Social Workout

Workout

Tips for Running the Las Vegas Strip

Look, I was in New York today!

Every week, we're highlighting one of the great minds and bodies in our Social Workout community. This week's "Featured Body," the pride of Las Vegas: babarbanel.

If you read my posts, you've probably figured out that I run the Strip about 1-2 times per week.  While I'm by no means an expert, I thought I'd share some sage advice, hastily dreamed up while I dashed through puddles this morning. 

1) Run on the west side of the street.  This is the side with Caesar's, Bellagio, and Mandalay Bay (among others).  There is one more set of stairs, at City Center, but the west sidewalk is wider for almost the entire length of the Strip.  Also, you won't have to run through the kiosk sections and will dodge fewer yardstick margaritas.  Of course, if running while yielding a weapon full of booze is your thing, by all means stay east. 

2) Go as early as possible.  If you can't get out before 9:30am, don't go.  There are simply too many people out for you to be able to weave through the foot traffic.  You will walk most of your run.  I was once out walking with some friends, and we spied a very fit looking couple miserably following a huge swath of people because there was no space for them to run, unless it was with the cars. This was on the east side, so they obviously didn't read tip #1.

3) Don't be mean to tourists.  We Las Vegans need people to be here for our own wellbeing, and we want everyone to be happy, so they come back and spend more on slot machines, restaurants, and spa treatments! I want to make sure there's still a Strip for me to run 10 years from now, so let's keep visitors happy.  Now, I understand that some just can't figure out how to leave some space on the sidewalk for others,like a couple who holds hands but stands 4-5 feet apart.  I want to play Red Rover with them. I like to make a lound grunt or cough that says, "I'm pushing myself to the limit so please get the hell out of my way." Seems to work for most people.  New Yorkers, I'm guessing you have your own tactics after years of wandering the jammed streets of Manhattan.

4) The Strip is longer than you may think!  Measure your distance on google maps or some other tool before you go.  You might feel like a slacker for only running by 3 casino/resorts, but these places are huge.  From the south end of Bellagio to the north end of Mirage is nearly a mile.  This is also something to keep in mind when you go out at night.  Tao is not walking distance from the MGM in 4 in heels!

Today's workout: 5.61 miles.  I took the photo from the overpass at Trop.  The neon isn't screaming out, but we've still got the flash that makes us famous.