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| Area Layout | Athletes Village | 10K Map | Marathon Map |
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| 10K Stats | 10K Finishers by Time | 10K Finishers by Division |
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| Marathon Stats | Marathon Finishers by Time | Marathon Finishers by Division |
Fast forward to now and I'm registered for the 10K on Saturday and Marathon on Sunday. A challenge with 3 medals. How could I resist? So instead of getting 2 states, I'll be getting only 1 but it is a new one so there you go.
I don't know anyone there so might get lonely though I do make friends... And then Kevin Danielson reached out. I met Kevin at the Marine Corps 50K. We ran some miles together until he had severe GI distress and sent me packing which sucked. He's doing it. Cool.
And... Ran into Shane in the Airport. He's on my flight. Julia will be getting in later. Cool. Apparently it's a 50 Stater reunion race so I may see plenty of people here. Nice.
Did I mention that it's supposed to be hilly? Here's what the website has to say: The Little Rock Marathon and companion races are a running and walking tour of Arkansas's capitol city. When asked if there are hills in Little Rock, we love to affectionately say "What Hills? It depends on your perspective." There are some bumps in the road, but life is full of bumps in the road..
So, this once again is proving to be a stressful weekend which contrary to belief, I do NOT enjoy. As I told Jamey, instead of dealing it with a day to day attitude, I'm going with hurdle to hurdle.
My list of hurdles/challenges/stress inducing issues in order of appearance:
Clearly, I do some of this to myself. The rest of it, is NOT my fault!!!
Well, just a quick update as to where I am... I am currently on issue number 2. Landed in atlanta and got on the next plane. Shane did NOT get on the plane as he is on standby. Sucks to be him.
On the first flight, I met Preethia. She's trying to do halfs in all 50 states. Nice. That being said, lots of runners on this flight...Surprise surprise. Maybe Crazy Jerry is right...
Next update: Checked into hotel early, got late checkout, walked to expo and picked up stuff and now Chillin'.
Tomorrow is the 10K. This weekend is full of hills...
Woke up feeling good but with a slight back pain. Did my thing and walked over to the expo. I have NEVER NEVER NEVER did a race where I stayed a few blocks away, walking distance, to the race start. Surreal. I walked over. Felt so overwhelmed.
On my way there, talked to a girl and her male friend from Michigan. They were doing the 5K/Half Marathon combination.
Went to race start. Plan was to take it super easy. Just chill out and cruise along. Somewhere along the way, that didn't exactly happen.
A little more than a mile in, the 5Kers left us. OK... Cruisin' and talking to people. Enjoying myself.
I didn't think it was all that funny when we passed right by a funeral home. Told the cop that was making sure traffic didn't drive on to the street. He didn't even realize where he was. He laughed. Later another funeral home. It's like, what are you guys saying here, you know?!?
On another note, people I assume I am much younger because I look young especially when I shave. I was clean shaven and I constantly greeted runners with "Good Morning Kids...". People like that. I came across 2 people running who were older than me and again I led with "Good Morning Kids". The dude immediatly said, "Hey, I got at least 2 decades over you...". So, of course I asked how old he was. Guy was very proud to tell me that he's 58. He then got a little deflated when I told him that I am turning 51 in a few months. Wished them luck and continued on my way. I didn't mean to crush him or anything malicious but everyone has his or her day so why use me and my "youth" as an excuse for yours? Run your day! Enjoy your day!
I saw a man and a woman run with the dude pushing a double stroller. I had to catch up to them. As I did, some people yelled "first stroller" which was cool. I turned to them and said that I heard that if I catch up to them, then I can get a ride which I then followed up with that of course I told that to myself so I kinda doubt the source on that one. He thought it was funny and said, you can get a ride but you'll have to hold that Ipad and watch some show that I didn't catch the name of. I laughed too. Meanwhile I looked and both babies were completly out. Nice...
Over before you know... I got 57:17 (9:10/mile) which I did NOT mean to do. Got my medal and walked back to the hotel...
By the way, during that first mile, I did run into my female michigan friend. Cool.
So, at this point, I'm through step 5. Cool. Things getting done. The hotel has washing machines. I got quarters and complementary detergent and dryer sheets. Got food and went to chill in the laundry room with my food and laptop. Start the wash for $3.00 in quarters. Cool. Moved it to the dryer and put my coins and ... NOTHING... Cool. Took laptop back to the room and a walk to the front desk. Dude went with me. Pushed this and that. Put in an additional 4 quarters. Nada. What am I gonna do?!? Dry it all in my room, hanging? Nope - Guy was awesome. Took all my stuff and put it in the hotel dryer and later brought it all back to my room. AWESOME!!!
Chilled out, ate a lot, rested and checked into flight. So, I flew Delta to Arkansas but I was coming back with American and ... They changed my flight. I found this out while checking in. An hour earlier. Cool. More stress tho getting home an hour early is nice too.
Sunday morning woke up early and got my stuff done. I also somewhat packed but more importantly got everything all ready for the quickie shower I'll have to take.
Left the room and because I am me, I checked with the front desk that I am in fact listed as late checkout of 3pm. So, let's go back a step to check in. I was told check out is noon. I asked for a late checkout and I was told I can have 1pm. That's a 5 hour marathon which should be doable but I still need to walk back and shower and pack so tight... I asked if I can get later. She asked me what I would like and deciding to be a pig, I asked for 3pm. She said that it was not gonna be a problem. Cool. Fast forward to now and I was being told that I do not have a late checkout but they can give me 1pm. Why oh why do I need stress in my life? I told her that they said 3pm is ok and she compromised to 2pm. Any chance please please please for 3? Nope. I asked that my room is cleaned last and of course she cannot guarantee that. Ok... I will just make 2pm work.
I go to race start (Deja Vu) and meet up with Kevin. I forgot that I signed up for VIP access. He didn't. Still, wasn't end of world. Wasn't super expensive so but I needed a bathroom and they were all long lines and the VIP had no lines and I ran there for a minute and got a nutrigain bar for later too.
We went to race start and I took a picture with Julia. Waved hi to Shane. We are standing in line and I get tapped on the shoulder. What? Glen and Karen... Cool. Talked to them for a bit.
And we were off. Kevin and I ran easy. Don't know the course except that it's gonna be rolling and that there's a LONG (over a mile) hill somewhere between 14-18. After that, it's all downhill. In fact, people got hurt on a nasty downhill. Hm... Whatever.
We run around enjoying ourselves and across a bridge. Thankfully flat. All good so far.
In a residential area. Over railroad tracks. Thankfully nothing happened here. We are on the way to an aid station, when a motorcycle cop is gunning it on our right. Soon enough, bikes with riders yelling to clear the way AND first overall is gunning it. Soon enough we see numbers 2 and 3 and first wheelchair athlete too. The second or third may have been halfers but still. Another railroad crossing and back to that aid station toward the bridge again. On/off I see Michigan and we talk. Overall, Kevin and I are moving easy. He is wearing shorts and shorts. I'm wearing long tights and 2 long sleeves and gloves. Yes - that's me. It was in the 40s in the beginning. Eventually it did get into the 70s but I didn't take anything off. I did get a LOT of comments about "aren't you hot in that" etc... It's all good. I was comfy and that's all that counts.
Talking to Kevin. After the race, he's got a 15 hour drive to visit his parents in Arizona. He will stay there for a week helping out and then a 25 hour drive back to Illinois. YUCK!
Somewhere after mile 7, Kevin ducked into a port-a-potty. I told him that I will continue slowly. I kept looking back but I think he seriously misjudged his time in there. It was not a quickie as allegded. I didn't see him until much later but let's not jump the gun here about that.
On/off with Michigan again. Also spoke to a 50 stater which was cool. Soon enough into a park and it was weird. It was like we already ran there. I asked outloud and Michigan suggested that perhaps I was there yesterday during the 10k which made a lot of sense.
By the way, I should mention that the aid stations both days were great. Big stations with a lot of water and Gatorade. Some also had Orange slices. Nice.
I was surprised that the Halfers stayed with us for a long time. Usually they seperate us much earlier. We saw the Governors mansion. People took pictures. I spoke to 2 guys during their first. Spoke to them about recovery and I mentioned walking and of course the pool and that Chlorine is awesome for chafing as it scabs you up. Some woman replied that I sound so sadistic and I defended my position. She was wearing an Ironman hat so she should know...
Lots of places on the course, there were impromptu aid stations. Private buisiness or private houses out there just helping out by handing things out. The local bar was serving fireballs and wine. The server reaked of alchol and got a little too close to me but he was just trying to be nice.
I caught up with a couple from NC I believe. I cannot remember their names anymore unfortunatly. She was having a hard time. He was there to support her. We ran a little together up the hill. Eventually, I left them as she was really faltering and I needed to get back in time for the shower.
I got to another alchol aid station and asked if they have sode instead. They told me "at the bank". I don't really know if that's southern speak for something but I kept my eyes open for banks just in case. First bank was dry. Second bank was SUCCESS. Got a soda. YES!
I'm heading down the hill full of cola in my system and enjoying things. I did come up a very impromptu aid station in front of someones house. A female teenager (16?) was giving beads out next to her mom. I immediatly stopped and without thinking (big mouth moment - sorry), I asked if I needed to flash her. She turned red while the mom started laughing hysterically. Thank God it ended like that. Me and my big mouth. No thinking whatsoever sometimes. I thanked them and left going down the hill. All good. Finally got to this out and back section. The turn around was between miles 20 and 21 so let's call it 20.5. I just needed to run approx 3 miles to get to it. Saw Shane heading back with his 3:50 pace group. I was in such a good mood. Ran and ran.
Now, I must mention that I had another goal in mind. The course limit was 6 hours but if and only if you could prove that you need that time, you were able to start at 6am giving you 8 hours. If you started early and finished under 6 hours, you would be DQed. I found out that Mary Harvey and Jackie were the 6:45 EARLY START PACERS and well, that's an equivalent to a 4:45. I really wanted to catch them so I kept my eyes open at all times. Finally finally finally I saw them. They did not see me. They were both dressed as unicorns. I was on the hunt. Finally got to the turnaround. A little later, I saw Glen. Oh oh. I knew he was hunting me and he was only a mile back. I waved to him and truly expected him to catch me. He didn't. I saw Kevin. He looked good. Cool. I continued. I chased.
Remember how we were told that after mile 18, it's all downhill? Why oh why do I not believe that? Perhaps it's because it's not my first rodeo??? Mile 25 was a (very) steep hill of 2 blocks. People were really upset and some cursed out. I just wanted to get over it. I was mission focused. I was chasing. Got over it and I see 2 unicorns. I chased and at earshot, I yelled (yes - I planned it out in advance), "are those New York Unicorns?". They stopped and turned and smiled. We hugged and took pictures. They then sent me on my way. I started running fast. I did yell to the RD who was running on the side, asking her if race directors are allowed to run and she laughed. I picked up the pace some more. I decided on 3 targets and started closing the gap. The first fell to me. The second did too. The third didn't know I was there but also started going faster. I mean the arches were almost there. I picked up the pace and as I passed, I kinda waved no no to him and sprinted faster. Done. Got 4:38:08 unofficial, "are those New York Unicorns?". They stopped and turned and smiled. We hugged and took pictures. They then sent me on my way. I started running fast. I did yell to the RD who was running on the side, asking her if race directors are allowed to run and she laughed. I picked up the pace some more. I decided on 3 targets and started closing the gap. The first fell to me. The second did too. The third didn't know I was there but also started going faster. I mean the arches were almost there. I picked up the pace and as I passed, I kinda waved no no to him and sprinted faster. Done. Got 4:38:08 unofficial.
Grabbed some food, showered and Uber to the airport. No issues to Chicago. Found next flight and onward to NY.
On the way to Chicago, I sat next to a woman who didn't train because of a broken leg but did 41 min for the 10K and 3:50 for the full. Jeez.
On the way to New York, sat next to a budding comedian. Nice talk...
About 40 minutes from LGA, we heard an announcement which you don't want to hear. No, it wasn't "Brace" thank goodness but still... "If there are any doctors on the flight, please make yourself known to a flight attendant". Wonderfull. An older woman, some language issues, wasn't feeling well 2 rows in front of us across the aisle. I was really worried we would be diverted. Yes - I was being selfish but I just wanted to get home...
Next I heard one flight attendant say to the other "get the emergency oxygen". Damn. Thankfully, we did NOT Get diverted. We may have gotten priority into LGA (PAN-PAN instead of MAYDAY-MAYDAY) and perhaps priority with taxiing. I'll never know though I do watch ATC videos so maybe just maybe I'll find my flight. Anyway, Uber home and that's that.
The medal was HEAVY and HUGE and I am not the type of person to walk with it all over the place. I walked with it to the hotel and then put it in my carry on. People were walking a little bent over because of all that weight.
I was joking about how the plane may not be able to take off with all that extra weight...
