Team Loco Half Marathon

The Team Loco Half Marathon is a race that got started one year that a few Team Loco members were planning to use St. Judes to qualify for Half Fanatics and Marathon Maniacs, but the race had to cancel due to a severe winter storm (severe for our area of the nation). Team Loco was just a bunch of runners who loved to have fun and started this unofficial group where we celebrated each other and never left anyone behind. The race is a loop-de-loop style that takes place on Tucker Creek Trail in Conway, Arkansas. This is a paved trail running through the city. It is a very laid back race where most everyone knows everyone and the aid stations are about every five miles, full of local runners/walkers. There is a generous eight-hour limit as Papa Loco was a walker and this race has always made sure it was walker friendly. Papa Loco was one of the team loco members that was planning to maniac at St. Judes. This year I ran this race to support my friend and in memory of his dad, Papa Loco. I was just running to run it for them. I decided a couple of miles in that I would just move my legs and enjoy the race. I had no idea what the outcome was going to be. 

By three miles in I knew I had started way fast and would not last at that pace. I was running an average of 9:25 miles and I do not do that. If I hit 10:00 miles I'm usually very excited. By the time I hit the 10k distance I realized I would have PR'd that distance by about 45 seconds. That was huge for me as I've never gotten close to the one hour mark for a 10k since I PR'd 59:59 in 2014 or 2015. At this point, I still felt really good and decided to just see how long I could keep up what I was doing. I also typically run an interval for long runs and had decided to just walk when I wanted instead of having set intervals for this race. 

This race was a blast as always. It is an out-and-back which you do either five or ten times depending on which race you are running. I hate out-and-backs and I hate loops. The joy of it though is I knew people at every aid station and they are some of the most fun people I've met. I met someone from Philly that I actually stayed with for several miles. The aid stations are always a party so you're getting to party every half mile. They were stocked with all the favorite goodies runners enjoy including shots of beer and shots of fireball. There were also all the normal potato chips, pickles, pretzels, etc. Oh and water and Gatorade of course. 

Once I finished the third loop and was still feeling great, still keeping this insane-for-me pace, I found a new strength to see what I was capable of. I decided in the middle of my fourth loop that it had gotten hot and if I was going to keep the pace I had to shed some clothes. The weather started cooling back off right at the end of the race. The great thing is you are never more than about 1.3 miles away from your things when you drop them. I came upon the aid station at one of the turnarounds on my last loop and told a friend there that I was set to PR and only had just over a mile left. I could walk in and still PR. She handed me a shot of fireball and told me to go get that PR...you could hear her cheering me on as I ran off. With these loops you are constantly with people and constantly see everyone. It was awesome because you got to watch the emotions people go through and lift them up when you could tell they were struggling. It is one of the most uplifting races ever. 

End results: A NEW PERSONAL BEST!!! My record was at RussVegas Half from April 2014 with a time of 2:13:30. I beat that by more than 5 minutes!!!! My official time is 2:08:17!!! Not only that, but I was 5th overall female and 14th overall! Me...middle of the packer!!! I have always, even at my peak, seemed to fall in the dead center...always that middle third. But I PR'd and I did so all with a pace that stayed under 9:47 for every mile! I'm beside myself still three days later! I got to talk a lot at this race about Vespa All-Natural Amino Acids to all the people who kept asking me what I've been doing to lean up and improve so much...and still be walking so well afterwards. Most of the people there used to run with me in 2014-2015 when I was peaked and running a lot. They were surprised by how much improvement and leaned out I was compared to them. It's not my current training as I've not been running like I should. I'm still a bit shocked seeing these results! So, it was great getting to share what has helped me and where I'm headed. 

This race will forever hold a spot in my heart. 

Woolly Hollow Inaugural Half Marathon

This morning was the Inaugural Woolly Hollow Half Marathon, which is also the first race of my 2020 season and crazy running goals I've set. It is all single-track. This race was one that I wasn't planning to sign-up for, but one of my close friends loves these trails and really wanted to do it. She is my trail running buddy and so we've been out there many times to run. I love inaugural races too so she didn't have to twist my arm much to get me to give in.

A little backstory...on December 22nd we went out to the trails there to get a long run in. As we were coming down one of the hills her knee just quit. She wasn't able to bend it at all, could barely walk, and was in quite a bit of pain. We made our way back to the car and cut our 10 mile run down to about 8.5 miles. For the most part, she rested and felt like it would be okay today and, like me, she's a bit stubborn and so not trying was out of the question.

We started the run and it wasn't long before she said she was kind of feeling her knee. By 2.4 miles into the run, her knee did the same thing it did on our long run a few weeks earlier. Unfortunately, it was time for her to drop. She told me she would be mad at me if I didn't finish what we started and I know her well enough to know she was serious. There is a lot of things she and I know about each other and some recent experiences that we've been through that she knew it was meant for me to keep going. I would've made her go on as well if it would have been me hurt instead.

So, after a few minutes stepped off the trail talking to her and letting her stretch, I got back on the trail and took off. I was behind a group of nine that were running, but very slowly. I walked a lot and was keeping up with them slow. At 3.75 miles the whole line of nine started running on the side to stay out of the mud and water that covered the trail. I took this as my opportunity to pass them. When I got to the eighth person, he slipped and fell in front of me. I am still not sure how I avoided stepping on him, or tripping over him. Maybe those hurdles from junior high paid off...I seriously have no idea how I didn't end up on the ground the way he fell. I checked to make sure he was okay, because I honestly felt bad since I was passing him, although he was already off the trail running on the slick leaves before I ever got to him.

Mile 4.0 was our first true creek crossing. It was just at calf-deep so nothing too bad. By mile 4.2, we crossed that creek at that depth four times. I didn't really mind much though because it was 64 degrees and felt great. The whole trail was pretty much water and mud so there wasn't much chance at keeping dry feet regardless. Every time your feet would start to feel warm again, you would come to more water whether it was a mud hole, drainage down the hills, or a creek. I've not mentioned this yet, but totally my happy place!!!

This race that started out all about getting my friend through it turned into my race. It became about running the last 10.8 miles for me and at my best. That meant I continued to push and pick people off when I needed to or could. It was around mile 5.8 that I kept coming up on a group of four guys and one gal. They walked most hills and were staying about 15-20 yards in front of me. The next incline I decided to see if I could push through and get up it, passing them. I did! At this point, I just passed my 12th-16th persons...and on a hill, which is a weak area for me really. I passed a few more and had a few times I found my pace and had no one coming up on me or in front of me to worry about. The trails weaved through so much that you could see people a mile in front of you at times and that far behind you. Although it would appear they were just yards in front of you. There were people always there...until the last half mile, which I will get to shortly.

Somewhere around mile 6 or so, I came upon an older lady that was running with some vengeance. She was running like she had something to prove. I eventually passed her; she was number 20. She stayed with me for the most part the rest of the run, especially by around mile 8 she was right with me. We had a similar stride and pace. We passed a few more, for a total of 24 runners passed by me. This lady was from Little Rock and ended up being awesome! At first I wasn't so sure about her, but when things were getting difficult, she was right there and ended up being one of the most friendly and enjoyable people. I usually don't chat while running, but we did. And she was a great running partner. I was setting our pace, and she was speaking encouraging words to keep us going.

The last few miles the temperatures drastically dropped and did so quickly. I went from warm and sweating, to putting my hat and jacket back on and still so cold. I know I ran the Iceland year of Sylamore, but I felt colder at this point than I ever did at that race. We got on the lake side of the trail and the winds were so strong, it was raining and felt like sleet even though I don't think it really could've been. At one point a chunk of a tree limb about two foot long and around 2.5 or 3 inches in diameter came across in front of me at chest height. The wind was tough through that section! Rain was sideways and muscles and hands were getting so cold.

We will just skip through those three or so miles of horrible cold. It really was just brutal. Temperatures dropped 19 degrees by the finish line, but I am not sure what wind chill and wind speed was, just actual temperatures. By this point I had the lady from earlier behind me and two men. We hit mile 12.5 and the four of us just stopped. There was no one around to tell us where to go and the green markers we were to follow went in all different directions. We knew where we came from and where we'd been already, but still had no idea where to go to finish this thing. We were cold, wet, and really wanting tacos and warm clothes. We saw the aid station from earlier a little ways up so we asked them. At first they pointed us the wrong direction, then we told them we had half a mile left and so they had us run through their aid tent and another aid tent to the trail leading to the finish line. We spent probably three minutes at least trying to figure that out.

So, my end time was around 2:46 including the stops from early on and late. There was probably around 3 or 4 minutes total not running between the two stops. It was a great race and knowing that even with the necessary stops, I still was only around 20 minutes slower than my last half road race. I'm ecstatic with that time. The experience was awesome. Trails are my happy place, especially single track. I love the focus it takes to make sure your feet land in the right places, I love the mud and water that we run through, I love how free and fun trail runners are, I love being surrounded by trees, I love that my mind is so lost in the enjoyment and focus that every stress in life fades away for the time I'm there.

Sylamore 25K 2015

Sylamore 25K took place on Feb. 21st this year.  Man, I just set down to write this and looked back at the date to see how long ago this race took place.  Not even two weeks ago.  I thought it had been at least three or four weeks.  Wow...okay, so here I am looking back on the race that sold out 450 runners in only 32 minutes.  I have seen the Sylamore sweatshirts for a while now and was always looking at those runners while being a bit impressed as I knew it was a race held in high regard by many.

So my friend planning to run it with me ended up backing out.  So, I was in it on my own and with the weather conditions that week I was doubting if I should run it.  But I did it anyway.  Just me, God, good vibes from my buddy Sophia and her mom, and the other runners.  Not near as many as signed up because this weather we had been having provided with some treacherous conditions.  I was thankful my friend didn't run it because I got to use his Yaktrax, which came in handy.  Not sure how I could've made it otherwise.  And I know he wouldn't have enjoyed it.

So, I stayed about 45 minutes to an hour from the race start.  That morning when we got up to head out the driveway was covered in ice.  Luckily, my all wheel drive took that no problem.  A little ice on the road in places, and it rained on us some of the drive and had a couple of heavy fog areas.  On the way, a wreck took place around a curve from where we got stopped.  I was really starting to think I wouldn't make it to the start line in time and we left in more than enough time.  We got there.  Just in time.

When the horn blew to start I was still putting on my gloves and rain jacket.  As I started running I realized I had left my neck gaiter so the first bit was cold!  I do not like having to breath in the cold air, especially not that cold.  The road was fine at first.  By our first turn (in the middle of a hill), the road went downhill and was solid sheet of ice.  This is when I realized how great the Yaktrax were.  I was running downhill, while several around me were cautiously walking, or slipping and sliding.  This road led us to our first creek crossing.

The creek wasn't bad at all.  It was cold, but nothing horrible.  There was a guy in front of me that asked the younger guy with him to stop and pray.  The younger guy said he was good and went on.  I felt bad about that.  I prayed a lot throughout the entire race.  I was really getting tired by mile three.  Now this is a big deal because I use Vespa All-Natural Amino Acids for my distance runs.  And usually I take in no extra calories using Vespa.  Even for a marathon I only eat a cutie aside from my Vespa.  My friend was planning on being at the aid station around 5.5 so I didn't have to carry things other than my water bottle.  Mile three I had already decided to eat the "just in case" items I had left with my friend, and grab my extra pack of Vespa so I could take it at the half way point.  And going to send him back for more.  I got there and the conditions were so bad they didn't let anyone down to the aid station.  For that matter they almost didn't let the aid station down there.  That would have been a disaster.

So, as I hear this I take in what I can (I'm gluten free for health reasons, and am stimulant sensitive so caffeine is a no-no too, so I'm limited when I don't have my energy sources.).  I had some potato chips, M&Ms, oranges, peanuts, drank Gatorade, and two sips of Mountain Lightening (cheap brand of Mt. Dew).  And then I headed to the turnaround point.  What I didn't know was that I had a step uphill next.  Like really steep uphill for the next mile or more.  I got real cold at this point.  So, I stopped and put on a poncho to help hold the heat in, plus it was starting to rain some.  That uphill was the coldest spot of the race.  I thought it was because I had stopped for so long at the aid station, but not so much.  It was real cold there on the way back too.  So, I make it up this icy, steep hill...finally.  Not really as much of a down on the other side, at least it didn't feel like it.  The course was either water (at times it was like the creek was running down the trail toward you), muddy (deep enough it was trying to pull my shoe off), solid sheets of ice, slush (at times above my ankles), rocks, or some many combination of it all. Almost always having ice and/or slush.

I was never so happy to see the turnaround point, but at the same time, knew that meant I had to go back through all that.  At the half way point, I was real tired now.  Wishing I had my Vespa.  Just over 8 miles and already shoved foods down my throat that I never have to eat.  At this point, I was done physically.  Mentally though I was still in.  I knew that God would get me through it, and focused on Sophia's strength.  I remember her mom posting video of her trying to walk on a treadmill.  It was such a struggle the first year I met her, and this year she was actually picking up her own feet and taking steps.  For the second half, that is what I kept in the forefront of my mind.  One foot in front of the other.  One step at a time.

I love downhills on a run.  I can just let gravity take me and I don't have to work at running at all.  I remember getting to one point where I finally had climbed a hill that seemed to go forever, all the deep slush along the way, and I stopped.  I looked down the hill and thought "Man, I have to run down that hill."  That downhill made me want to cry.  It didn't make me happy like usual.  I was exhausted!  Even running downhill had gotten tough for me.  There were so many times, but I knew God would give me the strength to persevere.  It was awesome because when I would struggle my most, I would look down and see the symbol of the Christian fish.  Yep...someone had a different version of the Yaktrax than me, as they were leaving that symbol every step.  What a needed thing at the time.  I was so uplifted seeing that.  It gave me renewed energy each time.  God is so good and always knows how to put those things in front of us that we need.  We just don't always have eyes to see them, or a heart to see them.

I ran down most of the hills, but there were times when I didn't have the energy to do that.  By the time I made it back to the aid station I knew I had to eat and I had to get some energy to try and push me through.  I also knew I needed electrolytes.  So, I downed more Gatorade, got some more M&Ms, peanuts, chips, oranges, boiled potatoes which I rolled in course salt, and drank some warm broth.  Oh and drank a whole cup of the Mountain Lightening.  I knew that meant my heart rate would be higher, but I also knew I had about 5.5 miles to go and needed whatever I could to get through it.

This time when I came to the creek crossing (the main one, as there were times I felt that all I did was stay in a creek, and there are multiple smaller creek crossings), this time I sat down in the creek.  Yes, in the freezing cold weather, I sat down.  I had wanted to sit down on the ice many times while running, but was nervous of sliding down the hill/mountain so I didn't.  This time though I did.  My legs were so tired I didn't know what else to do.  So, I sat down.  It was the absolute best thing I could've done with what resources I had at the time.  My legs were taxed, but after that cold bath my legs were renewed and off I went.  That nice icy downhill I had at the beginning, was now a long, icy uphill.  Thank you Yaktrax.

I was never so excited to see a finish line as I was that one.  Hearing my name come from other runners really helped push me that last stretch.  Seeing my friend there at the end was great!  I know he wasn't able to be there for the support as we thought, but knowing he would be at the finish really kept me going.  It's great to have friends there "with you" even when they can't be there "with you" in the way planned.  His wife gave me great amounts of encouragement that morning.  I heard her remind me several times that I was going to do great.  I crossed that finish line.  Got my glass that had really been my goal for running that race.  I wanted that glass!  It's mine now.

I remember so many times during that run thinking about how disappointed I was in myself.  I was having to take way longer than I thought I would.  I was in so much pain.  I was miserable at times.  Pretty much miserable all the time, except when God gave me those little bursts.  I remember the first time at the aid station making the comment to one of the volunteers that I had highly underestimated the amount of energy this was going to take.  He said under the conditions of the day, it most definitely took a lot more out of a person.  I still was so disappointed in myself for my performance.  After I crossed the finish line, I was so glad I had done it.  I was ready to sign up for next year.  I told my friend "That was the most miserable fun I've ever had".  That's something I said so many times on the course that day.  It was the most treacherous thing I had ever done, and was so miserable.  But I was so happy to be out there.  It was nice visiting with other runners after the race.  Some of the comments made me realize that I shouldn't be so disappointed with my performance. I should be proud of what I accomplished.  That course they said was the worse conditions they had ever seen it in, especially for a race day.  So, what was my ugly blue sweatshirt (I'm not the biggest fan of royal blue clothing), has now become a sweatshirt of honor and perseverance.  It is one that when I see it on others, I will know they went through the toughest Sylamore race to date.  They earned that shirt (assuming they ran it).  I would not be able to wear that sweatshirt had I decided not to run.  I had debated not running it.  I would've been real tempted to quit at 5.5 miles.  But thankfully that wasn't an option really.

Trails really are my element.  I would prefer trails over road any day.  There is nothing better I can do, but be out in what God created for me to enjoy.  I am thankful that He gave me the thoughts He did and a symbol that means so much to me, always when I needed it the most.  I pray I will always have the eyes to see what He puts in front of me.  Sometimes it is a small, purple flower, sometimes it is a foot mark from another runner that leaves a symbol of faith.  Sometimes it is a nice, cool wind.  And toward the end of this race...it was that nice, ice cold creek so I can renew my legs.  If we will just open our eyes, and our hearts, we will see that the "signs" we are looking for from God...He has already placed them in front of us, before we even ask.  That is one thing that really was affirmed for me.  God was in front of me that whole race.  He was already placing what I needed in my path.  That's life.  He is already in tomorrow.  We don't have to worry with it, because He is already there.  We just have to quit looking for what we think He should be doing, and look at what He is doing.

Marathon Reviews

It's been a while since I wrote here.  Time, once again, has just been going and going of course.  But I think it is important to stop and review my races and life.

3 Bridges Marathon was my first marathon. As in previous post, I have stated I was running that one for my grandmother whom I miss greatly. She sacrificed to raise me and my brother.  I ran on what would be her 90th birthday.  This was such a sweet race.  The race director having passed away just a bit earlier really brought a new layer to the race day that I was not at all expecting.  God did mighty things that day for me.  He gave me a great running friend to help me through the tough spots.  And not just any friend, but one who laid his hands on me and prayed.  Twice.  What a blessing to feel God's presence like that.  The race went great.  I finished just over 4:58 which is more than I thought was ever possible for me.  My great aunt and cousin was setting at the finish line waiting for me and that was such a wonderful part of my day.  I got tired and "over it" between mile 22.5 and 23.5. Then was ready to finish.  Got to find the energy to jump at mile 26 which was a first for me.  I never can jump at a race. 

My second marathon was Mississippi Blues two weeks later.  This one I was more nervous on.  I was running it alone.  But I met a guy at the start line that had a purpose to his running.  He ran for his daughter and all the victims of substance abuse.  Not the way you would think though.  It wasn't that they overdosed or did anything "wrong".  They were at the wrong place at the wrong time.  His daughter was shot and killed by a guy who was under the influence.  We don't always think about the other person.  We teach our own kids to be responsible with their choices, but we don't think about what can happen due to other people's choices when they are under the influence.  This guy who chose to run with me that day was such a positive light.  He shined God's grace and love.  I only ran about 3 miles of that race without him by my side.  But I know God was there the whole 26.2+ miles.  This guy's name was John.  John happens to also be my favorite book in the bible.  It is that book that I found salvation through.  John 15:3 reads "Now ye are clean through the words which I have spoken unto you."  That verse will never leave my heart and mind.  The fun thing at this race is that I never hit the wall.  I never had that mile that I was over it and wanted to quit.  John was very positive and kept me going without really doing anything specific.  I can't be thankful enough for him that day.  That day I decided that I can run marathons, that maybe I am a distance runner after all.

God is so good.  I am so thankful for the cross and what he did.  This morning as I listened to Charles Stanley on tv, I really got a remembrance from that sermon.  I am reminded that there is nothing we can do here to receive salvation. There is nothing in our works of this life that can bring up peace and eternal life.  There is nothing we can do or buy to fill the emptiness and the void that we will feel.  No matter how many relationships here on earth you go through searching for love, will you be able to find what your soul searches for.  No amount of money and no amount of stuff.  If it was about something that I can do to have eternal life, then there would've been no need for Jesus to suffer and die on that cross for me. 

Mentality, 8 sleeps out

Well, 3 Bridges Marathon is only 8 sleeps away.  I still feel nothing really.  Starting to get a little excited about it.  My mentality right now is this is my race.  It is my first marathon.  I run it for sweet Sophia and for my loving, grandmother that I miss greatly.  I have to have fun.  And I have to focus on doing what I can do.  Listening to my body.  Running my pace.  Enjoying the journey.  This race though is to remind me and others that we must not take time for granted.  We need to love on others  We need to find the joy in life.  The joy though can only come from one place. 

Joy is defined by the Webster Dictionary as "a feeling of great happiness
: a source or cause of great happiness : something or someone that gives joy to someone".  I have found over my short time here that true joy can only come from the Lord.  This Christmas, I pray that my loved ones will all find true joy.  That they will grow closer to the Lord or find Him for the first time if they don't know Him yet.  Having a relationship with the Savior is the greatest gift one could get.  And it is a free gift.  You just have to accept it.  It doesn't mean that life will always be fun and easy.  But it does mean that you will always have someone walking beside you and giving you joy in all things.  The valleys and the mountain tops.  You will never have to walk through a trial or a triumph alone.  What joy!