
The Jacob Wells 3 Bridges Marathon marked my eighth marathon and first since Boston in 2014. The primary reason I picked this marathon, as said in my part one post My Journey Back to the Marathon, was to do it with my friend Jarrod as he is trying to qualify for Boston in every state and hadn't done Arkansas yet. Other reasons were it had good reviews on MarathonGuide.com, the course looked fast, and based on previous results Jarrod and I thought we could place first and second overall. I haven't won marathon yet while Jarrod won the Brookings Marathon in South Dakota in 2011. I've won at every distance I've raced except for 10 miles and the marathon. I knew in order for me to win a marathon I'd have to find a smaller one where the winning times weren't much faster than mid 2:40s as my PR is 2:49:52 set at Boston in 2014. Even though Jarrod couldn't do this marathon with me due to injury I was trained and ready for my return to the marathon distance thanks to the great coaching of Philip Latter of The Running Syndicate.
My Dad and I made the trip out to Arkansas over two days of driving. We stopped near Dickson, TN on Thursday night. I woke up Friday morning, the day before the race, and did a 3 mile shakeout run. It was cold; 21 degrees with a wind chill of 13. It didn't feel bad though and was much better than the forecast for Little Rock, Arkansas the following day. The race day forecast had been trending warmer throughout the week which was something I was not looking forward to. Past years the weather was cold for the race with an ideal for me temperature in the 40s. That was not going to be the case this year.
After my shakeout run, my Dad and I continued our drive to Little Rock. Luckily we had a full tank of gas once we crossed into Arkansas because there wasn't an exit with a gas station for hours. After a couple stops for lunch and to get out and stretch the legs and move around we went to packet-pickup at Rock City Running, a local running speciality store. It was a small running store but it was packed with everything you would need. It had an impressive apparel selection for a store it's size and of course they had the brands of shoes you would expect. Plenty of nutrition, stickers, magnets, and compression gear filled the walls. The volunteers were very nice and packet-pickup was a breeze. I was very happy to discover my bib number was 321. I've always done well in races with a 3 in it, as it is my favorite number and was Sonny's as well.
I used Airbnb again for a place for my Dad and I to stay. We had a great place on the greenway that was only 15 min from the race start. We settled in and just relaxed watching some TV before going to get dinner. Pre-race dinner for me is pretty simple; carbs and protein. Before Boston 2014, I opted for Chinese food; steamed rice with chicken and vegetables and it got the job done. So, my Dad and I headed to a local Chinese place and I got the same meal. The portion was so big I even had left overs for lunch after the marathon.
My Dad and I made the trip out to Arkansas over two days of driving. We stopped near Dickson, TN on Thursday night. I woke up Friday morning, the day before the race, and did a 3 mile shakeout run. It was cold; 21 degrees with a wind chill of 13. It didn't feel bad though and was much better than the forecast for Little Rock, Arkansas the following day. The race day forecast had been trending warmer throughout the week which was something I was not looking forward to. Past years the weather was cold for the race with an ideal for me temperature in the 40s. That was not going to be the case this year.
After my shakeout run, my Dad and I continued our drive to Little Rock. Luckily we had a full tank of gas once we crossed into Arkansas because there wasn't an exit with a gas station for hours. After a couple stops for lunch and to get out and stretch the legs and move around we went to packet-pickup at Rock City Running, a local running speciality store. It was a small running store but it was packed with everything you would need. It had an impressive apparel selection for a store it's size and of course they had the brands of shoes you would expect. Plenty of nutrition, stickers, magnets, and compression gear filled the walls. The volunteers were very nice and packet-pickup was a breeze. I was very happy to discover my bib number was 321. I've always done well in races with a 3 in it, as it is my favorite number and was Sonny's as well.
I used Airbnb again for a place for my Dad and I to stay. We had a great place on the greenway that was only 15 min from the race start. We settled in and just relaxed watching some TV before going to get dinner. Pre-race dinner for me is pretty simple; carbs and protein. Before Boston 2014, I opted for Chinese food; steamed rice with chicken and vegetables and it got the job done. So, my Dad and I headed to a local Chinese place and I got the same meal. The portion was so big I even had left overs for lunch after the marathon.

After a good night's sleep, race day arrived. It as nice getting to sleep in later than I usually would since the race location was so close. I ate a pop tart which I had been doing on most of my training runs about an hour and a half before the start along with 16oz of water. My Dad and I parked at a local church and took the race shuttle over to the start/finish at Two Rivers Bridge Park. I was nervous, excited, and ready. The race started at 7am local time, 8am Eastern Standard time. About 35 minutes before the race start I drank two scoops of Generation UCAN cran-raz flavor in about 10oz of water because I like it thicker. UCAN has been awesome in my training. It has decreased stomach distress from gels while providing me with longer lasting, steady engery opposed to the spike and crash of sugar based gels and other products. I went through my dynamic warm-up routine and headed off for a short 10 min jog to get warmed-up.
It was already 64 degrees as the sun was coming up and the forecasted high was 70 for the day; much warmer than I prefer for a marathon. They had a singer sing the National Anthem before we lined up for the start. I asked one of the timing workers if there would be a lead biker and he said there would be and he would pull out in front of us once we got going. I lined up at the front and went to the lead as the gun went off starting the race. However, no biker ever pulled out in front of me so I hoped the course would have enough markings and volunteers to keep us on the correct route. One guy pulled even with me a half mile in. He asked what marathon this was for me and I said it was my eighth and he responded this was his first. I asked what his goal was and he said sub 2:50 and I thought good, I'll have someone to run with. Then he pulled his cell phone out and started playing music. I also noticed he was wearing the race shirt and once I got a better look at him I realized there was no way this guy was running a sub 2:50 or even sub 3:00 in his first marathon carrying his phone and wearing the race shirt. Well, he passed me and lead for just a little bit till we got to the first bridge, the Big Dam Bridge at mile 1. We all know how much I like running bridges so I passed him on the first bridge and started to pull away as I was still focused on running sub 2:50 even if the conditions were not ideal because I was trained for a sub 2:50. The Big Dam Bridge, as the other two bridges in the race, was a pedestrian only bridge meaning there was no car traffic. The majority of the race was on the Arkansas River Trail, an impressive greenway system in the area. The race was a nineteen miles loop to the east then a seven mile loop to the west.
It was already 64 degrees as the sun was coming up and the forecasted high was 70 for the day; much warmer than I prefer for a marathon. They had a singer sing the National Anthem before we lined up for the start. I asked one of the timing workers if there would be a lead biker and he said there would be and he would pull out in front of us once we got going. I lined up at the front and went to the lead as the gun went off starting the race. However, no biker ever pulled out in front of me so I hoped the course would have enough markings and volunteers to keep us on the correct route. One guy pulled even with me a half mile in. He asked what marathon this was for me and I said it was my eighth and he responded this was his first. I asked what his goal was and he said sub 2:50 and I thought good, I'll have someone to run with. Then he pulled his cell phone out and started playing music. I also noticed he was wearing the race shirt and once I got a better look at him I realized there was no way this guy was running a sub 2:50 or even sub 3:00 in his first marathon carrying his phone and wearing the race shirt. Well, he passed me and lead for just a little bit till we got to the first bridge, the Big Dam Bridge at mile 1. We all know how much I like running bridges so I passed him on the first bridge and started to pull away as I was still focused on running sub 2:50 even if the conditions were not ideal because I was trained for a sub 2:50. The Big Dam Bridge, as the other two bridges in the race, was a pedestrian only bridge meaning there was no car traffic. The majority of the race was on the Arkansas River Trail, an impressive greenway system in the area. The race was a nineteen miles loop to the east then a seven mile loop to the west.

I was leading and feeling good as I ran the first three miles in 6:26, 6:29, and 6:22. There was not many people out on the course cheering the runners on. For the most part the only people I saw were the volunteers at the aid stations every couple miles. Miles four, five, six, and seven were still on the Arkansas River Trail and I ran them in 6:29, 6:26, 6:27, 6:23. I had a few miles that were a little quicker than planned pace but I felt good and went with it. We came off the greenway just after mile seven and got on River Road and Riverfront Drive as we continued on the East loop. Some of the mile markers had been blown down and off the path as the wind was picking up. So far the volunteers were able to direct me in the right direction. I ran miles eight and nine in 6:28 and 6:28. At 9.3 miles I went over the second bridge, The Clinton Presidential Bridge, and headed to the Clinton Presidential Library where the course did a little loop in front of it and then returned back over the Clinton Presidential Bridge at mile 10; which I ran in 6:35.

Once turning around at the Clinton Presidential Library, I was finally able to see where second place was. He wasn't too far behind me but it wasn't the guy who had briefly led before the first mile. The top female was right behind the second place guy. Now back on the road I kept my focus on hitting my splits and clicking off the miles. Leading a marathon was a new experience for me but I wasn't letting the moment overwhelm me. I encouraged the runners still going out to the turn at the Library as they encouraged me. Miles eleven, twelve, and thirteen were run in 6:23, 6:25, and 6:29. I ran the first half right at 2:50 pace splitting 1:25, although the official timing didn't register my chip at the timing mats at the halfway point.
After mile fourteen in 6:26 I pulled out a soft flask of water from the back pocket of my shorts. In it was a scoop of Generation UCAN and a stick of UCAN hydrate for added electrolytes which was needed with temperatures already in the low 70s exceeding the forecasted high for the day. I had been taking water at every other stop for most of the race and the stops in-between I was taking a cup and dumping it on my head. It was heating up fast but I was still in the lead and my lead was growing although I didn't know it at the time. I just knew I had to stay focused. Several times I would picture Jarrod beside me or just ahead of me to keep me motivated as it was getting lonely leading for so long without much crowd support.
After mile fourteen in 6:26 I pulled out a soft flask of water from the back pocket of my shorts. In it was a scoop of Generation UCAN and a stick of UCAN hydrate for added electrolytes which was needed with temperatures already in the low 70s exceeding the forecasted high for the day. I had been taking water at every other stop for most of the race and the stops in-between I was taking a cup and dumping it on my head. It was heating up fast but I was still in the lead and my lead was growing although I didn't know it at the time. I just knew I had to stay focused. Several times I would picture Jarrod beside me or just ahead of me to keep me motivated as it was getting lonely leading for so long without much crowd support.

With the conditions warming up and the wind kicking up I backed off my aggressive pace to save some for the final 5K-10K in case I needed to race anyone who possibly could have caught me from behind. I ran miles fifteen, sixteen, seventeen, and eighteen in 6:38, 6:28, 6:35, and 6:56. The wind was tough at mile 18 going back over the Big Dam Bridge. I knew I would see my Dad at mile 19 as the course went by the start/finish area. Seeing the finish line with seven more miles to go in a marathon can be mentally tough but I prepared for it by doing several 20+ long runs where I would run back by my car with the final 10 miles to go. As I came by the finish line the announcer called me out as the current race leader. It was very cool to hear my name announced as the marathon race leader. I saw my Dad and asked him how big my lead was but I couldn't hear his response over the race announcer. I grabbed a water bottle from him and headed over the Two Rivers Bridge at mile nineteen in 6:37. I was starting to feel bad at this point but knew I just had a seven mile loop to do and the victory would be mine.

The last seven mile loop was mentally and physically tough. It was physically tough because it was approaching 75 degrees and mentally tough because I had no idea how big my lead was and I didn't want to blow it and lose this race. The heat and the wind was taking it's toll on me. I was slowing down which was making me run scared of being caught from behind. I started getting annoyed with the lack of course markings on the seven mile loop as it was around a big open field but had a lot of paved trails cutting across the filed and there were no signs, no markings on the greenway, and no volunteers to direct you. I ran miles 20 and 21 in 6:54 and 6:52. I wasn't sure if I was going the right way so at the next aid station I asked the volunteers which way and one responded and I quote "your guess is as good as ours". I responded with "are you fucking kidding me". I was not happy about that. I'm sorry I cussed but the race volunteers should know the freaking course and be able to direct runners the correct way. Luckily a couple cyclists out for their Saturday morning ride were able to direct me in the correct direction and rode beside me a bit which was much appreciated.
There was a lot of people out on the greenway the final seven miles because it was a nice warm day in December to walk, ride your bike, walk your dogs, but not to run a marathon. I was getting a little frustrated having to navigate around all of those people though because most were not yielding to the runners in the race.
There was a lot of people out on the greenway the final seven miles because it was a nice warm day in December to walk, ride your bike, walk your dogs, but not to run a marathon. I was getting a little frustrated having to navigate around all of those people though because most were not yielding to the runners in the race.

I knew at mile 20 breaking 2:50 wasn't going to happen today in these conditions as the wheels were coming off. It started to get ugly the final five miles. I just had to dig deep and at least break 3:00 and of course hold on for the win. I ran miles 22, 23, 24, and 25 in 7:20, 7:16, 8:27, and 7:39. With a mile to go I started to feel more confident that I was going to win this race but my body was shutting down. I crossed the Two Rivers Bridge for the final time at mile 26 in 7:40. I headed for the finish line with my Dad cheering along with the spectators. I crossed in 2:58:13 in 1st place Overall. I FREAKING WON A MARATHON! I should have thrown my arms up in a victory celebration or put one finger up for 1st place but I was so done physically and mentally that I just crossed the line like it was a regular race. There was no tape to break. Second and third place overall, both women, were ten and fifteen minutes behind me. The next guy to finish was twenty-seven minutes back of me.
My Dad was very happy for me and helped walk me over to the river front to sit on a stone wall. I felt horrible. I was so weak. At one point I was shivering even though it was 74 degrees when I finished. He got an EMT to come over to check me out and they said my pulse was very weak and barely registering. I felt like I was either going to throw up or faint or both. I got some diluted gatorade and started sipping on that as I ate a chocolate protein recovery bar. Slowly I started to feel better and a reporter from a local Little Rock newspaper came over and did an interview with me. My own newspaper, the Carteret County News Times, did a great article about my win. I love their support and really appreciate it. They cover all the local races and local runners no matter where we race. It's an honor to be apart of the best running community.
My Dad was very happy for me and helped walk me over to the river front to sit on a stone wall. I felt horrible. I was so weak. At one point I was shivering even though it was 74 degrees when I finished. He got an EMT to come over to check me out and they said my pulse was very weak and barely registering. I felt like I was either going to throw up or faint or both. I got some diluted gatorade and started sipping on that as I ate a chocolate protein recovery bar. Slowly I started to feel better and a reporter from a local Little Rock newspaper came over and did an interview with me. My own newspaper, the Carteret County News Times, did a great article about my win. I love their support and really appreciate it. They cover all the local races and local runners no matter where we race. It's an honor to be apart of the best running community.

I was disappointed in my time because I wanted to be so much faster and it took me awhile, as in days, to accept the time for what it was and focus more on the fact I had won a marathon. Even if I had ran a 2:55 or anything faster than what I did it wouldn't have mattered because I still dominated the race from the start to finish winning by ten minutes. Winning a marathon is an awesome feeling and a huge accomplishment for me or anyone who has done it. I've now broken 3:oo in all but two of my eight marathons. I ran 3:00:21 in my first marathon in 2009 and I ran 3:04:09 at Boston in 2012 in the record heat.
May Dad and I left Little Rock in the early afternoon after I cleaned up and ate the leftover Chinese food for lunch. We drove till we got east of Nashville before stopping for the night. The crazy weather swings continued as we drove through a tornado watch once in Tennessee as a strong cold weather front was coming. The day after the marathon it was 40 degrees, yes 40, colder the day after the race with sleet and freezing rain on the drive from Tennessee to North Carolina. The day before and day after the race would have been much better race conditions than the actual race day. My Dad and I stopped in Asheville to meet my friend Anne for lunch. I hadn't seen her in awhile seeing her was a highlight of the trip.
May Dad and I left Little Rock in the early afternoon after I cleaned up and ate the leftover Chinese food for lunch. We drove till we got east of Nashville before stopping for the night. The crazy weather swings continued as we drove through a tornado watch once in Tennessee as a strong cold weather front was coming. The day after the marathon it was 40 degrees, yes 40, colder the day after the race with sleet and freezing rain on the drive from Tennessee to North Carolina. The day before and day after the race would have been much better race conditions than the actual race day. My Dad and I stopped in Asheville to meet my friend Anne for lunch. I hadn't seen her in awhile seeing her was a highlight of the trip.

Overall, I liked the race and the course. The Arkansas River Trail is an impressive greenway to run. It wasn't flat but the hills were short and gradual with most of them being the bridges. My Garmin had the total elevation gain at 551 feet. There were plenty of aid stations stocked with water, gatorade, and gels and even some snacks like grapes and other things. A very nice perk was the FREE race photos courtesy of Run Bike Swim Photos! They got some great photos. It's not the race's fault several mile markers and directional signs blew over in the wind but they need more signage out. Ideally, there should be a volunteer who knows the course, a sign, and spray painted markings at every turn or any part of the course where a runner could get off course. There should have been a leader biker as well as that would have alleviated a lot of my confusion on where to go. Those were my only complaints. The post race food was awesome but I didn't eat much other than fruit. They had burgers, hot dogs, doughnuts, etc. My Dad got a good lunch out of it though.
I want to thank all of my friends and family for their support during this training cycle. A big thank you goes out to my training partners for pushing me and keeping me company on long runs. I really enjoy running with Jarrod, Jason, Jason's dog Lucy who kept me company on my solo runs, Ryan, John, Katherine, Heidi, and Kent. I've got a great group of running partners. Another thank you goes out to Amanda LoPiccolo for her chiropractic adjustments that kept me running smooth and healthy during this training cycle.
I want to thank all of my friends and family for their support during this training cycle. A big thank you goes out to my training partners for pushing me and keeping me company on long runs. I really enjoy running with Jarrod, Jason, Jason's dog Lucy who kept me company on my solo runs, Ryan, John, Katherine, Heidi, and Kent. I've got a great group of running partners. Another thank you goes out to Amanda LoPiccolo for her chiropractic adjustments that kept me running smooth and healthy during this training cycle.

This was the first time I raced in my new Running Syndicate singlet and I won a marathon in it! I'm thankful for Philip's coaching and I'm looking forward to more races in that singlet and getting faster.
For those interested here is the other gear I wore for my marathon win:
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Road ID Wrist Slim
Sunglsses: Rudy Project Rydon
Shoes: Adidas Adizero Boston 5
Socks: Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Low Cut
Shorts: The North Face Better Than Naked Split Shorts
For those interested here is the other gear I wore for my marathon win:
Watch: Garmin 920XT
Road ID Wrist Slim
Sunglsses: Rudy Project Rydon
Shoes: Adidas Adizero Boston 5
Socks: Smartwool PhD Run Ultra Light Low Cut
Shorts: The North Face Better Than Naked Split Shorts