It's food, food, food on promotion. The way I think, it's a sham. . . .

The marketing folks at Minute Maid Park have cooked up an "All You Can Eat Thursdays" come-on this year. As someone who has experience with getting distressingly fat while watching others getting paid handsomely to stay in shape, I was curious.

Here's the deal: The AYCE deal is offered in a couple of specific sections in the outfield deck. These seats normally sell for $7, but for $35 you also get a wristband that gives you unlimited access to a stand giving out nachos, hot dogs, popcorn and sodas. Even with Aramark's inflated prices, you'd have to eat a quite a bit before you make up the $28 markup on nosebleed seats. Perhaps I could have really taken advantage of this during my twenties, but these days a couple of hot dogs will satisfy me now. No thanks, I'll pass.

Nevertheless, I hadn't been to a ballgame this year, so I decided on a whim to go downtown and check out the newly reformulated 2008 Houston Astros in person, as they opened a four-game series against the Phillies. I bought a ticket for an outfield deck seat on the third-base side. (I know better than to get seats on the first-base side for an evening game, unless I just happen to feel like staring directly at the setting sun for two hours.) As I looked across the stadium at the designated AYCE sections, I could see that they weren't even one-third full. I must not have been the only one who did the money arithmetic and come to the same conclusion.

It was great to watch baseball in person again. Too bad the team couldn't pull this one out. Thanks to plentiful hitting on both sides (Roy Oswalt was a sieve tonight) the game had only gotten to the bottom of the seventh inning tied at five before I decided to head home at 9:30. At least I stayed around long enough for the traditional choruses of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" and "Deep In The Heart of Texas." As I drove home, I listened to Milo Hamilton narrate the breakdown of the bullpen and Brad Lidge's return to Houston, closing the door on his former team.

Winging It at the Museum

First, I can't believe that I missed the "CSI: The Experience" exhibit when it stopped at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. I remember when they announced it, and I had every intention of going. Well I never did. Well, I decided to give my membership card some exercise today and pay a visit. I had already seen the "Lucy's Legacy" exhibit (a very, very good one) so I got a ticket for "Leonardo da Vinci: Man, Inventor, Genius."

To be honest, I wasn't highly impressed. It was basically Leonardo's inventor's notebook made into scale models. But when I entered I was told that it was an interactive exhibit, and I could only remember two machines that the public was invited to try. One was an Archimededs screw that was supposed to carry water up a slope, but the trough was drained dry. The second was a series of pulleys that was supposed to demonstrate the multiplication power of using multiple pulleys. But thanks to friction issues I could see in the model, it seemed like the single pulley was actually the easier one to work with.

It seemed as if Leonardo spent a lot of time thinking about flight, and if he wasn't doing that (or art), he was thinking about conducting war on land and sea:






After last year's extravagant stroll through the mind and life of Benjamin Franklin, I felt as if this exhibit didn't really capture the imagination of its subject as well. Admittedly, that was a tough act to follow.

After the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibit, I saw Dinosaurs 3-D in the IMAX theatre. With lots of scenic images of the Patagonia area, an Argentinian paleontologist talked about his passion for the big lizards that once walked his country. The film ends with the suggestion that the dinosaurs didn't go completely extinct, but that we are left with their beauty and grace in the form of birds. (I'll think about that the next time I order at Popeye's Fried Chicken and Biscuits.) Personally, I think we can more easily see the dinosaur legacy more clearly in crocodiles than birds.

It's been a permanent part of the museum for years, but until today I had never been in the Cockrell Butterfly Center. So out of curiosity I bought a ticket and was pleasantly surprised. Basically, this is a three-story greenhouse with an tropical rainforest inside. Swarming everyone and everything are hundreds and hundreds of butterflies.







In the adjoining building there are some nifty interactive exhibits about insects in general. I'm sure kids really love it. But as I was ascending a staircase with a score of red and black butterflies circling my head in formation, all I could think about was how this would be a nice spot to start something romantic. I see why some people are choosing this spot for weddings.

The other big change I noticed is that the museum remodeled so that there's a direct path into the parking garage -- which goes right through the relocated gift shop. Obviously, someone with the museum got some retail smarts!

Another Walk in the Park

As I contemplate the life I have now, I've come to the realization that this summer will likely be an important one. Along the way of trying to "re-invent" my life, I've done a lot to improve my lot, but I'm not done. I have my full marathon goal behind me, and by this time next year, I'll have my graduate degree. So now with so much covered ground behind me, I'm finding myself wondering what the next big step should be, and it's got my eyes opened wide in both excitement and slight fright simultaneously.

Perhaps it will be like in my marathon experience, hitting mile 21 in Memorial Park -- rationally knowing I'm almost there, but being very hard to do take those next steps. It's sort of nice to know I've been "here" before. The one big difference is that I don't even know where the finish line is or what it will look like.

Pear Run 10K

In retrospect, maybe this race was probably not a good idea. My legs were still feeling the effects from the 28-mile binge I had in Cincinnati last weekend. But after the indigestion troubles in the Flying Pig 10K, I had a strong desire to find out how I would do at this distance if I avoided donuts beforehand. The 10K was my "project" all spring anyway and this is pretty much the last one of the season in the area.

What I love about the Pear Run course is that it's tree-shaded and pancake flat. I had a good thing going for the first three miles, covering them in about 27 minutes. I pretty much was on fumes the rest of the way, though -- and battling the warm and muggy conditions as well. One of the locals caught up to me at the start of mile 4 and started chatting about the Houston Marathon. That was nice, but in the back of my mind, I was a little frustrated because those low nine-minute mile splits were evaporating. So I ended up crossing the finish line with a chip time of 1:00:50.

Oh well. It's now summertime, which means no one (except the truly nuts) races over 5K here.

Cincinnati Flying Pig Half Marathon

As with many pre-race nights, I didn't sleep very well, being too excited and nervous about the half marathon, which would be my fifth. (So, when do those jitters stop?) When my alarm clock began to sound, I couldn't help but think that it was only 3:30 a.m. back home in Texas. This morning I played it safe and ate only a Peanut Butter Clif Bar and drank Gatorade.

As I walked the bridge out of Newport, I noticed how hushed it seemed over the Ohio River. Once I made it to the Cincinnati side I found myself alongside a mad convergence of car traffic -- a sure sign of Marathon Sunday in a city.

I found some other forumites and we had our group photo opportunity in front of Paul Brown Stadium. Then we went down to settle into the corrals. Then we found out about the fire-on-the-course delay, which meant I was stuck for another 15 minutes with my legs stiffening up a little from yesterday's race. I couldn't help but notice that the weather conditions were just about perfect. Very light breeze, clear skies, and starting temperature in the forties Fahrenheit.

Prior to the weekend, I had convinced myself that the half marathon would basically be a "bonus event" after racing the 10K as hard as I could. But as the cannon blast summoned runners forward, the race adrenaline began to flow again, and I started feeling really, really loose.

Mile 01 - 10:09
Mile 02 - 09:45
Mile 03 - 09:47
-- The blister that I got yesterday started bugging me. For much of the rest of the race, I would be shifting my toes inside my shoes trying to get some relief.
Mile 04 - 09:20
-- First GU taken. As I was leaving the fluid station, the sound system started playing "Welcome to the Jungle" by Guns 'n' Roses. I was pumped!
Mile 05 - 10:00
Mile 06 - 09:32
-- Running through downtown with spectators close on the left and right was definitely energizing. The people here really seem excited about Flying Pig weekend!
Mile 07 - 09:42
Mile 08 - 10:29
-- Worst uphill on course. Second GU taken. At the top of a bluff, I was treated to a view of the Ohio River below. As I heard the men's choir singing behind me, I knew I had taken the course's best shot and it hadn't beaten me.
Mile 09 - 09:06
Mile 10 - 10:23
Mile 11 - 07:00
-- OMG OMG OMG what a downhill! Towards the end I was a little concerned that I would lose control and splatter myself on the pavement. At the bottom of the hill, I was surprised to see Airinpie, her DH and TN Tim standing there cheering me! That really meant a lot to me! What a lift!
Mile 12 - 09:35
Mile 13 - 10:09
-- My energy was fading. "Penguins, I need a push," I thought. And I know their good vibes found their mark with my final surge.

13.1-mile elapsed time: 2:08:16
(94th of 197 in the Clydesdale 200-219 division)

And so I had a new PR, besting my 2:13:35 from the San Antonio Half Marathon last November. As a resident of the Texas Gulf Coast I was very intimidated by the elevation profile before the race. As of now, while I have a healthy respect for hills, I won't necessarily fear them as much as I did.

After collecting my first-ever mylar blanket and my finisher's medal, I walked back across the bridge to my hotel. I stretched a bit, drank more Gatorade, then took my laptop across the street so I could post hellos on the forums.

I text-messaged IrishPenguin to check on her progress in the full marathon. The answer I got concerned me a little. Since she was nice enough to cheer for me yesterday, I wanted to return the favor today. I crossed the bridge back into the finish line area in Cincinnati and then back-tracked along the marathon course. It was here that I realized exactly where they had re-routed the full marathon course through a park. I finally found IP at the Mile 22 marker and began to run with her. For the next four miles I attempted to keep her entertained with some conversation. Right before the Mile 26 marker, I patted her on the back and said, "OK, it's all you now, Kelly. Go get your finish." and then jumped back off the course behind the finish corral barricade and watched her kick it in.

After getting showered and rested a little, I got my ride to the FE party. I really wasn't very hungry at the time, but I did my best to fill up on grilled hot dogs, beer and soda. I got another chance to chat with more forumites including Michelle (MickeyD). After winning the women's division of the full marathon, Michelle was looking very, very snazzy with the laurel wreath! If only we could all experience the chance to pick up something like that....

And that, folks, was the story of my weekend. In my three years of running, this has become THE highlight. It was oh-so-very-cool to finally meet so many of those I trade posts with on the RW forum.

Finally, I cannot thank Luis enough for being the driving force behind the FE activities. He and his stepdaughter Bailey basically saved me the cost of a rental car this weekend by shuttling me everywhere.

Cincinnati Flying Pig 10K

As soon as I woke up, my first order of business was to mindlessly break the rule that says that you shouldn't try anything new on race day. I went downstairs and fueled up with orange juice, bagels and powdered donuts from the hotel's continental breakfast. I think I was distracted by the sad news of my Rockets being eliminated from the NBA playoffs....

After gaging the conditions outside, I returned to my room and put on shoes, shorts, the finisher's T-shirt from the Angie's Half Crazy and my black runner's hat. Kelly (IrishPenguin/"IP") had told me Friday evening that she was planning to cheer at the 10K. So as I took my warmup jog on the bridge into Ohio, I sent a text message to let her know I was on my way to the starting line.

Mile 1 - 8:38
-- A light rain was falling, so by the time the race started, my clothes were quite damp. The course began with a nice downhill. To avoid running into people, I even had to use my trademark "Watch out -- Heavy man being acted upon by gravity!" yell.
Mile 2 - 9:27
-- There was a short, but steep uphill that seemed to suck a lot out of my early energy. I think it was in this mile that IP spotted me and yelled out a "Go Vince!" That was a lift!
Mile 3 - 9:35
-- Trouble began. I started feeling the failure of my breakfast to digest, and I had to walk a bit until the urge to hurl subsided.
Mile 4 - 9:44
-- We crossed a long bridge out of Cincinnati and into Covington. As the weight of the uphill portion began to pull me down, I heard a horn blare off to my right. I looked up at the freight cars on the railroad tracks adjacent to the bridge and I immediately thought of my Sole Train teammates imploring me to "Keep Chugging!" So I did, all the way into Kentucky.
Mile 5 - 9:53
-- Crossing from Covington into Newport, we hit a flat section here, and my mind really wanted to accelerate. But instead, my tummy troubles forced me to take yet another short walk break.
Mile 6 - 9:52
-- I was tiring. At the Mile 6 marker, one of the spectators yelled out that it was time to "open up a can of kick@ss." "Lend me one!" I retorted. Somehow, I think she did. As soon as I came off the bridge and turned the last corner, my eyes beheld the clock and the sprint jets came on.

6.2-mile elapsed time: 59:07
(8th of 22 in the Clydesdale 200-219 division)

Despite nearly losing my breakfast twice on the course, I had a new PR by 17 seconds over my time from the Shamrock Strut 10K in March! I was so excited that I leaped at the finish line and unintentionally slapped the clock. I didn't think race organizers would hang a clock that low; sorry Cincinnati!

I know the McMillan Race Calculator still thinks I'm capable of even better, so let's hope I eat smarter before my next 10K!

After I picked up my 10K finisher's goodies and an orange, I met IP in front of the Great American Ballpark and chatted a bit. As we searched for the starting line of the 5K event (she was doing this with her mother), we met Janet (soccermom15) and got a photo opportunity.

When we reached the 5K start area, we found Luis, Gloria, Karen M and Elizabeth (runningNYCfordad) who were there to cheer for Andi (firenicetrucker?). My jaw took a hit from Karen's shoulder when she threw a hug on me; I'm sure that was a Kodak moment! LOL! After sending the 5K runners on their way, we walked over to the finish line to cheer runners in.

After watching Andi crossed the finish line, I had been on my feet and soaking wet for three and a half hours and I had a blister forming one of my toes, so I figured it was time for a break. As the others went to collect Andi and head over to the expo, I walked "home" to Kentucky.

Thank goodness the Travelodge was cheap, because it was frankly lacking in amenities. However, in addition to being within easy walking distance of downtown Cincy, it was directly across the street from all the shops and restaurants at Newport on the Levee. So after returning to my hotel and cleaning myself up, I headed over and stuffed my face with a burger and fries at Johnny Rockets. I popped some nickels in the jukebox and started up "The Wanderer,"
"Runaround Sue," "Crazy" (Patsy Cline), and James Brown's "I Feel Good" I thought they were appropriate titles for my mood.

After lunch, I returned to the hotel for a nap. Then I got my ride to the FE dinner at Buca di Beppo. It was boisterous and crowded in that room, but at least we did get a chance to individually introduce ourselves to the assembled while we swapped pasta back and forth. We also got a chance to send some personal greetings to some special others.

Oink!

This weekend I've jetted out to the burg of Cincinnati to take part in the Flying Pig Marathon weekend. I had been reading good things about this event, and with numerous Runner's World online members taking part, I thought it would be a fun little adventure.

After my delayed flight finally made it into the Cincinnati airport, I still had a long trek on the ground to find our mighty FE leader Luis (HowardRoark), along with Johnathan (JonTosh) and Gloria (red is my signature color). After checking into my hotel in Newport, I went across the river to pick up my 10K and half marathon race packets at the convention center.

When I left the expo, I was feeling pretty hungry. I spotted a sign for a Chinese eatery across the street from the convention center. Some people like attentive service that makes them feel like the only customer. Well, I got that . . . because I WAS the only one in the place. When I talked to the manager, I mentioned that the restaurant seemed surprisingly empty for a Friday night, and he pitifully agreed. Even the name for the place -- "Wah Mee" -- seemed to fit the lamentable situation.

Dulles Dash

I was slightly conflicted about the Dulles Dash.

On the one hand, it was a virtually perfect morning for a run, and the event would be on my favorite certified 5K course in Fort Bend County.

On the other hand, the Dulles Vikings were my high school's crosstown rivals. How could I possibly register for a race in support of their athletic department?

Obviously, since I'm writing this post, you know I decided to go for it. But I left home dressed in a maroon T-shirt, silver shorts and a white hat; I was going to insist on running in the colors of my alma mater!

Another week, another small, low-key school fundraiser -- I'd estimate the turnout at less than 150. When I registered, I didn't get a bib number. Instead, they marked a number on my hand. "Just like a trathlete," quipped the race director. Well, aren't we hardcore now?

After warming up, I headed over to the start area to line up. Right before the gun went off, my last thought was, "Oh crap. I forgot the BodyGlide today."

Mile 1: 7:56
I spent a most of this mile trying to keep pace with a long-legged couple that looked like they were out for a nature walk. Some people are just so efficient in their running. They were even jogging backwards at times, laughing, and having relaxed conversation in complete sentences. I might have struck up a conversation if I was wasn't busy trying to cram oxygen down my trachea.

Mile 2: 8:14
The long-legged couple glided away and I found myself next to a kid that I guessed was a sixth grader. Should I feel bad for feeling good when I passed him?

Mile 3: 9:06
Finally leaving the boulevards, I ran under the embracing shadows of the Oyster Creek asphalt trail. I had the creek on my left side, and the woods to my right. Posted signs caution about the possible presence of alligators, but the only creatures that accompanied me here were the squirrels and bunnies at my feet, and the cardinals that fluttered overhead.

5K elapsed time: 26:05 (new 5K personal record)

As I said earlier, this is my favorite local 5K course, used for the local Freedom 5K held on Independence Day. Last year's Freedom 5K was flood-shortened thanks to the six weeks of everyday rain we had last summer. So I have to go back to July 4, 2006 for my last 3.1-mile result here -- 31:13.

It's nice to know that the improvement hasn't stopped yet.

Pope John XXIII Fun Run

Last year's run at this private high school in Katy, Texas featured a slick and muddy course with a devilish headwind in the third mile. This week's weather forecast had threatened rain, but none ever fell. Thus, the ground under us was firm and dry. Above us, the sky was cool and clear with hardly any breeze.

When the starting gun fired, I was behind a group of students. It took me all of ten seconds to realize that trying to hang with them would be futile, possibly fatal. So I fell back and resolved to run my own race. Our run would start on the soccer field and then wind around the banks of Mason Creek before returning to campus.

By the 2-mile marker I was saddled with an oxygen debt that was threatening me with aerobic bankruptcy. Focusing on tailing a pair of Great Legs in the last half mile became the bailout I needed for a memorable finish.

Mile 1: 8:03
Mile 2: 8:50
Mile 3: 9:15
5K elapsed time: 27:00 (new 5K personal record!)

After accepting finish-line congratulations and a bottled water, I doubled back alongside the course. I've never forgotten what it was like to struggle at the end of a fortysomething-minute 5K. The cheering and encouragement really does make a difference. So I joined the volunteer at the 3-mile marker and applauded for the folks coming over the bridge, calling out things like "Looking strong," "Beautiful day to be out here," and "There's a finish line over there, I promise!"

Owing to the small field of runners, my time was good enough for a 3rd place medal in the 30-39 age group. (The number one guy came in 10 minutes earlier!) But as I headed home I thought about how my own health and fitness is worth more than any race hardware. If someone told me in 2005 that I would eventually cut more than 15 minutes off my 5K time, I wouldn't have believed 'em.

So for the beginners that are just starting out, give yourself a real chance to stick with it and eventually enjoy this activity. Although running is something we measure in hours, minutes and seconds, the effort -- and the rewards -- are best measured in weeks, months and years.

And running-wise for me, 2008 is looking like a very good year indeed.

Angie's Half Crazy! Half Marathon

(Note: As of the end of 2008, the race director has yet to make good on recognizing my Clydesdale placing in this race. Perhaps she doesn't believe I'm over 200 pounds, and I should take it as a compliment.)

---

A nice side effect of going through a marathon training schedule last winter is that I'm now fit enough to cover 13 miles on just about any random weekend. So after making the decision to register only ten days beforehand, I found myself behind the starting line of my fourth half marathon this morning.

C-r-r-razy!

I know this was a small event (500 participants), but I was stunned to learn that I had been seeded in the second corral of four, when I had predicted a sub-2:30 time during registration. I could have just about reached the starting mats from where I was by simply stumbling forward.

C-r-r-razy!

I don't know whether I was seduced by the flat course ahead or if it just felt like it was the right thing for a B-corral runner to do, but when the horn went off, I went out AGGRESSIVELY. My ForeRunner logged at least two mile splits under nine minutes in the first few miles. I now have some doubts as to the accuracy of the mile markers, but still, I know I went out fast -- too fast.

C-r-r-razy!

But I'm not sure I totally trust my ForeRunner either. It told me I hit the 6.2-mile point at 57 minutes, which would be more than two minutes faster than my 10K race PR from three weeks ago.

C-r-r-razy!

Sure enough, the fast start came back to bite me. By the time I reached the Saturn Lane turn at the NASA campus, I was feeling very out-of-gas, and my mile pace dropped all the way down into the elevens. I started being passed by what would end up being more runners than I could count. The Mile 12 marker was planted in front of a Sonic Jog-In, and it took a lot of willpower (and a lack of cash on my person) for me to pass it up. Just the idea of downing a foot-long coney on a race course...?

C-r-r-razy!

When I re-entered the college campus, I saw the Mile 13 marker, looked around and got confused when I didn't see the finish line nearby. A few minutes later, I finally did cross the timing mats and was greeted with volunteers with our finisher medals and ice-cold-and-wet towels. Then I heard the emcee announce that the course was about half a mile too long.

C-r-r-razy!

Since my Garmin ForeRunner 101 recorded my run at 2:13:51 with an overall average pace of 9:53/mile, a little arithmetic projects my 13.1-mile time as 2:09:28. This would have been a nice four-minute chop off of my five-month-old official half-marathon race PR from San Antonio. So that's not just one, but two PRs that are sadly unofficial.

C-r-r-razy!

During the awards ceremony, my ears perked up when the 3rd-place Clydesdale was announced with a time of 2:16. I didn't hear my name afterwards, however. So I brought it to the attention to the race director -- the "Angie" -- and she told me that she can get another award package for me. Race hardware, for me?

C-r-r-razy!

This was the inaugural running of an event that aims to raise scholarship funds for high-school students involved in cross-country. Worthy cause, no? Overall, I thought the event shows real promise to becoming a mid/late-spring highlight on the Houston-area running calendar. The course absolutely needs to be re-measured (and preferably certified), but it is virtually pancake-flat except for one small (really!) hill. And BBQ at the post-race area was a welcome sight. Beef brisket and pulled pork at 9:30 a.m.?

C-r-r-razy!