Dallas Marathon

Published December 15, 2019

Fancy sleeps @ the Omni. Run ready, hotel check-out, bags with the Bell Captain. Notta chance I’ll be back for a shower. Sorry Southwest passengers – will do my best with a post-race sink bath 😊

Streams of folks queuing for today’s event. Everything is BIGGER in Texas. Super organized too. Greeters, lotta signage. Music a-blaring. beat, BEAT, beat. Every 20 seconds another mix. fun PARTY atmosphere. Everyone talkin’. Laughter. Did y’all forget? We’re running 26 miles today! HA!

Low 70’s forecast & all layered-up. Triple 8 training day. Gonna be H-O-T next month races 2, 3 & 4. Australia, Singapore & Cairo. So today… my December ‘summer’ run. Gotta make peace with the heat – stay hydrated & FINISH. Honestly, just good to be outside again. Since Japan – between work retail craziness & every-other-day snow – only a handful of treadmill treks & nothing over 5 miles.

National Anthem. Fireworks. Streets closed; downtown lined with support. Big D is ours. Lotta people energy. LOVE LOVE. Re-thinking Texas. 3 months of the year, I can totally manage the heat. LOL>

Flat forgiving course. Couple long grinders. Halfers peeled off before the lake, mile 8/9. On track. Planned to toss my outer layer @ marker 15. Sun HIGH. Walk a few steps, lower the heart rate – then back at it. Couple well-timed breezes. Still layered before the one big hill, miles 19/20. UP UP UP.

Last 10k. Cue the theme song. HUGE beautiful homes – and that support. WOW! Really nice, y’all. Dallas – I’m a FAN. “Keenan, you’ve got this” (Mile 22 scream from a volunteer). Still layered, still smiling. Legs like lead (lack of training) – but she’s right. I’ve got this. Almost home.

3^rd FINISH in Texas. See y’all for New Years! 2K20 in Texas! 🥳