Another weekend in Austin, I’ll take it. Plus, I’ve always wanted to do the Austin Half Marathon since I lived in the city for many of years. Not a race course for the weak and it even takes its toll on the strong. A marathon is a different beast and something I’m not ready to tackle yet. So you can keep the extra 13.1 miles and any prize money that goes along with it.
Deep Eddies Pool. I do more than run.
On race day, the air was thick and sticky. I felt like I was in a Turkish bath house, minus being beat with oak leaves. I started sweating during an easy warm up, so I kept it short because I had more running ahead of me and needed to conserve as much fluids as possible. Go figure that a few days earlier, the temps were cool, making for perfect race conditions.
I wasn’t the only Nick racing. But he was the only one with the fancy sign.
I either displayed a classic case of hubris or I wasn’t prepared for fast running in warm weather. I did not slay a sea creature or a woman with snakes in her hair like Perseus, so I’ll go with the later. Actually, to give myself some credit, I was prepared for fast running, just not in humid, warm weather on the ROAD with downhill sections. Most of my training this winter has been on the treadmill since I did not want to deal with the snow and sub 20 degree temperatures in Colorado Springs. I do recommend fast running on the treadmill just like biking on the trainer. You can control your environment, speed, incline and have a soft surface to run on while being right next to a bathroom, instead of having to hold it or trying to find a tree with big enough leaves. But too much of anything can kill you, or at least not always have a positive outcome. Going forward, I will not make the same mistake again and I will ensure I do an even amount of treadmill and road/trail running in the winter.
Bats, Bats, Bats! Congress Bat Bridge. NaNuNaNuNa…NuNa…Bat Bridge.
Although I was not technically one of the elite runners, I still got up to the front to ensure I had every opportunity to get out front. The gun went off and we took the pace out conservatively. After a quarter mile, one runner gapped the rest of us and I overheard one of the runners say: “He’s doing the half, he’s doing the half.” He was obviously talking to all his marathon “friends.” Being another half-er, I pulled away with two other runners to go after him or at least not let him gap us too much. The first mile was easy, mostly flat and downhill. The next two miles were uphill, followed by two miles downhill. I held my effort up the hill and dropped the two other runners who were with me. Something did not feel right though, I was tired and I had 10 more miles left. This was not a good sign. I just tried to relax and hoped to gain my rhythm on the downhill, but that would be my downfall, pun intended.
Foreshadow of what to expect.
My stride much longer than usual because of the decline and its added impact on the legs really put a strain on my muscles. As I said before, I did most of my training on a treadmill and l can’t do a decline. I had tried to pull myself to the first place guy and got close, but approaching 10k I started to slow allowing first to get farther in front and second to overtake me. Soon after, my pace started to slow even slower to 6 mins and then 7 mins on the up-hills. I was toast approaching mile 8, after the deep eddies hill and wanted to stop. I don’t believe in giving up unless continuing will cause bodily damage and that was not the case. I just kept going, taking in as much fluids as possible and continuing to suck down my gel. I never recovered my pace but was able to keep third with the fourth place finisher only 20 seconds behind me. This was my second half marathon. I ran 1:12:03 and placed 4th in the first one. Considering the situation, I was pleased with my 3rd in 1:16:05.
Results!
The fun was not over though, I had decided to do the race because my friends Nick and Karen Chase, recently married, were also doing the race and my brother from another mother, Abraham Alvarenga lives in Austin. It was fun spending time with them in a city like Austin.
Boys are back in town! Another look back at the Men of the Chase Wedding.
I am a true believer of eating and promoting a plant-based diet for maximum nutrition, performance and recovery. Furthermore, I encourage the pursuit of living life and searching and holding onto quality relationships—be true to yourself and live life with others. Revel in the journey, not just in the destinations. I’m pleased to be apart of The Escape Triathlon Series this year. I would only be half the athlete if it were not for the wisdom of my coaches and mentors, Tim Crowley and Louis Tharp. I would only be half the man without all my family, friends and supporters. Go chase your dreams too!
