It was a fantastic morning for a run!! There was a great spirit in the air that runners have anyway, but especially after the events of last week, we were all there together and I loved it. I adore the running community and it’s truly what keeps me doing these crazy things.

I had been concerned about the possibility of rain so I was sure to lay my rain gear out and at the ready. Because that way I knew it wouldn’t rain;). As dull as it is to discuss the weather, it was fantastic for me. Too humid at the start but soon a cool breeze came through and it was about 62 and overcast. Just perfect!

Scott called an audible at the last minute due to a nagging heal problem so was my driver and support staff instead of my fellow runner and I secretly loved that. We were able to bypass the long line of cars to park because he was just dropping me off, and it made the start to the day very easy. I quickly found my friends, Shawn, Selma, Alan, Suzanne and Liz, and we hung out until the start. Selma and Alan were running the full so we wouldn’t most likely see much of them once we started running (side note: Liz, Shawn and Suzanne left this race, quickly sponged off and ate and got on the road to ANOTHER half in OKC TOMORROW. Yes, they need professional help, I agree;)

All the peeps pre-race and my only picture of Alan (proof that he was there)

And they took their picture with the Chik-Fil-A cows. I think I was texting them the earlier picture while they did this. Sheesh! It was actually very funny because the cows started the one mile fun run and then collapsed exhausted on the side after a few steps. or hoofs. Whatever. It was funny.

Lady Cow, Shawn, Boy Cow, Liz, A couple other cows, Suzanne, Selma

One thing about huge races is they are sort of a hassle. It’s a major ordeal to get there and the whole thing is just a lot of waiting around before you even start running. And then you have a whole repeat hassle of getting on a bus afterwards. That is not anybody’s fault, but when I run a small local race like this one I truly appreciate the ease of it all.

They started us late due to traffic and many of the runners arriving late (I’m assuming) so our 7:30 start time was actually a 7:50 start time. Oh, and I ran into my friend, Natalie, who is an amazing runner and has won many of the local races around here. I don’t know if she placed yet (she was doing the 10K) but I’m sure she did. Such a joy to watch that kind of talent! And she’s good people to boot. Love you, Girl!

The trail was gorgeous – tree lined, along the water – and entirely on marked trails so no dodging vehicles. I will say the beginning was quite congested because the 5K, 10K, half and full all started together. But once the shorter distances did their turn around it got much better.

I started too fast – because I always do despite my best efforts – but the first 9 miles or so literally flew by for me. My hip was hurting just a tad but my friend Suzanne was running about my same pace and was always there for a fun word or two of encouragement. We didn’t really run together but sort of just in the same area and I never felt alone. She’s good people.

Shawn, Suzanne and Me at the Finish!

So this was an inaugural race and I had said earlier, I had high hopes for it because it’s just so darn convenient for me and the time of year works. I would give them a solid B. Not an A but I know why they had the trouble they had and won’t hold it against them.

I had read in a newspaper article (Dallas Morning News I think?) that they had received way more last minute registrations than expected. So I think they were short volunteers maybe? But they ran out of water really quickly and the water stops were spread too far apart (by miles). Had the weather been warmer, we would have really had a problem. My second gripe was the 2 mile out and back on a very narrow gravel path. The gravel wasn’t too bad (although I’m sure the barefoot runners I saw didn’t appreciate it) but it was literally only wide enough to run single file so it was really slow going there.

Also the signage was not adequate and the volunteers seemed uninformed. I ran briefly with a woman who missed the turn and did the gravel loop twice! Making her half marathon over 16 miles. Yeah, not exactly fun.

But when you consider what so many are suffering through right now, this was a small problem. I give them huge kudos for handling the huge increase in registrations as gracefully as they did and I will definitely run it next year (and bring my own water:).

I think they said there were about 1200 runners total and I’m guessing there were maybe 500 in the half? Not much more than that. It was fun, it was a lovely day, and it made me glad I’m a runner! Comment if you were there! And definitely consider it for a spring half in 2014.

Thanks to all the volunteers who woke up even earlier than I did to give us all a great experience.

Me and My Support Staff (Scotty;)

Happy Running!

Jen