September

September 2nd and I already have a race recap for you all. I ran the Alaina Dixon 5 miler put on by the Runner's High Club. I have briefly mentioned this race in a previous post but I don't think I really did it much justice. Most important thing about this race is really it's back story. Alaina Dixon is a local runner who in 2011 collapsed a few feet from finishing the Chevron Houston Marathon. In the years since this race had been created to raise funds for various running related emergency medical issues. I may be wrong but last year I believe it was raising funds directly for the medical team for the Chevron Houston Marathon and this year it is to benefit IIRM - the International Institute for Race Medicine. This is one of those races that will surprise you. It is very well put on, something I have learn to expect from RHC, from easy early morning packet pick up to the balance of port-a-potties. Everything you would want from a race is included. Up beat pre-race music, timely announcements, pre-race "prayer", singing of our National Anthem, and most importantly an on time start.

Last year the race shirts were tank-top tech shirts with some really awesome mesh panels on the sides. This year they were female/male cuts in a super soft tech weave in a fantastic neon yellow. The route takes you thru the Uptown Park area along Post Oak and into the Tanglewood area neighborhood. The neighborhood streets are pretty well fully lined with old growth oak trees that make the most magnificent shade for what would otherwise be a really nasty hot run. The course water station is placed at the entrance of the neighborhood at just before the 1 1/2 mile mark you also hit it again on your way back just under the 4 mile mark. I did see a few people cut the course in this area, one said he missed the turn around for the 2 mile walk (which was the mile 1 marker but yes, there is just a walk option with this race too) but he was 4-5 blocks past the 2 mile marker (not sure who he thought he was fooling) and I saw another lady just plain give up a few blocks from the mid-race timing mats (she did at least rip her timing tag off her bib as she turned around). I had been passed early on by two ladies that had also run the Houston Wellness Project's free 5k in George Bush Park (if you're in the area and haven't checked them out yet, you need to) the day before, and I only remembered them because one of the was wearing full makeup (make-up while running is a subject for another blog), including lipstick on Sunday, as she was for this race, but I mention them because I decided I would use them as my race rabbits. We had been pretty evenly paced the day before and they were still a few block ahead of me so they seems like a safe bet to have something to go after but before I knew it around the 3 mile mark I was passing them. From there it became all about catching the next group of runners. Which I did. It is easy to see who has been out and running in the heat and who hasn't. I think for most runners 3 miles in a bit of heat and humidity is one thing but pushing beyond that is something entirely different, even for myself mile 4-5 wasn't easy and I have been out in it all summer. As I crossed the finish there was some cheering, this is also one of the few smaller races where the front of the pack actually stays and cheers for back of the pack. Not much for food options, granola bars and such but there is plenty to choose from in the way of liquids. There was some offerings from No Label Brewery as well as Mickey Ultra and also the assorted Muscle Milks and sodas. Finishing left me spent but in a very good way. 

This race was the ending of my Labor Day weekend tri-runs. I started with 9 with Cy-fit on Saturday, met a running buddy for 2.5 miles before the HWP 5k and then we added another 2.5 miles back to our cars after the race for a total of 8 for Sunday and then these 5 gave me 22 running for the 3 day weekend.  Starting September off on a high note!

Coming up this month I am running the first of the three races that make up the Bridge Series, the Toughest 10k Kemah. Of the three races this one I think is the hardest. Up and over four times. This month in MARATHON training we ramp back up to familiar territory to the 13-14 mile range. To celebrate this the Half Fanatic (#6208) in me signed up for the Buffalo Stampede in Byran TX October 4th. It will be my first half of the Fall season. Here's hoping to early fall weather and fingers crossed by year's end my first under 2:30 half.