I had talked about finishing it for the last three years, and now it's done.
People had always told me two things about the Houston Marathon - it's hot, and it's flat. Those people lie. It's not always hot. The day was perfect - cloudy in the first part, and then when the sun came out, there was shade everywhere - about 50 to 60 degrees the whole way. And it's not that flat - I think the race directors were able to find every hill in the city and put them all in the course. They're not as big as in Austin, but I would guess that there were more hills in Houston.
What people don't always mention is how great the crowds are. But they are the best part of the race. There's something awesome about having spectators everywhere - at every intersection, lining entire blocks, spanning multiple blocks. I don't think I went more than 400 meters without hitting a huge crowd of people energizing us, encouraging all of us to go a little farther. My parents came out to partake in the cheering at different points along the course, and they were great.
To everyone who supports runners, thank you.
I showed up at the start line at about 6:50 AM, and there were just two other guys there. Everyone else was hiding from the cold inside the George R. Brown Convention Center. I went to join them for a while to warm up, but came right back out. At 7:30, the cannon went off (BOOM!), and then we went off!
The first part of the race was fun. The men and the women started off on separate, parallel streets, which was unusual. We (men) made the best out of it with a few jokes on the subject. I'm not sure what the women did or if they even noticed or cared. I guess it was good because men were free to pee in the "bushes" without the disapproving glare of women. (It's hard to find bushes in Downtown Houston, so I used a garbage bin).
A preacher on a cherry picker came out to bless us with drops of holy water.
I bumped into Anna somewhere along the way, and it was good running with her. She got everyone along the way who had on UT gear to cheer. We stayed together until about mile 15, but she had a specific time goal in her mind, while I had the goal of just finishing this thing. So she kept on going faster, while I stayed back.
It probably wouldn't have mattered what time goal I had in my head because around 30K my legs began their usual cramping. Kurt passed me up around then and offered some encouragement. But by about mile 20, my legs had completely refused to run. Whenever I would take a few running steps, my legs would just lock up, and I would almost fall over. After one of these episodes, I showed my twitching calf to a woman, who looked amused and horrified. A cheerful police officer rushed over and asked me if I would be able to finish. I said yes.
It was slow going from then.
I felt bad. It was a little bit humbling, seeing all those people pass me, feeling like I was letting down all the spectators who were cheering. But then I looked around again and realized that it's not all about me. I guess I had never really realized that before. (And I'm actually only fully realizing it now - a week after the race.)
After my first marathon, I discovered that our bodies and minds can do amazing things, and that Mexican food before a long race is bad. After the second marathon, I realized that running with others makes running more fun and special, and that Mexican + Thai food before a long race is still bad. This year, I found out a couple more things. First - besides all the runners, there are spectators and volunteers at a race, too. I've always expressed my appreciation for them (you), but I always sort of distanced them (you) from me (us) running in the race. (Did you (you) get all that?) But now I see that we're all celebrating the same celebration. Second - I hadn't ever totally believed it until I had the opportunity to see their faces as they run, but people who go slower are not just slackers. Determination really does come at all speeds. It's funny how a marathon can help expand your mind and the way you look at the world.
Well, back to the running...
At two points around mile 24, there were people - just random generous people - who gave me bananas. And within minutes I was back at full form. I wish there had been bananas earlier on, but I can't complain too much. I was able to finish without gimping in like at Austin last year. In fact, I came in strong with a big smile on my face, waving a little American flag that some folks were handing out near the finish.
It was great. Great weather + a great course + great runners + great supporters = an amazing marathon. If any of you are looking for another Texas marathon to run, consider Houston.
After the race, my parents took me to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant in Downtown. My post-meal fortune cookie had this to tell me: "Now is the time to try something new."
... Maybe a new marathon?
Happy Running to all of you,
Peter Tsan
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