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
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- Austin Marathon FINISHER!
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- Texas State Capitol
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- heavy fog, crazy humid race day
3rd straight marathon month lined up – Welcome to Austin!
Arrived just before midnite, caught some quick shuteye, then off to the Palmer Events Center for bib pickup & the Runner’s Expo. Fast sweep of the room, back in my rental & south on I-35 – destination: San Antonio. And more specifically…the Alamo.
Sunshiny warm day with temps in the mid-70’s. Beeeeutiful day!
More than one person warned that I’d be bored at the Alamo – only good if you like history. Lucky for me – I LOVE history! 🙂
Started off by watching a 20-minute movie produced by the History Channel. The Texas Revolution was very similar to our own country’s beginnings & struggle against England. Texas was a northern province of Mexico – primarily settled by Americans & Europeans – fighting for autonomy. Yea I was hooked. LOL>
And while the Alamo was the final resting place for Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, William Travis & 200 others, it was also the birthplace/the catalyst for the Republic of Texas. Nope not bored, no way. I soaked this all in.
Ready for a Texas style dinner? Well that’d be BBQ – so in Austin, you head to the Iron Works. Frequently by governors, senators & George W himself, just couldn’t go wrong. Marathon in the morning – time for sleep? Heck no, night’s still early.
In Texas they love their Longhorns, so caught a basketball game at UT’s Frank Erwin Center. #19 Texas crushed the visiting West Virginia Mountaineers 88-71, and improved to 20-5 on the season. Hook ‘em Horns!
BBQ, basketball & the Alamo. Yep, now I’m Texas-ready for tomorrow’s 26.2 miles.
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- Howdy Texas!
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- Defenders of the Alamo (Alamo Cenotaph)
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- Long Barrack
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- Remember the Alamo!
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- Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie…and palm trees? I don’t remember this in the movie.
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- Goodbye Alamo – sunshine, warm weather, super fun day!
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- San Antonio’s restaurant row — The River Walk
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- pre-race dinner at Iron Works BBQ
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- blessed by George W, the King of Texas
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- pre-marathon fun at UT/West Virginia game — Hook ’em Horns!
Woke early & jetted to Louisiana’s State Capitol – 7am start time for my 3rd full marathon (only 47 states to go).
After enduring snow last month in Tucson, wore a blue running suit this go-around. Had a lotta competing colours going on this day (crazy look)…but gotta say, [the running suit] did the trick. Awesome Christmas gift – many thanks!
National Anthem, starting gun blast by Louisiana’s Lieutenant Governor & off we went – my largest marathon to date (or at least it seemed that way – both marathon & half-marathon races started concurrently.)
Sunshine poked out early in the run. Still smiling at mile 10, enjoyed running lakeside through LSU campus.
Started dragging just past mile 15 – kept thinking how much I needed a potty break. Unfortunately all outdoor johns were lined with female participants. And no aim-n-shoot opportunities available on today’s course, race principally meandered throughout Baton Rouge suburbia. Argh – new thought.
Saw M at mile 17 & then again at mile 20. Re-energized. I can do this thing…only 6 more miles.
Hill at mile 24, not pretty but kept running whereas other marathoners chose to walk up the I-10 overpass.
LOVE LOVED the many residents cheering us on – helped boost my energy level. Thanks Baton Rouge!
Last mile – tired, but no excuses. And still felt fairly good — even picked up pace at the end. 7 minutes slower than last month’s run in Tucson but finished so much stronger. I-EEE!
Next month – Austin 🙂
9361 K R Haga 575 4:12:38
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- Louisiana State Capitol – 7am start time
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- daybreak – big smiles, ready to run
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- just under 10 miles, still smiling
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- MARATHON FINISHER!
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- thumbs up, no medic needed
