December Recap

The holidays have had me a bit behind, so here goes. As of last up date  I had run the BCS Half and was on to Houston's 12k of Christmas. I took a slight week off only running 6 miles and then hit the 12k. I made myself a tutu for the race and even added some jingle bells to the ends for an added "wanting to punch myself in the face" effect.

See all that glitter? I think it all ended up in my car after the race. 

I am thankful that these types of holiday races there are plenty of other people dressed up as assholes  (myself included) that after a few minutes you really do feel that if you  hadn't dressed up you would be the stand out. It was a 2 loop course and the weather was a bit unexpected, 70 and on the verge of a major rain storm, but all in all a good race. I even hugged Santa after I finished. I went out with no time expectation and after telling myself to settle down and slow down I was run up upon by a fellow mother runner and she and I ran the rest at a pretty steady 12m/m pace so I finished in 1:29:09 and just in time as on my way home the sky opened and the predicted rainstorm let loose. What the race did for me was put me back on track, my next big race is Jan 19th and this was the first step to bring my miles back up to where they need to be.

Free 5k. 

I managed to keep momentum going thru Christmas week and compromised out a little afternoon tempo run at Memorial Park. I logged 16.4 miles for the week. I also signed up for the Wellness Project's free 5k.  Which for a free race is timed and even had a manned (ok boyed) water stop. I ended up pacing behind an older gentleman and ran it in 33:40 which is the fastest 5k I have run this winter season, never-mind it is also the first 5k I have run since August. So I made before and after the race count towards my LSD for the week.


Now it's December 30th and I have racked up 97.34 miles for the month and a good 5 miler scheduled for the morning, my first 100 mile month.

Up next ABB 5k and Aramco Half Marathon or Houston's Marathon Weekend as they are trying to get it called in town.

BCS Half Marathon Recap

I ran the BCS Half marathon on 12-8-13. What a GREAT race for so many reasons. First off ya'll need to follow this race on the Book of Face. I have come across no other race that has such great communication with its runner as this one does. Daily, weekly, monthly, they can't be beat. First off on their end, the Dallas Marathon was cancelled because of this freak winter storm that hit northern Texas, the freeze line came down just below Bryan/College Station so things were dicey in the area so what do they decide to do, they offer deferrals on the Friday before the race so those not comfortable with traveling don't have to and then turn around and offer up those spots as well as 200 additional spots (no medal or t-shirt and just generic bibs) to runners who had just found out they were raceless 48 hours before Dallas was set to run. Why is this huge, other than the logistical reasons, there had been a no compete pack between the 2 races and last year Dallas decided to break it and move to BCS's weekend. Karma being what it is gave us beautiful weather the first weekend in December and forced Dallas to shut down on marathon weekend. For this race to do so much to accommodate these runners so that their training wasn't for nothing is AMAZING in my eyes. Even if that had not happened I still know of no other race that would be standing fast watching the weather and posting at 1:30 am or 4 am about the conditions. By the time I got to the race site at 5:30 am EVERYTHING was ready to go. Not many races even have the start arch up at that time. Parking was a dream, starting line port-a-potties were all over the place, no lines. Started right at the dot of 7am. All things that are important to me as a runner.  Did I mention it was 30 degrees out, below freezing, ice on the roads type of shit and they never faltered. The race support was first rate. From the water stops to the aid stations, the neighbors on the route who came out of their house to cheer runners on in the freezing cold, many even playing music or holding up signs of encouragement. Running thru the campus was really cool, I had never been to Texas A&M so it was beautiful seeing the buildings and the clock tower. Almost makes me want to go back and have that college experience I never had. Best part, hands down best part was running up to one of my fellow mother runners. I am usually alone and now twice during races I have come across one of these amazing woman and with this race it went from good to better. I think she felt she was keeping me from my race but honestly it was so nice to not be alone it brought a whole new meaning to running for me. She kept telling me to go on ahead but I knew she was struggling with that last mile and I am proud that I didn't leave her until we hit 13 only once we came into sight of the finish line did I go. I got my medal and then waited to give her a big hug at the end. She really made my race. Race time was good too, 2:40:39.

BCS Marathon +Half Marathon Starting balloon

So now here I am thinking about what's next. Marathon? Yes that will happen in 2015. But for 2014 I think I am going to try to become more of a social runner, I think maybe I will work on that. Month to date 42.19 miles. Coming up 12k of Christmas 12-21-13.

November recap, a look to December.

November has been a little disappointing. I had completely lost my enthusiasm for running. Not that I had stopped running but it has become a chore again. :( I had worked it out were if I kept running until the end of the month I would have reached my 100 mile month goal but Saturday morning came and it was apparent that what I really needed after all the Thanksgiving hustle and bustle was some rest. Ironically that did not include sleep. I spent the hours when I would have been running looking for races for the coming year. I think I was trying to find a reason to keep running beyond March. There were no  Black Friday race deals that were worth taking but I did finally make a decision on the 12k of Christmas and found a $10 off discount so I have that to look forward to at the end of the month. I also found out that the Blue Bell run is only $20 until the end of the year so I got in on that one for mid-April. I also signed up for the Houston Wellness Project free 5k on the last Saturday of December. I have told myself that I am going to run it all year and since this is my last chance, no time like the present. I also found that the half marathon I wanted to do in May moved to March so that leaves a hole in May, maybe I'll take May off. In the end November finished with 86.89 miles still pretty respectable, considering the eating holiday and all.

On to December...

Race week is upon me. BCS Half Marathon this coming Sunday. For some reason I am a bit unsettled this go round. I only skipped one long run. December 1st I was back on training per usual with 11 slow ass miles. I even managed 4 miles this morning, 1st slow, 2 w/speed intervals and 1 slow cool down. I feel ok but my mind game doesn't seem to be in it. I am planning on running it as a training run instead of as a race run, so maybe that'll calm my nerves some.I am not sure why I am nervous for this run. The weather is going to be horrible but I have run the past few race in either horrible rain or very cold (ok for Houston it was cols). It's not the distance, this will be my 5th half marathon for 2013. Every little pain feels weird. I woke up and my big toe ached. When I got back from my run this morning the top of my foot hurt. Something just has me quite unsettled but I am sure after the first mile or two I should ease in to some sort of calm. Next stop on this journey is the expo to pick up my packet.


3 races lefts for the year, BCS Half, 12k of Christmas and the Wellness project 5k.

Last week of November

So my husband went on vacation and I fell off the running bus. I skipped my long run the week he was gone and settled for a few short runs during the week and the Bridgeland Turkey Trot this past Saturday and I still managed 20.1 miles for the week. ??? The turkey trot was uneventful except for the 40 degree weather the wind chill bringing it down to 36 and the constant drizzle/mist that persisted until I was done. Oh and I ran the entire 10k. After a 1.5 mile warm up I challenged myself to see if I could go the distance. Now I didn't break any speed records or anything but since I had only managed to run my first 5k without intervals in May. I walked away from this race quite happy with  myself. The race was a double loop course and since there were only about 230 runners it wasn't crowded. There were water stops about every mile that were staffed with really kind volunteers. There was no swag or medal but there was shit brown cotton shirts for all the finishers. I finished in 1:19:47. like I said slow but it was long run day so that was ok. In fact that pace was 15 seconds per mile faster than my LSD pace. so it's a win. So far with one week to go I have racked up a whopping 73 miles for the month. I guess that 100 mile mark is going to alluded me for at least another month.

It's November

I am a little behind on my recap, for October I managed 98.37 of the 100 miles I set for my goal. Not to fuckin shabby! Now on to November.

Training has continued as planned so far. I have changed things up a bit by adding another run day to the schedule and taking out my extra rest day. So far so good. I made the change because in March I am running the Seabrook Marathon's Pelican Challenge which is back to back Halfs. The training intent is to learn how to run on already tired legs. As of today I am 47.12 miles into the month.

Over the Veteran's day weekend I ran the Clear Lake City Half. Here's how that went. Left the hotel at 5, picked up my chip, went for a warm up run and BANG hit the start! New course meant this race was out and back instead of looped which I used to my advantage. I took off easy letting my body naturally increase it's pace. As I neared the water stop between miles  4 and 5 the lead runners were already coming back so I started cheering them on as I headed towards the turn around. My pace increased, the distraction kept me moving without thinking about what my feet were doing. I even ran into one of the moms in the MRTT group, there were 3 of us out there but I had never meet either of them so it was good to have a "friendly" on the course; only after the pics of the race were posted did I find out who the other mother was and I wish I had know it was her when I past her since it looked like she was struggling and maybe a little extra "woop woop" could have helped her, next time. By the time I got to the turn around I was running well under the 12m/m I had planned so I decided to slow down and try to conserve my energy before I completely bonked. I kept up with the cheering until I past the last person on their way to the turn around and focused on passing the runners ahead of me. I started picking rabbits, running to them, passing and picking another one, giving them a little "You're doing great" or "Great Job" I even stopped to chat with one runner about the LaPorte half next weekend. Man I want to run it, next year. Anyways I finally "ran" the half marathon that was in my head my first time out. I stuck to my 9:1 intervals, kept to my nutrition plan (which I am now adjusting) and when I hit the 13th mile I was able to pick up my feet even more and cross the finish in... 2:36:44... 4:42 under my time from the Houston Half and just under what my goal was for the entire season. It was a good day for me in Clear Lake.  And now the real work begins. New goal setting for one. WTF do I work towards now? I don't want to go out and kill it next month at the BCS Half but I kind of feel like I have to now. I am thinking I may set my goal for an even 2:35 or maybe not.

Medals for the Clear Lake City Half, Macho Man for running CL and AHCHM, CL in center and the "I Rocked 39.3" guitar for finishing CL, AHCHM and the Sugar & Spice Half

Up next the Turkey Trot @ Bridgeland followed by the BCS Half Marathon. I am thinking about adding the 12k of Christmas to my December calendar if I can get a discount on it.

Houston Half Marathon and Relay

WOW, all I can say is WOW what a race day it was. First off I woke in a panic at 3:36 am thinking I had over slept my alarm and that I had missed my race. After a few moments of deep breathing I fell back into a semi-sleep. At about 4:15 I was woken again by the dog's scratching, so I got up for good. I unplugged my laptop and crept into the bathroom to check the weather. Just as predicted a storm was coming in and after all my careful race day planning I did not pack one thing that would have been useful in the rain, ok one my visor. After a bit of nervous pacing I left about 15 minutes early in hopes that I would get to the race site before the rain. So glad I left when I did. The line for parking was already really long and winding around the block but thankfully it was free and close to the park. It was just already really crowed so I did what comes naturally, I headed to the port-a-potties, there were already 10 lines making their way across the street, and it's now starting to sprinkle, so I chose one close to the trees. Trees make great umbrellas. I finally get thru the line and back under the tree and then shit happens. Bright flashes of light and booming thunder...bad sign. After a few close by lightening strikes the race director made the announcement that the race would be delayed 1 hour and that everyone should take shelter some place safe until then. So I made a break for it and ran back to my car. Except I hadn't paid that much attention to where I had parked so I just followed a trail of runners into the underground parking garages figuring at least there it would be dry and warm as it turns out. It's was really warm in there. I find my car and take out my yoga mat and take off my shoes and find them full of ants. I assume under that lofty oak I was standing in an ant hill. Blessing in disguise. I only got one bite and it was on my hand after one little sucker got away from me. I rang out my socks and had a bit of chit chat with the guy in the car next to me, who incidentally I came across once again as he passed me somewhere around mile 9. So I get to that point where I just can't handle waiting. I get laced back up, change my shirt and head back up to the surface. It's still raining. I head back to the race start and figure that a little warm up now is better than never. I head down the block and turn up towards the first water stop and get shouts of encouragement from the 2 guys left manning it. What good souls to be out there still getting things ready. As I come back around I hear the announcer "15 to start, we are starting right at 8 am, runners get ready, we are a go" YEA!! So I am warm and ready and I am heading to the scrub. I cross under the start balloon and keep on going. Trying to get far enough back that I do not end up in peoples way. The most amazing thing happened as our National Anthem was being sung you could hear all the runners softly singing along. Normally at races I can only kind of hear it being played, mostly b/c I am so far back and the chattering doesn't quite stop long enough for everybody to hear but on this rain soaked morning everyone hushed and joined in. It is by far one of the best reason to live in this state. You want to see patriotism, Texas leads this country in it. It's something about the pride in this state that I have never seem elsewhere. Then before you knew it the race had started. My Garmin was pretty much worthless the first few miles, the buildings downtown do not make for the best reception, it even clocked me at a 37 second mile pace. Once I got back out on to Allen Parkway I knew I would need to slow down or not be able to finish at all. I hit the first of the underpasses and slowed back to my intended race pace of 12:30. This is just a training run after all, the first of 3 until the end of the year. Once I turned out on to  Memorial when this leveled off a bit I started to pick up trying to keep about a 12m/m pace. Before long it hardly seems like my 8:30 m/intervals were anything at all, before I knew it I was walking again. I grabbed a few PowerGels as they were handing them out at the water stops but I stuck to what I had packed not knowing what something knew would do to me. I brought home 6 in total and 4 PowerBars, nutrition wise I am now stocked up for at least a month of long runs. At mile 8 I started making note with my pace card. I was about 2 minutes up, giving me an decent buffer if I choose to take an extra walk. The turn around brings you back on the downhill until you get back to those 2 underpasses on Allen drive which are right before the finish. I have to admit I was hurting by now. There is a guy in town who runs carrying the American Flag, he caught up to me and began shouting encouragement to everyone. "Come on now 1/2 mile to go, You got this, no DNF from here" I got to say it helped. I took one extra walk break before the finish and then ran it in. I think what I learned from this race is that you can physically prepare all you want, if you don't mentally prepare you will not get anywhere. This is my first half marathon that I brought everything with me and I left it all out there. All parts of me were in on the work and mind, body and soul crossed that finish line.Official time 2:41:26, goal time 2:43:52. I took 3:45 off my April PR time.

HHM Finisher Medal

Things I can't tell you about the race...when it stopped raining. The rain became such a non-issue once I started running that other than having to wipe the drips off my elbows once-in-a-while and off my hat I hardly noticed I was getting wet. But let's face it, that elbow thing happens on hot runs too so not much from the norm there. Not sure what the finish food was, the party was on a grass knoll and the food was at the bottom and there was nothing but mud between me and the tent so I skipped it.

Today I feel good. My toes are a bit sore from sloshing around in my shoes but other than that nothing a little yoga and a light walk this morning didn't work out.

October mileage so far 88.89/100 with 3 days to go to hit the goal. 

Connect to C.A.R 10k

Once I figured out which way my training was going to go, 11, 12, 6, then taper for the Houston Half Marathon on 10/27, I decided that I would look for a 10k for the 6 miles, so I didn't just skip them altogether. What I found was a small race supporting a local church's mission to help fund a clinic in Africa. I normally don't like to do church races, I am not really one for church in general. It's not that I object to religion I just don't believe in a God that takes attendance. Anyways, as it turns out this is a church that had been part of a W.I.C. like federal food program that we had taken part of years ago so this race was a small way for me to "pay it forward" or bring things "full-circle" for me so I signed up. I am really glad I did. There were less than 200 people registered for the 3 "races" total and only 29 for their 10k. Nice small field makes for a friendlier race. The race was on part of the Cinco Ranch Nature trails so about half was running along side the bayou. It was a perfect day for running, the weather has finally turned from Hot as Hades to maybe it's fall. It was in the 50's with a nice breeze so of course I went out too fast. Small race field means there is more of a chance for people to notice you are last so I kept up with the other two people who were ahead of me for the first 1/2 mile and then the chic had to start walking and her boyfriend being a gentleman stayed with her I am guessing for the first loop and maybe about a mile into the second loop. I normally don't mind a double loop course, however they started the 5k about 10 later than the 10k and about mile 2 the first 5kers started lapping me, then it became about keeping ahead of the 5k stroller pushers, then it just became about getting to the beginning of the second loop so I could stop feeling bad about myself. As I started that second loop I found my groove at 11m/m which is awesome for me. I wasn't sure how long I could maintain that or IF I should be maintain that pace since a bigger race day is upon me. BUT fuck it it felt good and I wasn't going too far out of my boundaries it was only going to be a few more miles. That's about when the last dude passed me. Then I passed him. Then we hit the water stations and both walked. Then we cat and moused to the finish. Official race time 1:16:34, only here's the rub, 6.61 miles. Yep that's right, the race was almost 1/2 mile long. So what I'll take it!

Total for the day 7.73, for the week, mind you I am "tapering" 32.1. Next week race recap for the Houston Half Marathon. WWWWOOOOOO WWWWWHOOOOO!

Last Long Run

Woke up this morning to a storm overhead and 12 miles to get under my feet. What to do, what to do. GET WET! I got dressed, laced up and strapped on my fuel belt, walked out the door and caught a flicker of lightening. FUCK!  1...2...3...4...no thunder. I opened the gate and hit my Garmin. Well, a few miles in the hood to see where the storm is heading. Mile 1 a little more lightening but still no thunder, the storm wasn't that close. I decide to run my normal weekday route a bit for good measure, the more down in the hood the closer I can stay to the house in case things get bad. Mile 2.5 decision time put my big girl panties on or go home. I head to the Farm to Market road so I can really get a feel for what's up with the storm. More lightening off in the distance and behind me. Looked like two cells converging right over my head. How far to go? There is a Stripes on Greenhouse, if  have to stop I can wait things out there. I get to Greenhouse 4 miles down, 8 to go. Fuck it, make the turn head south for a 1/2 mile and then bring it back up, anything to not have to run to Wal-mart. Weather is holding, but wait is that rain I feel on the back of my legs, nope, just my water bottle leaking on me. I keep going, there is a Shell at Fry I can wait things out there if I need to. By the time I get to Fry the lightening calms down but it now starts to rain, 6.25 miles. I turn around and head towards Wal-mart. Mile 7 the sun is coming up. Not that I can actually see the sun rise, but the storm clouds have now turned pink. Runners talk of many things, my favorite is watching the sun rise with a well earn bead of sweat on my brow. For me the only thing more beautiful than the pink sky is the amazing light show that has started up again in the distance. The rain in falling faster now. Mile 7.4 back at Greenhouse this time I head north until I hit mile 8, then turn back to my familiar route. Dead cat mile 9.25 (normally my mile 5 marker) heading to Barker Cypress at this point stopping is not a option. I came to the realization that no matter what happened this morning I was going to go home soaked. It was either going to be rain or sweat. I hit Barker 9.75 watching my watch, I no longer am worried about my pace, I am worried about where the fuck am I going to turn around at. I know when I get back to this point I have a mile left to get home, so how far do I need to go to get my miles in. I start checking the distance between the telephone poles, turns out they are .03 miles apart. I keep pounding away. I hit the light at Queenston and I stop to let the light change. What's the difference between joggers and runners? When joggers wait at stop lights they keep moving, runners stop and stand there with a pissed look on their face. I was pissed alright, I over shot my run. I double crossed and headed back to the Exxon. I passed the Wafflehouse and noticed my shoes were sloshing. The rain was now beginning to puddle in the bike lane. My timer goes off, I grab my water bottle is empty, I reach the other one, it's out too. The next .25 mile I spend debating gateraid or orange juice, gateraid or oj? I finally reach the Exxon, the people are funny. The normal guy isn't working so the fat frog like girl gives me crap about dripping all over the store. WTF it's raining. OJ it is and I head around back to the secret path back into the hood. Mile 11.75 - 1/4 mile to go. Almost too easy. I keep going I hit the park and come to a dead stop. 12.28 total run at 13 m/m with 15:1 ratio. Not bad I que up my watch to capture the walk home. .38 mile which took me over 8 minutes, oh my I was tired.
Next week 10k race, week after Houston Half. Oh my here we go!

HEADLAMPS - only running geeks need to read this

OMG have I got a product review for you all! I have been running my long runs using a POS Energizer 3 led head light for almost a year. Lost it and had to run without a light last week so I crossed my fingers and ordered a new one. HOLY COW what a difference. I got a Petzl Tikkina 2 and it is AWESOME! First off it's twice as bright on it's highest setting, on low it is as bright as the Energizer one is on high. The head band is soft, but I assume the other one was when it was new. The light swivels downwards, so does the old one but this one "ratchets" into place, the other one would slowly move forward as I ran. The best part is that it doesn't dig into my head after wearing it for a long period. I hardly realized I still had it on. The Energizer one would start digging into my head (even thru a hat) about 3 miles down the road.

Busy Race Weekend - September recap

Had a busy weekend with 2 races. Miles for Smiles 5k and the Texas 10 Katy.

The Miles for Smiles race was a one off kind of thing for me. It was only $10 so I figured why the fuck not. Never mind I was going to be running 10 miles the next day, no need to think about that. Thing I really liked about the this races was that it took me to a part of Houston I wouldn't have otherwise checked out. Turns out there is ssssooooo much more to run than just the few big running areas. This was the inaugural race for the GMS Foundation, they provide dental work for those who can't afford it. So the cause was good. This was a no frills race, RoadID bibs (which are 100% free if you stuff racers packets with information about them, not judging it's a great idea for small races), no medal, no timing. NO TIMING! For me that was probably the best thing this race had to offer, not b/c I am a "back of the pack" runner but because it took the pressure off, I could take the whole race easy and not feel bad b/c somewhere there was a clock watching me. I really enjoyed the location, Stude Park. It's a very active park, 3 run/walking paths, 1 mile, 3/4 mile and 1/2 mile loops that all came back to each other making varied routes if you wanted one. B Cycle has a drop/pick up spot here also. Why you might ask, well because this park also has a GREAT paved trail that runs along side the bayou along I-10. From what I can see on the online maps it hooks into the Height Bike Trail around Hogan St. on the other side of I-45. The path looks as if it lined for runners to bust out speed work. Which is also a bonus. Thing that killed me about it is that it has actual HILLS, OMG! Pretty much all downhill to 45 and then the course was uphill most of the way back. This is where I took it slow, I knew if I tried to bounce up to the top of the hill I would be in no condition for my race on Sunday. Unofficial time 38:11. Oh and a wore the sparkle skirt I made to run in.

The Texas 10 Series came to Katy. For once, a race that was about 15 minutes from the house. Not that I didn't leave super early, like always. One of these days I swear I am going to show up for a race well before the race crew does. I passed the cone truck on the way in, so yea I was a bit early. It was a humid day for a race, it had been raining off and on all night so dawn brought on more of a sauna than an actual day break. Met up with the Mom Run This Town Katy group for a little prerace moral support. They are really a good group of runners. We all realize we have our own races to run and were there to cheer on each other. So we break the group about 15 minutes before the race so we can all get our prerace activities done. For me that meant finding a place to get a warm up in. I got about a half mile in, just enough to warm up my ankles and calves. The race started a few minutes late and like with most bigger races you couldn't hear any announcements but the start horn was no issue. I took the first few miles too fast, I kept trying to coach myself to slow down and finally about mile 4 I found my stride. I was running 12 m/m at a 8:1 I was really comfortable there. I think this is where I am going to sit for the next few races I have coming up. Mile 5 came and my first lap was done 59:06. I was well above the pace I had set on my pace card, trucking away. Mile 6 hit me like a brick, GI issues. You know that saying "never trust a fart" well...I slowed down to a 13m/m pace and hoped I would not be the next runner caught having a "Bad Human" moment. One of the ladies in the MRTT group came up behind me, I told her of the issues I was having and she nodded a knowing look, we've all been there, and reminded me that there is a port-a-potty just up ahead. Yep she was right, right at mile 7 was a port-a-potty and it's finally started to rain. The rain was a blessing for the few minutes that it happened. This is where my race went to shit. I thought I was going to die in there. Lord knows I killed anything living in there. It felt like it was never going to end, in my mind I really thought they would find me at the end of the race passed out in there. I finally pulled it together, put my big girl panties back on and got out back to my task at hand. I walked half way to mile 8 then began my race again. I looked ahead and I picked a rabbit, this girl who had been annoying the crap out of me sprinting 100 feet and then walking then sprinting again, she was wearing a bright blue shirt so she was easy to keep in sight and I began to haul my ass to her. I got stuck in an 11m/m pace and it started to kill me. By the time I rounded the corner and the last water stop I passed her when she stopped for water, a little past I ran up to the MRTT runner who I had left at mile 7. I asked if I could pace with her for the rest of the race, she was cool with it so we pushed each other to the finish line. My time at this point was really good. If I hadn't lost my shit at mile 7 I would have made this race easily in under 2 hours. Finish time was 2:02:26. I stayed to help cheer in the rest of the MRTT group, which if you know me is something I really never do, when my race is done I'm done and I go home.  I ended September on a high note!

September mileage - get this - 93.85 miles.
Coming up in October: Connect to C.A.R 10k and the Houston Half Marathon
Running 7, 11, 12, 13.1!

I'm Dying Out Here

Fall starts in a week and it's a good thing cuz it's been so hot. I've become running lazy. I skipped the Harra Party in the Park so I could switch back to Sunday long runs. Ok, that's at least what I am telling myself. In reality I think it was more likely I didn't want to get up that morning. Likewise this past weekend I skipped the flash mob 10k so I could sleep in Saturday morning, but is sleeping until 7 am really sleeping in? In most circles probably not but for runners it's unheard of. I did get out yesterday for my cut back long run. Easy 6 was all I was looking for and it's pretty much all I got. I stopped on my route to pick up the chubs some smokes and had a quick chat with the guy at the Exxon and it turns out they have a nickname for me "runner lady with red blinking light on her ass" not quite as cool as "stands with a fist" but more fitting I'm sure.

I can feel the weather wanting to change. It was cooler out this weekend. maybe? I think? or maybe it was that the sun isn't coming up until 7ish so it isn't heating up so fast while I am out there. Training wise I have changed a few things.  Gone are the days of the double run. With school being back the chubs is getting freaked out about me coming home late, I guess 7th grade math is too much for him. During the week runs are all now back to back to make up for miles I am losing by cutting out the afternoon run. Tues is now speed day with Wednesday being tempo run and Thursday just for the miles. I have also decided to take some time off my long run pace. The summer heat dictates that I keep it real slow but with fall weather hopefully around the corner the time for increased speed is upon me and I think this year I would like to learn how to control it before it get really nice out there and I try to take my LSD's at a jackrabbit pace. Moved from 13:30 to 13:00 this weekend. I would like to get my LSD pace down to 12. I know that means I also need to up the speed work and tempo runs but hopefully I will be able to. Last weeks tempo run was at 12:05, this week I am going to shoot for 11:45 which is just under my goal pace for the Texas 10 Katy. Last weeks speed work was done at 11:30 pace so I am going to try to maintain or better that in the next few weeks. Oh and I am now getting up a bit earlier to get an extra mile in every day, so my mileage keeps about the same. This week my LSD hits the 10 mile mark. First 10 mile run since March so I am sure it will be a challenge. So it looks like I am looking at 10, 10, It looks like I can squeak a cut back 7, 11, 12 and then it will be end of October and my first half of the season.

Slay the Summer

Rule the Fall...is the mantra I have been getting thru summer with. It's not mine, the BCS Marathon posted it on their FB page sometime in June and it fit. I have felt thru most of the summer that most runs have slayed me but I have continued on. Lets see, from last I was here it was end of June and TONS has happened since.

July brought me 1 official race, the Run Wild 5k on July 4th. Its was in Uptown which has become somewhat of a haunt for me this year. It was my second race there this year. The race is put on by the Runner's High Club. I seem to be following them this year. Next year I am thinking about joining their group when marathon training starts. Anyways, this was my first race wearing a Tutu. Turned out it helped me run faster...so I could take the damn thing off. Mistake learned. I am self conscious enough without having a red, white, and blue light up, blinking stared tutu to help me stand out. It was so funny about 20 seconds into the run the battery holder for the light came out of the waist band causing me to almost trip over myself as I shoved it down the front of my skirt. Won't do that again, but I do have plans to make a "Sparkle skirt" for the Texas 10 Katy.

I also managed a good lot of virtuals, For the Love of the Kids Beat the Heat 5k, Grumpy Run 10k, The Virtual Run Queen's Quarter Marathon, Poker Run 5k, the MRTT Running Mad (more of this one next) and the Nerd Herd's Happy Birthday Harry Potter 5k. I closed out the month of July logging in 82.81 miles.

Now on to the MRTT race. I joined a online run group. Turns out they have a chapter here in town and they got together to run the virtual the nation chapter was putting on. What a great group of woman. As many different running paces and intervals and goals as there were woman and yet everyone was really upbeat and supportive. No divas. No drama. Proof that women can get along.

August kept up with the heat and the chubsband was nice enough to let me free one night a week after work to get a few hot ass miles in. There is a great little mostly shady park on my way home that is very well marked. It's 6 miles out and back but it has one HUGE draw back. Just past the 1.5 mile marker is a meadow. It's about a 1/2 mile back to where the shade begins again. I have managed to get across it once since things heated up. Thing is once you get across it you have to turn around and do it again before you burst into flames. It really has been that hot this year. Last week I noticed that the trees are starting to believe fall is on it's way, leaves are turning like mad on the path, which gives me hope that soon this heat and humidity will break. Better running weather is just a few more months away.

On the racing scene I picked up two IRL. Early in the month was the Lazy, Hazy, Crazy Days of Summer 5k. This one is starts and finishes at the Aquarium in downtown. I did this one last year and it nearly took me out. What a difference a bit of training will do. I started something new with this race, the pre-race warm up. Prior to this race on race day I pretty much showed up and went at it with little to no pre-race anything. I pounded out 2 miles at my LSD pace before the race. It was amazing. No first mile quad cramping or ankle tightening and I managed to run at an almost non-heat pace finishing in just under 36 minutes. I know that sounds slow but it's more than 3 minutes off of this race from last year and this year I didn't want to completely die afterwards. This one is also put on by the Runner's High Club.

Two weeks later I ran the Lake Houston 10k in Kingwood. I normally don't like driving too far for races, my rule of thumb is to not drive for longer than I am going to run. This one is borderline for me...so I sped a little to get there. What a beautiful run. Tree lined streets, along side a water way, at dawn, sun rising, heat sweltering. Very well put together race. Cold towels in 4 spots of the course, water and gateraid every mile, mini expo where the vendors didn't run out of swag. I even got parking about 200 yards from the start/finish. My mum got me one of  those Garmin running devices for my birthday and this was the first race I got to try it out on. I had a good time trying to turn this race into a tempo run. For the heat I would be lucky to run 12:45 but I set the pacer to 12:15. Putting that with my new found love for pre-race warm ups I managed to surprise myself. I was able to hold the faster pace and finish in 1:16:31. I think I may repeat this race next year.

Virtually I ran, Team Hope 5k, Evil Smiley 10k, the Muffins 2 Marathons Double Dip with back  to back 5k's and I earned my Birthday Bash medal on 8/22 with that days run taking me over the 39 miles I set to do for it. I finished August logging in 73.94 miles, I know but I was on vacation and sick for a week and I have a million other excuses for the drop in miles but half training has officially started so it's only up from there.

Here we are 3 days into September and I have already logged a race. The Alaina Dixon 5 miler, guess where? In Uptown and guess who put it on? The Runner's High Club. 1 hour was my goal but it was too hot for that. I clocked in at 1:01:44. I'll take it! Nothing like a 5 mile tempo run. I even found out that there is a sidewalk along side the feeder road on 610 right before Uptown, so now I have a good pre-race spot for the next time I am in the area.

Coming up, HARRA is having a Party in Memorial Park, which is a good enough excuse just to get a change of scenery, I need 9 miles that weekend, Sun & Ski is having a Flash Mob 10k, just in time for a cut back week, the Miles for Smiles the day before the Texas 10 Katy. Going to hover in that 9-10 mile long run place until the end of the month before I step it UP for my first half of the fall season at the end of October.

Goals: 3-4 days with 1 double day, 2 days yoga and weights and one day full rest (read as not leaving bed). Miles somewhere in the 90 neighborhood.

Houston Double

It's no secret that I haven't been running very long. I still find it hard to call myself a runner. A few years back I was in a car accident that tore apart my shoulder and neck. After 8 months of PT and steroids and surgical steroid injections. I came out of it it 30 pounds heavier. At damn near 200 pounds I decided to start walking. The walking lead me to a couch to 5k program. At which point I began the Galloway method of running intervals. It was June 2011 when I started, they said you need a goal. So I picked a 5k to run. The El Paso (the Oil and Gas company not city) 5k which was in January 2012. Come September I was "running" 5 miles during my long run on the weekends so I thought I should try this 5k stuff sooner. So I signed up for the Health Museums Run for Your Life 5k. I did good, I finished under 36 minutes which for me seemed like a miracle. That day a vendor was giving out free entry into this Energizer Night race on 11-11-11, an 11k. So I figured why the fuck not. By the time my OFFICIAL first 5k came around I was proud to say it wasn't my first. But something happened that morning. As I stood on the start line looking ahead at the runners who were running the Houston full and half, I was inspired some day I would be among them. The next year I entered the lottery for the half and did not get chosen. I was so bummed out.I kept on running but this goal to be in the Aramco kept haunting me. I am not sure why. It can't be the distance, I have run 3 halfs now and before the 2014 I will run at least 3 more and maybe a 25k if I have guts enough to do it. I guess it's just about the "getting in" aspect. No one wants to be left out and being told you CAN'T do something I guess makes me want to do it even more. I am happy to say that this year I got in! I even registered for the double since next year, most of my goal races are doubles, even some are back to back.

Virtual Races

I have a love-hate relationship with running. I love to hate it. One of the things that keeps me going to signing up for local races. In most months I can get at least two in but for July and August when it is hotter than Hades in Houston races are pretty scarce. So to keep up my running motivation I sign up for virtual races. What's a virtual race? They are just like any other race, except there is no packet pick up, you choose when and where and off you go. Some virtual want proof that you finished, most work on the honor system and will automatically mail you out your medal. Medal? Yes, you read that right, these races also include medals. There are 3 basic types of medal, dog tag, insert, and die cast. A dog tag run generally costs about $10, whereas the other 2 start at about $25 and go up from there. The difference between and insert and a die cast? Well an insert medal is one the is generally pre-made with a sticker made to reflect the race and then placed on the medal. Die cast are just that, die cast medals that are uniquely designed, like most medals you find at live races. So races charge more depending on the distance you run but for me unless the medal is different or bigger I try to stay away from those. My reason being the cost to the race director is the same, no matter what I run a 5k of half costs them the same. On the other hand IRL races there is a true difference in cost for putting on a 5k to a half, ie, security, general race support (water tables, water, volunteers, t-shirts, venue costs). If you collect running t-shirts most have those available for an extra fee. I have only come across one that includes it in the cost of the race, the For the Love of the Kids racing series.  Over the weekend I ran two of these, the Fit 4 Life "Wait Until Your Father Get Home (5k)" and the Will Run for Bling "Father's Day Beer Run (10k)". If didn't have these to races on my schedule, I probably would not have gone out and run on those day.

StrideBox

I got my June StrideBox yesterday. I was kind of disappointed. I know it's June and as summer heats up (hahaha Houston...anyways) I know I will use the hydration stuff but there were two items that stuck out for me. First off I LOVE me a good massage anything. So the Foot Rubz really grabbed my attention, so much so that my youngest ran off with have the stuff in my box before I knew that I had been robbed. It's this tiny golf ball sized knobby ball that you can stand or sit and roll on the floor under your foot. Works fucking GREAT. It is small enough that you can even roll it between your toes. It is durable enough that you can apply pressure to where it really hurts on your foot without it collapsing. I think my husband will be the most thankful one for this product, since hopefully now I won't be begging him to rub my feet all the time. The other item I found interesting was an electrolyte popsicle, kind of like a runners Otter Pop. I didn't get to try it yet since A it wasn't frozen and B it was one of the items my kid ran off with. But it is something I didn't know was even on the market so in the next day or two when the empty wrapper turns up I will have to research it.

Got to go out this morning and get my first true beginning of summer run in. Way slow but it felt good being able to get out the door and not have to worrying about if I go a certain way will I get back before I have to wake the boy up. Managed 4 miles before I made the turn home.

Big Little JC 5k

I ran the Big Little JC 5k on Sunday. Well I didn't so much run it as I did kind of "trotted" it. My oldest daughter is 12 and well she is a big girl. No really we are the same height 5' 7" and she outweighs me by at least 30 pounds. My husband thinks I have been in denial about her weight but he comes from a family that puts a person value and how much (or little) they weigh. I come from an entirely different place. I am not willing to shame her or talk down to her to make her lose weight. I would rather she have a healthy view of herself and know that every person has value regardless of how much (or little) they weigh. I have spent the past few years working with her on things food items, like making better choices. And for me making sure that there are better choices for her to make. She has also watched me struggle with my weight, so many of the things I preach to her have been b/c I am also practicing them. This is the first year she and I have worked on her physical fitness. I don't expect the scale to move for her, in fact I do not think a 12 year old belongs on a scale but it is time for her to do some sort of daily activity. Which kind of leads me to this 5k. My youngest school did a 9 to 5 program and then at the end all the kids ran a 5k. While she was doing it she kept bugging me about when she was going to get to run a 5k with. She is wishy-washy so I signed us up for one sooner rather than later, which would have been this race if it hadn't rained 4 inches in the 48 hours before it, if the race course wasn't part of the Addicks Reservoir, if the flood district hadn't been controlling the water flow to downtown, if the course didn't end up under 6 inches of water. We had even gone so far as picking up our packets for the race, only to hear that it would be rescheduled. About a week later I got word of the new race date and after lots of discussion she backed out. Just as well, she had been a real PITA while we semi-trained for it. Her wanting to run with mommy had become a chore for her. Clairissa however, took her stepping out as an opportunity to step-up and told me she would take her place. We had 2 weeks to go from her walking a half mile to "running" 3.1 miles with me. She took on the challenge like the champ I know her to be. We started with a half mile loop running 30 seconds and walking 1 minute. As we increased distance we also increased time. In the end we settled on a 1:1 ration which pushed her but it didn't overexert her. We took the time during these training sessions to talk about the things that were going on at school, nutrition, her father, her sister, the lazy big brother, pretty much anything to keep her mind of the fact that her legs hurt or she was getting a cramp. We decided on how we were going to work out training for the next 5k. Finally on Friday we took our last training run and decided to take Saturday off so we would have fresh legs for our run.
If you've ever been in Houston during this time of year, you understand why Houston is the most air conditioned city in the USA. (Not joking, it's a real title.) It has rained for the past few days, not a lot just enough to bring the temps down. Which of course brings the humidity up. It was nice out, before the sun came up. As it came up it was a different story. Things heated up quick. By the time 8am rolled around I am sure it had to be about 80 out. We kind of meandered around. If there is one thing I am, it's early for everything except my birth. If I am late something is normally up. Even when my kids were little, you know when most people us that "I have 3 kids to get ready" thing as an excuse to screw up other peoples' time frames, I never did. If you told me to be somewhere at a certain time there we were, all 5 of us. Anyways... The Race...

I didn't have high hopes for this one. The day we picked up our packets, their facebook page said it would start at 11am, we got to Bike World and were told 12pm, so by the time they finally showed up and were ready to start it was quarter of 1. I am not a big fan of disorganization, I was hoping it wasn't a sign of how race day was going to go. It wasn't. They really had it together. When we got there they were setting up cones and getting the balloon arch ready, with in a few minutes the music was pumping and the jumpers were blown up. This was a really family oriented race. So much so that the kids was free. Not many races will do that, most want every single dime they can get out of ya. 20 minutes before race time they had to very high energy Zumba instructors get the crowd really and warmed up. Zumba is not my things but it did give me and Claire a few bonding moments as we watched a few people look like they were going into convulsions. The race started right on time. Down the trail we went, mainly paved path but a few stretches of grass, we went over two bridges (twice out and back) and I had to laugh at the sign right before the second one that went over the bayou, "Watch out for alligators" and another one that said it wasn't safe to swim here. You would think the alligator warning sign would be enough but who knows, people are so dumb these days. The path is a dual use trail, so there were tons of bikes, lots of "on your left". We managed to about the half way mark with Claire being miserable but I think when she realized how far she had come and what it was that she was accomplishing she dug down and persevered. She could have quit. I would have let her. I would rather her have stopped to walk than injure herself, I would rather her give up to know what giving up feels like so that she can learn from it. Not every challenge is accomplished on the first try, but as long as you keep working at it and don't stop at failure there is nothing that you can't do. It was when we hit mile 3 that I became really impressed with her. Our training included a 100-200 yard dash at the end. Finish Strong is what I call it. We talked about it when we could see the sign, I let it be her decision, are we going to all out sprint or just trot in, she hit that 3 mile sign and killed it, she picked up her feet, ran thru the crowd and crossed that finish line out of breath. I crossed a few seconds behind her. We got buttons instead of medal, they fit into our scrap books nicely. We hit the post race food, tacos, bagels, kolaches, bananas and oranges and water (this one had water yea). We didn't stay for much else. On the way home it hit her what she had just done. She had Gallowayed herself to a 5k run finish. Official finish time 52:07.

Hot air balloon floating over the start line.

National Run Day part 2

This time it really is about National Run Day.

Last year I went to the run day festivities held by the Houston marathon committee at Memorial Park and I thought, man it's too hot to run, how the hell are all these people surviving out here. I must have semi-ran about 1/4 mile and then turned around and walked back picked up a t-shit and drove home. What a HUGE difference 365 days can make. This year, I planned ahead. I made sure the hubs had money to order in, gave him plenty of notice that I was going to be late (I still have runners guilt about putting my evening run time over my family), apologized 20 times, gathered my oldest running shoes to donate to the recycling effort, ducked out of work early and headed out to the same venue for the same festivities as last year but this year I had way different results. My plan was to drop off the shoes and then run the loop, grab a shirt and fight traffic home. Pretty much the same plan as last year. Only difference is this year I think it was hotter out, oh and this year I actually did it. I started out at a 6/1 ratio, I finished with at a 1/1 due to the heat. Seems I am having problems adjusting to running in the cooler weather. My new mantra for the next few weeks is going to be "slow down, don't pass out". By the time I got to the turn on to Memorial dr I noticed something, I was really enjoying myself. There is a short cut that a few other runners took and I thought to myself "nope this time sweet heart you aren't taking the easy way" and I kept on keeping on. As I kept going I passed a few of those short-cutters and I said to myself cheaters never prospers and these fools just got lapped my slow ass self HA HA!! By the time I turned the next corner the heat got the best of me and that is when I dialed down the run/walk ration, as I did I noticed the mile marker "2". I had managed two miles in 93 degree heat in 25 minutes. WOW!! last year I ran 1/4 mile and quit. HOLY COW. This side of the trail is full sun so I am really thankful I changed the ratio, only problem was I didn't change my tempo, I should have and will work on it during the next few weeks. I ran past the point I quit at last year with pride for once I was proud of my running. I ran on to the festivities site where they had begun giving out t-shirt for this years race, it was decision time, you only get one shirt, for the race you are signing up for (or in my case entering the lottery for)  the guy says to those of us in the line "Marathoners here, you halfers over here" I really wanted to yell at him "HEY, were all marathoners, some of us just haven't crossed the finish line yet" but now wasn't the time for confrontation I had to choose full or half, half or full. Then Sheldon entered my mind and as he says, the cup is neither half full or half empty, when the liquid is removed it is replaced with air, therefore the cup is always full. So I grabbed a shirt for the half, it's the sensible decision, I obviously am not ready to do the full, but it is in me.

National Run Day

Today is National Run day. In Houston it is also the opening day of the lottery for the Chevron Houston Marathon and the Aramco Half Marathon. I have a big decision to make and it is kind of blowing my mind, I didn't think I would be thinking about running a FULL marathon so soon. In December I ran my first half and hated it! I ran a great 10k, struggled thru the next 4 miles and spent the mile from 10 to 11 cursing myself for doing it. The last 2 miles I screamed at myself to pull it together that under no circumstance was I going to not finish and low and behold I crossed the finish just under the 3 hour mark, however the goal was 2:40ish. I went back to the hotel that day and swore to my husband that he had won (oh yea he's not a run fan) that I would never run another half marathon, that from here out 10k's were my game. 3 maybe 4 days later I signed up for not 1 but 2 more halfs, a series. So yet again I booked a motel and found a family friendly place to take the fam and went off to erase my first disastrous half off the books. Only this time I hit the wall yet again at the 10 mile mark, or so I thought. Come to find out after I finished (about a minute and a half faster that last time) that due to the course not being marked properly I had actually run about .80 miles longer than a half. In reality it was about the 11 mile mark that I began cursing my unwise choice to do this to myself again. Except this when it was over I was left this feeling that I really had something to prove. No way was I going to leave 3 hours as my half mark. My best 10 miler is just at 2 hours, no way I was I going to believe that those last 3.1 miles takes me an hour, I really needed to fix that. So on my 3rd attempt, on the same but corrected course as my 2nd half, I did it. I made the list, these are the things that went right, these are the things that need to be fixed (not went wrong, they just didn't work) and I worked out a new race plan. My nutrition was off, I was running the first half too fast, I wasn't listening to my body, I needed to break in new shoes, at mile 8 I need to pee so by 10 I don't feel like I am about to explode. And then I went out to work things out. As far a nutrition goes, I have always been on the cusp of diabetes, so I am very aware of how much sugar and what kind of sugars I am putting into my body. I trend towards honeys and splenda, stevia, and sorbitol. I love Nuun and try to keep away from Gateraide but I have learned that this practice while running has been holding my body back. Somewhere in the middle of the half I would need to take in actual sugar. I was also using the Stinger honey waffles for fuel, turns out it wasn't enough. I tried out a few different gels and on one long run, at the 1 hour mark I sucked down a Clif Mocha, and about 15 minutes later my mind cleared out of that fuzzy groggy been running for an hour mode. So this is why people dig these, that was IT I found my nutrition. And then the actual race day came. I had learned a few things from the past race, location wise, since this is the second in the series there were some stead fast things that would be the same. Like limited parking, left the hotel early found a great spot just  along side the finish line. The last race had only had 300 women runners and this one was going to be about 1200 male and female runners, with the long lines at the porta-potties at the last race, I lined up early to get that business out of the way. 40 minutes before the race I drank my cup of applesauce (yep, I jumped on that bandwagon, turns out the fiber in it keeps me from getting the ever loving runners trots) and began my water sipping routine but not too much, mile 8 was the goal before I had to pee not 6. I lined up further back closer to the walkers too avoid that rush of going out too fast. I was pumped, 3rd times a charm and all. I kept it easy for the first 6 miles, and then let it rip for the next few, at mile 8 I had to pee but the lines were too long, next cans weren't until mile 10, I kept up tempo making it to 10 at the 2 hour mark and then stopped to take my break. Things people don't talk about when it comes to running, your bottoms go on much easier when you are dry, once they are soaked with sweat and you body is sticky they come back up about as well as a rolled up bathing suit might. Runners trots are a real thing, as I witnessed this by the fact that someone who hit the can before me shit on the floor of the potra-potty. So if you can imagine, as I come out gagging, with my shorts in a knot trying to get back into the run of things, I kind of lost it. 10 mile wall and I just hit it. I did myself check, feet how ya doin'? They weren't killing me, knees are you with us? Yep they were holding strong, stomach? Queasy but nothing a little Nuun couldn't fix. Head are you in this? Sure but let's dial it down a bit. I switch my timers from 12/1 to 6/1 and went for it. Somewhere between mile 11 and 12 there was this glorious puddle. I couldn't resit it. My feet thanked me about 10 feet later. I thought OMG I'm gonna do this, I really going to get this done in a decent time. Yep I was delirious. Had. To. Be. I was actually enjoying myself. Holy Crap! I finished with a 2:45, a 15 minute difference between my 1st and 3rd (#2 still doesn't count, since it was a longer distance). Looking back at it I think that was the first day I thought of myself as a runner. I know from these experiences that if I choose to run the full it won't be pretty. I know that I will be demanding more from my body than I have ever asked of it. I know that it will be a challenge. I know that I will be lucky to finish in under 6 hours. I know that I will be wrecked and exhausted beyond my imagination AND yet maybe just maybe...

Race photos

Normally race photos don't come in until Tuesday or Wednesday following a race but today (Monday) a glorious email arrived over night that the photos for The Heights 5k were up. Of course mine were shit, they normally are I always think next time I am going to have to come up with some signature goofy look or gang sign to flash but normally I am too busy thinking about silly things like breathing or just getting across the finish that the most I can muster is a thumbs high or peace sign. On longer races I have taken to flashing the number for the closest mile marker so when put in order you can see the progression from cheery runner to sweaty hot mess that I normally return home as. So today at work I am happily going thru the race photos. I have to ask does any one else click thru from beginning to end as fast at they can, so it looks like everyone is in motion, like a flip book? And sometime backwards?

The Heights 5k

So, I ran The Heights 5k today. Yea, yea, yea another running blog wtf? We are every where. I am not sure who the announcer is for this race but I have heard him many times before at other races. His voice has become like the voice of God before the storm. As the horn sounded today he sent us off with some sage advise, "Take your time going but hurry back" how great is that for a send off. I chuckled. All I could think as I crossed the start, was about how crowed it was. Normally once you pass the walkers (more about walkers who insist on lining up before runners later) races tend to spread out but that wasn't the case today...it was the street, two really narrow lanes that forced many people to run the median in order to get out of the crowd. The course was good, down Heights ave (blvd, st, whatever) catch a turn around and head back up where you started, most pointed out and back race I have been at. The 3 water stops were a welcome change, so directors see a 5k as a no biggie and skip the water tables altogether but with this heat it was more than justified to have them. Did I mention it was 73 at 6 am when I left for the race, and about 50% humidity, the weather guy said today was going to be the hottest day of the year so far, (it's only June 1st, summer has yet to hit Houston) 93 is what our predicted top out temp.  Anyways, I brought my handheld bottle b/c you never know. I always check out what gear other people feel the need to bring for a 5k. I mean as far a races go it's not really that far and even the walkers finish under the 1 hour mark so the need for true running gear is small. BUT people still feel the need to run with full 4 bottle belts or even camel backs. I don't get it. I ran well for the first mile, I knew I was going faster than the heat was going to allow me to continue at but I trucked on hitting the first flag at 11 minutes, hit the turn around slowing to about a 11:30 pace until the 2nd mile marker. By then I knew I was in trouble, running too fast for the heat. So I switched to a 1 minute run :50 second walk (hey it was the last pace my kid and I were working at for her first 5k) it took a bit to settle in but over all it was the best choice for the heat. Here comes my next biggest pet peeve, crowded finish lines, oh you finished that's great now get the fuck out of my way. Crossed the finish, no thanks to the lady pushing her running stroller across the street, and on the other side...nothing...no water. Temp over 80 by now and they have run out of water for finishers and what is that I see on the park bench a runner struggling with the heat, looks to be about passed out, sad sight. BUT MAYBE had there been enough cold water at the finish for everyone his distress could have been diverted. Lots of tents up in the park for the after party, plenty of apples,out of bananas, tons of stale bagels (so sick of stale bagels at races), a iced coffee line that is bigger than any beer line I have ever waited in BUT NO FUCKING WATER! On the way out I crossed path with an ambulance with full sirens blazing, I hope that runner down is alright and no one else was hurt. I ran about a C race for me, heat really kills it for me and for the race itself, D+ no excuse for running out of water.