Little Rock 10k

The photo we are ordering!

 

 

After we signed up for the half-marathon in Pensacola and selected a training plan, I was on the lookout for some races that would fit with our training. Little Rock isn't too far of a drive for us; thusly, proving to be an inexpensive option.

 

We drove in to Little Rock Saturday morning so we could pick up our packets from the expo. This was only our second official race, and we'd never been to a race expo before. However, we have been to several educational expos that were similar in nature with booths of wonderful vendors and tantalizing goods.

 

Packet pick-up couldn't have been simpler. Actually, there wasn't even a line. The expo, however, was congested; we really didn't get to enjoy it to the fullest because we had our kids with us. I enjoyed being able to see the Beecause charms up close. I had seen them somewhere and had just checked them out online. I'm pretty sure I'll end up getting a couple though I didn't at the expo. We ended up getting SPI belts. I had been wanting to try one. (And it stayed put during the race!) What I liked most about the expo was being able to see and touch items I'd previously heard such great things about. It was so wonderful. If I would have had the money, I would have taken one of each item there.

 

We didn't stay long at the expo because we had plans to visit the local Fleet Feet. We (or at least I) have wanted to visit a Fleet Feet since we started the C25k to get fitted for ideal running shoes. The closest ones are both two hours away. We purchased some good things there, but it'll have to wait for another post.

 



Source

 

While Fred was getting us checked in at the hotel, our oldest son and I noticed a Japanese restaurant and Starbucks across the street. We have neither of those in our hometown. We decided we wouldn't tell Fred, and would see how soon it would be before he discovered it on his own. 

 

After we had gotten to the room, Fred asked if I thought we had a good view or not. On the way in I hadn't seen much of interest so I thought he was referring to the restaurant or Starbucks. No! He could tell I was excited when I looked out of the window. There was a Barnes and Noble and a Life Way Christian store. He hadn't even spotted the Christian store but knew I'd love to go in Barnes and Noble. We ended up spending so much time in Life Way that we didn't have time for Barnes and Noble. (I picked up some items for our VBS this June!)

 





We don't watch much tv and I recently closed my facebook account, so we had no idea that a storm was headed for Little Rock. Oops! Well, at least we had brought clothes for just about any kind of weather! Before going to bed we had some yummy sushi, checked out the weather and tried to pick out suitable clothes. 

 

The next morning getting ready was pretty simple. I NEVER eat in the mornings before a run. Typically I get up, drink some water so I can have a BM, dress, and head out. With races, you get up and WAIT. I definitely didn't want to be hungry while running. I've never had the feeling and never want to. I ate half of a mandarin and a vanilla Honey Stinger waffle. Even though I don't drink water on my training runs (so far), I took a bit with me because I didn't want to experience dry mouth either.

 

As soon as got downtown we realized it was congested and finding a park would be time consuming. We opted to park in a garage near where we saw people assembling. This was the best decision ever (especially since we were wet and tired afterwards - I would not have liked to walk a mile to the car!)

 

I had to go find a restroom as soon as we arrived. I knew this was the best my choice. We ended up  finding port-a-potties before a regular restroom so we got in what appeared to be a short line. It took a while though! I HATE port-a-potties. They were absolutely disgusting! I had to hold my breath.

 

As we were making our way to our corral it started to sprinkle. It didn't last too long, but we decided to take cover under the awning of one of the local shops. It seemed like it was taking forever for eight o'clock. We entered our corrals with  about ten minutes to go til eight. It was really cold and windy, and it was raining. My poor husband didn't even have a jacket. He was dressed warmly though. Some people had on shorts and were without shirts.  

 

As we waited over forty minutes to get to the start line, I realized I wasn't nervous at all. I knew I would t be winning anything. But I was to the point where I just wanted it to be over with already. I was so thankful that I'd remember to go back into the hotel room to get the rain jacket I loathe. The best thing about it is its large hood. The material is a thin plastic that makes me sweat something awful. When we finally started, I was relieved. Fred did exactly what I knew he would do and started too fast for ME. I was annoyed, but he had already let me know he was going to give it his all. The start of a run is always most difficult for me. This race was no different. I had anxiety about running alone. I wished Fred wasn't faster than me. 

 

The first mile was rainy - just a constant drizzle. I was encouraged by the many people who came out, but I was mostly battling thoughts of wanting to give up and quit. I was throwing myself a pity party. I started feeling better in the second mile, but the bridge nearly wiped me out. We run  in the flat Delta and hills are foreign to us. We don't even train on treadmills. I felt every single incline. My adrenaline helped push me over the bridge the first time. I don't recall it being that bad. During the second mile we were passed by runners heading back across the bridge. I recall some of them shouting that we were doing a good job.

 

I had only run six miles once prior to this race. At the end of that run I felt drained. I was thinking I could benefit from some kind of nutrition during the last mile or two. I didn't get a chance to test this theory before the race, so the race was my trial. After I passed the mile three marker, I started munching on the pack of Honey Stinger chews I had in my SPIbelt. They tasted okay and went down fine. I ran about another mile before I reached the bridge. I remember the mile five marker being on the bridge. It seemed like that bridge would NEVER end. It took forever to get to the downhill portion. Nearly everyone around me was walking up the hill. I didn't want to walk because I knew I didn't have to. I feared if I would have started walking, I wouldn't have the drive to start up again.  Almost immediately after coming down off the bridge, there was another small hill. Uugghhhh! My legs were so tired by the time I reached marker 6. I knew the finish was so close, but it seemed harder than ever to push myself. Nevertheless, I did it. Fred was right there at the finish line waiting for me. 

 

Fred showed me where to get my medal and then where to get my shoe tag cut off.  We got some post race snacks and had our picture taken together. Then we were out of there. I didn't want to stick around because of the weather. We were really glad we had parked in the nearby garage. It was just a short walk and so worth the five dollar fee.

 

• chip time:   His - 1:19:15;   Hers - 1:30:14
• avg pace:   His - 12:47;   Hers - 14:34
• gender place:   His - 282/403;   Hers - 585/889
• division place:   His - 30/41;   Hers - 104/129
• overall place:   His - 683/1292;   Hers -  912/1292

 

 

I brought up our upcoming half-marathon, and Fred quickly put an end to that. He said he didn't even want to think about that race on such tired legs. That was too funny to me. I had a pretty good race experience, but I really have nothing to compare it with.  I've seen a lot of negative feedback online and on the race's facebook page concerning the race.