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Jan 25-29 - on the run

Discussion in 'Vegas Trip Reports' started by chef, Jan 30, 2016.

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  1. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    My Trip Report

    After 50 or so trips to Vegas, my focus has changed and so has my lifestyle. I've done about everything I've wanted to in Vegas, and had a lot of fun doing it.
    This may sound crazy, but this past week's trip was primarily taken to get some warm-weather running in. Sure, there are better venues elsewhere for this type of endeavor, but Vegas is what I know best and is an economical place to visit.
    Flew out of Rockford, IL on Allegiant for $150 RT. Surprisingly, both flights arrived ahead of schedule. One of the pilots told me he thought the company was starting to get their act together more.
    The first full day was started by losing a $50 MP (had a 20 to dealers 12 and she drew a 9) from Allegiant flt mag for Golden Gate, plus another $50 after she next dealt herself a BJ. Oh well, credit to Golden Gate for offering a $50 MP. That was the extent of my gambling for the trip.
    After picking up my LVA book and having an omelet and some fresh fruit at the Palace buffet, it was off to Lake Mead to begin the running vacation.
    There is a new 35-mile paved trail between Henderson and Lake Mead. I parked at a trailhead near Railroad Pass Casino and put in about 20 miles, running to the dam and back. What I did not notice at first was the gradual decline to the lake. I certainly noticed the incline on the way back, though.
    I had plans to drive into Boulder City to visit a few folks, but a bad head cold and some body chills told me to go back to Silver Sevens and sit in the outdoor hot tub.
    Later that night, I returned my rental car and had a mediocre buffet at the Silverton. Other than the long run, the rest of the day kind of sucked, for various reasons too trivial to discuss.
    Day 2 was spent laying in bed until about noon, still feeling the effects of the cold and body aches. Got to give credit to Silver Sevens (formerly Terribles) for a very comfortable bed. Between that and a daily soak in the hot tub, I couldn't have been more pleased with my $26/nite room (plus resort fees).
    Feeling a bit reinvigorated that afternoon, I made it over to the UNLV track for a few laps, managing to get close to 10 miles in, relishing the warm sunshine and the soft surface of the track.
    One thing about putting the miles in is that mucho calories get burned off, as many as 3,000 in a marathon.
    A bit hungrier, I walked over the Gold Coast for the buffet that night. I haven't been there for a few years and am happy to say it is better than I remember it, especially for quality. Prices have gone up, but it still remains one of Vegas' better value buffets.
    Day 3 started with 7-mile run and accidentally hooking up with a group of people that do timing for road/trail races. They were having a convention at the Linq and doing a practice timed run early that morning on the Strip. Organized race running (like the Vegas marathon) is a big business, as evidenced by the fact timers from all of the world were present and an entire convention could be had on just one aspect of race organization.
    After a short break back at the hotel, took off for another run, this time around McCarran Airport and the trails at Sunset Park (by the southeast corner of the airport). That totaled15 miles.
    To get the calories count back up, used the $10 off LVA coupon for the PH buffet. Maybe it was because of my cold and not quite having the taste buds up to par, but the PH didn't have much taste. Frankly, I preferred Gold Coast. Plus, I don't care for place like PH that won't heat crab legs.
    Another difference in the two was that Gold Coast had a perfectly cooked medium rare strip loin, while PH's prime rib was overdone. And, much better service at GC.
    Day 4 was travel day so I was limited to a morning run only. It was a repeat of the McCarran loop, about 12 miles.
    Got back in time for a quick soak, a convenient meal at the subpar-to-average SS buffet and a walk to the airport.
    Final totals - 60 miles running and another 15-20 miles walking.
    In retrospect, the saving grace for this trip was the sunny 60-degree plus weather all week. If it would have been in the high 40s & low 50s, as predicted for the following week, it wouldn't have been worth my time. It felt good to rid myself of the running tights, layered long sleeves, headware and mittens and dress only in shorts and a teeshirt.
    No entertainment, no drinking, only two hands of BJ, no fancy meals. It still worked for me, even being under the weather.
     
  2. Slotness

    Slotness Low-Roller

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    :thumbsup:

    Doesn't sound crazy at all. I have every intention of putting some miles in during our Feb. trip (albeit I run in a week what you run in a morning).
     
  3. Franken Dean

    Franken Dean Newbie

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    Thanks for the buffet reviews. Stay warm and thanks for posting.
     
  4. Spock

    Spock Low-Roller

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    That's more running than I can manage in a year ..... Encourages me to do more.

    Good you enjoyed. :)
     
  5. MsNVegas

    MsNVegas Low-Roller

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    I give you great Kudos! The only place I'm gonna run too are the slot machines, I mean walk and of course to eat. I see people on their fancy bikes in 30 degree weather in all their gear, here at hom, I'm like no way would I Ever Do That! However that's about to change as my DH bought me a gym membership ugh! At least you had not only the perfect weather, but also beautiful scenic trail, with Lake Mead.

    Thank you for the trip report, I enjoyed the read.
     
  6. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    I've been fighting off a cold too lately. It's sucked. Impressed you got all that running in!
     
  7. Jimbucc

    Jimbucc VIP Whale

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    I was there from the 23rd to 27th. The weather was fantastic wasn't it? The most exercise I got was walking from Excalibur to Mandalay Bay and back. That takes discipline to not gamble when in Vegas. Can't beat that airfare.
     
  8. Big dan

    Big dan High-Roller

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    That's awesome! Thanks for sharing. Sounds like the exact opposite of a vacation to me, it sounds like what I invision hell to be lots of running and being in Vegas without gambling......no thanks. Get well soon. I wonder how much more you would have run if you were not under the weather.
     
  9. 6Mermaids

    6Mermaids Low-Roller

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    Good for you! Can I ask how long it took to walk to the airport?
     
  10. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    It takes me 50 minutes from the corner of Flamingo and Las Vegas Blvd (center Strip) to the Terminal 1. There is a sidewalk that goes all the way from the terminal to Tropicana Ave.
     
  11. 6Mermaids

    6Mermaids Low-Roller

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    Good to know! Thank you!
     
  12. Flowers

    Flowers VIP Whale

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    Very cool! Makes me feel like a chump for not exercising enough. Your post is inspirational!
     
  13. mikeyvegas1

    mikeyvegas1 High-Roller

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    I like to run in Vegas too. I have never done a 20 miler there though. Last September a good friend that I coach for Marathons and I went to Vegas and did a 20 miler in the morning before our evening flight. My longest run in Vegas is usually 8 miles almost the full distance of the strip and back.

    I am just a few hours from you in Appleton WI. Are you training for any of the local/regional races?
     
    Sons 21st birthday trip
  14. casinokid68

    casinokid68 Caesars Diamond Member

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    I also love to run in Vegas. Unfortunately, it's from my room down to the casino!!:woohoo: Great that you can do all that walking and avoiding the casinos.
     
  15. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    Mikey,
    The closest race to you that I ran was the Jailbreak Marathon in Wautoma. I highly recommend it - low priced entry fee and rolling rural course. Have also done Milwaukee.
    We still get up to King, WI to visit in-laws at the big military retirement complex up there.
    Lately, I've been transitioning from road racing to trail running. My next big race is the Speedgoat 50K at the Snowbird Ski Resort in Salt Lake City this summer, reputedly to be the toughest 50K in the country.
     
  16. mikeyvegas1

    mikeyvegas1 High-Roller

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    I have some friends that have done the jailbreak they say it was well run for a little race. I don't know when the speedgoat is but I would suggest Devils Lake as a good training spot (after the snow melts of course). They have some technical trails and some pretty long steep climbs for the midwest anyway. I ran the Dances with Dirt 50k there last year. The race was good but in limbo this year due to some strained relations between the resort and race directors.
     
    Sons 21st birthday trip
  17. chef

    chef Resident Buffetologist

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    Interesting that you mentioned Dances with the Dirt race. I almost signed up for it last year, but my wife wasn't too cooperative with the travel details. How did you like it?
     
  18. mikeyvegas1

    mikeyvegas1 High-Roller

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    It was a good race, even mix of some technical trails through the woods and and some grassy trails through some fields. Off the top of my head I want to say somewhere between 4k-5k feet of climbing. It was well supported with aid stations every 4-5 miles with all the goodies. It does get hot but you sound like a veteran runner and know how to adjust. I enjoyed it but don't know how it will be this year since I think the relationship between the Devils Head Resort and the race directors is not good and they will be moving the entire race into the Devils Lake park which may be good or bad. My wife has done all 4 of the Dances with Dirt 50k races around the country and has a high opinion of them, she thinks it will still be good.
     
    Sons 21st birthday trip
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