The Background
I was excited to run another race with my good friend Jamie for the first time since 2024. Terri, Paloma, Kari, and Owen would cheer for us at the race.
After Jackalope Jam, I did a 2-mile run and 1-mile walk in the seven days before Woodlands Marathon.
When we arrived, there was no parking, so I hopped out and headed to the start to meet up with Jamie.
The Race
Jamie and I chatted as we ran high-10- and low-11-minute miles.
After mile 10, I let Jamie pull away from me, as I slowed to mid-11-minute miles through mile 14.
Then, I put on headphones and the music motivated me run a bit faster for a couple miles. I caught up with Jamie around mile 16.
I high-fived Jamie as I passed him, but he soon passed me again, as I had to run/walk miles 17 and 18, though my pace stayed pretty good at 13- and 12- minute miles.
I slowed a bit with a 15-minute mile 19, then ran a bit picking it up for a 12-minute 20, then a 15-minute 21.
At this point it was getting a bit warm, and I was beat. I focused on hiking as fast as I could. I made good time with a 14-minute mile 22 and 13-minute miles 23 through 25.
Terri and Paloma cheered for me at Riva Mile along the waterway.
The 5:15 pacer passed me, but I set a goal of getting in under 5:20. A ran a few bits in the last mile, finishing in 5:17. Jamie was waiting at the finish line, having finished in 5:07.
Reflections
Though I had hoped to run the race continuously and go sub-5 hours, this might have been a bit unrealistic a week after 100k at Jackalope Jam. I did push as hard as I could and made great time hiking.
It was great to race with Jamie again. Jamie finished his 10th race of at least marathon distance. Congratulations, my friend!
I'm glad I was only 10 minutes behind Jamie so everyone did not have to wait so long for me.
Well, I have 2 races left in this season. Let's see what I can do!
Thanks to God, Terri, Paloma, James, Jamie, Kari, Owen, friends, all my family, the race organization, and the volunteers for the support!
