As I mentioned, I also do triathlons. I did Ironman Texas 70.3 on April 10th 2011 in Galveston. In order to get ready for that race, I was running a lot every weekend. In amongst my other training, I wound up signing up for 4 half marathons in 4 weekends. I did Mardi Gras in Galveston Sunday Feb 20th 2011, Cowtown in Ft Worth Sunday Feb 27th, Little Rock Sunday March 6th, and Tom King Classic Half Marathon Saturday March 12th in Nashville, TN
Little Rock prides themselves on their finisher medals, and with due cause. It was definitely the nicest half marathon medal I have received. Mississippi runs a very close second. Little Rock put on a Great Race and is another I would highly recommend you add to you race list. Mississippi Blues, and 26.2 with Donna, being the other two.
I barely got to run this race. At work, We pick vacation around the first of February. After I had picked, my plans got scrapped and the week I had selected was now null and void. As an alternate, I decided to try and go run Little Rock and Nashville. I had to wait till 21 days before the day I wanted off, to ask for it, which was Feb 14th. On the 14th, I put in my request and got the OK to be off. I went home and signed up that night. The very next morning, I got an email from the race saying that Registration was closed, they were SOLD OUT. I had to have grabbed one of the last few spots available.
There was an after race party that was billed as one of the best, and again it lived up to it's billing. It was held that afternoon, several hours after the race. They had the party at the Clinton Library. It was free to get in, but you have to RSVP when you signed up, and they give you a bracelet in your packet. Without a bracelet it cost 20.00 to enter. If you do Little Rock you have to do the party.
In Nashville, we started and finished at Titian's stadium. It was a very warm day, and there was a 3 hour time limit. I normally run around 2:45 -2:50 so I wasn't real concerned. There was however, an option to start 30 minutes early if you felt you would go over 3 hours. Just to be on the safe side, I had decided to take the head start. When we lined up, we were told that the early start was only for those over 3 hours. If you started early and finished under 3, you would be disqualified and not receive a finish time at all. Decisions, decisions. I decided to go ahead and wait for the later start. Once I began running, I had all kinds of problems, cramps, weird pains, and just struggled in general. I had let myself obsess over the heat, and if I should start early or not. I finally had to stop and give myself a combination butt chewing/pep talk, and basically just get a grip. I knew that I could run, and make it in within the allowed time, and that is what I needed to do. After that I settled down, I started feeling better, and finished 2:47. Once again, there is so much of endurance sports that is purely mental.
At the end of the race we finished inside of the stadium, and I received my medal from one of the Titian's cheerleaders. All is well that ends well.
Also, as a side bar, I have to mention that in between Little Rock and Nashville, I happened to stop and visit a friend from High School who lives in Memphis. We went out to eat, and had the absolute best Fried Chicken I have ever ate. I realize fried Chicken is not on the Menu of the elite athlete. But I am not one of them, and I was on vacation, and it was Fat Tuesday. So There !!! Thanks Tim and Anita
I did finish my Ironman Texas 70.3 race. I was lucky in getting an early start. I was in wave 6 of 22, and started at 7:25 vs 8:45 which was the start time of the last wave of women. It was a tough day, it was hot and humid and the wind was roaring off the seawall. My primary goal in any race is to finish, to cross the line without needing to be carried, revived, or hearing the words "CLEAR" right before I feel the electric shocks trying to restart my heart. A secondary goal, is to not be the last one in my age group to finish. In Galveston, after I got off the bike, I struggled on the run, and walked more than I would have liked. The run is a 3.257 mile loop, that you have to complete 4 times. The 8 1/2 hour allowed finish time is from the start off the last wave, so with my 1:20 advantage, I actually had almost 10 hours to finish. However, I was determined to finish in 8 1/2 which was required of those who went last. On the last lap I had to push it, and did so despite blisters, cramps, and sunburn. But I got in at 8:25:19. Of 99 men in my age group, I was 91 with one man finishing behind me at 92 and 7 DNF. Yippee...I wasn't last !!!
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