Houston Half Marathon (Page 3)

Do I have to carry water in this race? I wasn't going to. I was only going to bring my own nutrition....which was just gu packs. But I was reading a RR from the Walt Disney Half and they mentioned running out of water while on the race. Should I be bringing my own water?

Wowza! I don't really mind the cold so much but I really hope it is not raining/sleeting! Sharon, you shouldn't need your own h2o. The course should be pretty well stocked I think.

Question: Since this is my first 1/2 mary and I was there spectating last year so I know how crazy it is at the start, what is the best way to avoid the total chaos and mass crowds etc at the start? Is it even possible? How long before it clears out and one can run rather free from having to dart back and forth? 

There are water stations every 2 miles if I'm remembering correctly.  At this point I'm wondering if they'll have hot chocolate! 

I've never run in rain before......

That said. If it's raining and cold (below 40°, do you still recommed wearing long pants? Wouldn't that get all soggy and wet, even with wearing a poncho? Oh, I suppose I could wear rain pants....I was just thinking that if it was rainy and cold, I wonder if just shorts would be better than soggy pants?

Yeah I dont have a clue! If it is cold and potentially raining I will probably wear some nylon adidas pants over my running shorts that I can take off if I get hot. I will probably wear a running shirt and I got a light north face running jacket for Christmas that I'll probably use too. Might carry a trash bag or something. Any tips appreciated!

That hot chocolate idea sounds great! 

Will they cancel the race if there are severe thunderstorms? I mean, rain is one thing, thunder and lightning?

Luke, I like your idea. I guess it depends on how cold it is that morning. I'll have to dig up my old rain pants. Maybe I'll wear my shorts and then the rain pants. I'm going to get those disposable ponchos at Walgreens.

Has anyone ever raced in horrible weather?

Not sure what y'all are looking at, this is weather.com:

    Sun, Jan 14

Day	Night
T-Showers High 65°F Precip 30% Wind: N 15 mph Max. Humidity: 65% UV Index: 3 Moderate   Sunrise: 7:18 AM CT Avg. High: 63°F Record High: 84°F (1971)	Showers Overnight Low 39°F Precip 60% Wind: N 11 mph Max. Humidity: 76%       Sunset: 5:44 PM CT Avg. Low: 45°F Record Low: 19°F (1982)

65° and 30% of rain don't exactly make me want to bust out the GoreTex.

Looks like the front might wait until the evening to come through, have to keep an eye on it regardless.

I love running in the rain when it's warm - just wear tri clothes and let it wash!

In the cold with cold wind or wet, I wear a kind of track suit made of water-resistant material like a windbreaker.  The pants say "zziff, zziff, zziff" when I step (nylon-on-nylon version of the chub rub!) but other than that it's fine.   

Just not as long. God help you if you're out there three hours for a 5K!

I much prefer Mr. Bear's forecast. It would be so cool if come Sunday it was just overcast!

Hey, for those of you who've done this before.....is it safe to leave your stuff in the baggage area? With all of this unsettled weather forecast I might be packing all kinds of clothes and dry clothes and shoes/socks for after the race.

How do you carry your nutrition with you if you don't have pockets? Depending on what I'm wearing, I may not have pockets. Someone recommended me stapling my Gu packs to my race belt. I might try that.

Baggage area is fairly safe, though I wouldn't leave my wallet or valuables. Not sure of the entire layout of the start finish, but it seems to me that parking should be fairly close, especially if you get there on time, that you could leave the bulk of your clothing in your car and access it before/after the race. Maybe bring just an extra top and a garbage bag you can toss or check into baggage claim.

I've acquired several pairs of shorts with adequate pockets for gels and my cell phone, the cycling jersey is a good option, and I've also safety pinned gels to my shorts. Remember this is *only* a half marathon, one or two gels should be more than enough. 

I have nothing of value to help you since I dont have a clue but I will be at church by 2:00 practicing with a youth band and will be on stage leading worship at 6:00. I think this might be a week where I use a stool rather than standing.

I am sure there will be some tightness for a day or 2 but I would hope that the legs would be fully recovered within a few days from the 1/2.