This was the 6th year for the Russvegas Half Marathon which takes place the last weekend of April in Russellville, AR. Until this year, the race has always conflicted with the BV Memorial 5K+1 and so I have never run it. My friends that have run it, can’t say enough good about it and now I know why!
Russvegas is a first class event from website, to finisher medal; from packet pick up in surrounding cities to an outdoor expo with a festival atmosphere; from food trucks to Papa John’s pizza in the finisher area; and a beautiful course winding through neighborhoods, green spaces, Arkansas Tech University and downtown. The crowd support was excellent and the volunteers did a wonderful job! There were lots of water stops, port-a-potties, and even a Gu stop. And this year the weather was near perfect: not too hot and not too cold, no wind, and even a little spring shower about an hour and a twenty minutes into the race!
Thirty years ago when my husband and I were newlyweds, we lived in Russellville. I really enjoyed running through the some of the same neighborhoods and seeing how much the town has grown.
The Russvegas Half was supposed to be the race where I showcased how much progress I had made in my training. And while I wasn’t expecting to run a fast race (for me) I was expecting to run a very strategic race and based on my current abilities should have put me at the finish line between 1:55 to 1:58. However, things went very wrong around mile 5 and I learned a lot of lessons along the way.
About 10 days prior to Russvegas I decided to run a conservative 1:58, however 5 days later my friend, Kelli, reached out and asked if I’d like a pacer. Kelli is typically a 1:30-1:40 half marathoner when she is racing. After talking it over with my coach we both agreed that physically I should be able to run a 1:55 or faster and the course played well into a faster race.
First Lesson: I know my body and how it’s feeling better than anyone! I should have stuck to the strategic slow start and the 1:58 goal.
I really liked the idea of having someone pull me through those mid miles 7 through 11. The thought of having company was very enticing. And since Kelli is a stronger runner, I wouldn’t have to do the talking or the encouraging. We don’t see each other much so I was really looking forward to running with her.
Second lesson: I don’t like talking in a race or listening to someone else talk. We were mismatched in our ability and I needed to focus and concentrate, not be distracted from my pain.
Kelli and I agreed before the race that I would call the shots. If at anytime I wanted her to go on she would go. Our pace slowed drastically between mile 5 and 6 and we were going downhill. I knew I was in trouble. I ate a Honey Stinger gel and it didn’t sit well with me. I was burping like crazy, my stomach was hurting, my hips felt tight, and my heart rate felt elevated.
However, I believed I could get it together if I took some time to recover and get in my head. I told Kelli at mile 7 to go on. She would still have enough miles to salvage her race and our friend Kristen would be there cheering for us. I saw Kristen’s Jeep in the distance, but then I saw a port-a-potty nearby and made a beeline for it instead. There was a line so I laid down in front of the port-a-potty and made a feeble attempt to do the ‘thread the needle’ stretch, but truthfully I was just laying there catching my breathing.
Third Lesson: Stopping mid race to get your act together is not a bad thing!
It worked! Back out on the course my heart rate didn’t feel so elevated, my hips felt better and I was more relaxed. I settled into a 9:30-9:45 pace and clicked off the miles. At mile 11 I started struggling again with my heart rate. It was a quieter stretch so I got my phone and turned on my Mandisa playlist for inspiration. I walked when I needed to during the next mile and a half.
Fourth Lesson: You only have one body. Listen to it. Protect it.
Once I turned onto Main Street I knew I was close and picked up the pace. The crowds were awesome and loud. I was ready to be done. My final time was a 2:15:41 and my slowest half. My splits were: 8:45, 8:56, 8:46, 8:53, 9:01, 9:38, 10:18, 14:09, 9:36, 9:45, 10:24, 12:26. 12:53, and 2:05.
After the race Kelli expressed concerns about my breathing and said she could hear me wheezing. She pointed out that the tightness in chest and elevated heart rate might be due to the high pollen count and seasonal allergies. I had been struggling all month with an elevated heart rate on my runs and had just attributed it to not bouncing back from the Bentonville Half. This makes sense. If you spend any time in Arkansas in April, you know that everything outside has a layer of greenish yellow pollen!
Fifth Lesson: Make an appointment with the doctor to get a new rescue inhaler and keep it handy during allergy season!
The good that came for this race far out weighs my disappointment. I am grateful to have made the connection with my heart rate and my breathing. I lost some valuable training in April, but am confident I’ll be able to jump back in once I get over this cold! Ah yes, I did catch a cold the week after the half marathon. Oh, and this race qualified me for the Half Fanatics!
I am also grateful to Kelli, Kristen, Rachel, Amy, and Lynlee for waiting for me at the finish line. I want to acknowledge them for all they did to support and encourage me!
