Little Rock Marathon 2011 - What Hills?

"What Hills?".... Let me tell you "What Hills?" They are never ending and one of them isn't just a hill, I am calling it a mountain.

You might ask how in the world I let my sister talk me into Arkansas??? She's convincing for sure....She said, "We'll have fun." "We have to run something in Arkansas." "They have a really cool finishers medal." "It won't be that bad." ....and she was right (except for the "not that bad" part - the hills are "that bad" especially towards the end). We still can't believe we did it.

not a great picture but you get the idea

First off...runners included myself, Tralaine, and Allison Byford, a work friend from Springdale, AR. Support crew was made up of Tanna, Charlie, Mom, and Deena along the course and then Michael and Greyson joined them at the finish line. It is so awesome to have family to meet you along the course and give you some personal cheering. The race volunteers and other spectators are great but there is nothing better than seeing familiar faces. It's also nice that they carried some supplies and took what clothes we shed during the race.

2011 Course

Before heading to the start, I of course went through my normal pre-race prep which this time included pumping. Wondered how the boobs would be after so many hours between pumping and feeding G but it wasn't that bad afterall - I think being a bit dehydrated made it bearable. Figured out how to make my oatmeal by heating up water in the coffee maker. That worked perfectly; going to remember that for next time. I made my normal 3 pitstops before leaving the hotel and was good to go. Charlie picked us up at 7am and drove us to the start. This meant that we only had to walk 2 blocks - perfect.

Our driver (Charlie) dropping us off 2 blocks from the start.

Mile 0 - We started at 8am with a temp of 35 degrees. The wind was at about 10 mph and it was CHILLY. Tralaine and I split up from Allison and headed to Corral C to shiver and chatter until the start gun sounded. We placed ourselves behind the 4 hour pace group (which included a "WoooHooo'er").

notice our "security" over Tralaine's shoulder and the start behind us

Miles 1-6 - the first miles brought a few hills (counted 5 in the first 6 miles), running past the President Clinton Library, a trip across the river, under a highway, and through downtown. Tralaine took a few pictures and made friends with some other runners (as always). She called Charlie to let him know we were ahead of schedule and what time to meet us at mile 12. We ran into a friend of hers from Wichita, stopped for 2 water stops, and a rr break.

Us downtown.

 Miles 7-12 - We headed out of the downtown area and ran through some "neighborhoods". Not a lot to look at but saw familiar faces at mile 12 (thanks family). I passed off my gloves and buff. I had a few Shot Bloks and hit some more water stops and helped myself to some Gatorade. There was lots of hometown support including a church congregation or two cheering on the runners. One even had signs directing runners to bathrooms if needed.

No I am not running the half - but there were a lot of halfers.

Miles 12-17 - One Big Ass Mountain - We headed up a hill to the capital building (where we did have a picture taken) and on up a beautiful road through a great neighborhood with lots of support from the locals cheering from their front yards and supporters along the road (including some of our family). We even ran past the Governers Mansion where he was standing out in front waving to the runners. After we ran by we were kicking ourselves for not getting a picture by him (or asking him to take our picture - hehehehe). I fueled up with a Vanilla Hammer Gel (compliments of the race) and had a bit more Gatorade. We did lose the 4 hour pace group somewhere around mile 17 when I had to make my second pit-stop :( Somewhere in this leg of the race, the front side of my ankle really started hurting. I took some Advil and hoped for the best.

We're just sight seeing - not!

Miles 17-23 - coming down the mountain took it's toll on my quads and ankle. I couldn't run as fast as I had wanted down the hill but still made it to the bottom. We had some entertainment from a singing runner that was in his own world. Once we were down, the route followed a nice flat straight-away (out and back from mile 18-23). My goal was to get to the turn-around where our support crew was waiting. I passed off my jacket and then walked and ate a Hammer Gel. I walked a couple of water stops and with a 5K left I knew we had at least 2 more good sized hills coming our way. During this section I started repeating my favorite mantra in my head to keep me going..."you can walk when you're done" over and over again.

Miles 23-25 - I don't think my quads have ever felt the way they did those last miles, but I know I can always run a 5K. The first hill was bad!!! Halfway up my legs seemed to just stop; I let myself walk for a minute and then got started again. I knew I had to keep running no matter how slow it was. I decided it was time for a new mantra, one that would keep my legs moving. I heard a guy tell someone to shuffle up the hill so on every exhale I stared saying "shuffle, shuffle, shuffle". It worked on that hill so when we saw the last big hill coming (and it was BIG), and Tralaine said that we had to get up the hill, I started with my new mantra and it worked...along with the man at the top with a microphone and music yelling at all of the runners struggling up the incline. The hand that Tralaine put on my back about half way up helped even more, and we made it to the top. With about a mile left, I knew we would make it.

- Check out the official finish line picture and video here - 

I didn't want break copyright laws and illegally post their picture but I will be buying this one!!!

Mile 25-26.2 - With a pause at the Lipstick stop and a conversation about how I didn't even know how much time had passed but that I was giving my all....we headed to the finish. As we rounded the curve and saw all of the spectators I was excited to be done but when I looked up and saw the clock above the finish I couldn't believe what I saw.....4:04:40. I looked over at my AWESOME sister with a huge smile on her face and all I could say was...OMG, NO WAY, BULL $%!& and ran to the finish line. As we crossed the finish line at 4:05:00 I don't think I have every been more excited. We high-fived and hugged and went through the gates to have the largest finishers medal put around our necks. my Little Rock Marathon - 2011 - Marathon results

Man that's a heavy finishers medal. And they do put it around your neck ;)

Finishers - Tralaine, Brooke, and Allison

Tralaine and I had a great time talking, seeing the sites, taking pictures, visiting with other runners, and enjoying the journey...I am so lucky to have an AWESOME sister like her that would stick by my side, keeping me going, and get me to my best time ever - 4:03:57 that's a 9:19 pace over all - WOW. I owe her a HUGE thank you and probably more than that. It was a great day for all of us for sure. Even Allison bettered her time by 20+ minutes. She really rocked it and is now crazy enough to go run the Fayetteville Hogeye Marathon this April and OKC in May. Anyone want to run with her?

Michael, Charlie, Deena, Shelia, Greyson, Tanna, Brooke, & Tralaine

I am still amazed at what we did - 10 months after baby, after C-Section, in the HILLS and I got a PR - Looking forward to my next one! My sister is the best!

Run On!
Brooke