Legends Half Marathon- An Unexpected Race

A couple weeks ago I got to run in the Central Florida Legends Half Marathon. It was not a race I knew I would be running until less than 48 hours before. A new friend of mine had signed up and then realized she wasn't able to run, so she asked if I would like her bib transfer. All I had to do was show up at packet pick up with her. What a whirlwind it all turned out to be.

I am currently training for a half marathon in January and had only been actually training for two weeks. It had not been that long since I had done the Soaring Wings Half Marathon but definitely long enough that I was worried about the jump in distance. Up to this point my training only had me at 8 miles. I knew I could do the 13 miles, but I was pretty sure it would not be pretty. I set some goals and went into it with very little expectation and assumed that I would be walking quite a bit in the last half. 

Good Goal- Finish with a 10:30-10:45 pace

Great Goal- Finish in under 2:15

Amazing Goal- Stick with the 2:05 pacer

I was very surprised at how well organized everything was on race morning. Because it was the first year for this race I kind of figured there would be quite a few hiccups. From the moment we entered the site of the race, Gemini Springs Park, everything was very easy. We followed the single lane road from the entrance of the park around to where parking was (near the park exit) and then it was a short walk back to the start/finish line in a small field where there were also a few vendors set up. I met up with some ladies from my MRTT group for a picture and then we went our own ways to seed our selves at the start line. The start was a little late but nothing major. Really, the only thing that I hope would be fixed for next year would be the placement of the pacers. All of the pacers were close together. There was no definitive areas for each pace or even a way for more than a few people to fit in between where they would want to be. When the race began this made it a bit difficult to figure out where to be in the congestion of all the runners.

The first half to one mile of any race I've done is usually congested so I expected that. The course at the beginning was also on packed dirt, which I was not expecting. It had rained the night before so it was a little bit muddy, but no big deal. We got onto the paved trail and things opened up a little bit. Enough that because I felt like I could be moving a little faster I was able to slowly pass a couple groups and found myself settling in pretty comfortably slightly behind the 2:05 group. I figured a time would come when I'd not be able to hold this place, but if that came I'd move to the side and slow or walk as needed, but at this point I felt pretty good. For the first few miles that continued. I knew from the start the humidity would be an issue. Especially when I was already dripping sweat in the first mile and the sweat was changing songs through my earbuds! 

Almost all of this race was on the trail with the exception of a mile or two in a neighborhood near a lake. It was a beautiful course!

Beginning around 4 1/2 or 5 miles I was on an out and back section of the course. It was really neat because of where I was in the pack of runners, on my way out I was able to watch the lead runner pass by me on his way back. For the next five or so miles of out and back I was almost constantly passing someone going in the opposite direction for the race. I truly believe it was this section that kept me going. The way runners were encouraging each other on both sides was amazing. I was tired and starting to ache a little bit. I knew I could make it at least a couple more miles before I walked. I had walked a few steps through a couple water stops to refill my water bottle, but nothing more and at the 10 mile stop I decided to top off my bottle one more time but could not find the trashcan (and when I did I accidentally threw away my energy gel in addition to the cup :(  ) and that is where I fell a good bit behind the 2:05 pacer. I could see her far off in the distance but I knew I could not possibly catch back up. I was not at all disappointed. I had already made it further and at a much faster pace than I had expected. For the next 3 miles my only goal was to see the finish line. I kept waiting for the point to come where I would need to walk but it never came. I did slow down and I could hear my mileage updates through the race tracking app that I had for my friends and family to track me. 

As a side note, this tracking app was so neat! The distance was a little bit off, but the important part was that friends and family could fairly closely track my progress and see my time and splits but the best part was that they were able to send “cheers“ along the way. There were so many options. At every mile I would get a "woohoo" or even two. And off and on throughout the race I would get other fun cheers or song clips and even a couple personalized messages that the app would read to me. That was another thing that really kept me going throughout the race!! I wish every race would use an app like this!

In the last 3 miles I leapfrogged with two other runners that were doing intervals. I held steady and they would pass me running a faster pace but then they would do their walking interval and I would pass them. This continued until pretty much the very end. At one point I felt like we could all use a little encouragement since we weren’t on the out and back section anymore. So hopefully loud enough that they could hear me through their music I told them "we’ve got this!" and gave them a little wave. With about half a mile to go we turned off of the trail onto a sidewalk that goes through the park, and at this point I was beyond ready to be done. Everything hurt so bad. At just about 13 miles I saw my mother and father-in-law on the side. They were in town for an early Thanksgiving visit and it made me so happy that they wanted to come to the race. They have followed mine and Scott's races but have never been to one before. It was very special for them to be there.

The last turn took me off of the sidewalk and back onto dirt and grass to the finish line. I had a small finish line kick but it was kind of difficult because of the unevenness of the ground. I finished as strong as I felt possible and heard Scott calling my name. I got my water and my medal and then all but collapsed on the fence in front of Scott. Not really. :)  It was not that bad but I wanted to let my jello legs melt down to the ground for sure. 

I didn't find out until later but the race pictures were free! They were provided by the Live Your Life Well Series. I only found two of my pictures and they were terrible. Even my best friend says so. lol I don't care because I know I was working hard, but I'm a tiny bummed that they were free and I don't want to print them. It's all about the pictures right? :oP

After the finish line I found the post race goodies (breakfast burritos, rice and beans, and... COOKIES!) and found a nice place to stretch.

This is one race I would like to do each year for sure. A beautiful course, a smaller running field than I'm used to, awesome post race food, and free pictures? I’m pretty much sold! haha

And now, back to my regularly scheduled training... Next up the Shark Bite Half Marathon! 

My Final Year to Soar

For the tenth year in a row I ran the Soaring Wings Half Marathon. This was my first ever half marathon 9 years ago. I feel like my running journey has grown up with this race. So for this year to be the last... It's a bit devastating. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but there were so many emotions wrapped up in my race this year and that's how I feel.

When registration opened back in April I didn't know we would be moving half way across the country. All I knew was that I'd done Soaring Wings every year since my first time and I didn't want to break that streak. Then I found out that it was the last year and there was no doubt. When my family moved in July I wasn't sure I'd make it back. Obviously it happened and I'm so glad. However with the move came a major drop in running. When it came down to the actual time to train I decided to almost start from scratch and built a beginners plan. I was fine with whatever the outcome of the race would be, as long as I got to run it. We knew Scott wouldn't be able to take time off work to go back to Arkansas for the race so we talked to my dad about taking his place. Dad's training kicked off with a bang and soon I had a new worry- to keep up with him.

You see, for 9 years my parents have been to almost every Soaring Wings race. And the one or two they couldn't make it to, I received texts of encouragement and love through every mile. So for me, they were definitely still present. With Soaring Wings and every other race I have done, they have ALWAYS been the best support team. For me to be able to run this race with my dad was a very special thing. I so badly wanted to stay together but my training was nothing close to how well my dad was doing. Not to mention I don't have the hills in Florida that are pretty necessary for training when it comes to the course for Soaring Wings. I was nervous, to put it mildly.

After many talks Dad convinced me that he didn't care about our finish time and whether or not we walked a little or a lot. Our goal was to run this race together. That is what was important. Having talked to him I felt better as I drove into town, and I came up with my goals.

#1, My Good Goal (which is actually my best goal in this case)- Run the 13.1 miles with my dad and cross the finish line together.
#2, My Great Goal- Get my dad a PR. I didn't talk to him about this for a while. I was fairly sure he didn't know what time he needed and I figured with his training, I knew he could do it, but because of my training I wasn't so sure.
#3, My Amazing Goal- Finish with a pace around 9:30 which was close to what Dad had been averaging with his long runs, which were anywhere from 9:17-9:45 for his last few.

PRE-RACE~
Friday before the race my dad and I were talking details and after crunching numbers and going back and forth Dad said he wanted to go for 9:30. I had not told him my personal goals before this time. When I did, he seemed surprised to hear that *all* he needed for a PR was anything under a 10 minute pace! It seemed so easy. Yet, I was still a tiny bit concerned. It was all about the hills for me. I bring it up a lot, because I was THAT worried.

Friday afternoon my friend, Andrea, and I drove to Conway. We made a bit of a girl's weekend out of our time with the race so we went over earlier than totally necessary. This was Andrea's second half marathon, but first with Soaring Wings. She wasn't new to challenging courses though, as her first half was the Little Rock Half Marathon. (Check it out! The whole weekend is fantastic.) After going to the expo, taking a few pics, and checking out the Soaring Wings merchandise, Andrea and I drove the course so she could see what she was getting into.

Even though I've run this course 9 times before, driving it felt very different. VERY different. I remember thinking, on some of the more challenging parts of the course, that I don't know why they have been so hard in the past, or why I've been so anxious about them this year. I think I definitely learned a lesson in that. Obviously driving a hill is different from running one, but there's a huge mental game that goes along with all that. I think from now on if I drive a course I'll just plan for it to be 5 times harder. Maybe then it will all be ok! :-D

We drove to our hotel to get checked in and by the time we finished with that, my parents said they were close to Conway, so we went back to the expo to meet my parents. More pictures and another drive around the course with Dad and we decided we were definitely ready for dinner at MarketPlace Grill. We tried to turn in early but pre race jitters had us turning circles as Andrea and I gathered whatever we needed for Saturday morning.

RACE DAY!
I woke up Saturday morning before my alarm. No surprise there. I'm glad for it though because it allowed me to get ready a bit more slowly rather than feeling rushed. I dressed for the chilly but perfect race weather, wearing shorts with a tank top, long sleeves I knew I'd tie around my waist, and an extra layer which I knew I'd be tossing pretty early on, but since the coolest weather I'd run in was 70- with humidity- a couple times... and it was 46 race morning, I was too worried about being cold. I also had some knitted gloves.
Andrea and I left our hotel shortly after 6:00 to drive down the road to my dad's hotel, then made our way to my personal favorite parking area. There was a bank near the McGee Center that didn't seem to be open on Saturdays. If participants got there early enough we had some of the closest parking spots that weren't right on site, which were reserved for VIP runners. We walked the short distance to the building where we checked our bag for after the race and then the three of us walked to the start line. Last year I made a mistake in timing and most of us missed the National Anthem and prayer, part of the race that I find very important. So this year we were at the start line long before 7. And yet, we still didn't hear any of that. I don't know why, but I'm definitely disappointed.

Soaring Wings is a self seeded race, so we are able to place ourselves in the corrals where we feel we should begin. Dad and I placed ourselves just barely in front of the 2:05 pacer, as we hoped for a 9:30 pace. Andrea stayed with us until a few minutes before the race began and after traditional start line selfies she then moved to hang out with the 2:15 pacer. That was a little ahead of her goal, but it was a place to start that would keep her moving. Other than a couple texts later in the race, I didn't hear from Andrea again until I watched her cross the finish line.

Start Line Selfies :-D

The race started and I felt good as I try to settle in. It did not take long for me to take off my top layer. I tossed it by the time I hit 1 mile. Soon after that I knew I was going to need to shed my second long sleeve shirt. This one I wanted to keep though so I had to move my bib from my shirt to my tank top and I did not want to stop or walk to do that. It doesn’t seem like much but it definitely took some extra energy. Around 2 miles I finally felt settled and as comfortable as could be. I knew I had the first hill coming up but I also knew it was minor compared to the rest of the big ones. I really tried to just stay in the moment. Not even 1 mile at a time, but one street at a time. Or one block at a time at some points.

Neighborhoods decorated for Halloween were a fun distraction!

Almost 3 miles in
*Photo property of Run, Bike, Swim*

It was weird running the course and knowing that no one would be at the regular corners banging pots and pans for us, but at the same time definitely fun to be running with dad and pointing out where they would be. At each flag marker Dad would whoop and holler as we ticked each mile off. The first of four major hills came in the 4th mile. We pulled back our pace a little bit knowing that at the top we would be rewarded with an awesome downhill. Around 5 miles I felt like my feet were slipping in my shoes. I did not want to stop but I really felt like if I did I would be able to run stronger. Knowing there was a bit of a hill as we reached 6 miles I told dad I would stop at the top of the hill to adjust my shoes. It was less than a minute that we were stopped but obviously made a difference in our pace and time. Up to this point we had been maintaining a pace in the 9:20s. I can’t say I was feeling good, but I was feeling good enough to keep trying for that as long as possible.

A gradual decline after reaching the halfway point gave us a nice view!

I don’t know if it was the stop for my shoes or the pace and distance catching up with me, but I definitely had a harder time keeping our pace for the last half of the race. Even though dad had told me many times that we could slow down or a walk if needed (an agreement we had before even starting, that we were both supportive of the other one walking if needed) I still wanted to walk as little as possible and felt a little bit bad. He would have hated if I said that while we were running though. So after waiting as long as possible and reaching the top of a long incline heading into mile nine, I asked if we could walk between a set of cones.

One of many... Somewhere between 9 and 10 miles

For the next 4 miles I gave what I could. I did not have much energy for talking but I would listen if dad had something to say and acknowledge in short sentences. I walked through two water stops to refill my water bottle and those refreshed me enough to make it the mile and a half or so to the next. I walked through the last aid station, not for a water but to give myself a small recovery knowing that the big mile 12 hill was coming up. Before that though, as we complete mile 11, we get the most amazing and quite long gradual downhill. The down hills feel so great not only because the uphills are so hard but it also gives my legs a chance to use different muscles. After we made the turn off of the downhill the road is somewhat flat, compared to the rest of the course anyway, for about half a mile. And then the gradual incline that leads to the mile 12 hill begins. I braced myself mentally with each step closer. In the nine years that I have done this race I have not once ran the entire hill at mile 12. Even the years that I PR'd, I always walked this hill. To say it is a doozy is an understatement. I’m pretty sure I mention it every year that I have blogged about this race. Dad and I worked our way up the hill. I don’t know if I slowed down or held steady but I focused on what was right in front of me rather than looking towards the top. Except I knew there would be a photographer about 3/4 of the way up and while I was pretty sure any smile I attempted would be through quite a bit of pain, if I was able to get to the top without walking I wanted to have a picture of it happening. So I showed Dad where the photographer was and mustered up the best smile I could. 

THE Mile 12 Hill
*Photo property of Run, Bike, Swim*

After that I watched for the top. I felt like I was barely moving. But the top came. I was there! I ran the whole thing!! And then I was overcome with happiness and pride over finally kicking butt on this hill that has kicked mine for so many years. I did not WANT to walk at this point but I also could not breathe through my tears. We had less than a mile to go and if we walked much more we would be cutting it very close to not making pace for dad‘s PR. After I got it together we were at the top of a shorter hill that lead into the great downhill again. I pumped myself up and took off down the hill. Probably too fast considering my legs had felt like Jell-O for at least the last couple miles. I had to pull back a little bit once the road leveled out. For the last 3/4 of a mile I was flooded with memories of this same stretch of road. The first time I ever ran it. The time that Scott and I had met up with Angela and she very seriously asked a fire man on a bicycle for a ride. The time Scott and I had been leapfrogging with a lady who seemed to be struggling and we decided she needed to not finish alone. Three different times and points along the road last year when I ran it with my sister-in-law, and then went back and met my two brothers and watched them make their way to the finish line, and then met up with Scott and my other sister-in-law and watched her see through tears how close she was to finishing her first half marathon. These are the things that got me through the last six minutes of a race that had been especially hard for me this year. One foot at a time, passing one street at a time, picturing the finish line. And then we were there. There was a large group of spectators and volunteers on the corner cheering everyone on. We made the turn, and as we ran to the finish line other finishers were coming towards us cheering us on. Cheering the other finishers on. People called our names as we ran by them. Just like that we were done. Smiling as we crossed that line and in an instant crumbling in tears. For dad, I know it was mostly about having just run the race with me. He will be very humble about how he felt for this race. He had so much more in him that he could have given. He never mentions the fact that he could have kept on running, or the fact that he set a four minute PR! For me, all I wanted was to stay with my dad no matter how painful and hard it would be. I was afraid. I really thought that I was going to have to walk more than I did. My tears at the finish line were for sticking through all that and staying with my dad. Tears for being so proud of him for training so hard that he was able to set a PR and hardly look like he ran at all. And finally, tears because this was the final year to soar. 

Finish Time~ 2:07:40/9:45 pace

Overall Place- 331/1075

Female Age Group~ 32/120

We received our medals (and a frisbee this year too!) and saw my mom standing outside the finishers area taking pictures. 

We got some food and mom offered to hold it for us while we stayed inside the finisher's area waiting for Andrea. She had sent me a couple texts while dad and I were still running and based on those I knew she would be finishing soon after we did. I watched for her through crowds of other people that were waiting for their friends and loved ones. As soon as she was in sight Dad and I started shouting for her. Andrea looked so strong in her finish!! In talking with her later, she says that she realized she possibly did have more in her then she gave throughout the race. She was running in at a low eight minute pace to the finish line! Even with having more in her, Andrea also PR'd! 

I’m so incredibly proud of her and can’t wait to see where her own running journey will take her in the coming years. After more pictures we found a table in the sun and enjoyed the most beautiful weather we have had at Soaring Wings in many many years while trying to stretch out our aching muscles. 

Forever and always the Best Support Team 

*Photo property of Run, Bike, Swim*

*Photo property of Run, Bike, Swim*

After a while my parents left and Andrea’s family went to play at the family fun zone. Andrea was going to come to lunch with me and my parents so when she went to say goodbye to her family I stayed at the table and watched the finish line. Cue more tears. I know that I was exhausted and still riding a runners high from my own race, but I couldn’t help feeling emotional while watching these people finish their own race and also thinking again about how this was the last one. 

One last picture at the finish line

In talking with Andrea as we walked back to the car, we came to the decision that it’s possible saying goodbye to Soaring Wings was the release that I needed and did not have when I was saying goodbye to the life I had in Arkansas. There was so much going on in the couple months leading up to our move that I did not really have time to think about and process a proper goodbye to anyone or anything there. So in a lot of ways completing this race was the closure that I needed to really move along. The races I did, the jobs that I had, the friends and my family, are all parts of my life in Arkansas that I will always miss SO much. I think every part of the process I had leading up to and during Soaring Wings was much needed for so many reasons. I am extremely thankful that I was able to come back and run this race!

Thank you for the most amazing journey. I fell in love with long distance running because of this race. I don't think I'd be the runner I am now without Soaring Wings.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

they walk and don’t lag behind.

Isaiah 40:31, The Message

Pink on Parade 5k

My first race as a Florida resident was so much fun! I don't think I was even fully unpacked when my friend, Jenny, asked if I wanted to join her team for the Pink on Parade 5k. I knew I wanted to find a race that supported breast cancer awareness since I wouldn't be able to do Race for the Cure anymore and this was a great one to participate in.

On race morning Jenny and I met in Celebration where the race was being held. Once meeting up, we walked a short distance to meet the rest of her team. There was a lot of excitement in the air and it helped loosen me up. I wasn't worried about anything with this race as far as time and certainly not distance, but because it was a new thing, I was a little anxious. Jenny's teammates were all so kinda and welcoming. We got a group picture before everyone was called to the start line.

This was a very low key race and I loved every minute of it!

I had no time goal. I just wanted to run a casual race with Jenny. The course goes through the town of Celebration. Jenny used to live there and I have run a few times when I have visited. It's an adorable town that, at times, makes me feel like I'm on a movie set! I was so glad to run there again. Jenny wasn't sure how well she would be able to run because she has taken some time off so she said that she would like to make it at least a mile and then possibly do some form of intervals after that.

Shortly after we reached 1 mile I asked how she was doing and she said she was good to continue running. I checked a couple other times and she still insisted that she was good. At one point said she may not be able to talk but she was not ready to walk. The closer we got the more I knew Jenny would not walk even if she was really struggling. I tried to keep the conversation going to distract her from anything she may be feeling and the next thing I knew we were at the 3 mile mark. Jenny picked up the pace a bit at that point and we had a strong finish.

Finish Time~ 32:12

All Female Place~ 69/1011

We received our beautiful medals and made our way out of the finisher's chute. We hung around for a little bit after finishing, took some pictures and talked with some of her team members for a little while. 

Since we both had driven close to an hour to get to Celebration and love it there so much, we decided to stay and have some breakfast before heading home. Breakfast led to a long walk on the trails before finally admitting that we should both get home to our families. :) Everyone should spend a little extra time around Celebration post race. It's a pretty great place! 

This was a well organized and fun race. I am definitely looking forward to running it again next year!

Margarita Madness 5k

Have you ever run a race, and later found out a good bit of it wasn't actually legal? :-O

Three months ago Scott and I joined our friend Jessie to run the Margarita Madness 5k in Memphis. Between an insanely busy work schedule, packing up my house, and moving from Arkansas to Florida, my recap is a very long time coming. Maybe there was another reason for the delay though... Finding out information that I would not have had if I had posted it in a normal amount of time. 

Before I go on with our personal experience, I think it would be responsible to mention that apparently the organizer of this race is not the most honest. Early September I found out that there have been MM5k's in other towns that have been canceled for one reason or another and the participants were told they could get a refund but never did. On top of that, he didn't get permits to sell the liquor. I am not trying to spread rumors, so I found two links from reputable sites.

Better Business Bureau rating, reviews, and complaints

News article about  the arrest of the organizers due to no alcohol permits

The reason I share this is because, while WE had a good experience, it seems that ours is rare. It goes to show that it's worth it to do a little research into the races we want to do. Not just in a blog recap like this, but through sites like the BBB. 

Okay, business stuff out of the way, let's get on to the fun stuff. :) 

Back in December Jessie texted me about this race. They were having a super early bird special and registration was only $10! We figured, for 10 bucks, if our schedules didn't work out we weren't out too much money and if they did work out then great!

The race was a Saturday evening in June and we decided to make the little over 2 hour drive to Jessie's house after lunch. Having no idea what to expect in terms of where exactly the race was in a very large park, how long it would take for us to get from Jessie's to the park, and how exactly parking was going to work, we ended up arriving fairly early. Even for me, who regularly annoys my running companions about getting to races early.

Even arriving early there were still so many people there already. We checked in and got our bibs and shirts. Everything was well marked and easy to find. The volunteers we helpful and kind. While we waited we scoped out the food trucks that were around, thinking about what we may want to have after the race and also people watched. There was a DJ and people dancing. Eventually there was an announcement made for participants to make their way to the start. There was a little confusion here as there was not a designated area roped off and the start was in the field surrounded by chairs, tents, and food trucks. The race began in waves- runners, runners who also walk, and walkers. We placed ourselves somewhere in the middle of runners who walk.

The course was very pretty, with a mix of terrain. We began on grass, made our way to a path that goes around the park, and over the course of the next 3.1 miles went back and forth between the two. It was also full of rolling little hills. Jessie was suffering from allergies and was quite stuffed up which made it hard for her to breathe, so we walked a good amount. Scott and I really loved the scenery and the time we had with Jessie, so even when she apologized for walking a few times we assured her that we really were having a great time.

There had been a chance of rain all day and all along the course I was watching dark clouds roll by. As we passed the 3 mile marker a few large drops fell. We barely crossed the finish line when all of a sudden rain came pouring down. Big fat rain drops. Racers were handed medals and a margarita as they finished. You could see the rain splashing people's drinks out of their cups they were so big. We took cover under a tent, hoping the storm would pass. There was little to no room for moving, and because we were barely under the tent we still got soaked. I love the rain so other than being a little cold and a lot hungry, I didn't mind.

The rain wasn't letting up so we decided to head back to the car and get dinner somewhere else. I was a little disappointed that we weren't hanging around to experience any post race happenings, but also ok with it because we still had a two hour drive back home.

I really enjoyed this race. Until I heard the unfortunate news going around, I was thinking I'd look for another Margarita Madness after I moved. I won't be doing that, but I will definitely keep an eye out for lesser known races that have super cheap early bird specials. And before I sign up I will most definitely do some extra research to make sure everything is legal and well reviewed! ;)