Eating hills & wind for breakfast
Little Rock Marathon has been a bucket list marathon for a few
years now. While training for a marathon a few years back with Suzi and Cathy
we discussed marathons and they mentioned Little Rock. I had to of course ask
questions and google it once I got home.
I quickly decided it was a must do race. Last year when the theme for
the race was announced that it would be “The 80’s” I knew it was my time.
We arrived in Little Rock about 4pm Saturday for packet
pickup. The Statehouse Convention Center was easy to find and a short walk
across the river from our hotel. Talk about 80’s theme. There were packman
machines, Rubik cubes, boom boxes, tape players, BIG HAIR everywhere! Ohhh and
the 80’s music. I was listing off all the songs that I needed to add to my
playlist. I do believe my husband
thought I flipped my lid and got tired of taking my picture. I was in my
element. Everyone at the expo was so
nice and helpful even giving us helpful suggestions on places for supper that
evening. We however decided to just eat at
the steakhouse that was in our hotel. That may not have been the best decision.
But it was convenient, and allowed us to just relax and enjoy a walk around the
downtown area and get to bed early.
Of course, I was up by 4am on race day. Having the start/finish
line so close to the hotel was wonderful! We lined up in the convention center
to get out to the start line. Inside chairs and big screens were set up so that
loved ones could sit there and watch the start and finish. My Corral (E) was
easy to find. All the pacers had bright orange shifts. I started with the 5:45
pacer because well….no expectations. I
was feeling good and quickly moved up. I was trying to hold my pace back
knowing that I often start out faster than I should. About 1 mile in the sky
decided to drop rain on us. NO, NO, NO! I am not running another marathon in
rain. I will quit. I wouldn’t really but I was not happy. Speed up, get out of
the rain faster. The rain lasted 30 seconds. Before I knew it, I was up with
the 5-hour pace group. I told myself to stay here. I Don’t go any faster. You
need to slow down. I started a
conversation with the girl running next to me. I found out she was running the
half but wanted to stay with the 5-hour pace group as long as possible. The conversation flowed easy and I was having
no problems. Between mile 2-3 we passed
by our hotel and my husband was standing out on the corner with other
spectators. I waved; he didn’t notice me. I yelled “hey Thumma” nothing. I
yelled louder, still nothing. I ran over and jumped up and down in his face
before he noticed me. What the heck. Lol. Everyone got a kick out of that! Hey
dude I am right here. We laughed and kept running. Before I knew it, I had pulled ahead of the 5-hour
pacer and then what do I see the 4:45 pacers with cute bunny ears on. What? Is
this even possible? Can I even maintain that pace? I did for about 2 miles.
Then I went out ahead of them. By the time I crossed the timing mat at mile 6.2
I was worried. My phone told me that my expected finish time was 4:38. UHHH NO!
I can’t do that. Silly me…. you went out to fast; you are going to tank; you
can’t do this. You know all those things you tell yourself. I even made myself
slow down. I kept watching my Garmin….no Carol slow down. At every aide station
I would look back and see the 4:45 pacers back there. Hmmm… can I stay ahead of
them? Never mind that. Take in the scenery. Look around, enjoy the weather. It was
quickly getting warm. The sun decided to make an appearance and there was a light
breeze. I took pictures at the airport, at the Governor’s mansion and the State
Capital. I chatted with different runners as we chugged along. There were a few
hills here and there but I thought hmm this is not so bad. Then mile 13.1 came up. I crossed the timing
mat and noticed I had lost a little bit on my predicted time, but I was still
ok with that. I didn’t want to tank. I was still feeling good. But so warm! It’s
all good, the 4:45 pacers are still behind me. And here are the hills! WHOA the
hills! Still pushing forward. Mile 18 we fell off a cliff! That was some
downhill! Mile 19 had us going into a park. I don’t remember the name of the
park. By then I was ready for food! Lol. This is where the crowd support died
down. NOTHING! I was surprised considering it was a park and a beautiful day.
Ok keep moving. At mile 22 we turned to head back out of the park and crossed a
timing mat with the aide station right there. I noticed several runners were
sitting along the grass in chairs getting some hydration and leg massages. My
legs were still feeling great still. At mile 23 I noticed some porta johns and
thought to myself nope, I am good. About a quarter of a mile later my stomach
said “No you are not”. Crud. Too late to turn back now. Keep running, it will
be ok. Ohhh wait, nope don’t run. The next porta potty has to be soon. I
started walking, telling myself “it will be ok I only have a 5k left. It isn’t
far, you got this” Then the 4:45 pacers in their stupid bunny ears and ugly
orange shirts passed me. What, losers! No, it’s ok. As long as I find a porta
john soon everything will come out ok and I will still be under 5 hours. Still
walking, starting to feel discouraged. I called my husband and said “I am not
ok” He told me to just keep moving and that everything would be ok. I hung up
almost in tears. About that time, I see the bright blue objects of my
affection. Walking faster. Just then a young lady I had noticed a couple times
tapped me on the shoulder and said “You are doing fantastic. I have been
keeping my eye on you the entire time.” I thanked her. She stated “The entire
time I have kept my eye on you. I would lose momentum and start to get
discouraged and you would be right ahead of me smiling. I figured if I kept you
in my sights then I could finish” Whoa. I quickly thanked her and told her to
keep moving I had to make a quick stop. After doing my business, I just wanted
to be done. Wait there is another hill. Where did that come from? I don’t
remember agreeing to another hill. Oh,
look mile 25. 1.2 miles to go. Did the 5-hour pacer pass me? Nah I wasn’t in
there that long. Keep going. Ugh. I must’ve said that out loud because the kind
gentleman next to me said, “you keep pushing young lady. You haven’t walked a
hill yet. Don’t start now” What? Someone else was watching me? Ok here I go
almost to the top. I can see the Convention Center. One more small hill and I
am there. Wait…where is the lipstick aide station? Darn it! I missed it! Oh
well here comes “hot sweaty mess” ohhh hey, who do I see? The young lady who
had encouraged me. I caught up to her and said “are you ready for this, lets
kick it in” and we did. Crossing the finish line together. Wait…. what was the
time 4:51:55. Wait I need to process that. The finish line, spectators,
volunteers, everyone was amazing. We
quickly flowed through the finish and back inside the Convention Center where
we were given our medal. WHOA! I don’t do neck strength exercises. This thing is
HUGE and Heavy. I almost fell over when they put it on me! Quickly I found a
place to sit and my husband who was ready to leave. LOL . Give me a minute dude!
All in all, what a great day and race. I am pretty sure you wouldn’t have to
bribe me too much to do it again!
