Rockin in at Rock n Roll Dallas Half Marathon

This past weekend I ran the Rock n Roll Half Marathon in Dallas. All weekend was very busy.

 I got into Dallas very late on Thursday night and checked into the
 Omni Hotel in Downtown Dallas. This was a very a beautiful hotel and I would recommend it to anyone considering this race in the future. The start line was literally out my window.

Big Sur expo


The next day I helped my friend Doug at the Big Sur booth at the Expo. The Convention Center where the expo was held was attached to the hotel so that was very convenient. After working all day we attended a dinner at a local BBQ place for RRCA members. The next day I was back to working the booth all day again at the Expo. That evening we attended a silent auction for the RRCA members. This was pretty cool. There were many items you could bid on such as wine baskets, race entries, running gear, and even autographed books from elites. I won a medal hanger. It said "Running Princess" so I thought it would be perfect to put all my Disney Princess medals on. After the auction, there was a catered dinner, followed by a few speakers.

All weekend it was chilly, which I didn’t mind because I wasn’t outside anyway. But I was hoping it was going to be nice on race day. The news kept saying there was a cold front coming in the area. After hearing that, I had to rethink my outfit decision. I didn’t think a tank top and shorts would be suitable. It was either spend money on another race shirt at the expo that I didn’t need or wear the race shirt.

The race shirt it was! Besides, I didn’t have any more room in my bag to pack more clothes. I only brought a personal item, not even a carry on.  There were so many other people wearing it as well that said the same thing. I know some people frown upon this, but I didn’t really care and I was more comfortable wearing that than I would have been in a tank top.

The next morning since the start was right out my window, I didn’t have to get up super early. I met my friend down in the lobby and we walked out about 7:45am, dropped off  a bag at bag check, and walked to the start for an 8:00am start.

Borrowing this photo from Marathon foto.

Doug was trying to pace me to a PR and promised he would stay with me regardless of what happens. Of course in the back of my mind, I was hopeful for a PR. But really, what does it matter? It’s not like I am going to win the race, I'm just competing with myself. We went out pretty conservative, feeling good. Then about mile 5 there was a big hill. We had to run up the interstate ramp and onto the bridge. In addition to the massive incline, once we got on the bridge, it was pretty windy. I was so happy that I decided to wear my shirt and arm sleeves, instead of the tank I had brought. It route flattened out a bit before a few more rolling hills. It was nice seeing the downtown area of Dallas, since I have never been there. But the terrain was challenging at times, because it was so uneven and there were cracks in the road where we were running.

 Despite all this, I was still making good time. Ten miles into it, I was feeling good so I wanted push myself a little more, and that is just what I did. This time I was the one that left him behind (after he left me behind a few years ago at Virginia Beach Rock n Roll). He eventually caught up with me the last half mile and continued to push me to the finish.
Borrowing this photo from Marathon foto.

Finishing with a four minute PR! Woo hoo! After the race, it was still pretty cold and windy.

Luckily the VIP area was not outside in a tent, but in the Westin across the street. In addition to the spread of food and drinks, they were also offering massages. After enjoying my brunch and massage, I headed back to my hotel to get ready for my flight.


Overall, it was a great weekend. I was happy to have experienced another Rock n Roll Race in a different city.  Have you ever visited Dallas or raced there? ~L

*Sorry for the poor picture quality.

41 comments:

  1. Congrats on your new PR, and that is a huge one. I think it's hilarious you had to wear your race shirt after all the blog posts this week about the controversy of wearing a race shirt before a race. Anyway, a PR worthy race means you can wear anything. Glad the VIP tent/building was nice and you enjoyed good post race food and a massage.

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    1. Thanks. It was very nice to be inside since it was cold out.

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  2. Congrats on your new PR, Lacey! When the weather isn't ideal I say wear whatever you need to wear, even if its the race shirt. Kudos to you for only traveling with a personal item. I have a tendency to always overpack.

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    1. Thanks Kathryn. Yep that's what I thought. And since it was a quick trip. I didn't have a problem packing everything in one bag.

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  3. Yay for a PR!!! That is awesome, congrats Lacey! How convenient to be so close to the start line.

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    1. Thanks Meg!Yes it was very convenient. Made race morning much less stressful.

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  4. Congrats on the PR! The hotel sounds so convenient being by the start line and also attached to the expo location. I'm definitely going to have to branch out and explore RnR races in places other than DC. I've only been to Dallas once and that was for work so I didn't see much of it.

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    1. It was really nice having the convention center connected to hotel. I wish I could have stayed a bit longer to explore the city. I worked expo both days then raced the following day then I left.

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  5. Woot!! Way to go!! Sounds like a great weekend.
    @heatherlas

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  6. Wow! Congrats on a great PR! What a great race.
    I was actually born in nearby Fort Worth but next just before I turned 2. My parents took me back once in High School just to see it :-)

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    1. It looks like a great city, hopefully next time I can stay a bit longer.

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  7. congrats! I would love to visit Dallas! Sounds like a great race, it is so nice when you can stay right on location :)

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  8. Look at that view out of your window! NICE!
    Forget what people think when its COLD! I'm all about comfort.
    Congrats on a great race!!!

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  9. great job on the PR! such an amazing feeling. i have been to Dallas twice, as my cousin and one of my other friends both live there. it's a nice city, some cute areas, and everyone i met was great. the Uptown area and Bishop Arts were sweet.

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    1. I wish I was able to stay longer to explore the city.

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  10. Great job on the PR! The wind's gotten even worse over yesterday and today. Sometimes being warm trumps all else.

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    1. I thought it would be warm since it was Dallas. Boy was I wrong.

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  11. Way to go on the PR!! Congratulations! that the RnR Shirts are pretty awesome (compared to other races)! Adjusting plans at the last minute is key for a runner!

    Never been to Dallas, driven by a few times, but never been to the city.

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    1. Yes. I am fortunate that the rock n roll race shirts always fit me well.

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  12. I used to live in Austin (which is where I did my half in TX -- after I moved away; I didn't run when I lived there), but I used to attend meetings in Dallas occasionally.

    Congrats on a PR with a challenging course!

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    1. Thanks. I was happy to make up time on the downhills.

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  13. Great job on your PR, that is awesome!
    The only time I have ever been to Dallas it was just the airport and they left my luggage out in the pouring rain for 20 minutes and oh it was a mess. But I would love to go back and have better memories. A marathon there would be awesome and this one sounds like a lot of fun.
    They gave you guys some cute medals, RnR series does a pretty nice job with their medals I think!
    Congrats again, 4 min PR is awesome!!!

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    1. Rock n Roll does have some great medals. I was happy for the PR!

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  14. Congrats on your PR, sounds like a great race weekend!

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  15. Congrats on your PR! 4 minutes is huge!!

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    1. Thanks! I didn't think it was at first, but then my friend said you would think It was a big deal if it was an 8 min marathon PR. So that kind of put it into perspective.

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  16. Congrats on your PR! Great job!
    I lived in Dallas for about 6 months. Being a CA gal, I didn't think I'd enjoy it, but I loved my time there! Great food, friendly people, and I learned to two step! :)

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  17. Congrats on the PR! I am amazed that you left the hotel, checked your bag and got in the corral in less than 15 minutes!
    my family lives in Dallas-I need to run there soon!

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  18. Congrats on your PR! It's always tough dressing for the weather, but thankfully all it worked out for you! It had to be so convenient staying so close to the race course!

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  19. Congrats on the PR! I tend to over pack so I'm impressed that you just had a personal item!

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  20. Congrats on your new PR! I'm not as speedy as you, but I do love when a race day comes together and you feel like you can push it in the last few miles. Awesome finish line photo, too!

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  21. Congrats on your PR and great job pushing the pace during the last few miles! Sounds like you had a fantastic race even with the cold front, hills and crummy roads. I would love to race Dallas someday so I loved reading your recap - I'll have to remember the Omni is the place to stay :)

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  22. Congrats on the PR & a great race!!

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