The Last Two of 2008

In the last weeks of 2008 I added two races to the list. One I’d done before and one I’d wanted to do. Each race was far different than the other.

Dallas White Rock Half Marathon

I’d heard great things about this race and found a good deal on airfare and hotel so I went for it. I got there the day before and was greeted to warmer temps and howling winds! I saw my Clif Bar Pace team friends at the expo and we were able to grab dinner together at the pasta party hosted by the host hotel. Good food and good company!

The weather called for 70’s temps with high winds the morning of the race and unfortunately they were right! I walked to the start area and found my buddy Jim Miller in Reunion arena where we waited for the race to start. This race had 13,000 or so entrants doing either the half or full and actually getting in the start corral was very tough. I ended up starting with the 3:40 marathon pacer only because I couldn’t get any closer to the middle.

At the start of the race it was extremely crowded. Not quite like the Turkey Trot but somewhat close. There was never any way to get into a rhythm for the first 15 or so minutes and I started quite a bit slower than normal. By the 2 mile mark I began to experience a little discomfort in the lower abdomen region and I knew this coupled with the weather (70’s and 30mph winds) would probably lead to a much slower time. By mile 5 I was hanging on but had slowed quite a bit. I was amazed at how the course took all these people on a two lane road. Needless to say but it was crowded!! I started to feel a tick better by the 10k mark and while I knew I wasn’t going to have a fast time, I thought I could salvage something. By 10 miles the pain I had since mile 2 was getting worse and it was really uncomfortable to run. At that point I basically stopped running and decided to walk most of the final 5k. That part of the race is pretty much a blur as I wasn’t looking around. I wasn’t talking to anyone and I wasn’t smiling (normal for me at almost all the events I’ve done). I got to the 13 mile mark and did a light jog to the finish. It was the slowest half I’d done in a year and while I wasn’t happy about it, at least I finished it!!

The walk back to the hotel was torture and I actually thought I was going to pass out (I told you I had a bad day…haha!!). Fortunately I finally did make it and spent the next 45 minutes in the shower trying to put myself back together. Getting to the airport and walking around the airport was tough as I was completely spent. I don’t think I’ve ever been that killed after a half but I guess that’s how bad I felt. Fortunately George, Robin, Darris and Star showed up about 90 minutes before we flew home and we all shared how tough that day was. Robin even mentioned how she loves running but this day felt more like work!

I don’t know if I’ll go back to do that race again but I may just have to in order to redeem myself for that bad day!!


The Huff 50k & 11 mile fun run

This is my treat for a good season of running. It’s ridiculously difficult due to the trail conditions but fortunately it’s not a ton of climbing so it evens itself out. I drove up the night before and picked up my race packet as well as had some pasta at their pasta dinner. Judging from the rain and fog from the drive over to Huntington, I knew it was going to be muddy out there! Fortunately for me I was breaking out my trail shoes and purchased some leg gaiters to hopefully minimize the mud!

There’s not a whole lot to say about this race except to say we ran in 4-6 inches of mud for about 8 ½ or 9 of the 11 miles. I wore the garmin but only to approximate where the heck I was on the course. By the 1 mile mark I knew the day was going to be tough. Running in mud is HARD!! That coupled with some ice made it pretty rough going. Fortunately this wasn’t any sort of PR type of day and I just wanted to enjoy the trail and have fun! There’s something different about a trail run probably due to being wet and muddy throughout. More of a sense of being with nature, I think, and a far different experience than going to a 30,000 entrant race. Time seems to be irrelevant and there seems to be quite a bit more conversation among the entrants because this stuff is tough!

Around the 9 mile mark I felt like I could do all 50k (or two more laps of the 11 mile course) but by my 10, I was glad I was almost done. All the trudging through the creeks, standing water and mud took quite a toll on me. When I crossed the finish line, I was amazed at how much mud had accumulated on my legs. I was covered in it, but I was happy!

2009 should be my 3rd trip to Huff. I think every distance runner should do that race once! It’s a great day to just have fun and not worry about how fast or slow you’re going!


Thanks for a great 2008!!