I am on the attack today.
Yesterday, I went out to prove that I wasn't too sick to finish 3.1 miles, and did it. And today, I felt better than I did yesterday. So, I could say that I felt ready to take this one by the horns.
I looked over the crowd that had come in for today's race, and it was much bigger than the one that showed up for the Battle Red Run the Texans hosted in 2006. Not Rodeo Run large, but there were easily as many people here as at the last Astros Race For The Pennant 5K I was at, so the Texans' event marketing people must have stepped up their game recently.
We were told to expect the sound of a cannon blast to signal the start of the Running of the Bulls 5K, but I guess there was a firing malfunction and we were sent forward without much fanfare at all. As planned, I attacked the first mile way more aggressively than I did yesterday. I did my best Arian Foster impression, weaving and cutting around many, many people for that entire first mile. I found myself amused at passing numerous walkers for that entire first mile. In the end there was only a one minute discrepancy between my chip time and gun time, so I can only presume that they must have started the course early.
The Bullpen Pep Band that plays at Texans home games was out to play for us next to the Mile 1 water station, and I gave them an enthusiastic wave even though I couldn't quite make out the number they were playing at that moment in time. Mile 2 of this course features two crossings over Kirby Drive using the pedestrian bridges that lead out of Reliant Stadium. My inner nerd became the motivator during the bridge crossings, as these were the on-the-spot mantras I muttered to myself over the bridges:
Uphill: "Potential, potential, potential, potential. . . ."
Downhill: "Kinetic, kinetic, kinetic, kinetic. . . ."
I was even feeling better than expected in Mile 3, and I'm pretty sure I passed more people than passed by me. I still feel a little discouraged when I can barely keep up with some of these long-legged ladies and gentlemen that appear to be merely walking enthusiastically, though.
The finish line was through the north tunnel. Although a 20-yard "red zone" and end zone were marked on the pavement, I was really hoping to end the race on some of the actual turf used during games in Reliant Stadium. Surely they grow spare squares of the stuff, right?
Even though I struck out during the door prize drawings, I still came away with my fastest 5K in more than two years, and that's no bull.
The splits:
Mile 1: 9:13
Mile 2: 10:09
Mile 3: 9:59
Last .1: 1:43
5K Elapsed Time: 31:05 per Garmin Forerunner 205
Official race results:
Chip Time: 31:00
Gun Time: 32:01
Placing: 77th in M35-39 AG
4 comments:
Hi! I am new to the running world and was also at the Running of the Bulls yesterday. Can you tell me where you found your chip time? I have done multiple google searches to find results, but came up empty handed - although I did find your blog! I would appreciate any help about the results, as I had a bet with my husband's friend. Thanks!
I don't know of any online results, but during the postrace party, there were paper printouts of results posted on the northeast side of the stadium -- i.e. to the left after crossing the finish line.
Welcome to the running world. If you feel excited at the idea of doing another run event, allow me to recommend a visit to my other site -- houstonrunningcalendar.com. I list every event I hear about over there.
I have checked your other website often :) My husband and I try to do one race a month. I'm sure I have run with your before. I'm the slow one at the end - ha :)
Also - great news, found results online at eztoregister.com
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