Wellstone's Dallas White Rock Marathon - RunMarathon

The first half of the race was immensely enjoyable. The pace was easy, the wind wasn't yet a factor, it was overcast and cool, some of the neighborhoods that we ran through were really nice, Todd and I chatted about this and that... compared to the triathlons that I've done this past year, it didn't feel like a race at all.

Then mile 13, the point at which we turn south at the north end of White Rock Lake, happened. Holy wind. While the pace didn't slow down too much, it took much more effort to keep it. Then the small little rollers between miles 18 and 20 planted the seeds for some minor cramping. A few of the cramps forced me to stop and stretch out, but for the most part, they really just slowed me down.

By mile 24, I feeling OK - just tired. As in sleepy tired. A nap sounded really stinkin' good. I was able to pick up the pace a bit over the last few miles to secure a sub-4:00 finish.

I carried my own water bottle throughout the entire race and refilled it with water/Gatorade as needed at aid stations. Over the course of the entire race, it became more of an annoyance than anything. Really, I didn't need it, but it was a strategy that I had used when doing my 20-mile runs, so I didn't want to do anything that deviated too much from my training. Next time, I'll not carry any liquids.

I also relied on gels to fuel me rather than the course drink - I need to learn how to use the course drink to act as my primary calorie/electrolyte source rather than carry it on me in the race.

Other than those, there's not much I would change. I was dressed perfectly and paced myself perfectly. Cramps are cramps - there's not much you can do to absolutely guarantee a cramp-free race.

Walked around a bit, sat down a bit, and then finally headed back to the car. We didn't stick around for too long.


I had to deal with some cramps between miles 19 and 22, but even if those hadn't been an issue, I doubt that I would have been more than 5 minutes faster.


I can't say that I was a fan of the Half and the Full starting at the same time. The "corral" idea sounds good in concept, but it was poorly executed. I lost count of the "B" people that started in my "A" wave. Anyway, the giant sign that directed the Half to go one way and the Full to go another was a very welcome sight (I don't understand how that Half guy missed the turn off).

Both Todd and I felt that the post-race offerings paled in comparison that those of last year's race. I was really too tired to care all that much, though, so it's hardly something that'll keep me from coming back.