I just completed my 8th marathon this past weekend. I choose Little Rock Marathon for Arkansas because of the status of the extremely huge medal.
It was hard this year training for the marathon in the snow. I kept being a pansy about running in the cold. Seems as I'm getting older I'm getting more sensitive of the cold weather on my muscles & joints.
I ran my two 20 miles both in below freezing weather. Both times my water froze in the nipple of the bottle & my eyes froze in the country where the wind whips across the field so strong.
I have also been seeing a chiropractor since last September. I fell in a trail marathon in July, barely finishing but my SI joint got all out of whack. I think he had made a tremendous change in my running. He took X-rays and that showed my hips are twisted. He got to working on that. This winter had also been the first winter that I haven't had a sinus infection. He is a firm believer that his work has been responsible for that. My body is in alignment so my system hasn't need to work hard to fight germs & illness in my blood. When he explains it, it makes sense. He had also helped my IT Band as its connected to the knee & he has aligned it once in a while.
Luke ran the half in this race. I tried convincing him to do the full but he wants to save his one road marathon for Chicago because he knows so many people that had BQ'd in it.
With my runs & the times I got in the runs (been running everything on the treadmill under 9 min/mi & roads were under 9:30 min/mi) Luke was sure I was gonna get a good time in this race. I was just running to get another state out of the way. Sure, it'll be cool to beat my previous time from 2 years ago but I wasn't gonna be disappointed if I didn't.
We drove to Little Rock since it's only a 10 hour drive. We split up the drive down by stopping at my brother's in southern Illinois and staying the night. Left the next morning kinda late and stopped off at a few sight seeing places. By the time we got to Memphis, Luke did the math & realised that we'll be arriving just 15 minutes before the close of the expo! No race day packet pickup! Why they close at 5 pm on a Saturday is beyond my comprehension. We kinda went a lot faster and knocked down the time by another 15 minutes. Luckily it's right off the interstate & I was able to find parking on Google Maps.
When we signed up for the races, we were given the option of purchasing a ticket to the Pasta Dinner the night before. I've done that with several marathons before & we did it as well with Grand Island in July. We enjoyed it so we signed up again. This one didn't disappoint again. Salad, white & whole wheat pasta, red sauce with meat and white sauce and breads. They even had dessert, cobblers! I wished they had red sauce without the meat & had meatballs instead. Bart Yasso was at the dinner which I was not aware that he was gonna be even at this race so that was awesome seeing him.
It was next door to the expo in the adjoining & host hotel, The Peabody. We decided not to stay there because of the $144/night & 2 night minimum stay. But luckily we found a place just over a half mile from the start/finish line and we did sign up for a 2 night stay with them as well. Because we heard the Post Race Party was pretty fun. Plus this will give me more time after my marathon to relax & not worry about checking out.
It was hard this year training for the marathon in the snow. I kept being a pansy about running in the cold. Seems as I'm getting older I'm getting more sensitive of the cold weather on my muscles & joints.
I ran my two 20 miles both in below freezing weather. Both times my water froze in the nipple of the bottle & my eyes froze in the country where the wind whips across the field so strong.
I have also been seeing a chiropractor since last September. I fell in a trail marathon in July, barely finishing but my SI joint got all out of whack. I think he had made a tremendous change in my running. He took X-rays and that showed my hips are twisted. He got to working on that. This winter had also been the first winter that I haven't had a sinus infection. He is a firm believer that his work has been responsible for that. My body is in alignment so my system hasn't need to work hard to fight germs & illness in my blood. When he explains it, it makes sense. He had also helped my IT Band as its connected to the knee & he has aligned it once in a while.
Luke ran the half in this race. I tried convincing him to do the full but he wants to save his one road marathon for Chicago because he knows so many people that had BQ'd in it.
With my runs & the times I got in the runs (been running everything on the treadmill under 9 min/mi & roads were under 9:30 min/mi) Luke was sure I was gonna get a good time in this race. I was just running to get another state out of the way. Sure, it'll be cool to beat my previous time from 2 years ago but I wasn't gonna be disappointed if I didn't.
We drove to Little Rock since it's only a 10 hour drive. We split up the drive down by stopping at my brother's in southern Illinois and staying the night. Left the next morning kinda late and stopped off at a few sight seeing places. By the time we got to Memphis, Luke did the math & realised that we'll be arriving just 15 minutes before the close of the expo! No race day packet pickup! Why they close at 5 pm on a Saturday is beyond my comprehension. We kinda went a lot faster and knocked down the time by another 15 minutes. Luckily it's right off the interstate & I was able to find parking on Google Maps.
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| Does this sign make my butt look big? |
When we signed up for the races, we were given the option of purchasing a ticket to the Pasta Dinner the night before. I've done that with several marathons before & we did it as well with Grand Island in July. We enjoyed it so we signed up again. This one didn't disappoint again. Salad, white & whole wheat pasta, red sauce with meat and white sauce and breads. They even had dessert, cobblers! I wished they had red sauce without the meat & had meatballs instead. Bart Yasso was at the dinner which I was not aware that he was gonna be even at this race so that was awesome seeing him.
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| Bart freakin' Yasso |
It was next door to the expo in the adjoining & host hotel, The Peabody. We decided not to stay there because of the $144/night & 2 night minimum stay. But luckily we found a place just over a half mile from the start/finish line and we did sign up for a 2 night stay with them as well. Because we heard the Post Race Party was pretty fun. Plus this will give me more time after my marathon to relax & not worry about checking out.
When we arrived at our hotel, I realised that I hadn't packed any socks. Crap. I could have bought socks at the expo! Out to Target whet I hemmed & hawed over choices. I choose a pack & hoped they didn't hurt my feet for 26 miles! We did walk to the start from the hotel when we got back to make sure to leave enough time in the morning.
The race began at 8 am, which meant sleeping in a bit! The hotel even started the breakfast early that morning for all the runners. But we had brought a toaster and so I was able to toast & eat a bagel. Luke ran down to get a banana that we spilt.
It was chilly, a lot chiller than they had forecasted & it was below freezing when we began. We wore jackets that we then dropped off at the gear check UPS trucks. Standing waiting for my wave to begin, my feet got numb! Luke got in the Corral A by submitting a previous half marathon time. I decided not to bring my camera with me so Luke could take pictures at the end, he forgot his camera. My phone is now too big to fit in any of my running supplies so I also had to leave it at the hotel. Took me 12 minutes to cross the start line. Bart Yasso was the announcer that morning.
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| The start, the night before |
The race began at 8 am, which meant sleeping in a bit! The hotel even started the breakfast early that morning for all the runners. But we had brought a toaster and so I was able to toast & eat a bagel. Luke ran down to get a banana that we spilt.
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| Race morning before the pain began |
I started out nice & strong, willing my feet to get unnumb. It was pretty bad. It hurts to run on numb feet. I wore gloves but even my fingers were freezing. I was glad I brought my arm warmers & compression sleeves. But the sun was bright, no clouds, so that was nice.
We ran with the 10k runners & half marathon. I almost got to see Luke on a back & forth over a bridge. I thought I saw him when I left the bridge but it was only 2 miles into the run so I didn't want to stop so soon into it.
The half runners spilt off but then we rejoined them again another mile or so later, that was nice. I knew this race had a few long hills. Between miles 13.5-15.5 we were running up a road that was all uphill. Gradual but long. We finally hit the downhill portion after mile 16 that unfortunately wasn't quite as long. The next few miles were along the river so they were flat. I got mile 20 in 3:08 which got me excited, thinking I could finish the last 10k in less than an hour which was my average so far I'll have 4:08! Little did I know that they had two last hills in the race in mile 24 & 25. I did have to walk through those and when my IT Band started acting up so I knew the only way I was gonna get done was to keep on moving.
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| Every time I saw a photographer in the vests, I seriously had a smile on my face. I was just so happy! |
As I came upon the 26 mile sign there was the infamous 'lipstick stop' that the girls around me just passed as so did I. Who wants to stop after 26 miles to put on freaking lipstick?
I scooted over so I could kiss my hand & slap the 26 waving flag. The spectators around it cheered so loud after they saw me doing that, yelling my name. Our names were on the bibs, I heard my name called so many times, especially in the last few miles where I know the pain was showing on my face. I always looked over when I heard my name and smiled at them just to let them know I heard them & it's appreciated it.
I came around a few corners & saw Luke straight in front of me behind the barrier. I smiled so big because I knew he had no idea my time. The clock showed 4:22, he didn't know it took me 12 min to cross the start! Bart freaking Yasso was out in the middle of the course with a microphone cheering for runners. I, of course, gave him a high five and he called out my name. I crossed the finish line with the biggest smile, arms up, no burst of tears, just glistening in the eyes. I clapped my hands then stopped the watch.
These volunteers actually put the medal around your neck which after running 26 miles was all I want. They had so many goodies of food in the finishing chute. I knew that once you leave the area they wouldn't let you back in so I grabbed all I could/want and headed for where I thought Luke would be. The medal is freaking heavy. They said it was over 2 lbs but man felt like it was more like 5 after running 26 miles. I saw Luke easily. And he was so excited that I got near my time he said. Then I showed him my watch. He said what?! It took you 12 minutes to start? I laughed.
I came around a few corners & saw Luke straight in front of me behind the barrier. I smiled so big because I knew he had no idea my time. The clock showed 4:22, he didn't know it took me 12 min to cross the start! Bart freaking Yasso was out in the middle of the course with a microphone cheering for runners. I, of course, gave him a high five and he called out my name. I crossed the finish line with the biggest smile, arms up, no burst of tears, just glistening in the eyes. I clapped my hands then stopped the watch.
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| Seeing Luke at the finish line! |
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| Wished they would have gotten the time or at least the sign in this shot. It could be any finish line. |
These volunteers actually put the medal around your neck which after running 26 miles was all I want. They had so many goodies of food in the finishing chute. I knew that once you leave the area they wouldn't let you back in so I grabbed all I could/want and headed for where I thought Luke would be. The medal is freaking heavy. They said it was over 2 lbs but man felt like it was more like 5 after running 26 miles. I saw Luke easily. And he was so excited that I got near my time he said. Then I showed him my watch. He said what?! It took you 12 minutes to start? I laughed.
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| Food food, oh yummy junk food! |
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| That is one big freaking medal. |
- Apparently there was supposed to be beer at the finish line. There were spots on our bibs that were supposed to be checked off when we got them. I never saw a sign at all. Um, what? But the junk food (Little Debbie) was much appreciated. And the fact that the volunteers actually put the medal around my neck instead of just handing it to me was VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. I just ran 26 miles, I want to feel special.
- The shirts were unisex, not men's and females. I got a small and it's still so big on me. I won't be able to wear it running, only while lifting cause it just hangs on me and bounces all over the place. Sucks.
- Seriously, closing the expo at 5 pm on Saturday? With no race day packet pick up? I realise that the pasta dinner began at 5 pm but at least have the expo go until the end of the pasta party.
- I had no idea where gear check was at. Luckily, we saw Bart at top of a stand & I yelled up at him where it was. He pointed and we headed off that way. They said at the dinner the night before that it was going to be in UPS trucks but we still see them. Following the throngs of people kinda helped but signs would have been helpful.
- The crowd/spectator support in this marathon was fantastic. I mean even the Governor was out cheering in front of his Mansion. There were very few spots where we didn't see anyone for more than a half mile or so. It was pretty awesome.
- Finishing time was loaded on the website by the time we got to the post-race party. The photos were also there! Luke & I sat there after eating, watching everyone dance, drinking our free drinks viewing our photos. That was awesome.
I did hit a funny part right before halfway. I was running behind a guy but not immediately behind him. #703 in the pic below.
I was smiling for the guy who took the above picture. #703 moved out of the way right in time before coming upon another photographer, sitting in a chair, staggered in from the first photographer, closer to the turn. It scared me as I was not expecting to see this photographer, as you can see by the look in my face!
I yelped, said I'm sorry to him and I guess he took another photo and luckily, it's one of me smiling & dodging out of his way! What a great shot right in front of the capital building! :-/
So a 4:10 marathon. I knocked 9 minutes off my previous best time from 2 years ago. I think I hit my pinnacle but I'm OK with that. 4:10 is a great time!
