I had been watching the weather forecast for a week leading up to the race. I knew it was going to be cool, and I knew there was a chance of rain. The weather was calling for highs in the mid to upper 40's on race day. And depending on when you checked the forecast it was anywhere between 30% and 70% chance of rain. Lovely. Oh well not much I can do about that. Its not like I wasn't going to run the race.
Come race morning, I would be lying if I said that thought didn't at least cross my mind once. As I was walking to the convention center where the start line was it was a pretty dreadful morning. It was raining, it was 38 degrees, and it was pretty windy to. In other words not favorable conditions. I get inside to try and warm up a bit and stretch out the muscles as they were going to need it even more on a cold day like today. Eventually it was time to head to the doors leading outside and head to the starting chute.
As we walked outside the rain wasn't exactly heavy, but it was windy and it was blowing the rain sideways. We made our way to the starting corrals and listened to the P.A as they made the final announcements, they sang the National Anthem, and prepared to officially fire the gun for the race. Just as they were getting ready to start the rain really started to fall.
I planned on running in regular running shorts, and a dri fit short sleeve t-shirt. With the colder temperatures I had an old long sleeve cotton t-shirt to wear to the start line with the intention of shedding it and tossing it off to the side at the beginning of the race. With the temperatures the way they were however I decided to keep it on as long as I could. As the rain started falling and my cotton shirt becoming soaked, I knew I wouldn't be able to keep it on as long as I hoped.
It rained steadily for the first 3 miles. Everyone was soaked from head to toe. I have never been completely thrilled with the idea of running 26.2 miles in ideal conditions, let alone having to do it with wet socks and shoes. After mile 3 the rain let up to sprinkle and then finally to a mist. Around mile 5 it had stopped completely. By the time mile 6 was approaching my cotton t-shirt started to feel like it weighed 10 pounds and I knew I was going to have to shed it soon. At mile 6 I stopped quick to use the Porto-John, and shed the long sleeve shirt leaving only my short sleeve shirt to run in(the temperature still hasn't risen at this point). As soon as I toss my shirt off to the side, the sky opens up again with a steady rain. Of course it did.
Around mile 9 the rain finally stopped for good. This was obviously welcome. However at this point the wind started to pick up, the sun still hadn't come out, and of course it was till only about 40 degrees out.
Given the conditions I actually stayed in pace with my race plan, and I was on pace to run it in just about the same time as I did last year. However the conditions really started to set in and it became increasingly difficult to stay warm(not that I ever really warmed up in the first place).
Mile 18 my legs started to lighten up because of the cold, and my feet felt miserable. I kept pushing through, but by mile 20 I knew I was off my pace from last year. I saw people scattered all over the place along the side of the road. People who had to stop and stretch. People trying to take care of their feet. People everywhere that were just struggling.
Finally we turned the corner into downtown Houston and had less than a mile left. The wind was whipping through the tall buildings making the already cold conditions feel even worse. Eventually I turned the corner down the finishers chute, and before I knew it I was crossing the finish line, finishing in 4 hours 43 minutes, and some change. I don't think I had been that cold in my entire life. When I finished the race the temperature had only risen to 42 degrees. I grab my medal, make a beeline for the doors to the convention center to warm up, and of course the first thing I am offered once I walk in is ice cream. I just had to chuckle a little bit.
From there I made it to the hotel to take the typical ice bath, and then try to warm up with a hot shower. Which of course didn't do much. I think it took me a full 24 hours before I felt like my body temp was back to normal.
Part of me wants to be a little bummed I was unable to improve on my time from last year, but given the conditions I knew from the start of the race that was going to be a pretty tall order. Also the reason I signed up for this race for the second year in a row is two fold. 1) It was going to be something to keep my training on schedule through the winter months, and 2) it is almost exactly 4 months to the day before Ironman Texas. I wanted to get another marathon in me just to help my body prepare for not only the race, but also the training load I will be taking on the next few months.
All in all I am satisfied with the result. I took about a week off to recover without much strenuous exercise and now starting next week it is time for the real work to begin.
4 months is going to go by pretty fast!.
