has anyone here run in the Houston Marathon?

why would anyone in their right mind WANT to run a marathon? I I mean, that's like, 26 freakin' miles! CRAZY.

good luck

here's some advice... start training NOW! This marathon is like, in January? right?

 

http://www.hphoustonmarathon.com/

 

I ran it in '83 and '84, but the course has changed since then. Regardless, the new track is about as flat a race as you will find. The only significant elevation changes are due to overpasses, and I am only aware of two of those (Westpark at mile 15 and going into downtown at mile 24), although there could be more early in the race. The race has a reputation as being extremely well organized and "runner friendly." The weather varies considerably, from cold, windy and wet to very warm. The weather is usually pretty good in January though. The crowds are decent, but not in Boston's or NY's league. The entire race is on asphalt, although there are places you can run on the grass beside the road if that is a factor.

As a marathon experience I think Houston rates very highly. I have run in the Marine Marathon and Houston was better. As a place to try to qualify for Boston I think it would be good too. Post if you decide to run it.

 

drapg runs 10 miles a rH - I think he will be ok!

I haven't run Houston, but I'm told that it is great unless it gets too warm. If you are looking to run it hard and qualify for Boston, you better hope it is not 70 that day.

 

I have had my 26.4 miles. That route is pretty tough, but I have a suggestion. If you want to make it less stressful, there is a way to preserve your energy. The trick is to... drive your car... much easier.

 

I just ran my first marathon two weeks ago in Richmond, VA. I ran it in 3 hours 35 minutes (8:15/mile pace), which was 387th place out of about 2500 finishers. I wasn't really expecting to do that well, because I recently had to sit out five weeks due to a foot problem. So, I was happy!

Any other marathoners? What was your best time?

 

I trained up for a marathon, did a couple half marathons, but got injured playing basketball a couple weeks before it (sprained ankle) and couldn't do it...and then i just stopped training for it. But my half marathon time was 1hr34min.

 

3:17. I could have run faster, but I ran the first 18 miles with a very attractive friend.

In my first marathon (the 3:17 was my second), I also ran the first 18 miles with my "very attractive friend," at which point I told her that I was going to kick it up a notch and I would see her at the finish. I was passing people right and left (I didn't get passed after mile 18), feeling REAL GOOD about myself.

Then around mile 22, I passed a woman who looked to be in her mid 30's (I was 26) and was at least a good 50 pounds overweight. When it occured to me (it took a few moments) that this *overweight* *elderly* *female* had been in front of me for 22 miles, I didn't feel so great about myself. I finished in 3:33, so she wasn't waddling along.

I later saw her at many races. She never looked any younger or thinner, but she always ran well.

 

I'm going to print that map, then get in my car and drive the route and imagine how dead I'd be if I tried to run that far.

Good luck to all you runners.

 

The weather should be your main concern. It is not unheard of that the temp and humidity are ~70 at the end. Of course, if you are fit to run a marathon in the Houston summer, this will be no big deal.

 

Last year you got to pee on Enron Field.

 

Good luck. One suggestion: ditch the Rockets jersey and get some Texas Track & Field gear from the Co-op. You will be stylin and might get some looks from the ladies...great conversation starter even if it's a lie

 

I ran the motorola as well. It was a fun race with all the people that came. Either way, I've heard that the Houston Marathon was nicer than the Austin one because it is a flatter race. The uphill and downhill parts are not as steep so by mile 22 your knees should still be good to go. Good Luck!