Race day.  Up at 5am, already 65 degrees & crazy humid – in February!

Spent 30+ minutes locating parking in the designated state capitol parking garage(s) – Austin’s gotta resolve I-35 traffic congestion & downtown parking (friendly suggestion) – then jockeyed my way near the 4 hour pace group.

• Whole lotta runners.  More than 18,000 participating in either the half or full marathon events.

• Marathon was rolling hills from mile 9 thru mile 19.  Yep, 10 miles of gradual UP.

• Austin only provides marathon ‘Finisher’ tees, so picked up a local Longhorns tee for race day.  By mile 9, my new cotton tee was soaked.  Let the chaffing begin – that’s all I’m gonna say here but ouch, live & learn.  Cotton never again plus wearing strategically placed Band-Aids in every marathon going forward.

Assume it was the humidity but whatever the excuse, today just wasn’t my best.  Felt tired, struggled for motivation & was passed by my pace team a few miles past Lady Bird Lake.  And because of super tight security, had no one encouraging me at mile 19, 20 or 21 (aka – Runner’s Wall).  Just me this day.  Tough one.

As the race day drug on, felt more & more like a fraud in that Longhorns tee.  Whatever, I’ll take it 🙂

• “The eyes of Texas are upon you, son”
• “Hook ‘em Horns”
• “Run Forrest Run”  (not sure he was from Texas)

Race ended up a hill.  Ugly day but I collected my official Finisher tee.

Only 46 states to go.   Next month – Atlanta!

Place     Name              City               State       Time

1686      K R Haga       Louisville     CO        4:27.41