I flew into the George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Friday
Unfortunately the airline didn't load my luggage from my connecting flight from Dallas/Fort-Worth to Houston, so I had to run the 5K on Saturday in my old athletic clothes. I had to run in retired running shoes, yoga pants, and a previous running shirt
I had my luggage delivered to the hotel around 1:30 in the afternoon
The marathon and half marathon used a single start line for both races.
The start features five corrals with the first corral starting at 7:01 a.m. The corrals start three minutes after the previous ones and runners are placed based on their expected finish time
There were a lot of spectators! I felt the power of the spectators when I ran on both days!
The only parts of the run were there weren't many spectators were around mile 20, but it never felt empty!
The finish area, only for the runners, was at the George R. Brown Convention Center
The runners would pick up their medals, t-shirts, belongings from gear check, and food!
The food was from H.E.B. (a grocery chain in Houston). The food included eggs, potatoes, coffee, hot chocolate, milk, bananas, grits, sausage
The expo was wonderful!
My friend asked me to pick up here bib, so I just needed a copy of her license and registration number. When I got to the expo, I provided our names and I just went to the specific booths for our bibs + gear check bags. I had to go toa table for the 5K, a different table for her half-marathon, and one last one for my marathon. Since check in was electronic, I just walked up to the specific tables and they already had my bag ready for pick up (after they confirmed that I say who I am).
In a next room, there was a huge wall with all of our names and it was hard to find my name! I loved seeing my name since I felt like part of the group!
The vendors at the expo included massage therapists, running shoes, hand warmers, nearby races
There was a lot of corral control! At the front of each corral, the volunteers made sure that our letter corresponds with the corral. For example, I wouldn't have been able to jump to corral C since I was sorted in corral D. Within each corral, there were pacers!
Race Challenge Options! Marathon & 5 K, & Half Marathon & 5 K
I ran Houston since I have an aunt and uncle here! I haven't seen her in over a decade, so it was nice to see her again! Additionally, this was the first time I met her husband/my uncle, and he's cool! I hope to return to Houston one day to see them again!
My father and brother came down from Cleveland!
We went to this awesome restaurant called Pappadeaux and I had the Mardi Gras Pasta (Linguine, crawfish, andouille sausage, cremini mushrooms, marinara cream sauce, jumbo grilled shrimp)
The only negative issue I had from this race was that my groin/adductor muscles hurt around mile 10. I had to power walk the rest of the marathon sadly. I tried to run slowly, but the muscle group really didn't want to work with me!
I really need to see a physical therapist because I don't want to run any more marathons while injured!
I would like to have a do-over since I want to experience this one in full health!
I highly recommend this course because it was the most organized marathon I have ran! Additionally, the weather was absolutely perfect! It was a bit chilly in the beginning, but I was comfortable the entire time!
My friends from WV all separately planned to run in Houston, so it was a surprise that we were all going to be there!
We met up afterwards at a bar to celebrate our race!
Race Website: Houston Marathon