21 Reasons to Run the Strip at Night

1. THE RUNNER TAKEOVER

There is no better feeling than being a part of a massive weekend. 40,000 people from 50 states and 64 countries, all coming to run–and take over–the famed Las Vegas Strip at Night.

2. THE STRIP

Whether you’re riding in a taxi from the airport, walking the sidewalk from casino to casino, or reveling at it from atop the High Roller Wheel, there is nothing in the world like this 4.2 mile stretch of neon beauty.

3. THE HOTELS

15 of the world’s 25 largest hotels wrap the Strip, housing over 150,000 hotel rooms. And the best part? They know darn well it’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon weekend.

4. THE ENTERTAINMENT

Britney Spears? Check. Cirque du Soleil? Check (7 of them).  Seeing the crazy costumes people run in? Check, and free.

5. THE FOOD

Rated top-ten in the country for great food, and for good reason. Pick any top celebrity chef and they’ve got their name on something in Las Vegas. Into wine? There are more master sommeliers in Las Vegas than Los Angeles and New York City combined.

6. THREE DAY HEALTH & FITNESS EXPO

It’s the biggest (and longest) Expo Rock ‘n’ Roll puts on, and for good reason—it’s your first stop of the weekend! 100+ vendors, epic merchandise, and photo opportunities galore to get the weekend party started.

7. THE T-SHIRTS

Dark colored to embody the night races, but bright designs to reflect the Las Vegas neon lights, these are t-shirtsyou need in your collection.

8. THE SATURDAY 5K

The perfect distance to shake out to on Saturday night, and to get the friends and family involved who are tagging along for the weekend.

9. THE RUNNER PERKS

We’re putting together a bigger and better than ever list of Perks for you in 2016. Look forward to exclusive participant offers on dining, entertainment, nightlife, and shows to help amplify your race weekend–all unlocked by the wristband you receive at the Expo.

10. THE START LINE CONCERT

What other race can you get treated to a massive headliner concert from a 70 ft long stage with 30,000 of your closest friends, BEFORE you run?!

11. THE START LINE EXPERIENCE

The “pre-race jitters” are different here. The community is tremendous and as you cross the line, fire shoots into the sky. YES.

12. RUNNING PAST THE WELCOME TO LAS VEGAS SIGN

Your iconic Las Vegas tour starts before you hit the first mile marker as you run past the famed sign. Snap a selfie on the move, or jump into the photo area to line up the perfect shot.

13. THE COURSE ENTERTAINMENT

Local musicians and DJs lining the course with one goal in mind—to keep you pumped up from start to finish! All genres are covered, and they get into it!

14. THE RUN THRU WEDDING

Keep your eyes peeled on course for hundreds (yes, hundreds) of couples tying the knot or renewing their vows ON THE RUN! Only…in…Vegas…

15. THE RUNNING ELVI

The king of rock is well-represented each year in the form of hundred of white lycra-clad runners taking on the Strip at Night like the superstar himself. ROCK. ON.

16. RUNNING THROUGH DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS

Where Las Vegas all began. Staying true to it’s neon roots despite incredible gentrification, the vibe & energy is amazing!

17. THE MIRAGE VOLCANO

Not only are you finishing in the heart of the Las Vegas Strip, but the Mirage volcano is erupting just to your right. If you’re lucky, your finish line photos will literally be on fire.

18. THE FINISH LINE

We bring the nightclub to the finish line, with lasers, lights and tunes to celebrate your epic achievement. See it all come together here in 27 seconds!

19. THE MEDALS

Words don’t do them justice…just take a look at the below, close your eyes, and imagine the feeling of crossing the finish line and being crowned with one of these like a running king or queen.

20. THE REMIX CHALLENGE

Those willing to take on the challenge of running back to back nights (Saturday 5K and Sunday marathon, ½ marathon or 10K) will be rewarded—heavily.

21. WALKING AROUND LAS VEGAS WITH YOUR MEDAL(S)

Wear them loud, wear them proud, wear them wherever the heck you want! You earned it.

Now, share this with your friends! The marathon and 1/2 price increases on August 2, so the clock is ticking! Use code RUNMEGANRUN for $15 off the half or full marathons!

(Originally posted here from Run Rock'n Roll)

Race Recap: Rock 'n Roll Seattle Half Marathon

I can't believe Seattle was almost two weeks ago. After playing all day in the city on Friday, we grabbed food on the way back from the Space Needle, chowed down and got ready for the morning. With the forecast of rain still lingering, we were totally uncertain about what to pack for the morning! Long sleeves? Jacket? Shorts? Gah! Stupid crazy weather. 

I set out my tank and shorts and had my running jacket packed just in case, but lo and behold when we woke up in the morning and headed out - no rain! It had clearly poured that night, but it seemed to have all gotten out of its system by the time we woke up at 5:30. It was almost humid outside - 50-something degrees, but it felt warmer than that, so I had zero complaints. I walked to the start in my jacket, just in case.

A few of us rocked our rainbows to #StandwithOrlando.

We decided to walk the mile up to the Space Needle and found ourselves very quickly in the throes of all the other runners getting ready. We walked over to the start line and played around with photos and shenanigans before we decided to find our way to Solutions to grab my VIP bracelet. We caught one of the staff members and asked when the wheelchair start was, as I'd never seen the start line that empty, save for the four wheelchair athletes starting to line up. He told us the start was delayed until 7:15 (it was about 6:35 at this point) due to traffic.

Yes, that's Libby in a onesie. Loved it.

Hearing that, we headed back towards the Seattle Center to find Solutions and get my wristband for a little post-race action. After hopping in the longest Solutions line ever (downside to a Saturday morning race, I think, is that a Thursday-Friday expo is hard for folks to get to sometimes), I learned I could just check in at VIP after the race and get squared away up there. Woot. We headed back toward the start line so we could catch the wheelchair start.

Apparently Seattle is one of RnR's largest events, as it offers an 8K, half and full. With 40-something corrals, you could tell it is certainly huge! Tons of people not following their corrals and jumping wherever - though I was assigned 13, I ditched my jacket with Lindsay and figured I'd take the risk and see how weather turned out. I headed back to 16 to hang out with Libby and try and find Briana in the midst of it. No such luck, but we were in the middle of 16 at that point and decided just to hang.

Libby and I got started and contemplated the idea of her running a PR that day. She wasn't sure, but she had a 2:21 to beat and maybe - just maybe - this could be the place to do it. My only goals for the race were to enjoy it, take it all in, and just have a better day than I had at San Diego. Easy goals, right? We caught up with Briana and Andrew about a mile and a half in, and ran with them for a bit and then carried on!

I LOVED getting to run through the sights of Seattle - it made me wish I had stayed an extra day to play in the city and take it all in, but such is life! We had a little fun as we ran through Pioneer Square, by the cruise ship terminals and down and around CenturyLink in the background. A 10K split PR for Libby, and we were on to good things! Boom! Libby split for a restroom stop and I carried on, trying to keep steady so she could catch me. I found this guy about mile 8:

Andrew and Briana caught up to me about there, and I continued with them through the last tunnels and back into the city. About mile 10, we caught up with one of the wheelchair athlete who was going backwards up the last incline - can you say inspiration? My legs were tired, but certainly not any more tired than his arms. I fought harder just to be sure I really tired myself out by the end.

It got really humid inside the tunnel - certainly mostly thanks to all of us sweaty folks - but also for the impending rain outside. When we came out of the tunnel, it started to mist... and then rain a little harder. Never a full on rain, but at mile 12, it was a nice little repreive from the humidity and the rain just teasing us. At that point, I actually really liked it. 

You come down up and over the offramp that leads back towards CenturyField and SafeCo Field. It's a nice gradual downhill, just to climb a little bit up and around the stadium, which was a little cruel, but whatever. The rain started to come down just a little bit harder but actually felt pretty good - at least for a little while!

And just like that, that was it! My goal of just having a better day than San Diego was more than achieved, and my 2:17 finish was pretty on point with how I felt. I walked when I wanted, enjoyed the course, took photos and had a great day. Zero complaints. I will note that I think this new course is totally worth of a PR kind of day - a few gradual inclines but more than enough decline to make up for it. Fast and flat otherwise and a beautiful one, to boot! 

Overall, I loved this race. The course is definitely quieter than San Diego, but that's not a fair comparison by any means! Gorgeous scenery, a fun run through a new state for this girl and I have zero complaints overall. I am glad the rain didn't totally pull through and the mist at the end was just enough to cool me off and feel nice (again, for a little bit). 

I was lucky to have access to the VIP area, but more on that soon in an upcoming post!

Where will I see you rock this year?

Want to rock with me at an upcoming race? Use code RUNMEGANRUN to save!

Disclosure: I am a member of Rock 'n Blog and was given a 2016 Global Tour Pass from the folks at Rock 'n Roll and Competitor. The opinions expressed herein are my own and represent my experience at the race and over the weekend as a whole. Otherwise, no compensation was given for this review. 

Friday Favorites #21: Seattle Bound!

It's FRIIIIIIIIIIDAYYYYYYYYY! And this is one special post -- all about my next two days' worth of shenanigans.

Which also means that I'm on a plane (with Linz no less!) and Seattle bound for Rock 'n Roll Seattle! I haven't been to Seattle in like 15 years, so though I'm only up in the PNW for something like 37 hours, I am pumped to see some more #RocknBlog friends, chill in the 70 degree weather (versus the forecasted 100 here in So Cal) this weekend, run and just have a blast. Views don't hurt either, so excited to run through another new city and take it all in!

I'm staying with a fellow Sparkly Soul ambassador, Libby, and her sorority sister who's in for some fun! I finally got to meet Libby in person in San Diego, so yay for a weekend to hang out too! After Sharpie and I land, we're teaming up with Carlee host to the #WeRunSocial meet up with Pro Compression. My first time hosting and it's going to be a BALL. Be there. You won't regret it.

This blue beauty will be mine tomorrow morning and I'm stoked to say that I will be then crossing off Washington and state #10 on my quest to run a half marathon in all 50 states. Boom.

A little more post-race fun, including a finish line concert with the New Pornographers, and then... it all comes to a crashing halt tomorrow evening when I come back to So Cal and some searing, toasty 100-degree weather! Womp.

Who's headed to Seattle this weekend?

Race Report: Rock 'n Roll San Diego Half Marathon

Rock 'n Roll San Diego Half Marathon

June 5, 2016 | San Diego, CA

A few days later, and this is still kind of a rough pill to swallow. The short version? I ran my personal worst half marathon ever. I can't even use the word ran. I walked. I walked my personal worst half ever. And better yet, I crushed my personal worst time! 

Let's start with Saturday. While in the middle of a 13-hour day on campus (yay orientation season!), I started seeing tweets and Insta updates from lots of folks (namely the #Fontana2SD crew) about the Temecula fire that had I-15 closed for a number of hours. What should have been a 2 hour drive turned into 8 for some of these people! It was at that point, that I seriously contemplated not making the drive, backing out of Sunday's race, and just calling it a day. I told Doug this when I got home at 7 pm, but he kindly reminded me that I'd be pissed at myself later if I didn't go - so at 8:30 pm, I made my way down to San Diego. Though the 15 was half open, that still doesn't do a lot of good on that freeway, so I took a detour and made my way to the 5 and down from there - still a 2 hour drive - and crashed on Jessica's couch about 10:30 pm. What a day. 

Because I didn't make it to the expo on Saturday (duh), I needed to be up & at it extra early on Sunday to get to Solutions and get to my bib. I was up and out of Jess' place about 5:20 to jog the half mile to the start line, and the extra quarter-mile to the Solutions table (which was the furthest table from the start line out of all of them. What the hekc?!). On the way I ran into Michael - many thanks to the freakin' awesome Neon Waves. Lemme tell you, they stand out.

Post-Solutions, I ran my way back to the start line for the epicness to begin: pre-race photos with the Pro crew (heyyyyy, nice socks!), We Run Social crew, all the blogger friends I've been dying to meet - all in one place! Best ever.

All the socks! These Neon Waves POP, don't they?

Best crew ever.

So originally my race day plan was to run with Ashley and we were gonna push ourselves and run a nice sub-2. She pulled her hamstring, however, on Saturday during the 5K and wasn't certain about her abilities on Sunday (spoiler: she didn't even end up running!). :( This also contributed to my almost-decision to not even drive down for the race - I needed a new race day plan! After such a long day on Saturday, I wasn't even sure that a sub-2 was do-able, let alone on untrained legs lately.

Rock 'n Roll introduced a new course this year that was a lot gentler compared to last year's rolling hills. 

.

I actually REALLY enjoyed this new course - many of the killer hills we ran UP last year were ones we ran down this year, but you still got some of the great neighorhoods - the tequila shots and donuts in North Park, the drag cheerleaders, and tons of local high school cheer squads all along the way. 

I started the race with a few of the WRS / Rock n Blog crew, but ended up running a mile or so with David (sweetest family ever!). We caught up to Linzie and Sarah, who was struggling with some dehydration from Fontana the day before, so they were kinda run walking at this point. David took off (byeeee) and I hung around with Linz and Sarah. Good decision. We ran, we walked, we talked  a lot. We had donuts, drank some champagne... all in good fun.

Whatcha doin' there, Sarah?

Give me all the donuts, please.

And then, just before mile 5, it happened. Linzie and Sarah were just steps ahead of me, and mid-stride, I felt my whole body go in a circle and just said "Whoaaa" out loud. They both turned around and said that I had gone ghost-white, and I just felt dizzy. We walked back to the beer stand we had just passed in some guy's yard, asked if they had water. I took a few sips and sat down for a few, when Smitha had caught up to us and hung out for a few. I started feeling a little better, so we got up and kept moving - still a walk (mostly), but kept going.

At this point, I knew this race was going to be a whatever kind of day. Thank goodness I didn't have any real goals on the line. The new course is definitely PR-friendly in my eyes, but it just wasn't one of those kind of days. We joked about mile 6 that we could totally run a personal worst, if we were going to have goals at all (Sarah's was 2:46, mine 2:48). While we didn't want to aim for such a time, it was still totally do-able. 

And then we just kept going. Ran strides a block or so long, ran down hills, but walked and had fun. Truthfully, I would have been a mess if it weren't for Linz and Sarah, and I am grateful they were there to relish in the craptastic race it had become.

Lots of photos, lots of Snaps, lots of fun. Lots of laughing at the sheer disbelief about what the day had turned into. At least those two had run Fontana the day before - while I'd been on my feet 13 hours the day before, I didn't feel tired. After all, I had done the same thing last year (worked on Saturday, ran on Sunday) and felt fine. When I told my boss this on Monday morning, he said "Well, yeah, you were younger last year!" Thanks dude. Just a reminder that I'm getting old! 

New personal worst: check. 

And then we finished. The last three miles or so were the same as last year's, but instead of turning down to Petco Park, you run into downtown, up a slight hill and finish on Ash Street. The finish line funnel was a TOTAL cluster, and I immediately hated the new finish line area. Waterfront Park is great, but cannot sufficiently hold the size of the race that San Diego is. Sarah and I hung around, chatted with friends, found new friends, watched Gavin DeGraw for a song or two and then made our way to the We Run Social meet up: our crew!

I only got to hang out at the social for a bit, as I had stuff waiting for me at home, but I loved getting to see soooo many blends this year! Last year, I was pretty much in for the race and back out again, and hated that I missed so many people. This year was just lots of selfies, lots of photos and lots of FUN! Despite a terrible personal race day, this was a day that confirmed what the running community is all about. 

So there it is. A terrible personal race day experience. Awesome new course (minus the finish line). Awesome city - America's Finest City for a reason. But lots of fun - truly. I was definitely feeling the dehydration (what I've deemed the cause of my dizzyness) on Monday, and Monday was tough. Ya live, ya learn, right? 

On to the next one! I'm running Seattle in a week and  a half and determined to make that a slightly better race day!

Did you rock and roll through San Diego? What'd you think of the new course?

PST! You can get in on a limited pre-sale for next year's races. The half marathon is only $50 and the full is only $59. Act fast, it's closing soon! Race weekend is June 3-4, 2017. 

7 Reasons Rock 'n Roll ROCKS!

...because numbers like 5 and 10 are boring and expected, and who wants that?

1. The music.
It's no lie that you have a real, live iPod with you along any RnR course. With over a dozen bands and entertainers along every course, you have no reason to bring headphones along... just cruise to the jams provided for you! And, of course, every race finishes with a headliner concert. I'm stoked to see The New Pornographers at Seattle & Gavin DeGraw in San Diego this year, and got to see OAR last year in SD:

2. Who doesn't love a runcation?
The opportunities to see new states - and new countries, at that - is abound. If you're a Tour Pass holder (there's a 3-pack and both a North American and Global option), you can check out all kinds of new cities and cross off some of those half- or full-marathon states while you're at it! I'm headed up to Seattle in a few weeks to cross off state #10, many thanks to this year's tour pass. Check out all the locations here or here;

3. The scenery. 
Part of the fun in running in new cities is getting to explore on foot. Personally, I think there's no better way to get to know a new place! Whether it's the bright lights on the Vegas strip, or running underneath Spanish moss-covered trees in New Orleans, sights are abound along any course you'll find.

4. The expos! 
We all know that if you aren't careful, you can pretty much blow your entire month's paycheck at a race expo. Rock 'n Roll expos are that, times ten - everything from other races (and discounts!), to food and fuel samples, to the newest and greatest in all other things running (including some of my faves like Pro Compression and Sparkly Soul). The entire front half of each expo is a Brooks-based store for all things specific to that race, from jackets to hats and all kinds of shirts and tanks. It's dangerous. You've been warned.

5. The challenges. 
So many races around the country are now doing their own weekend-based challenges, and RnR is no exception. Last year, the Remix challenges were in cities like Vegas, San Jose, Philly, and Virginia Beach. The challenge? Run the 5K on Saturday (medal #1), and either the half or full on Sunday (medal #2), and then you earn the sweet, spinning Remix medal (#3). Sounds like a good time to me! I'm hoping to squeeze in a challenge or two this year, but we'll see!

San Jose 2016.

6. The BLING
Most notably, Rock 'n Roll races are known for the bling. You know they don't fall short in this area - my Vegas one from 2013 glows in the dark, and I swear they weigh 5 pounds each and hurt my neck just walking those babies back to the car from the finish line. Check out all the special medals here - including Remix challenges, destination challenges, and the Heavy Medals (I'm stoked about getting a few of those this year!).

RnR San Diego, 2015. 

7. Everyone can get in on it! 
Depending on the location, there are race distances for everyone. 5Ks, some 10Ks, and halfs abound, and select locations with a full marathon option. Your whole family can come along and play, even if they're not ready for a half and run the 5K, or you can make it a family half marathon adventure, too!

Want to run for all these reasons and more? Use code RUNMEGANRUN for $15 any domestic (Canada included) half or full marathon. Las Vegas is not included in this promotion. 5K, 10K and relay distances not eligible for promotion.

Need more reasons to run Rock 'n Roll? Check out my ambassador friends' reasons too:

Funner Runner 
Mat Miles Medals
Run Steff Run
Coach Debbie Runs
Run, Laugh, Eat Pie

Where will I see you this year?

Friday Favorites #18

This first week of May probably couldn't have gotten any better. I'm feeling pretty dang lucky + just oh so spectacular. Let's kick this fun off, shall we?

1. Rock 'n Roll Seattle
So I mentioned this a couple of weeks ago but it's now even more official that I am headed up to the PNW to rock at Rock 'n Roll Seattle! My flight is booked, hotel stay confirmed with the lovely Sparkly Soul ambassador sister Libby, & I'm ready for a whopping 30 hours of a good time! Washington's gonna be half marathon state #10 and I am soooo excited!

Better yet? (I know, how could it?) I'll be hosting the Seattle We Run Social meet up with my fave, Linz. Join us on Friday afternoon at the Pro Compression booth at the expo for some selfies, Insta love & maybe even some sweet gear + stuff.

Who's gonna join us in Seattle?

2. All the Socks

So I've been meaning for awhile to get my socks in order. Like, needed to desperately throw some away, some had pairs floating around my sock drawer, and it just looked a hot mess. So I finally spent some time getting ish organized and ended up re-arranging my entire dresser pretty much. 

That turned into organizing all my Pro Compression in rainbow order (duh) and that turned into this gloriousness:

I guess I might have a lot of socks. Funny thing is, there are tons of PCs I know I'm missing that I desperately want! #runnerproblems to the extreme. I need a separate sock fund, TBH. There are a complete of imposters in the drawer above, but let's be real, Pro Compression is the only way to go! They also just announced and released their spankin' new logo & a new teal sock! Who got the May Sock of the Month?

3. RunDisney

Last year, Tinkerbell was my first west coast RunDisney race and while I wish I were running it again (but you know, budgets), my mom and I are spending all day Saturday volunteering at the expo. That means COME VISIT ME! I'll be sure to post where I am on Twitter/Insta, but I would love to see any and all of you that are coming to play in the parks for the weekend! 

I'm excited to also introduce my mom to the fun of RunDisney expos and all they are. Maybe I'll even convince her to sign up for next year's Neverland 5K. 

4. Lexus Lace Up Series Ambassador

I'm also super stoked that I've been asked to return as a Lace Up series ambassador for 2016! The Lace Up series is by far one of my fave local series in Southern California for TONS of reasons, so I am way pumped to get to help spread the word again!

I won't be able to do Riverside this year, but am hoping to get to at least Irvine and Palos Verdes on my tour stops this year. 

Check it: you can save 30% on any of the Lace Up races with code laceupmegan. The best part? In the SAME registration, you can register for a second race for another 20% off! And yes, my 30% is good on top of that! Um, hi, what a deal! Steal it while you can! 

You can check out my recaps from last year's Irvine 10K & Palos Verdes 10K to see the fun that Lace Up brings! Where will I see you this fall?

5. This Guy

I don't know about you all, but especially after this marathon, I'm really realizing how much time running takes up. If I'm not on a run, I'm thinking about a run, and even if after my run, I'm thinking about how that run went. It wasn't until a few weeks ago when Doug asked if, after OC, we could have a weekend without running, that I realized just how much it's consumed me. Goals achieved, but I couldn't have done it without him:

For pushing me on days that I didn't want to get out the door. For believing that I always could, even on the days when I didn't think I had it in me (which, let's be real, was most of the time). And for being the best cheerleader and support person any runner is lucky to have. As soon as I turned the last corner in the U-turn towards that finish line on Sunday, my first look was to find him immediately. Knowing that he'd been there all morning - dropped me off at 5 am at the start, drove himself to the finish area, slept in the car, ran the 5K and hung out more waiting for my finish meant the world. I don't say it enough, but thank you. I hope you know this PR is yours just as much as it is mine because I couldn't have gotten there without you.

Mush aside, it's FRIDAY! Whatcha doin' this weekend?