Myself, Naomi, & Brandy before the start – freezing!
Last Saturday was the Soaring Wings Half Marathon in Conway, Arkansas. This was my 4th HM and the 4th time to run this race. As you read in my last post, I had no idea what to expect. Race day was cold but beautiful. The temp started at around 37 degrees and warmed to only around the mid-40s by the time we finished – with some wind thrown in for fun. I froze to death – next time I’ll keep on my long sleeve throw away shirt. Unfortunately, I had taken it off before the race because this race does not have a group that picks up the “throw-aways” and donates them to charities like other big races do. 
And I wasn’t about to tie it around my waste for 13 miles.
I don’t have a whole lot to say about the race except that I was on track for a PR until the last half of the race. Around mile 7, I started to feel tired and things started to hurt. This frustrated me, because nothing would hurt during my training runs, but I hadn’t trained on that many hills and this half is full of them. After that, I tried to will myself to run, but I ended up walking a ton of it. I’d see my dad, husband, or friends and then I’d run for a little ways and then give up. That basically sums up this race – I was tired and I was giving up.
Without further ado, here are my splits:
Mile 1: 10:45
Mile 2: 11:51
Mile 3: 12:18
Mile 4: 12:59 – first big hill & took gu, gave husband my gloves (big mistake)
Mile 5: 12:12 – saw my dad
Mile 6: 13:10
Mile 7: 13:21
Mile 8: 13:34 – another hill
Mile 9: 12:39 – saw my dad & took my last gu
Mile 10: 13:47
Mile 11: 13:43
Mile 12: 14:10 – last big hill
Mile 13: 13:55
.2 : 11:16 pace
Finishing Time: 2:50
My PR is 2:45 and oddly enough, it was my first HM.
After
My Dad & I
Me & Hubs
Just because I love this picture that a friend took. I was not this happy during the race, but I was SO happy to see her and hear her cheer!
Final Thoughts:
When you are cheering for people – even strangers – don’t just hold your “funny” signs (honestly, I thought a lot of them were stupid and mean). Actually smile or say something!!! Most of the race spectators this year just stood there with signs. That does not help anyone at all. Seriously, say something – even a “Go You” helps so much. Our names are on our bibs for a reason – so you can cheer for strangers!
And as you know, I’m registered for my first full marathon in March. The hubs and I signed up for this together. He’s out with a stress fracture, but thinking he can do the half by then. After the race on Saturday (and still today), I was frustrated with myself and with my experience. I am not ready to move onto the full marathon. I haven’t conquered this dang half distance yet. Even after 4 of them. Plus, I’m still training alone. My scheduled days off from work right now (and until next year sometime) are Wed, Thurs, Fri. There are no running groups running on those days – none that will help with my training. I do not want to train for a full alone. I’ve trained for a half alone and hated every single run. So, with all of that being said, I believe I’m changing my registration to the half today. It just makes more since right now. I don’t want to train alone, I don’t want to run the race “alone”, I want both my husbands and my first half to be the same race, and I’m just not there yet with my running. I know it’s months away, but I don’t think I’ll be there yet by then either. Not with the way I’ve trained so far.
I know this was long and all over the place, but leave me your thoughts! I’m really struggling with this right now.
