As with the last several years, my athletic season began in Houston again this year.
After doing more offseason work, I was looking forward to beating last year’s times.
After the group photo Saturday morning, Doug and I headed to the start corrals. This year, the AWDs weren’t all at the frount. So we had about 20-30 minutes to wait.
When we got started, it seemed a little fast, so I slowed down. In 2022 or 2023, what really messed me up was flem not clearing. Last year, I didn’t really have an issue. However, this year, it kept occurring. To a point where I lost at least 90 – 120 seconds having to walk to clear it. With that, I was actually 25 seconds slower than last year. 🙁
After having time to relax and seeing the felines play, we had food and crashed out early.
Sunday started off early, and we were in the corrals before sunrise. In past years, while we’ve started in the dark, it’s been full sunlight before mile 1.25. However, this year, it was dark / cloudy for most of the race. I think it finally became “clear” at about mile 9.5.
But before we got to that point, two bad things happened. One was the arch of my right foot seized; the other was that I dropped one of my nice running gloves (which I didn’t realize until that point. :() While I was in pain from about 3.5 on, Gabe and Doug helped me through it. The Liquid IV that Gabe had brought helped immensely.
What helped me keep going was knowing the work I had put in prior to the race weekend. Even though it hadn’t gone as hoped, I refused to give up and just walk it out. And when it got the worst, having someone say ‘I’ve been trying to catch you for two and a half hours; you’re crushing it’ was a great boost.
As with last year, the crowds helped immensely. Especially in that last mile — not so much for the encouragement, but more for the “accountability”. Even when you’re in pain, it’s much harder to walk (although I had to in places) when a lot of people are watching. 🙂 You find the little extra to run through the pain for a little longer.
I am extremely grateful to Doug and Gabe for guiding and all their support during the weekend, to Catapult for all their support, and friends who helped throughout the weekend (including being feline referees :P)
