Houston Half Marathon Race Report

This morning's Aramco Houston Half Marathon and Chevron Marathon was certainly unusual, primarily owing to the weather related anxiety surrounding it! As a weather-obsessed runner, throughout the past week I frequently checked Houston's weather forecast and was frustrated with the its wild oscillations, from an initial near-perfect prediction to the final 80 - 100% chance of rain with a significant likelihood of thunderstorms and lightning.

Anticipation of lightning justifiably caused the Houston race organizers to scramble, to enhance their contingency plans and to release a map of shelter-in-place locations were lightning to be sighted within 10 miles of the course. Having years ago come within 100 yards of a lightning strike and realizing its tremendous danger to runners I fully support the race organizers' efforts, if for no other reason than to heighten awareness.

Fortunately, this preparation was not tested. The race started as planned at 7 AM since no lightning was sighted within 100 miles. However, the ongoing light rains caused wet and slippery conditions, which combined with starting temperatures in the low 60's and the near 100% humidity the race was appropriately put in the "Yellow" Heat Advisory status. This was justified as I've found correlations which point to a necessary heat stress related slow-down amongst marathon/half-marathon runners when:

• The average race temperature plus the dew-point is more than 120°F (this morning's was 65°F+60°F=125°F). Consequently, a reduction of ~20 seconds per mile was warranted as this slow-down was ~5°F above 120°F.
• The average temperature in degrees Fahrenheit is over 55°F. A recent study found that in general marathoners slow by 19 seconds per degree for temperatures above this level. While quite simplistic (since it ignores both humidity and the runner's average pace), using today's average 65°F would translate to an 8 seconds per mile slow-down.
  

So, given this weather-adjusted expectation how did I do? Well, as I tend to run much hotter than other runners (evidenced by my running the Chicago Marathon two years ago and sweating profusely despite temperatures in the mid 30's and being bare-chested) my slow-down was more pronounced. In the first 10K I was generally on-target with a 7:17 pace, however as the heat got to me I slowed to finish with a 1:43:55 - approximately 45 seconds per mile from my optimistically hoped-for P.R.. Nevertheless, considering the high humidity and the difficulty obtaining traction on the wet roads I was satisfied.

Moving on, consistent with Sean Wade's advice the next stage of my training will focus on improving my running form and my shorter distance race performance. In this regard next week I've got an appointment for a "basic biomechanical and gait analysis" from a bioengineering wizard with Memorial Hermann's Sports Medicine Institute. I'm looking forward to it and the follow-up strengthening and stretching exercises, which I will incorporate with my ongoing Kenyan Way training.

Houston Marathon - 11-minute P.R. and B.Q.!!!

I qualified for the Boston marathon on this race by running 3:32:17!!! This SMASHED MY PRIOR P.R. BY 11-MINUTES!! I thank my support team (wife, daughter, friends) for supplying me much-needed eGels, Succeed Electrolyte Caps and water at miles 4, 16, 18, 22 and 25!!

Summary of my pace, by mile:
Mile Avg. Pace Delta Pac
6.21 0:07:56 0:07:56 Ran with Karen - a bit too fast, and ahead of 3:30's (0:49:20)
13.11 0:08:03 0:08:09 Slowed down nicely to run behind 3:30s as I'd planned (1:45:31)
18.64 0:08:02 0:08:01 Maintained pace nicely (2:29:54)
26.22 0:08:06 0:08:14 Started to lose pace due to muscle weakness in right upper leg. Nevertheless, I passed FAR more people than passed me. Passing weakness in right thigh muscle, which worked out (Net 3:32:17, Gun 3:33:04)

Factoid - Between mile 18.6 and the finish I passed 177 runners, and only 9 passed me!! This confirms my intuition, but it is great to see the numbers.

Official Race Results: Time: 03:32:17; Age 50-54: 44/480 (top 9%); Male: 488/3509 (top 14%); Overall: 571/5406 (top 11%)

Ultra-slow Houston Marathon

Completely forgettable Houston Marathon.  Sadly, my first to exceed five-hours.  Yuk!!!


Official Race Results: Time: 05:04:32; Age 45-49: 485 out of 580; Male: 2836 out of 3482; Overall: 4319 out of 5595

Houston Half Marathon Race Report

Two years after my first marathon I decided to try my first half-marathon. I loved it! It was run 75% on the same course as the full Houston marathon, and while it shared the most economically challenged portion of the course, the spectators made-up for it with tremendous exuberance and enthusiasm! The biggest benefit of running merely a half was the MUCH simpler preparation (as I said for many months afterwords, 90% of the fun for 35% of the effort!)

Official Race Results: Time: 01:44:26; Age 45-49: 51/422; Male: 541/3276; Overall: 659/7348

Houston Marathon - My Second

A disapointing marathon, as I failed to improve on the prior P.R. (set in Chicago in October). 

Age: 338/613
Male: 1916/3666
Overall: 2504/5695
Pace: 9:49
Time: 4:17:33

Uptown Place 10K Turkey Trot

Very fun first "Turkey Trot" 10K run.

Oshman's 25K Race Report

While this was a great prelude to the Houston 2005 marathon, it was an unbelievably BORING out and back and out and back "course" basically just along the Memorial Drive course. While my time was good I vowed never to do the Oshman's 25K again (too boring, course has an ugly overpass which of necessity you need to cross over several times, and it's entirely on a concrete surface.... so it's very tough on the body).
Official Race Results: Time: 01:59:24; Age 45-49: 45/174; Male: 205/1011; Overall: 241/1730

J.P. Morgan Chase 3.5 Mile Corporate Challenge

Ran the JP Morgan Chase 3.5 miler this evening - representing ExxonMobil! Great time, we finished highly. See http://connect.garmin.com/activity/3010285

FIRST Marathon Race Report!! (Houston)

My FIRST Marathon. Completed!!!! My sole goal going into the marathon was to finish... and ideally with a time of less than 5-hours. I did both... with 13-seconds to spare!!

In retrospect, my preparation was TOTALLY inadequate. I trained solo, and while I had a great reference book, Jeff Galloway's "Marathon", I chose to only read the few chapters that really interested me... and ignored the vital discussion regarding not increasing one's running distance too quickly, and being sure to follow the prescribed training regimen. These critical mistakes cost me at mile 20, when I was forced to walk for the final 6-miles. Amazingly, though, with 0.2 miles to go, and a complete stranger screaming that I RUN my legs found energy that 30-seconds prior I didn't have, and I managed to sprint in the final 1/4 mile with the dreaded 5:00 clock rapidly ticking down!

At that point the memories are complete joy and a strong feeling of accomplishment and pride for what I'd done. Additionally, I secretly (unbeknown to my wife and daughter) was plotting my second marathon!

Official Race Results: Time: 04:59:46; Age 45-49: 507/584 ; Male: 2951/3527 ; Overall: 4108/5384