Kingwood New Year's Day 2016

WOOO HOOOO!!! HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Ok, I know that's a tad bit late but you know....whatever. 

I have a great race to report about. 

Marathon Manics photo credit Hoang Hung

I ran the Texas Marathon in Kingwood on New Year's Day 2016 and what a blast it was. 

First off the RD for the race is Steve Boone (who also runs in the race), who in case you don't know is one of the Big Dogs over at the 50 States Marathon Club. Their club as well as the Marathon Maniac's (I'm #10767) were well represented at the race.

It's run on private paved trails so it is much more scenic than many races out there. This also gives it that trail race type of feel, as it winds out with a path that is very well tree lined until it comes out at the lake you run around before heading back to the start line turn around.

The race is 4 loops for the marathon and (obviously) 2 loops for the half. Here's the thing even if you sign up for the marathon and decide 2 loops were enough for you, you are able to drop down to the half and still get a medal. This sort of messed with my head. I wasn't really in the mood to run after being up so late, it being New Year's and all, so I spent the last half of the 2nd loop debating if I kept going would I even finish and then the first half of the 3rd loop debating if I made the right choice. This is why they tell you running is really a mind game. Some where in that 3rd loop I righted my thinking and began enjoying the race again. Switch from 2:1 to 1:2 probably helped my attitude also.

At this point the runners really started thinning out. Most of the half field had finished, I think there many have been a few half walkers still out but not many. So what was left was us die hard 5 1/2 hour - 6 hour plus runners. As I came to the turn around aid station it was starting breaking down, they don't need so many people with so few runners left. Mind you they did not step down on their enthusiasm as runners made their way in and out of them. I finished my 4th loop actually passing two other runners, well they were finishing their 3rd loop but who cares, that sort of boost does wonder at the end of any race. 

The race has good swag, a really good size bag (my yoga mat fits in it), long sleeve race shirt and matching hat. Along with your medal you also get a squishy toy that has your place number on the bottom of it. For all you bling whores at the finish is a medal that is only rivaled in size by the Little Rock Marathon, except this year the Texas Marathon medal out weighed Little Rock by 3 ounces.

I would do this one again. 

Coming up is the Houston Marathon weekend followed two weeks later by my goal race the Miracle Match 50k in Waco. 

Happy Running