I had got back into running a little last September with the guys at my new job and took a while to run 2 miles without walking. At Christmas I starting running more regularly and on January 13th, I went ahead and signed up for the March 15th race. I was motivated by the guys at work, the feeling of getting back into shape, and the registration for my first race ever. Next thing I knew, my weekly milage was hitting 23, way to fast of an increase and with a poor stride, I developed some pain in my right knee. I held back for a week, the pain went away and I got back to it... but slowly. Mosty due to my schedule, I never did get to run as often as I liked, nor did I get to make a run that was over 5 miles (my log). I knew I wasn't as prepared as I could be for the race, but it didn't matter. I was just excited for the experience and I had no idea at all what that experience would be like.
On race day I got down there at 7 so I could mentally ease into the 8am start time... and make sure I had a chance to go to the potty. I found my starting corral which was C. I was assigned C becuase when I registered I entered that my predicted finishing time would be 2:15:00 (that's 2 hours and 15 minutes). Boy was I stupid... I then realized that there was no way I was going to make that time. I was dreaming of 2:30:00 but truly expecting about 3:00:00 or more. I should have been in corral D. But oh well, my race bib said C so that's where I was. I felt like a mule standing in a herd of race horses.
I reviewed my mental strategy. Go slow, even uncomfortably slow, for the first 2 miles then ease into a pace that matched what I had been running. Once past 5 miles, my longest run yet, I'd "listen" to my body and slow down as needed. If I had to walk some in the last half, I would. Ignore that little voice in my head that said "Never walk! You must finish it without walking!". And last but not least, ENJOY this whole experience! And that's what hit me right there, the excitement of it all. I was way happy and the gun hadn't even gone off yet! There I was, in running gear, with a race bib on that had my name and the number 3154. I was surrounded by other runners and a lot of more experienced ones. The Kenyans where taking warm up laps around the corral and seemed to be effortlessly floating by at double my running pace. All of this just simply amazed me. I was ready and I didn't care what the outcome would be. It was already worth the entry fee at that point.
Then the gun went off!!! Well, there was no gun, more of an electronic "beep", but away we went none the less. The near shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, the sound of all the shoes hitting the pavement, the crossing of the start line, the sight of a huge mob snaking it's way through the first few turns... I was soaking it all in and moving with the race horses next to me. Next thing I knew, a mile and a half had passed and we were heading over the river for North Little Rock. I also realized that I hadn't stuck to my game plan at all and I was keeping up with those race horses! Ooops, better slow down. I said slow down. SLOW DOWN!!!! ...my legs weren't getting the message. I was very conscious of my pace, but I just couldn't slow down. Somewhere around 2 and a half miles I gave up. No, I didn't give up running, I gave up trying to slow down. I decided to just enjoy the moment and go with it. I knew it would mean that I'd most likely be walking a bunch in the second half, but I made the choice to not run a smart race. I was then going to run a race where I gave it my all at every moment, rather than plan ahead and pace myself correctly. I told myself that there will be future races and I can run those the smart way, but this was my first race. I didn't have to be smart, just enjoy it. Besides, I'd have an easier time PR-ing (making a personal record) on a furture race if I burned out on this one!
Anyway, at mile 5 we were heading back over the bridge and back into downtown Little Rock. On I went, heading towards 6 miles and the 10k mark just after that (6.2 miles). As I approached the 10k mark there were sensors on the road to read our timing chips attached to our shoes and a digital clock on the side. I saw the number 59 and had to take another look. 59 mintues at the 10k mark?!?!? Holy cow, I hadn't thought I'd break an hour on a 10k until later this year with further training... but there it was. 59:04 at the 10k mark AND WHILE I WAS RUNNING A HALF MARATHON! I knew for sure that my pace was fast. I also knew that was just shy of the half way mark for my whole race... I just had to do it all over again. I was feeling that my heart was certainly working hard, but overall I was good physically and I was feeling REALLY good mentally. It was about then that I noticed a guy running with balloons that had 4:15 marked on them. He was the pacer for the full marathon, so if you wanted to finish the full in 4 hours and 15 mintues, you can run with him. A 4:15:00 full marathon wasn't something I had to think about yet, I only had to run half that, but I stuck with him because he reperesented a pace that I didn't think I'd be running. On I went, following those ballons like a donkey following a carrot on a stick.
We headed back towards downtown and made a left on capitol st. Off in the distance was the state capitol building. It was perfectly framed by the street and I couldn't stop looking at the view. It is the only state capitol that is built as the federal capitol in DC, but to a smaller scale. I thought it was a perfectly planned course at that point. I also forgot the course map in my head, and the number of miles I had run at that point. I wondered why were making a left off of capitol st. and heading AWAY from the direction of the finish line. I saw the mile marker for 9 and that snapped my back to reality. Over 4 more miles to go? Wow! I was still at it though, and still with those 4:15 balloons. I grabbed some gatorade on the fly again and also grabbed some energy gel to get some fuel.
As we headed back over interstate 630 again, a slight hill finally started to feel like it was more than it was. At about mile 10 we took a right at the governer's mantion and another slight hill. That's where I had to say bye bye to my 4:15 balloons and my pace slowed some. I was finally starting to really feel it in my feet and knees, but I also loved that feeling. I wanted to feel some kind of an extreem challange of a half marathon and I was finally getting that wish. I knew that a physically tough feeling would increase the satisfaction of accomplishing what I was accomplishing. With every step, my feet felt like they were being pounded by a sledgehammer on the bottom, but I knew it was mind over matter and I also knew there was no stopping me. Besides, I had already put the 13.1 sticker on my car the day before. I had no choice but to keep running and the little voice I wanted to ignore wasn't ignoreable... I was not going to walk any part of those 13.1 miles no matter what!
As we headed for mile 12 I knew that those sledgehammers were not going to stop me. It was a slow downhill to the river, then a right to go under the Peobody Hotel and on to the finish line. Despite the "pain", I was in a zone, and a good one at that. At some point I finally caught a glimpse of the finish line and my pace and excitement picked up. There were tons of people lining the sides of the course here cheering us all on. (All throughout the race there were people here and there cheering and kids that I'd give high five to as I'd run past.) Nearing the finish line I could see the clock... and I could not believe my eyes. 2:13:50??? for real? I gave it the last push over the line and stopped to a slow walk. I did it. I still can't believe my time too... 2 hours and 13 minutes!. (all results)
The volunteers kept us worn out folks moving along. They clipped off my timing chip, gave me water, got a finishing medal, wrapped me in foil to stay warm, given a banana and my picture was taken. After that I got to enjoy some live music in the athletes village, get more water, eat yogurt, chocolate milk and a beer to celebrate.
The whole experience was absolutely amazing. I can't wait for my next race!
Jason
PS: Next up is the Dino Dash 5k with Miri who just turned 5!
