Zappos Las Vegas Rock n Roll Marathon {Fitness & Christmas Tradition}

Hey everyone!  

It's Day 5 here in WeNdYs WiNtEr WoNdErLaNd!

This year for a fun Christmas Memory and New Tradition try "Stepping Out of The Box!"  The only way to have more fun and find a new tradition is to do just that!  Today I ran the Zappos Las Vegas Rock n Roll Marathon!  It was a family event!  Here is why we did this and in the end started a new family tradition...

I am NOT a runner!  I need to tell you of my "little" marathon history.  January of this year my son and daughter and sister-in-law wanted to run the Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam Marathon in March.  So, to support them, I ran for the first time EVER in January!  Yes I have asthma and never ran before and was even exempt from P.E. in school!  I only went to the gym for weights and pilates and yoga so this was a real stretch for me!  My daughter and I split the half marathon as a relay team that time, for our first.  We did it!

So then about 8 months ago my other daughter decides that for her 16th birthday she wants to run the Las Vegas Rock n Roll Marathon for her 16th birthday {which is tomorrow}!  Well of course my son jumps right on this because he is addicted to running now!  This mean that old mother is going again to support them both!  I've been so busy this time that training for me kind of fell by the wayside!  Claire and Christopher trained great all year! Claire and I ran the half marathon {13.1 miles} and Christopher ran the full 26.2 miles!

Here is the rest of the family!  Husband and Chelsea our SUPER Cheerleaders!

Feet together and time tags on.  We are ready to go!

A thumbs up from the birthday girl!

Christopher watching the Cher look alike singing on stage and the big screen!

Helicopters overhead!

And the first group is off ahead of us so we start to move!  Nearly 30 thousand people took place representing every state in the USA and 39 different countries!  Look at that sea of people. 

I am at the front of our corral #16 so we watch the other group go as we inch forward!

We're off!  I quickly come up to the first Elvis running!

Heading down to the first pedestrian bridge. They are all along the LV Strip and are full of people taking pictures and the streets are lined with tourists cheering us on!

I saw a lot of brides and Elvis's along the way!

They have a band playing about every mile along the route!

I saw a lot of news reporters interviewing people, especially Elvis!

Here was a group of Elvis's and they had a boom box playing in that stroller!

I saw a lot of funny t-shirts!  I loved this one that said "I Hate Running my wife is making me do this!"

A lot of people were running for their own cause.  These girls were for breast cancer!

Many people with physical disabilities of all types!  People who lost over 100 pounds that were walking and my son had a guy run past him that had one metal leg!  Amazing!

They even had a "Run-Thru Wedding"!!!  This is Vegas after all!

There were lots of cheerleaders and dance groups singing and cheering us on along the way!

Great views and always a couple of guys carrying the American flag!

My favorite was all of the families cheering their loved ones on!

And all of the funny sayings on the signs!  {In my mind you're all Kenyans} or {Run like a fugitive} or {You're kicking Assphalt}

Or {Make this Strip your bitch!}

Or {You're Kicking Betty White's Ass!}

Or "Want a Piggyback ride?" or "There's Beer at the End!" or even "I would run too but I'm lazy!"

I am always amazed at the piles of water cups at every water station!

And the lines to the port a potties!  I mean who has time to drink or pee?!  We are in it to win it!  Lol!

Headed back!

Wait at end of finish line for family!

Get a picture with a show girl that they email you!

Get our medals {still smiling and standing}!!  Great job Claire!  Good for you!

Watch awards ceremony {and eat} and listen to Brett Michaels give a concert while we wait for Christopher who ran the full 26.2 miles!

 

Find Christopher!  He did it!!  Way to go!

So there you have it!  A new family tradition is born!  I was way too busy and didn't need to add anything else.  I should have been getting ready for the holidays or could have been doing for others but I didn't.  We took a chance and just did it!  In our family we had racers and cheerleaders and in the end a memory for this year!  Next year my husband wants to join us!  Why don't you just "Step out of the Box" this Christmas and try something new just for fun!  What do you dream of trying?