New to the Arkansas Grand Prix Series this year is The Great Pumpkin Run 5K in Lonoke, AR. This race was started in 2011 as way to raise money and awareness for the Open Arms Shelter for abused and neglected children. In addition to the race, there are all kinds of interesting pumpkins for sale, vendors and live music. And of course food! I love races like this that have a festival type environment and raise money and awareness for a good cause.
Never having run this race before, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I knew the course was flat and other than a loop in the middle, was pretty much an out and back style course. My race plan was to go out between a 7:10-7:20 first mile and work my way down to a 7:05 final mile. The flat course and favorable weather conditions made me feel like this was a realistic plan. Temps were in the mid 60s, it was overcast and foggy, but also a little humid.
I went out right on target and patiently pulled up when I saw that my pace was a sub 7. The first mile was right on target at a 7:11.
As the crowd began to thin and runners settled into their race pace I found myself in a familiar place: running alone and slowing down. I made the decision to surge and catch up to the man in front of me. My hope was that I would have someone to run with who would push me. Instead he slowed down and I passed him. Once again I was running alone.
Mile 2 was a 7:29. Not the direction I was hoping for. The crazy thing is it didn’t feel like I was slowing down. There was a group of 3 runners in front of me. I’m not really sure why I chose not to surge again. In hindsight I’m pretty sure I could have caught them and at least had help maintaining my target pace.
Just before mile 3 a female runner from the Little Rock Roadrunners started to pass me. I worked to hold her off and was initially successful. I knew I was the third runner for my team, Searcy Rush and finishing ahead of her would be crucial to how we scored as a team. I went through mile 3 at 7:36.
Even though I fought hard the girl passed me in the final stretch. I ran the final 0.1 in 43 seconds! My finish time was 22:59. At least I broke 23 minutes!
While it wasn’t quite the race I wanted, I always try to take away something that I can learn from and improve next time. In my next race, I will work harder not to run alone, especially if there are runners as close to me as the group that was in front of me in this race. I will also fight harder to maintain my pace. I’m at the point in my training where my pace should be more consistent than this.
Next race I am going to experiment with the pacing feature on my Garmin. I have used it on a couple of speed workouts, but have yet to try it in a race. Have you ever used it in a race? I would love to know your thoughts on how it did or didn’t help you so if you would please leave me a comment below!
Hi Beverly! I too have dealt with issues that caused me to develop an auto-immune disease back in 2001. After moving to Arkansas 9 years ago I often found myself feeling really alone because I didn’t know anyone, but then made some local friends. Even after moving over to Little Rock, all of my friends were health coaches. I thank social media for helping me to have people to talk to (friends and family back in Michigan and here in Arkansas) That connection is invaluable. It wasn’t until about a year ago that I realized that if I am under stress I don’t even know it. I don’t really feel it physically. This dumbfounded me because my stress hormone was high, but I didn’t feel bad. Anxiety also acts similarly like fear towards me, but I do feel the butterflies of anxiety now. Working out on a regular basis has helped me to squash stress and anxiety. Plus now, cbd oil has been the biggest and most fantastic way I have been able to cope after being homebound and stuck on the couch since April with a severely sprained ankle. Even getting on a plane (which I hate to do) I had no anxiety at all. I feel super relaxed these days, and finally I am able to begin working out….not running at this time, but I can move and walk a few miles a day now. It has been so helpful to connect with other coaches like yourself and speak more about this. In not speaking about it more diseases can pop up unexpectedly and we never want this to happen. It is time to Heal. Love ya Beverly!!
Great points Heidi! Like you, I didn’t even know I was suffering from anxiety until I sought help sorting through all the craziness in my life. Hmm…CBD oil…who knew! I agree, we need to speak out more. I think too many people put up a front and suffer in silence!
Thank you for sharing your story. You are so brave. If you ever want to compare notes on fear, anxiety, grief, not being able to get out of bed, coping with and without running as your crutch, reinventing yourself, truly finding your faith in Christ; my heart always has time and a place for you and your twin!!! ❤️ Conlin.cathy@gmail.com
Oh I bet you could Cathy! Thank you so much for sharing. I don’t think we talk about mental health enough. I am so proud of you for finding your faith and strength in the Lord. He is ever present, evening our worst storms!
Hi Beverly,
I so miss connecting with you all! I too have very much shared your journey. I’m on the other side of it now but am changing many things in my life wich as you know comes with its own grieving as we leave the old behind. It’s lovely to see you share your story as I know it helps many of us.
Would love to get together again.
Hugs,
Kelley
Kelley I miss you too! Thank you for your kind words and your support. We need to get the Soul Sisters together again!