January recap - February begins

Finished off January running the Houston Wellness Project's free 5k. It was my second time running it and I think I am going to try to make it to all 12 of them this year. For February I signed up my youngest daughter to run with me. Since they are run on part of an open trail that allows for multiple ins and outs I have parked at one of the other ends of the park and ran 2.5 miles to it and then the 2.5 back to round the complete run at 8 miles. I am very happy with this route and think I might use it as a back up 8 mile route for when summer hits. Most of the trail is shady which it the real bonus here. Ended January with 84.31 miles. My legs are tired. Also earned myself a spot in the Half Fanatics Asylum. #6208 - that's me!

MRTT medal and swag

On to February. Started the month with back to back races. First up was the MRTT winter virtual. About 20 or so from my local chapter meet up and ran various routes thru town. I was going to run early but ended up going out with the 7:30 group and ran 6.45 miles. I really felt good since the weather has kept me inside during my mid-week runs and finally it was just perfect to enjoy a run. Even earned a little swag and a cool medal for our social paced efforts. I can't stress enough if you need a good running partner, this group is the way to go. So much support and dedication to the run, it's just amazing. SO that was Saturday.



On Sunday I ran the Brazos Bend Keep On Truckin' Half Marathon. This one was a little more complex for me. First off other than running in the bayou I haven't done much trail running, so that itself was a challenge. Then the weather, which hasn't been real stable lately, played havoc on me. When the races started it was 64 with 99% humidity and by the time I finished it was 44, windy, and rainy. I at least did myself right and set my expected finish time for 3 hours. Mentally I really would have set myself up for failure out there if I had set it any sooner. For the first few miles there was no doubt that 3 hours was happening but then on the way down the hill when the weather changed it really became an issue of if 3 was really going to happen. The course was a little long but it was beautiful. And even with soaked and blistered toes I did happily finish with a bit of whining at 3:02:57. The race itself was freeish, you have to pay to get into the park, $7 an adult, and then there is a mandatory $10 donation that goes back to the park but provides you with a meal after the race, and that is it. All this grandeur and on trail support for $17. Best buy I have come across in a long time. They do a second one in October and I think I might find a way to add it into my training schedule.


So far for February, 19.86 miles and it's only the 3rd. Up next is the Run The Line half in Texarakna.