This is the second time I've run this race, and it's definitely one of my favorites. Very well organized, not too big, and a really nice spread at the post-race party. This year, they were handing out beer (Shiner, Tecate, and Heineken), buffalo nachos, breakfast tacos, Chik-Fil-A sandwiches, and tons of other stuff like smoothies that really didn't interest me. If I'm going to replenish my carbs after a race, I'll take a beer over a smoothie any day.
Anyway, it was a really nice day for a race. Started in the high 50s and ended around 70. Perfect Houston fall weather. I felt bad for the people who decided to wear the race shirt during the race. They're long-sleeve Saucony tech shirts, better for running in January than October. By the time they got to the finish, most of them were beet red in the face and looked quite overheated.
My goal for the race was to finish in under 1:30 (9 minute pace). I want to run San Antonio between 4 and 4:15, so this was a good test to see how I could do holding that pace. Turns out I was way too conservative. I ran the first few miles right around 9 minutes, started to pick it up about halfway through, and kicked it in for the last couple miles. I think I would have been better off had I started with 8:50s and moved up slowly from there instead of having the big drops that I did. Good learning experience, and knowing I still had plenty in reserve at the finish makes me feel more confident about San Antonio. Assuming I don't overdo it with the tequila while I'm in Cancun at the end of the month.
Today was the first time I ran in racing flats, courtesy of Brooks, one of our In Flight sponsors. What a different feel they have from my regular running shoes. I could barely feel them on my feet, and while they don't have the same cushioning as my Asics, that didn't seem to matter. Not sure I'd want to do 26.2 in them, but a half certainly wouldn't be a problem.
