Running in Little Rock

Saturday (November 21) put me in Little Rock, Arkansas. This was my second trip to Little Rock in 2009 and the fifth or sixth time I have visited the capital city of Arkansas. In addition, during a visit back in 2006 I participated in the Little Rock Half Marathon (time of 1 hour and 54 minutes). The Half Marathon is held on the same day, along the same course and at the same time as the Little Rock Marathon, which is typically held in early March. My original "marathon a month" plan included running the Little Rock Marathon in March 2009, but race week was seven days later than what I initially understood. The scheduling snafu put me in Tampa for the March marathon, rather than in Little Rock.

As it relates to this weekend, my recent visits to Little Rock have provided me with an understanding of some great running options along the banks of the Arkansas River. Included on my Little Rock running route is the Arkansas State Capital Building (left), which is also the area for both the start and finish line of the Little Rock Marathon.

The Old State House for Arkansas (right) is also along my running route. As you will note, the iPhone took a better picture of the Old State House than of the current State Capital.

As it relates to Arkansas government and running, when I participated in the Little Rock Marathon back in 2006 I (almost literally) bumped in to (now former) Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee during Marathon registration and the runner's expo. Putting politics aside (I'll even out the political party mentions in a moment), Governor Huckabee took up running after being diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003. From his website (http://www.mikehuckabee.com/index.cfm?fa=Home.Home) I copied the following excerpt:

Huckabee's efforts to improve his own health have received national attention. Diagnosed with Type II diabetes in 2003, he lost 110 pounds. Barely two years later, he had completed four marathons: The 2005 and 2006 Little Rock Marathons, the Marine Corps Marathon and the ING New York City Marathon. As a result of his accomplishments, The Road Runners Club of America named him its 'Southern Region Runner of the Year' and USA Track & Field has named him their 'Athlete of the Week' for the country.

Heading down the street from the Old State House you run through an entertainment district toward the Clinton Presidential Library (thus balancing out my mention of politicians). One of the fascinating features included in the Library is a replica of the Oval Office. The first time I walked up to this display it was an unexpected surprise to be peering in to a representation of the President's office, with all the color and trappings seen in photographs. The most vivid running memory I have of President Clinton is a Phil Hartman/Saturday Night Live skit...so I'll just move on.

My run crossed over the Arkansas River in to North Little Rock. As I ran across the bridge I began to notice small groups of runners exercising along the city streets. I was a bit hesitant to join in as most times when you see a hundred or so runners together, that means there must be a race nearby. Since I had not registered to run in the event, I did not want to end up as a "bandit" in whatever event was taking place. As I met up with a group of runners I asked what was going on. They explained the activity was a group training run for the Little Rock Marathon. Given they were training for an event that is still four months away, I give them all a great deal of credit for their dedication in completing runs of either 12 or 14 miles on a random November Saturday.

Finally, given that the University of Arkansas Razorbacks were playing a football game in Little Rock's War Memorial Stadium against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, my description of the day would not be complete without a picture of Tusk II--a Razorback that serves as Arkansas' live mascot.

On a day that was cloudy with a few sprinkles and temperatures in the low 50s, my run in Little Rock Saturday morning was just a bit over 8 miles.

Three weeks until my December marathon--the White Rock Marathon in Dallas, Texas!