Sun, Wind, Sand and Surfside

Oringally posted 02.11.06

The first thing I did upon returning home was to dump the sand out of my shoes...

Yes, I am talking about the Surfside Marathon, where for 60.00, you can run a marathon, get a cool medal, get a very nice t-shirt, and get a microdermabrasion sand facial thrown in for free!

It's tough to describe the marathon, because it is along the beach; out and back (for the most part); and the scenery never changes.

Wind was the order of the day, at times gusting in excess of 20 mph. We ran two and a half miles with the wind at our backs at the start and then it was 13 miles plus into the wind. The wind was actually coming in at an angle and by the time I reached the turnaround at 15 and a half or so miles, the left side of my face was numb. I got a reprieve for a few miles, but by mile 18, the wind had shifted and was coming in directly from the side. The good news is that it could have been worse. If it had not rained the night before, there would have been much more blowing sand.

But enough about the wind. When you sign up for a race, you do not get to pick the weather. In this case, the elements provided another "element" to the race. You can either tough it up or go home.

The support at Surfside was good, although several spots on the way back had run out of water. No matter, even in the cold and wind, all the volunteers were upbeat and courteous. I had a pretty good run, coming in at 4:53:37. Not at all bad. I was close to a PR when I hit mile 20, but everything kind of fell apart by mile 21. I think the wind took too much out of me and I had nothing the last five or so miles.

I am actually pretty happy though. It is my fastest marathon of the year and also considering I have done three marathons (and a half marathon) in six weeks, you will not find me complaining.

As for running on the sand, it is mighty easy on the joints. My wife, who ran the half marathon, said she noticed her muscles fatigued a little sooner, but I did not notice that. Of course, I also wasn't doing a back-to-back this time.

Speaking of back-to-back, I had the good fortune to run with Jon Walk for a little bit. What a great guy. He really is excited about running and the people he gets to meet and run with. A really great guy. I also met (briefly) a few of the other HRB runners, including Holden, Keith and Steve. I know I forgot the names of several others and I apologize.

Felix Lugo was out with the flag. I was worried that the wind may have a major impact on his run, but I stopped and talked to him after I made the turnaround and he commented that he was having a better run than he did in Houston. Go Felix!

Lynette and Melissa of Houston Fit Mighty, Mighty Yellow Group fame were out doing the half. I am sure they did well although, like the wise young women they are, they did not hang around. I wouldn't have hung around in that cold and wind either. Oh wait, I didn't!

All in all, a good experience. The organizers and volunteers did a very good job. The BBQ afterward hit the spot and was a nice diversion from the pain of two six dot two. I would liked to have stayed and cheered more runners in, but it was just too darned cold.

Listening to: Saturday Night - Ozomati