Well, we all knew sooner or later I would have a bad race. I guess I couldn't continue to improve forever.
Race # 7 took place in New Braunfels, TX last Saturday and it went as badly as one might expect a race in Texas in July to go. Let's just say I would rather cut off my big toes than ever run that race again.
I will admit that I didn't have very high expectations of the race. However, I had higher expectations of myself.
This race was the first one my dad and I ran together since March. I was looking forward to running with him again and (hopefully) beating him, too. We decided to drive to San Antonio the night before the race to stay with my aunt. Road trips with my father are always interesting. For someone who generally takes such good care of himself, he seems to have a knack for choosing the worst "local" places to stop for food on the road. I remember him stopping at greasy hole-in-the-wall diners while transporting me to and from college. He would always go all out while I would sit there scowling and hungry. This mini-road trip wasn't very different. An hour in to the drive, he decided he wanted to stop at Dairy Queen. Not exactly "local" but you get where I'm going with this. I don't know if I had ever actually been inside a Dairy Queen. Now I have. The pops ordered some chocolate-fudge-sundae-milkshake-malt-slushie or something to hold himself over until dinner. Dinner was better, but only because I got to pick the place.
We hit the sack pretty early Friday night. Since we were staying in San Antonio, we had to set our alarms for 4am to make it to New Braunfels in time for the 6:30am start. We got to the race at around 5:30am and they were still getting the course organized. The race started in front of the Orange Leaf yogurt shop and went through cornfields. Only about 400 people were signed up for the race, and about 100 of them signed up on Friday. All of the other races I've run have had thousands of people running them.
The course was miserable. Although it was relatively flat with a soft asphalt surface, this race was the most boring and uncomfortable one I have ever run. My goal was to break two hours and continue my streak of consistent improvement. I knew I wasn't going to break two hours within the first couple of miles. I was on pace, but I was working uncomfortably hard to maintain that pace. The humidity was unbearable and the race was shrouded in a thick fog that prevented runners from seeing more than 30 yards into the distance. The fog coupled with the tall cornfields flanking both sides of the path made for a pretty boring (and slightly eerie) course. I imagine it was comparable to running on a treadmill in a steam room. All I could think about during the run was how disappointed I was. Disappointed in the race, the weather, myself, etc. After having so much fun in my past three races, I just couldn't get over the let down that was the Orange Leaf half marathon. Mentally, I just was not in it.
My final time was 2:05, and my slowest time in two months. But a few good things did come out of this race. Apparently everyone ran their worst times and I actually placed 4th in my age group. The girl who won my age group with an incredibly fast terribly slow time of 1:30 even said it was her worst time. She finished 3rd overall. Prior to this race, I also learned that a girl with whom I went to high school, Alexis, is also a dedicated runner. She ended up placing 2nd in our age group and it looks like we'll be running a few more of the same races this year. I don't know many people who are in to these kinds of races so its fun to share this as a common interest with someone. A couple other girls from our high school, Christi and Mindy, were also there offering their support. We hung around and chatted for a bit after the race and discussed our upcoming athletic projects.
And the best part about this race? Another half marathon finished. I can now cross July off my list and add another medal to my collection.
I have six weeks before my next race in Ashland, VA. That should be plenty of time to get in some serious summer training and get back on track with improving my time.
Oh and the pops decided on Whataburger for some post-race munchies. Not exactly my ideal post-race meal. I prefer raw oysters on the half shell.
Thanks for reading and I'll see y'all in August!
Race # 7 took place in New Braunfels, TX last Saturday and it went as badly as one might expect a race in Texas in July to go. Let's just say I would rather cut off my big toes than ever run that race again.
I will admit that I didn't have very high expectations of the race. However, I had higher expectations of myself.
 |
| The not very crowded parking lot early in the morning. |
We hit the sack pretty early Friday night. Since we were staying in San Antonio, we had to set our alarms for 4am to make it to New Braunfels in time for the 6:30am start. We got to the race at around 5:30am and they were still getting the course organized. The race started in front of the Orange Leaf yogurt shop and went through cornfields. Only about 400 people were signed up for the race, and about 100 of them signed up on Friday. All of the other races I've run have had thousands of people running them.
 |
| Me and Alexis |
 |
| Duchesne runners |
And the best part about this race? Another half marathon finished. I can now cross July off my list and add another medal to my collection.
I have six weeks before my next race in Ashland, VA. That should be plenty of time to get in some serious summer training and get back on track with improving my time.
Oh and the pops decided on Whataburger for some post-race munchies. Not exactly my ideal post-race meal. I prefer raw oysters on the half shell.
Thanks for reading and I'll see y'all in August!
