of us: Inspiring others to take up this sport and strive to achieve reach new heights mentally and physically.  Charlene and I began trying to inspire others to join us long before the race weekend by telling people (via online social media outlets) about our personal experiences at previous RnR Arizona races, about our experiences with Rock ‘n’ Roll races in other locations, and about things that are important to us personally in regards to running the current RnR Arizona courses.

Charlene and I kicked off the weekend of fun by driving from Las Vegas to Phoenix.  We hit the road at first light Friday morning, intending to enjoy the drive itself and arrive at the first day of the Expo early enough to devote time to meeting and speaking with the event sponsors as well as search out some race gear which we needed to replace.  We talked the whole way; about the 2015 race weekend, about what we hoped to accomplish this weekend, about who we’d like to talk to at the expo, and naturally about what we’d gone through during the past 12 months since we’d made that particular drive before (you know, runner and sibling stuff).  


Sis also told me about a new app she intended on using over the weekend, called Periscope: I’d never heard of it before she brought it up but it sounded like fun (well, for her).  Charlene is very good at the social communication thing; she’s a natural choice to be in front of a camera talking about things that are important to her.  For me, I didn’t want to be on camera but I did want to help, to contribute.  I felt Periscope would be interesting and that’s a great place to start from.


This Rock ‘n’ Roll Expo was pretty big (as they typically are) and it was really jumping with activity.  Normally, Sis and I would go in to an expo with the mentality of getting our bibs, shirts, and swag and then making quick work of the sales areas (stopping long enough to purchase necessities or to find some information of personal importance).  This time we went in the mentality of learning about the sponsors behind the races and sharing it with others (you) as well as take care of a couple necessities.  It actually added a level of excitement to the expo in my opinion; gave me a purpose beyond myself and a new perspective on something I often take for granted.

  

One of the most important stops in the expo (well, after getting our bibs) was to visit with our new on-course fuel provider, Glukos Energy.  This visit is particularly important because they are new to the series and because I personally needed a new fueling product which could help me reach and even exceed my running goals.  My sister smartly identified a very important person within Glukos Energy, the CEO Mike McCormick.  We identified ourselves and told him why we stopped by and then asked point blank:  “Why should we use Glukos Energy, what makes your product special and/or better than the others”?  The short and sweet of his answer was; the fuel is designed to get into our systems quickly by providing exactly the type of fuel our bodies are designed to burn, Glucose; it contains incredibly important electrolytes; specifically with the gels, they are water based so you do not need to wash it down at an aid station; most importantly (to me) is that their products aren’t super sweet which can so often bother a runner’s stomach.  We also had the privilege of talking with Mark Jensen, the inventor of Glukos, about using the tablets and how easily the gels were to take.  I took the opportunity to ask him for fueling advice on my return to marathon running and about how I can best use Glukos Energy during race situations.  Mark’s advice was invaluable as the creator of this particular fuel and especially because he’s an accomplished athlete himself.  He asked us to try a sample of the gel to see if it fit with his and Mike’s descriptions and to see how our palates and stomachs would react:  The simple half ounce sample spoke volumes about how easy it would be for us to use these on course.  I know that it will be the fuel I train with for my first marathon post-surgery.  You can visit their website here for more information and for purchasing:  Glukos Energy


Maui Jim Sunglasses was an important visit at the expo for reasons that stretch all the way back to Las Vegas and the streets around my home:  Eye protection from glare, UV Rays, and blowing dust can’t be understated when you live and train in the desert.  I’ve seen and tried on Maui Jim’s sunglasses many times over the years but I’ve never approached them on the subject of wind protection as well as the standard vision protection options; this time it was my focus.  I explained to the nice young lady who greeted us that we were there to talk to them because of their connection to the Rock ‘n’ Roll races and because of my interest in checking out which styles they offered to shield the side of a runner’s eyes (for protection from blowing dust and debris).  She selected, and I tried on, the Waterman, Switchback, Kanaha, and the Night Dive model glasses as she believed they could fit my description and desires.  I quickly formed a personal favorite because the frame and lens style did indeed fit my need; they also passed my sister’s fashion critique - a familial requirement.  I wasn’t surprised with the viewing quality and clarity, they have always been high end in those regards, but they are a pleasure to watch the world through.  Here is a link to their website if you’d like to look into a pair of sunglasses that will fit your needs:  Maui Jim


Toyota had a huge presence at the expo and at the race.  I though their expo set up was a blast really.  Typically the vehicle manufacturers that show up for these types of events just park a car/truck or two where they can’t be missed and have their employees hang around to answer questions.  Toyota seemed to be much more interested in being interactive and personable.  They did have a few vehicles parked on the expo floor but each vehicle was open and interactive: one had rear liftgate open for us to play a game of Skee ball; another was set up as a photo booth inside the cabin with a souvenir picture to laugh at later.  They also had a test drive station set up in front of the expo/convention center which was cool.  Check out their website, you can even put together your dream Toyota car on there:  Toyota USA



We had a very interesting time wandering around the expo doing the live Periscope app interviewing RnR volunteers and staff, we were also lucky enough to bump into a Legacy runner who’d run the event even before Rock ‘n’ Roll put it’s stamp upon the race series.  A major highlight of the video, and of the expo, was spending some time in the Rock ‘n’ Roll station with all of the wickedly cool Heavy Medals and the various challenge medals that are being offered.  Charlene and I were both stunned at how creative and appropriate this series of the RnR Heavy Medals are; each one has something which loudly represents the world and history of Rock and Roll music and they got progressively bigger and more impressive with each count of a completed Marathon or Half Marathon.  My sister still talks about how much she loves the 8 Track tape medal (8 races in the calendar year), my favorite is the Stairway to Heaven medal (in the shape of a 7 for seven races).


Next up - The Rock 'n' Roll Arizona 5k

*Disclaimer:   I was an invited guest to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon weekend.  The views, reviews and opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the organizers nor sponsors or any other company/individual affiliated with the event.

- Next - The 2016 RnR AZ 5k

2016 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Weekend - The 5k



2016 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona 5k
 
I have to say, I love running this particular 5k event.  After I’d run the inaugural 5k last year (in final preparation for the next day’s race), I remembered really enjoying the race but my mind was so focused on the Marathon that I didn’t have any truly specific memories of running the 5k beyond tagging along with Ryan Hall and feeling truly relaxed and pleased.  As we drove home after the race weekend and throughout 2015 Charlene and I both knew that we wanted to run that 5k again, this time with our full attention.
Charlene and I both had the honor and pleasure of being invited to participate in the 2016 Rock ‘n’ Roll 5k.  With a year’s worth of anticipation we were both very eager to experience it again, in some ways it would be like experiencing it for the first time since we’d be fully in the moment.
I will admit to being a little nervous about this race:  It was to be the first true test of my racing capability since having surgery to repair the torn and separated labrum in my left hip.  There is a major difference between running a 5k and racing one to the best of your capability (as you no doubt know), and I hadn’t tested speed in over ½ a year.  


As part of our normal routine, Charlene and I arrived at the race site a little over an hour early:  It helps ensure good parking, leaves plenty of time to get your head on straight, and you can get in a full session of dynamic stretches and exercises to warm up.  While we were getting ourselves ready for the race and trying to shake off the morning chill we were asked to talk with ABC15 Arizona; they wanted to know where we’d come from to participate in the race(s), why we came to this particular event, what we considered special about the Rock ‘n’ Roll race series itself.  I don’t remember stepping forward to do the “mini” interview but I found myself up front and center with a smiling MaryEllen Resendez addressing me and a spotlight providing a pool of warmth:  My teeth stopped chattering and I tried my best to share my enthusiasm for the race with her.  My sister said I seemed pretty comfortable in front of the camera but to be honest I didn’t care about it at all, I was trying to entice MaryEllen to run the race too (I don’t think she did, I should have been more succinct).

Charlene and I spent a good 30 minutes or so milling about the pre-race zone soaking up the excitement and getting ourselves loosened up.  Both of us planned on letting ourselves run our best race during the 5k; we didn’t have to save strength for the Half Marathon since we already knew it would be a run/walk program due to it being my longest run in 6 months.  The excitement kicked into high gear for us as we joined the thousands of other runners in the start corrals, the race MC/announcer was really getting everyone charged up.  The pre-race nerves I had all morning finally started to calm down as gun time approached.  After a quick pre-race selfie with my sister (our #runningsiblings tradition) I put a Glukos Energy tablet in my cheek and got ready for my very first hard run.  As a general, and very good, rule you should not try new fueling or racing gear on race day but at this point I had nothing to lose and everything to gain.  The fact that I intended to run hard during the 5k made it perfect for testing Glukos since my effort levels would by sky high and the amount of time short (besides, I already knew where the porta-potties were just in case my stomach argued).

We weren’t just “let go” at the start of the 5k, we were launched.  I’m reasonably sure the MC was pulled to the edge of the platform by the suction our sudden departure created.  I do know for sure that several of the first 50 runners and I had to get control of ourselves within the first quarter mile as we all started out faster than planned due to the high energy levels.  Unlike last year, I kept mind in the present while running this course:  The variety of sights, sounds, and even “feel” of the terrain was truly inspiring.  I began to understand why I’d enjoyed the first run on the course even though my mind didn’t register it; we started out in a semi-modern industrial setting by running on an overpass crossing the Tempe Town Lake; transitioned into a stretch road that carried us along the northern edge of LoPiano Bosque Habitat (desert beauty in all it’s glory lit by the morning sun); ran briefly next to a nice neighborhood of cheering people; dropped down to run beside Tempe Town lake on a nice bike path (great spot to pick up speed too); and then finally turned sharply to sprint across the lake on a bridge (sister to the one we started on) which brought us home to the finish line.
I hung around the finish line/secure zone for the few minutes it took for Charlene to finish by taking the time to stretch and catch my breath once I passed the photo walls and found an empty spot on the fence.  I was very happy to find that my heartrate and breathing calmed down very quickly, a good indicator that I haven’t completely lost my conditioning during the recovery from surgery.  I know that I had as big a smile on my face as my sister did when she came through the crowd of racers and photographers after her strong finish.  We both started talking about how much we enjoyed the course and how fun it was to really run it hard as we made our way over to bag check and then to Tempe Beach Park and the Finish Line Festival.  While Charlene took a few minutes to make a quick Periscope video showing the post-race activities I took a couple pictures of the racers still crossing the North Shore Beach Path imagining that I was a spectator seeing me cross that path, in my mind it was a lot like looking in an infinity mirror (watching myself run and seeing myself as I run). 


When she finished up her video, and I finished daydreaming, we walked around the festival for a few minutes to check out the tents and see all of the excited kids.  I wish we could have stayed to watch them run but I needed Ice and Charlene needed coffee.  We found a nearby Starbucks in the Downtown Tempe shopping area and let our minds and bodies relax.  I couldn’t help but check the online results while she enjoyed her tall, hot, double-carma-frapy-lip-foamy-nose drink. 


I almost fell out of my chair when my 5k results came up and showed that I’d finished 2nd in my Age Group.  It took some time and effort to get Charlene’s results up for her 5k efforts; they showed her finish had tied for 3rd place in her Age Group.  What a wild and awesome way to finish our first race of the weekend.


Up next – The 2016 RnR AZ Half Marathon.

*Disclaimer:   I was an invited guest to the RnRAZ, the views, reviews and opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the organizers nor sponsors or any other company/individual affiliated with the event.

- Previous - The 2016 RnR AZ Expo

- Next - The 2016 RnR AZ Half Marathon

2016 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon Weekend - The Half Marathon



2016 Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Half Marathon

I should have been nervous about running the RnRAZ Half Marathon:  I hadn’t run 13.1 miles since before my Labrum surgery in August 2015, and I’d only begun running again during the weekend of the 2015 Las Vegas Rock ‘n’ Roll 10k (a 2 mile walk/run trial and then walk/running the RnRLV 10k).  This would be more than double my longest run in 2 months of training; runners should not make big jumps in distance such as this, it often leads to injury.  I felt confident that I could mitigate the risks with a good plan to take walk breaks and to run much slower than I would for the 10k distance I’d proven myself on.  I believed in my heart and in my muscles that my strength and conditioning was good enough to run an entire Half Marathon at an easy pace but my safety was more important than my pride.  There is a great deal of peace in having a plan.

Doubling my longest run wasn’t the only risk I took regarding the Half Marathon:  I decided at the RnRAZ expo, just 2 days prior, that I was going to run both races fueling with Glukos Energy products.  I would never recommend changing your fueling the weekend of your big race to anyone; you just can’t know how your body will respond.  That being said (and well understood), I believed that Glukos Energy fuels would indeed work well for me after taste testing it and running with the tablets on the 5k.  At the time of the race I had no true compatible fuel on hand because none had passed my run tests the last time I trained for, or ran, a marathon (RnRAZ 2015).  I couldn’t stomach the various gels I’d tried over 10 marathons; every one either made my stomach revolt or they were too sweet and made me gag (or both in some cases).  Glukos Energy tablets and gels were so mild and light in flavor when I tested them at the Expo I knew that it would be my next training fuel.  Since I had nothing to lose and no fueling baseline I went with the new official Rock ‘n’ Roll on-course fuel.

I knew that this half marathon would be special, for personal and family reasons, but I never expected it to start off on such a great note as finding out that our race day invitation included Pre- and Post-race VIP access (as well as the all-important parking pass).  The Half Marathon Pre-race private VIP area was located at The Handlebar Tempe bar, a really nice bike (and RnR runner) friendly beer garden in historic downtown Tempe.  They had the bar opened wide up for us, literally; the back side of the bar is actually a garage door which they had rolled up to expand the whole facility to an outdoor seating area.  The outdoor section had big heating lamps stationed all around the tables so we were comfortable almost everywhere.  Rock ‘n’ Roll also brought a few Porta-potties to a far section of the outdoor area to combat the always-present line of runners in need.  Another great perk that the VIP access brought was having our very own Gear Check right there at the bar.  Charlene and I created a short Periscope report for everyone interested in watching that early, I felt like the cameraman for a roving race news crew.  Heh.  That entire VIP set up put us in a great frame of mind before the race, the buzz and movement from all of the racers was excited and anticipatory.  I think the bar employees even wanted to go running with us but that’s just speculation.  What I know for sure is that the comfort of the VIP area had me completely relaxed and race ready.

The VIP area was a quick walk away from the race start line so it only took a few minutes to get there once the corrals were opened for everyone.  Charlene and I were able to find an open spot in Corral 3 to finish warming up and soak in the race atmosphere.  I’ve always enjoyed looking out over the sea of runners at Rock ‘n’ Roll events; the Half Marathon alone was over 11 thousand people (that was wild to see).   


Once our corral crossed the start line I felt like I’d stepped through the front door of my childhood house; many great memories, a level of comfort despite someone else owning it, and the feeling that it still welcomed me.  We kept to an easy pace that wouldn’t wind us but was enough of a stretch that our muscles didn’t cramp from moving in an awkward way.  I did have to break plan and pattern after the second mile as we neared the All Pro DJ stand; he was playing once of David Bowie’s songs as tribute while we were in earshot so I had to pull up in front of his stand and show him the St. Jude’s dedication bib I dedicated to the Rock ‘n’ Roll legends memory (I wore it for both of the 5k and half marathon).  I yelled a quick “Thank You” for playing David’s song and caught up with Charlene to finish the run.  I think that one of the nicest things about having bands and DJs on the race course is having a favorite current or old song playing as you run by, it gives you a spiritual lift even if your smiling and happy already.  I believe that my sister and I were having a great time during the entire run even though her stomach betrayed her around mile 11.  Even after that quick stop we were both in very high spirits, especially as we rounded the final corner of the race and saw that the race clock was still under 2 hours.  I had hoped we’d be able to run the half marathon in under 2 hours but it wasn’t a priority; when I saw that we were close but still under I told my sister “Let’s beat the clock” and we both kicked up the pace to close the final meters.  We finished at 1:59:08 (gun time) and couldn’t have been happier for each other.  We knew our chip time would be well under that since we started in corral 3 but beating the course clock just made the completion of this goal that much more real.  

We capped off the morning be exercising the Post-Race benefits of our VIP passes (wrist bands).  We found the VIP bag check truck quickly enough and got our stuff with no line or hassle, picked up our remix medals, and then made our way over to the VIP area.  The first thing we did once we arrived was to go check out the massive spread of food and get me signed up for a much needed massage.  Those two benefits alone made the VIP pass a high priority for all of my future RnR races; the food they offered fit both my sister’s dietary needs and my crazy picky stomach; the massage kept me from cramping up and protected my muscles from the coming 5 hour drive home.  One of the benefits of the VIP pass that I hadn’t considered ahead of time was that we’d have the opportunity to see and maybe even chat with some of the Elites from the race too.  While I was chowing down a turkey wrap sandwich, Charlene made a Periscope interview with Roosevelt Cooper, the Men’s Overall 2nd place winner (huge score).  We even had the opportunity to chat with a friend of hers while they ate lunch and I chatted with a couple of runners who had flown in from Pennsylvania for the race.

The last thing we did before leaving the finisher’s festival was to visit the Toyota booth, they were making personalized/custom souvenir 45rmp records for the asking.  They told me the records didn’t have anything recorded on them (Toyota jingles though the years?), they were just for the coolness effect.  Can’t argue there, they are a definite classic Rock ‘n’ Roll look.  


The long drive home was filled with excited conversation, just as it was last year, but much more relaxing and leg cramp free.  We stopped in Wikieup Arizona to stretch, eat and drink, and change drivers.  We also took the opportunity to get our finisher pictures done so we could have something with each of us wearing all of the race weekend medals.

I can’t thank Rock ‘n’ Roll enough for the wonderful life memories the RnR Arizona race weekend has given my sister and I, and for giving us the opportunity to participate in and share this experience with everyone.


*Disclaimer:   I was an invited guest to the RnRAZ, the views, reviews and opinions expressed are my own and not influenced by the organizers nor sponsors or any other company/individual affiliated with the event.
- Previously - The 2016 RnR AZ 5k