EXPO
The expo was held at the Hot Springs Hotel right downtown. There was a variety of vendors available to shop. They also offered race day pick up option.
START/PARKING
Parking was literally right next to the Start/Finish Line at the Convention Center, which was convenient for real restrooms (no lines waiting here!)
COURSE
The half marathon starts at the Convention Center, runs through Bathhouse Row and then into Hot Springs National Park boundary going up and down West Mountain twice, runs back through downtown finishing back at the Convention Center. Its a pretty intense incline with about 1,500 elevation gain but the Fall foliage and overlooks over the city made up for it. Plus that just meant you got to test your speed 'flying' down the mountain.
WEATHER
This was almost perfect race day weather. Overcast and cool in the 50s is how we started, a little warmer but windy is how we finished.
WATER STATIONS
The stations were properly stocked and manned, but only provided water and Gatorade.
I felt pretty good going into race day. I had just completed the TrailFest 44 miles in elevation and I had been practicing bridge repeats, so I wasn't too worried about running up the mountain twice. However, I also knew this wasn't going to be a PR.
As we entered the mountain, I was so happy it was still Fall Colors time of year! It really was a pretty sight! It was definitely a steep incline, but I was like "Its Do-able!" Then after a couple miles, we made a turn and my stomach dropped as I saw the rest was twice as steep! It was definitely brutal so I just took my time doing my own run/walk pace of however long my body felt it could handle.
Because it was an out and back on the mountain, you constantly were watching other runners run towards you, which helped the time to pass. I also just kept telling myself, what comes up, must come down, and I knew it was going to be a fast one! Little did I know just as fast that I could let myself go! Looking at my Garmin afterwards, I had made it into the 6minute mile range! After doing one full mountain, we lapped around a neighborhood block and went back up to do another, literally laughing and someone asking "why did we sign up for this?"
My second incline, I was definitely over heating even though the temps were still low. I opted to just run in my bra. This was the first time I have done this in a race where there was an out and back so I knew people would see my bouncing belly as I ran. But I just held my head up high. I felt strong. As I got a couple of smiles, I was hoping I was giving motivation for anyone to do anything that makes them feel happy and free regardless of what people think! We should love ourselves and our bodies for what they can do for us and today this strong body was tackling a mountain!
The second decline was just as fun if not more because I was more confident on how to handle the speed and I felt at one point I was just flying! Then came the last couple of miles to the finish on flat ground and I was exhausted! I let out a few loud groans (hey, its a proven fact they make you stronger!) and made my way in, finishing surprisingly at my average finish time despite two intense inclines!
FINISH
The Finish Line had a few different options of food from different vendors: pizza, some sort of gumbo, and a broth soup, as well as granola bars and banana. Unfortunately they had the beer area roped off in a location you couldnt even watch the Finish Line nor little kids races. The Awards were inside the Convention Center, good to be out of the cold, but I had no energy to walk back and forth, so I just grabbed my food and headed to camp for a long hot shower!
SHIRT
A long sleeve gender specific shirt was provided. However, I liked the race shirt design of the one their were selling better. Maybe they should give you an option of design if they were going to have two.
MEDAL
I absolutely love the medal featuring Bathhouse Row and West Mountain! The little runner guy moves up and down the mountain too!
ABOUT HOT SPRINGS
The only way to get into the hot springs is via a bath house. Luckily you can do that fairly inexpensively and also combine it with a great massage! I went to Quapaw Bathhouse was able to purchase a bathing suit (since I forgot mine) go in the public pools (4 off them at different temperatures) and get a thirty minute full body massage all for under $100. They also have private spa bath tubs if you don't want a bathing suit, want a couples experience, or just want privacy.
Bathhouse Row is the main street of Hot Springs with all the restaurants and shops so make sure to park and stroll.
The springs water fountains are located throughout the city. People literally line up and fill jugs of this natural water to take home! There are some that are hot and some that are cool. Pick up a map for locations at the Visitors Center.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Being a very old town, there's not much for accommodations that was very tempting, so I opted to camp at Lake Ouachita which was about 25 minutes outside of town, and definitely the best camping spot I have had yet! There are about 12 tent sites located directly next to the lake, but still have plenty of trees to hang a hammock and enjoy the Fall foliage. There a rock beach you can walk down to for a direct sky filled sky at night. There is also a natural hot spring here too called The Three Sisters. Although not potable or something you can bathe in, it was still cool to see. There's one short hike and about a 4 miler around the park.
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| Crater of the Diamonds State Park |
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| Ron Coleman Crystal Mine |
Hot Springs is also a prime location for day trips. Located right outside of Little Rock if you want to explore a big city, or just thirty minutes away you will find yourself able to go crystal mining or up the anty and try your luck at diamond mining just an hour and half away! Ron Coleman mining was where I explored for crystals. For twenty bucks you are guaranteed to find crystals and take as much as you want. People were there literally filling their truck bed with huge boulders that had crystal formations on one side. It was pretty cool to witness. Bring a garden tool and gloves is all you really need, or you can rent/purchase tools there. After my fun with the crystals, I was sure I would get a diamond at Crater of the Diamonds State Park! Unfortunately, it was definitely a more time consuming and energy taxing process to try to find something the size of a pen head. Diamonds here are brown, yellow, and clear. Although several people a year find diamonds (the sign read 500 for the year when I was there) even by just walking around, it was definitely harder than I thought, thus I walked away empty handed. For $10 and several different tool rentals options(add on at least another $20) you are given a first hand demonstration on how to dry shift and wet shift thru the dirt. There are several other different rocks in the ground as well and they have rock specialists there that tell you exactly what you found before you leave. It was definitely a unique experience I would suggest especially if you are a rock lover, or have kids that like to play in the dirt.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
This was a definitely a unique action packed race weekend! The course was a great challenge and the steep declines made it fun! The town was cute, the campground was gorgeous, the hot springs were rejuvenating, and the crystal and diamond mining was entertaining! No wonder they call Arkansas the Natural State!
13.1-2:27
State#33
Half Marathon #80
Pink Feet's half marathon calendar runs from March to February with the final race being the full marathon at The DONNA Marathon! I am on Year 7 of a 10 year mission to complete the 50 states while also running a half marathon a month; all to help spread the word of breast cancer prevention, early detection, and living a healthy lifestyle including running and walking. My goal is to raise $100,000 for breast cancer charities. Current donations are going to The DONNA Marathon whose beneficiaries are The Mayo Clinic and Donna Foundation.
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