Hogeye Half Marathon - review

#3 is done.

Pre-Race Emotions: 

The night before the race and moments leading up to gun time, I was nervous. If you are friends with me on Facebook, you would know because I made comments about my nerves.  Seriously, it felt like I was going to take a test and not studying for it.  I entertained the thought of not running it just moments before the national anthem was playing.

Registration Pick-up
I picked up my race bib and time chip the morning of the race at about 6 a.m. Being there early has its perks - I get to park really close to the start/finish line. Pick-up was really easy and fast. :)
 
Pre-Race Fuel 
A Clif bar at about 6 a.m.  

Race Start Time and Start Line

7:30 a.m.  However, I think we started a few minutes later. 

Negative: It wasn't clearly marked. I think it would be better if the organizers have signs designating the different races that were going on that morning - full marathon, half marathon/relays and 5K.  The full marathoners went on first. And then the 5Kers and halfers were lumped together and the volunteers at the start line had to call out the 5Kers and hold them back because it wasn't their turn yet.  It was confusing for the 5Kers. 

Race Route

Fayetteville, AR is really pretty and the route was just wonderful pretty much the entire way.  We ran through the square, and through some neighborhoods and then by the interstate/highway and after that, it was on a trail and next to a creek.  There were some hills but nothing too major. Nothing a positive mind can't conquer. 

Here's what went on during the run/walk.

I started the run with a lot of self doubt.

BIG MISTAKE!

Never doubt yourself or what you are about to accomplish. NEVER!

I overheard a mother-son team talking to two ladies doing the Galloway-method. I kinda got into the conversation and told them I was going to walk this one cos' of my knee.

But it is hard NOT running it. I had to fight hard to walk it, and even harder to walk at their pace. 

It was kinda weird. At this point, I told them that I am just going to run to the bottom of that hill and walk up it.   See picture -->

My goals were:
a) Finish and get back to the hotel before it's time to check out!

b) Finish in 3:30.

c) Finish in 3:15.

d) Finish in 3:00.

Ran through the University of Arkansas campus.

At this point, I had passed 4 people.

Good. I am not going to be dead last!

Also at this point, I was doing a walk-5-lamp-posts and run-1-lamp-post. 

When I was out of lamp posts, I did drive-ways, mail boxes, trees with white flowers, red cones, tall skinny red cones, red cones with stripes. Just about all kinds of combinations you can think out.

Kinda opposite this flag was Sam's Club.

I remembered I need to buy another 50lb bag of dog food for Paddy Wag.

I miss my dog!

I also remembered telling myself the dang wind was way too strong!

This was over a bridge over an Interstate/highway.

Going up the bridge was made mighty difficult by the strong wind.

Of course, a grain of sand flew right into my eye and I was winking at every single volunteer for a while.

By this time, I had passed about 7 or 8 people.

The route was along a nice creek. Birds were chirping and the you can hear the water streaming down the creek and ducks swimming.  Just so pretty and so relaxing and it makes me happy. Ahhh... I was at ease. The stress and tension and disappointment during the week just floated away.

 I passed another few more people. :)

And I could hear some happy, nice beat music from a far.

This was around mile 7.

There's a group of volunteers all decked out in their costumes cheering on runners.

These guys were offering beer to everyone.

This is where I drank my first beer of 2011.

And moving on to a more scenic and serene section of the race.

I love bridges.

This is actually a rail road bridge thingy.

We went through the trail by the creek for a while, which was nice.

The crowd support was a little random, hit and miss.

But nature's beauty was sufficient.

My knee was beginning to feel the pain at about Mile 9ish.   I had another beer at Mile 10 and walked all the way after that. My knee just won't allow me to lift my leg and run. Walking places some strain on the shins too. I can feel the muscle around it kinda strained.

And my butt. Oh my!

I thought to myself, "running is definitely easier and faster!"   It was particularly painful going downhill.

I found myself just scraping across the concrete because I can't even lift my leg high enough to walk.

I tried stretching some then. It felt good and it was painful too.

I was so close to the finish line. The mind and my legs were so ready to just belt out a good remaining mile or so.  But the knee won't let me. Even at the finish line, I tried running like 5 steps and my knee won't let me.

I walked across the finish line. I was pretty bummed.

For a small sized race, the after-race refreshment was quite plentiful.

Bananas, oranges, bagels, crackers, different kinds of sodas, water, and chocolate milk!

But I have to remind myself that I have completed what I had set out to do.
Even with a crazy knee, I walked it and finished it.
I got done in 3:10:48.37.
Which means, I achieved my goals a, b, and c.
This would be my personal slowest time. But it's ok.
I actually had a pretty good time.
It's all in the attitude and the mindset and your expectations.

You know how we always picture what things/events are going to be?
Well, if you hurt yourself, it helps to have more realistic goals and mental image.
Give yourself plenty of time to readjust those mental images and expectations.
It worked for me this time!

I believe I will be back for this half marathon next time.

  

Race Review: Soaring Wings Half Marathon

Race name: Soaring Wings Half  Marathon
Location: Conway, Arkansas
Date: 23 Oct 2010

Race Packet Pickups: There were 3 race packet pick-ups - on a Thursday and Friday at a local running supply shop and on the morning of the race itself. I went and picked up my packet on Friday. It was effortless. You sign next to your name. They wrote your bib number and shirt size down. You go to the shirt people and they gave you your shirt, and down to the disposable chip person who grabbed your chip. She has a pair of shoes up and showed you how to put your timing chip on.

Race Morning: Apart from a little confusion about the corrals, there was nothing major. They can definitely have a clearly marked sign/pace for each corral, so people will know where to go.  After the first "elite" group started, there was a 2-minute wait before the next group started. I thought it was good. We started with a prayer. I am no a Christian but this race benefits a Christian ranch (Soaring Wings) for orphans and abused children, so I thought it was appropriate. Then, a lady sang the Star-Spangled Banner and it was really good. I had a little goosebumps on my arms. I am not an American but man, at that point, I thought, "You Americans need to be proud of your country!"

The Course: It was made up of 2 loops - a smaller loop which leads you back to the start and a bigger loop. You run around a beautiful golf course and the residential area of that golf course. Pretty pretty houses. I enjoy driving around pretty neighborhood to look at their lawns and stuff. So, if you enjoy houses with awesome curb appeal, you may actually love this.

Prepare for rolling hills. Yes. There were lots of rolling hills. Not exactly difficult. Not steep. No, those hills don't slap right at your face. They were more of a gentle, sometimes long, hills.


The Volunteers: It was great. There were drinks stations at approximately every 1.5 miles - usually before a hill. There were a lot of kids working the drinks station. And they were on top of their game! Then there were kids with adults at some intersections and giving "hi-fives." It was great seeing all the kiddos out there working and supporting the runners. It makes me persevere because I can't let those kids down.  There was a Gu station with all flavors you can imagine at Mile #6. The volunteers (kids and adults) were shouting out what they have in their hands. "Gatorade here, water up front" "Gu up front" There was no confusion. I knew exactly where I had to go to get what I needed. At Mile 9 or 10, there were gummi bears. I love gummi bears.

The Spectators: Grandfathers and grandmothers were sitting outside in their front lawns watching, and making lots of noise with their spatulas and pots. Parents brought their kids out and were cheering. The kids stood in line and clapped and cheered and gave hi-fives to runners. A few families were blasting their car stereos with upbeat music. They brought along motivational signs. They made happy jokes about running. They have their kids doing those fantastic gymnastic moves like continuous back flips and what-not in their front lawns. They screamed and shouted and cheered. There was no lack of support. Small town support is genuine and sweet.

The End: The announcers (I believed there were two) were calling out runners' names and towns they are from as the runners crossed the finished lines. Then there were more volunteers and kids handing out medals to the finishers. There were oranges, bananas, water, Gatorades, pizza and I believe hot dogs. There were plenty of food. I didn't grab any but water and a wedge of orange. And then I left. :)

The Bling: It's a nice medal. It was metal. I hit it with my finger and it wasn't "plasticky." It was thick and heavy and quite substantial. :) I am glad that's my first medal. I felt like the 13 miles I ran was all worth it.

Accommodations: I booked a room at a local Microtel. It is a no frills motel kinda thing and it was adequate. I didn't pay a lot for it, probably $50 a night before tax. It was under 10 minutes to the race venue. It has a McAllister right next to the motel. A Wal-mart behind it. Easily accessible to the interstate. I felt safe. It was clean. It has breakfast when I was down at the lobby at about 6:30 a.m., so I grabbed a muffin for after the race. The check out time was noon, so I had time to finish my run and return to the room to take a shower.

Will I Do This Again: Yes I will. I will do this again.