Things you don't want to encounter during a race:
- Smelly perfume. Seriously, I was on my way to the start when I got knocked upside the head by a really bad smelling perfume. Can't imagine what that would smell like after a few sweaty miles. Yuck!
- Walkers at mile .08. Come on people...if you are walking from the get-go, get in the BACK OF YOUR CORRAL! At the very least, stay to the side of the road and do not stop suddenly! Shame on me for not getting to the start earlier and towards the front of the wave.
- The smell of donuts. Don't get me wrong, I normally love the smell of donuts. I love eating them even more. But for some reason, smelling donuts at the 7 mile marker made me want to vomit.
- Speaking of vomit...having a sign with the word vomit on it is not motivational. I saw a man in the Heights with a sign that said "blah, blah, blah VOMIT blah blah". Okay, so if really didn't say "blah blah", in fact I couldn't really read the writing...but even if I could read it, the word VOMIT stood out at me and would have kept me from reading more. Maybe it's an inside joke?
The things I LOVE about the Houston Marathon & 1/2 Marathon
- The spectators! A HUGE thank you to everyone who came out to watch and cheer! There were intersections on Montrose where the crowds were several people thick. Amazing
- The music! I ran the inaugural San Antonio Rock & Rock 1/2 marathon in 2008 and was excited because I thought there would be soooo much music on the course. I was disappointed. I can only speak for the 1st 1/2 of the race...but holy cow, Houston had so many bands and people DJing and singing along those miles, it was awesome!
- The GRB. I've run marathons and 1/2 in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Chicago, NYC, and even Bastrop...none have the awesomeness before and after the race like the GRB and everything it contains. At most races you get fruit, a bagel, some yogurt and in Austin, soup. Yes, soup. But in Houston, you have warm/dry accomodations before and after the race and you get a nice, hot full breakfast - eggs, biscuits, sausage, potatoes, various pastries, chocolate milk and even Girl Scout Cookies! Not that I ever feel like eating all that, but it's there if you want it. :-)
- Flatness. Sure there are some overpasses and "hills", but Houston really is a flat course.
- Friendliness. For some reason I really noticed how friendly the volunteers were this year. From packet pickup to pre-race to the water stations to the people who give you the medals...I've never seen such a smiling, cheerful group of people! Thank you volunteers!
- Awesome shirts and medals. I have to admit that I did like last years shirt better...all that screen printing on the back might get a bit warm during a run. However, to have a men's and women's shirt...one that actually fits well...that's awesome!
I'm sure I'll think of more later, but that's it for now.
9 comments:
I saw ice cream, too, but, wait! They had chocolate milk? I didn't get any of the food there this year, except for the GS cookies, and I brought my own chocolate milk in my check-in bag! Maybe I don't need to do that next year.
I brought my own chocolate milk too, Tina. Of course, if I don't bring it next year, they won't have it, lol!
ok so i wasnt crazy! and those werent just ANY donuts...that smell was KRISPY KREME donuts i just KNOW it!!!
oh and this too:
first off i will slap you the next time i see you :o) HOUSTON IS NOT FLAT...
and the medals should be bigger. i was disappointed this year.
but kudos to chocolate milk. its all i can ever handle and they had it this year. however i would have gladly given up chocolate milk if everyone would have gotten their medal, shirt and mug.
Great list of after race thoughts!! I am glad everything went well for you:) Did every runner get a medal? If so that is very cool!
June, I agree! Not having enough medals was inexcusable! I did like the medal for the 1/2...they've been the same for the past few years. But, I agree that the medal for the full should have been better - the last 2 years they were HUGE! I still think NYC has the best medals. Oh, and compared to Austin and NYC, Houston is flat! LOL!
I love your blog, you crack me up! Smelly perfume and donuts. blah! Music, flatness and friendliness, yeah!
You are hilarious :-) I do not know how I would feel about the donuts either!
Ah yes, the early walkers. Let's throw the early stretchers in with them. I always feel bad for them, sigh, and think, "Girl, if you are already tuckered/hurt this is going to be a looooong day for you!". Maybe, just maybe they are doing the Calloway method!
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