HMSA 25K

Another run in the books and I have to say that I feel pretty good. Although at the moment I am a little sleepy. I stepped out today for the HMSA 25K in downtown Houston. But not before completing a six mile warmup along Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive. This was serving as my long run prior to the Dallas White Rock Marathon on December 9.

Unofficially, I finished in 2:24:04. The HMSA 25K site does not list the chip time, but they do list the difference, so I'll stick with 2:24:04. I suspect that is a PR, but I have never paid much attention to my 25K results, so I actually have no clue. I will say that this was a solid run. As good as the Houston Half several weeks back. More importantly, I believe this is the first time since I started doing the "Marathon Warm-up series" (five years running) that both the Half Marathon (formerly the 20K) and the 25K both had splendid weather. Either one or the other is usually hot. Not so this year. Global warming my booty...

Hey, speaking of booty, must give a shout out to Carolyn. We ran the last four or so miles together. This must be the longest amount of time I have spent with an Aggie without wanting to shoot myself. Carolyn did a great job of keeping me up to speed during the last loop and apparently, surprise, surprise she does not have a limited vocabulary.

Another shout out goes to Melissa, who was not having a good race due to an upset stomach. We ran together for a mile, but she was not feeling up to the current pace, so she told me to go on. And I have to give major props to Atwell. He showed total disregard for his own race and waited for Melissa to catch up and ran in with her. Atwell rules for being selfless and Melissa rocks for being a trooper.

Introducing Lyndsey! While running with Carolyn, I noticed a yellow tag in the vicinity and it turned out to be Lyndsey. Lyndsey is a first timer and had an excellent race. She hung with Carolyn and I until the last half mile or so and then all we saw was her butt getting smaller!

Paulie, and Alaina, - both sidelined for one reason or another served as cheerleaders and did a bang up job. Amanda and Sylvia, as well as Byron cheered when not doing their lopp for the relay. Also, Jon Walk was out cheering with his daughter Waverly. Fellow HRB member Edwin Quarles was at the finish line cheering folks on. Edwin is crazy fast and had already cooled down by the time I crossed. I also (finally) got to see Vic Kaiser. I gave him a shout out on the course, but I suspect he did not realize that handsome devil in the Saint Arnold Singlet was me. Unfortunately, I did not get to see Holden Choi. I think he is trying to avoid me. say it isn't so! I also did not get to see Joltin' Joe Carey, but he was probably already making plans on a good brew when I crossed the line.

FINALLY, the biggest shout out and a hug goes to my wife Jaclyn. She played the role of supporter today and there is nothing better than getting to see her several times during a run.

HMSA did a good job with the run. In recent years there had been support issues, but this year all three water stations were well staffed and the volunteers were not just loud, but did a good job of passing out liquids.

As usual, the drawback to the 25K is that it is three loops on concrete. Definitely feel this one in the morning.

Nap time...

Comments

[Holden]

After the run, I went by the Houston Fit tent to see if you were there. I did see you on the course with your St. Arnold singlet though.

[justjunebug]

i dont believe you run these races!!! i never SEE you!! and i was there at the start, in the middle and at the finish!! gah!

you must just be too darn fast!!!

great going!

[Carolyn]

It was great to run with you today! I give credit where credit is do...YOU were the one who pushed me the last few miles. No way was I going to let you blog about passing me on the course. I actually keep track of all of my times (chalk that up to the type A Taurus German redhead in me) and I PR'd today too, by a whopping 8 seconds (does that even count?). Next time we run together, I'll teach you the A&M fight song. I bet you are looking forward to that. GIG 'EM!

[Carolyn]

Okay, the Aggie came out... should say where credit is DUE. Good grief.

[Jon Walk]

James Dykas -- 2:25:50.9 (2005 -- 2:51:29.3)

Way to go, Beerman!

[Vic]

You should have hopped that fence in the median and came over and shook my hand. :o) Yes, there were 4 or 5 shout outs that I didn't recognize the voice. Without my glasses and with the glare, oh, and with the extreme oxygen deprivation, it's sometimes hard to make out a familiar face. Sorry I missed you.

[Sarah]

Dang it! I still haven't met you in person.

[Crosstrain]

I saw you finish as I was with Jon! But that St Arnold's singlet eluded me from there. You are a beast running before the 25k.