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Comments: Got into the "A" corral and pretty close to the front. My plastic trash bag, home-made arm warmers from socks and cheap gloves did the trick at keeping warm. Threw away the bag and I was ready to run. At the gun we started moving and were running pretty quickly. My time difference from gun to chip was only 40 seconds, so that was good. Time to go out smart and stay around an 8:00-8:15 pace. I knew what to expect even though they changed the course a couple of years ago, so I just got into a groove and tried to stay there. Got pretty sweaty by mile 6 and threw away the gloves and arm warmers. The 8-mile flag came up and now I'm in new territory; had not run any farther than this in a long time. Hang on. Miles 10 through 12 were really cold with the strong north wind blowing and being in the shade. Really regretted throwing away the gloves as the hands were freezing. Oh well. The 13.1 arch and mat came up and I nailed my predicted time pace of 1:49. Drank plenty of fluids and popped my gels every 6 miles. Boarded the pain train though miles 16-19 as the pace slowed down. The Wall at mile 20 came and went without too much trouble. No cramps or distress. Had to harden up at miles 22-23. Really stepped up the pace for the last mile and finished strong; wish I knew what that pace was, I bet it was around 7:45 as I burned the last of the matches. What would you do differently?: Nothing. Ran a smart race given my current abilities and limitations.  Post race
Warm down: Received my medal and followed the line into the convention center. Grabbed a water, got my gear bag, finisher's shirt and mug. Changed shirt, ate some breakfast and chocolate milk. Walked to the truck and drove home. I was home by 12:30. Actively recovered at home by walking around and riding the bike a few miles. Will lose 1 toe nail maybe 2, but overall feel good, no cramps or hurting joints. What limited your ability to perform faster: Little run training; been riding the fat-tire bike too much last year. Cycling thighs aren't the best for running. Event comments: H-E-B is the main food sponsor and they always do a great job. Great organization and plenty of signs showing you where to go and where things were. Well done. Last updated: 2016-01-19 12:00 AM
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United States
38F / 3C
Sunny
Overall Rank = 1748/7847
Age Group = M55-59
Age Group Rank = 93/376
This is my 4th Houston Marathon, the last one was in 2010. I signed up for this one just to have something on the schedule and keep me from signing up for AH-135 in Minnesota again.
Woke at 0330, ate typical food while driving 65 miles to downtown Houston.
I had only run about 20 miles a week for the last month and the longest run was an 8-miler a couple of weeks ago, so I wasn't expecting to do my best. Typically, I get in about 50 miles a week when I'm serious. Between unlucky, bad weather and time with family over the holidays, just not much running got done.
Goal today was not be slower than my slowest 26.2 at 3:57. Anything around 3:45 would be a win and not much chance of a 3:40 for a BQ.
Just stay steady and see what happens.
Sat around in the convention center waiting for the corral filling to begin. Found a spot between two people who had run Boston before, so we had things in common.