We had to walk the first little bit until enough room cleared out to start running. We started running at my pace, and everyone else ran past us. We did get to pass the walking older couple. We settled into a comfy pace. And chatted for much of the way. About 1.5 miles in, we started hitting some hills. I don't know where they imported these hills from, but hills there were. Mile 2 I was the first water stop. I was scared if I walked it and drank I wouldn't be able to start running again so I just jogged past while the girls walked and drank some water. The hills were hurting me, but apparently I was running faster through the hills than on the flat, however the hills were killing me! Sheila kept reminding me to slow down but DON'T STOP, as I whined about how hard it was. At this point, May and Sheila were chatting away. I was breathing heavily, interspersed with whining.

Just before mile 4, a guy in his 60's wearing a santa hat passed us, and was talking about how the hills at the Arkansas marathon are killer.....I want to be that strong when I'm 60!!

Just after mile marker 4 was the second water stop. I walked through there getting in a little bit of hydration. As soon as the water station was done, there wwas another evil hill, and May was running again, so I guess it was time. I started back witht the jog. At this point I was hot, so I pulled my shirt up and stuffed it into the back of the bra trying to get cooled down. This was an extended hill, and when we were near the crest...but still climbing I was ready to give in. I told the girls I needed to walk for a little bit. May asked me if I could make it to mile 5 and then we could negotiate. I agreeded, sucked it up, and we slowed down just a little bit. Although according to Sheila, everytime I said I was hurting, and wanted to stop, I was running faster.

We got to the top of the hill, and once I was running on flat again, it wasn't as bad. May checked her watch and said we only had 100sih (she said the actual number but I've forgotten it) seconds to mile 5. It felt like we had just left mile 4, so I called BS on her. But she was right. Hidden behind a car, I saw the mile 5 marker. At this point, it was the furthest I had ever run at one stretch in my LIFE! The course was flat, and I really wanted to make it all the way. I said "I can do it" and didn't even contemplate stopping after we hit mile 5. The lever ground was helping me a lot. Just a little bit past mile 5 was the last water stop. Those people were energized! They were cheering us on, yelling for us and clapping. It was just what I needed. We could see the finish line, but it wasn't to be ours yet. We had to do another couple of turns to get some more distance in. It was a slow uphill grade, but I knew we were almost there. We made it to the top of the uphill, turned back towards the finish line. A runner walking home told us just around the corner. It was a level grade, and it was starting to really hurt again, but I knew we were almost there. We turned the final corner. The finish line was there...calling to us. Sheila said faster...faster...sprint...sprint.

The finish line was straight ahead. Some JACKASS volunteer told us "Runners go left" WTF???? We could see the finish line right in front of us. It didn't make sense...but we turned. Then he started yeling at us, NO NO NO STAY TO THE LEFT. WTF?????? We had to turn around and get back going the way we were. What a JACKASS. Sheila hollered at him "Are you STUPID?" and he had the nerve to get belligerant with us.

It didn't matter. The finish line was there. I wanted to be done. I was ready, I gathered everything I had in me and started sprinting. I flew into the finish shoot. I slowed to a walk...all of a sudden I needed to puke. I dry heaved as I walked down the shoot. The lady pulling our bib tags was hurrying so I wouldn't puke on her. I got past the shoot and headed for grass. I did have a little urp-age, but nothing bad. I think just bending over and breathing was what I needed. I was done. I had officially run a 10K.

Nuttin

Walked around to the expo area where they had free Starbucks & oranges, but had run out of water.


This was a blast. It was so great meeting May, not to mention having her inspire me to run my best ever. Running with her and Sheila kept me running when I wanted to stop, and I enjoyed all of it!!