Houston Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Mile 1 and 2- 25:18
Mile 3-13:17
Mile 1-13:58
Mile 5-13:25
Mile 6-13.29
Mile 7-13.23
Mile 8-13:38
Mile 9-14:31
Mile 10 and 11-26:59
Mile 12-13:01
Mile 13-12:36
Mile 13.2-1:02


The start was very crowded, then we climbed bridges. UGH! BEAR, Sharon, and I tried to stay together but it didn't last long. I caught up with them a couple of times by running. BEAR warned me that I'd have trouble keeping up that fast pace for the whole 13.1 miles. So, I slowed down and enjoyed myself. I've learned a long time ago that walking races are personal endeavors and to go with the flow. I threaded through many people and never looked back. I did enjoy seeing the mass of people in front of me. {It's wonderful to see so many people doing half marathons and marathons.} I'd focussed on someone ahead of me and try to pass them up. This worked great. Of course, many passed me back. It was fun to set my sights on a few individuals and watch us play the passing game.

Inspirational sightings:
1. A lady with a prostethic lower left leg. She and her friend passed me often. We shouldn't complain about our aches and pains.
2. The older group are always fun to watch, one lady in front of me was interviewed several times along the route by a 'running' camera man.
3. The blind teen led by his parents. I passed them at mile 11 and stopped to give words of encouragement.
4. Many TNT people. Talked to a spectator who's young son was in a purple jersey on his bike. His father said he was a survivor! He was on the sidelines at 2 different spots.
5. Met a lady walking for Autism. We talked awhile. I taught an Autistic class years ago. {I learned more that year than all my years of teaching put together.}

Other sightings:
1. Encourage many as I walked along. I told one EMT on the bike that 2 people behind me were struggling at mile 8. The girl behind me looked like she was ready to pass out, I was hoping she wouldn't because I'd had to stop to help her. AREN'T I CRUEL!
2. The spectators and volunteers did a good job of cheering everyone on and high fiving us along the way.
3. One area had townhouses painted in rainbow colors, it was pretty.
4. The men in PJ's cheering us on was too cute.
5. The lady with the big bird slippers rocking and cheering for us.
6. Many people had their dogs as spectators and there were many little babies also
7. The man humming the Rocky theme song loudly and thoroughly enjoying himself.
8. Meeting the marathoners and watching them 'fly' by us.


The best part of the race was when I was coming out of a potty around Mile 8. I walked out and BEAR was there going in. We both laughed, hugged, and grabbed a quick kiss then went our separate ways. He was on the way up from the turn around.

After the turn around, the time flew by. I ate almonds and pretzels along the route. I enjoyed the scenery, crowd, music, and people. At one point, when I quit people chasing, I counted steps in between road lines. I wore my headphones throughout the race in my right ear and as usual Dylan did a good job loading my MP3 player with fast music which tends to make me move faster. Thanks Dylan!!!

It was cool running downtown-the clouds were low hanging around all the buildings. I knew the end was near. I ran up the finish line stretch smiling all the way. Then after I crossed the finish line, I felt like throwing up. Thankfully, I didn't.

{I always take a sip of gatorade and a couple of sips of water at each drink area. This was a personal best for me so I was excited.}

No fanny pack or pack it lighter-it weighs a ton. I always try to be prepared for anything along the way. My pants pockets were also full by the end of this walk. Holly said my pants pockets looked like chipmunk cheeks. I had gloves, raincoats, ear warmers, camera, phone, and water (from the end of the race) in my pockets.

I went inside. Met up with BEAR and Holly. Picked up our shirts. We got in the food line with Sharon and ate like a pig. We visited a while then went to Celeste's BT get together.


I am a walker. I 'jiggle' when I run, so I don't run.


Fun and very organized race. It started raining when I got to Mile 13. I was so glad it didn't rain on us earlier.

We went to Celeste's house for another BT get together and met more BTer's. It was fun, but we were tired. We left early and took turns driving and sleeping all the way home.

{Oh yeah other Bter's were missed this weekend. Uhhh...Laurie, Derek, Haley, Aaron, Bill, Brant, and Mrs. Brandt. Wish you could have joined us!}