Soaring Wings Half Marathon Recap

I ran my number 4 half marathon ever this Saturday in Conway, Arkansas. This one has a special place in my heart because I ran it last year and it was my first ever half marathon. I knew about the hills. Since my training has been less than stellar, and I took a 2-week taper due to stomach virus and what-nots, I didn't know what to expect out of this half marathon, except to have fun and to beat my last year's time, and there's a remote wish of PRing. :)

Friday afternoon after work, I just dumped my running gear into my bag and headed out to collect my running packet. I hate to do it in the morning because I don't want to stress about it the night before. Turns out, I packed everything except my running bra and wearing my "lucky necklace." So, after collecting my race packet and checking into the hotel, I went in search of a sports bra. I found it in Target. Champion makes decent quality stuff so I bought a sports bra there. Dinner was blah. I just did the drive-thru at Burger King. I was craving for a good hamburger and I always get the Whopper Jr. But somehow, I got some mushroom swiss crap. Not too impressed. Should have stucked with Whopper Jr. I spent the night drinking lots of water and also tossing and turning in bed. Pre-race jitters? Probably.

Saturday morning, I went to the breakfast area and toasted 2 slices of toast and made me some PBJ sandwiches. I had a glass of OJ and did some photo taking in my room before I drove to the race venue. It was a chilly morning and thank god there was an enclosed sheltered area where I sought refuge from the cold. I didn't want to wear my Nike half-zip that I packed because I knew I would be burning up at Mile 3.

The race started a few minutes late, which wasn't a big deal. I love waiting out in the corrals because it is just a wonderful feeling to be out on a cold morning with hundreds of like-minded folks. We are here to run. We are here to run for a good cause. It was going to be a pretty day for racing!

I stuck myself at the back of the 2:30:00 pace group. I wanted to take it slow at the beginning so I don't run out of gas too soon. After tagging behind them for a while, I took off and ran. I was going to run by feel this time. I was going to stop if I need to. If I feel like running fast, I will. That was my revised race strategy at Mile 0.25.

I did put up a really good first half of the race. So far during my long run trainings, I have been doing at least 11:30ish to almost 12:00+ pace. But I felt good today. I just hustled and went on. See this Asian man on the right? I have him marked in my mind. This was before Mile 2. He just came from behind and ran in front of me. I tagged behind him for a while and followed his pace, which was rather comfortable. And then, when I thought I rested enough, I just passed him. We would be doing this throughout the race.  

Here are my splits.

Mile 1: 11:04:38

Mile 2: 10:39:24

Mile 3: 10:38:16

Mile 4: 11:25:79

Mile 5: 10:39:25

Mile 6: 11:28:11

I reached the half way mark in 1:08:36, which was kinda fast. I was thrilled. I was just going to keep it up.

Then we have more hills. I forgot about those dang hills! Mile 8, Mile 10, and toward the end. One after another. Thank goodness for a water station with music blasting and pink balloons and lots of cheers. Thank goodness for the gummy bear station too. I race without chewing gum and all I wanted during the race was to chew on something. I was literally chewing on the side of my mouth to distract myself, so the gummy bears were god-sent!
Mile 7: 11:38:94

Mile 8: 11:45:13
Mile 9: 11:22:79
Mile 10: 11:52:39
Mile 11: 11:37:90

Here, the 2:30:00 pace group sneaked up behind me and took off! Uh-OH!!! I am not about to let the pace group outrun me this time. So I fought and ran and got ahead and remained ahead. I told the pacer when I caught up with him, "I told myself that I need to catch you."
Mile 12: 11:19:89 
Mile 13: 10:59:85
Remaining: 9:57


Yeah. So I was really hauling a$$ toward the end. I felt tired, but I felt good. The Garmin said I ran 13:22 miles and it took me 2:28:46. 
Chip Time: 2:28:36  (PR!!! by 2 seconds. RnR New Orleans was 2:28:38).

Overall: 1040/1526 
Age Division: 102/135 

I walked away happy. Yeah, I could have ran a little faster, walked a little faster at Mile 8 and 10. But at the finish line, there weren't much left in my tank. I felt like I did well, given the circumstances. I parked myself next to the water station and drank as much as I could possibly drink, grabbed a slice of pizza, and a banana which was WAY too green, and left.
Oh by the way, I came in before that Asian man that I was tagging along.

 In the comfort of my vehicle, I took a picture of myself with the finisher's medal.

My face was crusted with salt.

Then I drove to Little Rock to my favorite Vietnamese restaurant for some pho!

I don't know why, but I always crave for something soupy and noodles after a long run.

And this girl loves her pho!!!

That's all folks.

#4 is done.
That makes 3 half marathons completed for 2011 (so far).

About Pom and Half Marathon Goals.

First thing first, how do you choose a pomegranate?

I bought two at the store and the little seeds inside are hard! I cannot remember if I am supposed to spit those seeds inside out or if I am supposed to swallow them. But I am swallowing them.

Oooh, look who is getting lots of fiber?

This is this evening's snack. Greek yogurt with banana, grapes, pomegrante, a sprinkle of granola and a drizzle of homemade Arkansas honey. Delicious!

So, I'll be running #4 half marathon this weekend.

I haven't been the most diligent when it comes to training this time around.

But here are the goals.

Really and truly, I just want to enjoy this half marathon. The crowd support was awesome last year and I just want to enjoy it.

I am not going to be gunning and running a PR, but IF (that's a BIG IF), I have a time goal, it would be either

2:31:10 (the time it took for me to run this half last year)

or anything sub-2:27.

All right, gonna go for a short, easy few miler tomorrow before race day!

Signed up!

Maybe the cold medicine made me loopy.

Maybe it was because I saw Aneta's post where she signed up a bunch of races in 5 minutes.

Maybe it was because it only costs $30. 

I figured, there is a more than 50% chance for me running in that. 

And so, I'm signed up for half marathon #3

 October 29, 2011.

Last year, I ran this same race and it was my first half marathon ever. 

I liked the size of the race (1500 participants)

I thought the crowd support was sweet. 

It benefits the Soaring Wings ranch for orphans and other kiddos.

And even though it was hilly, I enjoyed it tremendously.

This year, I am aiming at tackling ALL the hills. 

THEN ....

Then somehow, it struck me that October 29 is kinda long to wait to be able to run a race.

So I poked around on the Internet.

And that rainbow colored socks fanatic Ronda so easily convinced me on Facebook that I need to run a half marathon on April 10 because she is.

I'm guessing she is the more dominant running twin.

And so I am signed up for half marathon #4. 

April 10, 2011.

Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Hotel's booked too!

I was worried about the hills in this race. 

With Soaring Wings, you just get slapped hills after hills. 

For Hogeye, it looks like the hills are more gradual and conveniently placed at the start and end of the half marathon.

But hey, if I could do Soaring Wings last year with a messed up sciatica blah blah blah, I can do anything!

Maybe not PR. 

But I am sure gonna wear my big girl's panties and tackle those hills! 

Now, if only I can kick this cold away now.

Training, I guess, will start next week.
I am pumped!

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.

Runner's Shopping Spree and Shout-outs.

Happy Sunday! 

I was glad I got my long run out of the way Saturday morning because I went to a wedding last night and had an extra glass or two of wine. Today, I don't exactly have a hangover. But I just feel a little blah. 

To undo the blah ... Here's what I did.  

I went a little crazy with my online shopping spree.

I signed up for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon that's scheduled for next Saturday. 

This might be the Running Gods' wishes anyway. This is the race that I had been eyeing since April 2010 when logistics didn't work out for a race I had wanted to do. 

And if that hasn't got the blood pumping and the heart racing, I also took the plunge and committed myself to .....

That will be on Valentine's Day eve next year. I will be running with two friends from J-school. And hopefully, I will finally get to meet up with a bloggy friend - Megan. Don't forget to stop by her blog today to check out what's cooking over in Luling, LA. :)

Stop by this Running Man Wannabe's blog to check him out and give him some virtual hi-fives.
I don't think he is a "wannabe" anymore.

And with all the Christmas decorations items up in stores before Halloween is here, I kinda started making a "wish list."

Wish #1: Three half marathons next year  (2011)

Wish #2: One 10K race

Wish #3: Start feeling it for a full marathon. 

Stop by Christine's blog to give her some tapering assurances and soothe her taper jitters.
She will be running her first full marathon in 14 days! YOU GO, Christine!

My virtual running buddy, Aneta, is running her first marathon today. Do check out her blog and congratulate her. I figured she will post something after she rested a little.