Any Houston marathon reports?

[Cajunrunnerdude]

Just wondering if there are any reports on this marathon. I was going to go but decided not to at
the last minute because of an injury. Any information is appreciated.

[Norm]

"cajunrunnerdude" <triadforce@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3439bcf4.0401202102.78b21a1b@posting.google.com...
> Just wondering if there are any reports on this marathon. I was going to go but decided not to at
> the last minute because of an injury. Any information is appreciated.

http://hphoustonmarathon.com/

I didn't run it but some friends did. They said the conditions were cool to start but turned out to
be a good day after they warmed up. Dry and cool.

Norm

[John C]

It was second time running Houston. I live in Houston and run by my condo at mile 21, train on the
course and have come to really appreciate the race. The conditions were perfect. A few years ago to
avoid potential heat problems they began to start the race @ 7:00AM. It was overcast and about 51F
at the start and during th race the temp never rose above 55F, it did get a little windy but it was
never an issue. Houston is a relatively flat, fast course with very few turns and no "out and back"
sections. Last year I had a PB of 4:01, and a lot of people do use it as a qualifier for Boston. Out
of the 4 big marathons in Texas it is considered the best/easiest course with the most ideal
weather, usually. The course remained the same from last year with the only difference being the 1/2
marathoners had a different start line, and the courses joined at mile 2. About 14,000 total
entrants so the course is crowded until the 1/2 turn around at mile 9. The do try to get you into
the best Houston neighborhoods, Montrose to West U (where Rice University is) the Galleria, the
Tanglewood, Memorial Park, and then a fairly straight shot (about 6 miles) to the finish. HP does a
great job with the sponsorship and if your trying to track a runner they have a lot of choices (one
even involving HP personnel at the Starbucks, I think there were seven, on the course w/ laptops and
HS wireless modems giving you real time course location of runners). There was also tremendous
support from the neighborhoods you run through, there are very few palces without spectators.

Personally I had a pretty crappy race and I learned a valuable lesson with training. It was my fifth
marathon and I ran the MC Marathon in October but I took my training for granted and paid the price.
Nothing like adding 28 minutes to your time from the pervious year for a reality check. (and
carrying and extra ten pounds more than last year).

For the $65 registration fee Houston is a great experience in my slow ass opinion.

John C

"cajunrunnerdude" <triadforce@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3439bcf4.0401202102.78b21a1b@posting.google.com...
> Just wondering if there are any reports on this marathon. I was going to go but decided not to at
> the last minute because of an injury. Any information is appreciated.