This is a tough 1/2 Mary! I don't remember the hills being this difficult when I did the Mary last year, but then again, I run the 1/2 at a much faster clip than I run the full, so I think I felt it that much more. The race started off VERY crowded and I had to weave in and out of A LOT of people that mis-seeded themselves. I'm not talking slightly slower, I'm talking they started off by WALKING or at a 12+ min pace. Why would you seed your self in the front of marathon/half-marathon if you are not fast? It's not like your time starts at the gun, it starts at the chip for all the non-money contenders. The first mile was all about getting into position, and I was staying between the 3:10/3:15 marathon pace groups and that was fine. My mystery pain wasn't flairing up, and that was good, and I made sure to watch that I didn't go out to fast because I knew those first 3 miles were a gradual uphill. I was a little chilly waiting around to start and so I had throw away gloves on that I tossed at the aid station at mile 2. I loved miles 4-6 because there was so much long downhill and great fast flats. Took a GU at 5 miles. Mile 6-7 was a little tougher, and 7-9 I started feeling it a bit as we were into the rolling hill phase. We were also more into the wind here, and I attempted to draft off some tall big guys, and did some, but then their pace dropped below what I wanted to maintain. The turn up Lake Austin BLVD is always one to get me. I got some minor side stitches around mile 8, but thankfully they didn't last too long. Then, at mile 10 we split from the marathoners and I keep telling myself that it's only a 5K left and I can keep pushing it. Took GU #2 here. The rolling hills are getting to me some though. Then, we're at about 11.75 and traveling on Enfield East back towards downtown and we hit that same dang hill the sucked the life out of me at the Turket Trot 5 miler. Thankfully, it didn't kill me as badly this time. I just kept steady, but didn't push too hard so as not to stress out the HR and lengthen the recovery up top, then, once I got to the top, I opened back up and it felt so good to have a slight downhill. With a mile left, I started pushing the pace again. Then, as you're heading into that last mile and you make the turn onto Trinity (I think?) you meet another fun little uphill...but, once I hit the top of that I had about 800m left. There was a girl about 10m in front of me and I was determined to beat her in that last 800m, and I think I probably overtook here in that last 200-300m. As usual, pain goes away for me in that last 100-200m of the straight finish chute and I sprinted in as hard as I could. I hear my name announced and from Killeen, TX, and I'm done.

Train on hills a little bit more. Learn how to draft a little bit better.

I make my way through the finisher picture area, get my t-shirt, get some grub (water, part of a bagel, and a banana) and head out to get my clothes bag cause now that I'm sweaty and not moving I'm sort of chilly. I get my bag (such a better set up than San Antonio was) and then locate Tia after she is done. We take some pictures, stretch out, use the potty (nothing was normal here all day long--I'm sure you wanted to know this, but entirely too much poop). We then checked out the results area where I got my official time, and we grabbed some Starbucks regular coffee (they looked at me funny when I wanted normal, nothing fancy or extra coffee--so much cheaper!)--I needed some caffiene!! Plus, we were waiting to hear word from a friend of when our other friend, Tanya, hit mile 21 so we could know when to head to catch her finish. Once we got word and it was about time, we headed over and watched her finish her first marathon.


I honestly haven't been good with my personal nutrition, and have a couple lbs that I didn't have at San Antonio. I also have a slight mystery pain I'm trying to get diagnosed, but thankfully it didn't really flare up. Sleep better the night before and not have some minor GI issues. I probably needed to do some hill repeats.


I enjoyed this race last year, and enjoyed it again this year. They offered a 50% discount for active duty military, and I totally appreciate that and think it's an awesome gesture. They have great aid stations every mile, and some enthusiastic volunteers. The course is challenging, but it is doable. The medals they gave out are great, as are the shirts. Much better shirts than last year, both finisher and participant, and though I didn't get a tech tee this year cause I did the 1/2, my friend that did the full got a good tech tee instead of the huge things they handed out last year. I do recommend this race. Tanya and I are thinking that next year we are going to do the full PURELY for fun...like carry a camera and take pictures and just enjoy an easy easy pace (we'll both be off of IMAZ and IMFL) with no pressure to go fast, etc..just FUN. I would do that on this course.

I do wish there was a little more offered post race--either for sale or for free. The "acclaimed" farmers market isn't that much to talk about at all...it was like 4 booths and that was it.
They are having difficulty getting the 1/2 Mary Military Resutls up, that's why I don't have anything posted--I don't know yet! I think I'm 14th in my AG, but that's if no military gals in my AG beat me, cause they don't have any of us listed.