The Zappos.com Las Vegas Rock n’ Roll Marathon is almost here! We’re getting excited for race day, wrapping up our training and looking forward to the unique opportunity to run the famous Las Vegas strip at night.

To rally more volunteers for the big day, a few Zapponians greeted people outside our offices with a mock water station last week.

We hope to see all of you at the marathon this Sunday, whether it’s cheering on friends and family, volunteering at water stations, or running the race.

The world’s largest nighttime marathon will be right here in Las Vegas on the world-famous Strip, and Zappos invites you to join this momentous event. Today marks the official start of registration for the Zappos.com Rock n’ Roll Marathon. The race will benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America.

There will also be a marathon expo on December 2-3 at the Sands Convention Center featuring hundreds of performance brands to get you geared up for the big race.

Register now to be a part of this incredible nighttime running event! Experience the energy and bright lights of the Las Vegas Strip as you run with your friends for a great cause.

To find the best running shoes and clothing for your marathon training, check out Zappos Running Central!

CEP, a leader in compression sportswear, has set the standard in compression technology in the few years they've been in the market. Designing compression socks and clothing for athletes of all levels, CEP is now a go-to name for the best in sports compression goods.

Here, Michael from CEP shows you the correct way to put on your compression socks.

Make sure to check out Zappos Running Central for more running clothing, shoes and accessories. To stay in the know about all things running, you can also check out our Zappos Running Facebook page.

Runners of all levels have been using compression clothing and socks in order to boost blood flow and increase performance. Fit is paramount when it comes to compression garments, and it's always important to wear the right size.

In the video above, Brad from CEP talks about how compression socks and clothing should fit on the body. Make sure to check out Zappos Running Central for more running clothing, shoes and accessories. To stay in the know about all things running, you can also check out our Zappos Running Facebook page.

Preparing for a marathon can seem daunting, especially if it’s your very first one.  There are some key elements to a successful marathon that every runner, particularly first-time or rookie runners, should keep in mind during the training period and the day of: staying positive and motivated throughout, training smart, and maintaining proper nutrition and hydration. Keeping these things top-of –mind during your entire marathon journey will give you the best advantage towards personal success.

But, first things first, you can’t attempt to start the journey without the proper pair of running shoes. Luckily for you, Zappos Running Central is a one-stop shop for everything you need, starting with the bare essentials: the perfect pair of running shoes for your feet.

It’s always best to start your training period with a fresh new pair of running shoes, especially if you’re new to the game. The first thing you need to determine when shopping for a new pair of running shoes is your pronation type. This step is crucial for finding the proper cushioning and support.

Pronation is the natural flattening of your foot arch after your heel strikes the ground. This is illustrated by the foot's tendency to roll inward or outward at the end of each stride.

Runners with normal arches typically have normal pronation, which means the impact after the heel strike goes slightly inward toward the big toe and distributes evenly through the remainder of the foot.

Runners who have high arches are typically under-pronators, where the foot has the tendency to roll more outward, pushing off harder with the outer toes to begin another stride. Normal and under-pronators benefit from shoes designed for neutral to mild pronation such as the ASICS GEL-Nimbus®-12, ASICS GEL-Cumulus® 12, and and Brooks Glycerin® 8.

Runners with low to flat arches tend to overpronate, meaning the foot rolls inward. This puts more pressure on the big toe and ball of the foot as it strikes the ground. . Stability or motion control shoes will help stabilize and cushion an over-pronator’s foot properly. For stability, try the ASICS GEL®-2160, ASICS GEL-Kayano®, Saucony ProGrid® Guide, or the Brooks Adrenaline™ GTS11. For motion control, try the Brooks Beast® for men or the Brooks Ariel® for women.

As you start your marathon training, remember that it starts first and foremost with a positive attitude. It’s as much about mental stamina as it is physical. Staying motivated is key. Always keep in mind that it’s a journey that not only requires the right gear, like the right pair of running shoes, but also the right attitude.

Don't forget to sign up for the Zappos.com Rock 'N' Roll Marathon this year. It will be run on the Strip at night for the first time! Sign up HERE. Good luck, and may you have many healthy miles ahead of you!

Orca is a creator and developer of cutting edge sports apparel, born out of our success in the grueling and technically advanced sport of triathlon. For over 15 years, Orca has been leading the pack with innovation and design. 

Now Orca wants to offer customers products that will enable them to perform anytime, from the pre-dawn jog to running the gauntlet within the workplace. The chosen fabric for this new collection is premium New Zealand performance Merino wool – one of nature’s true superfibres. They’ve selected Merino because it is naturally thermo-neutral, meaning that the fabric responds to changes in the micro-climate around your body. Because Merino can absorb and release moisture, the garments cool when you sweat and warm when the temperature drops. It is also antibacterial so it won’t smell. And because Merino fibres are so fine, the fabric feels great next to your skin. Cross the finish line in Orca from Zappos.com.

We all know that Jillian Michaels means business. When she isn’t helping average Americans accomplish their fitness goals on The Biggest Loser, she offers her expert advice to those who are trying to take their fitness to the next level. Jillian Michaels and the team at K-SWISS have started an online video series where Jillian jumpstarts your workout and offers tips for top performance. Before you jump into a new regimen, protect your feet with the revolutionary technology that’s sure to change your approach to running. The Tubes™ Run 100 from K-SWISS® provides an amazingly responsive heel-to-toe transition and features full-length cylinders for excellent flexibility, support and stability. Head over to our Running page to try on a pair of Tubes™ Run 100 and check out this video with Jillian Michaels explaining the importance of upgrading your gear:

The second annual Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon, to benefit the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, was held on Sunday, December 5th on the world famous Las Vegas Strip. The entire ½ marathon course as well as the first 12.6 miles of the full marathon course was on the Las Vegas Strip so runners could enjoy the excitement of the Strip, including watching live coverage of the race unfolding on the hotel marquees as they passed by.

The inaugural Rock ‘n’ Roll race in Las Vegas Marathon took place December 6, 2009, and sold out with more than 28,000 registered runners descending on Las Vegas from all 50 states and 39 countries. This year’s race drew 28,700 participants with over 250 Zappos Family volunteers and 100 Zappos Family runners. Running Elvises, nuns, Santas, Simpsons, cavemen and much more enjoyed music from live bands and local high school cheerleaders every couple miles throughout the race and a celebration concert with rock n’ roll bad boy Brett Michaels at the finish line.

This year’s Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Health & Fitness Expo presented by Power Balance was held at the Sands Expo and Convention Center throughout the weekend.  The Expo featured the latest health and nutrition information with a variety of products for sale and sample as well as offer free fitness related clinics. Check out the video below and make sure you run with us next year at the third annual annual Zappos.com Rock ‘n’ Roll Las Vegas Marathon & ½ Marathon: