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You are here: Home / half marathons / State #22: Texas – Half Marathon 1 of 5!

State #22: Texas – Half Marathon 1 of 5!

March 19, 2013 by MCM Mama 20 Comments

Short story: I finished.

Long story:

Monday was the first day of the Dust Bowl Series and we ran around Lake Rita in Dalhart, Texas.  It was a 6.55 mile loop that the half marathoners ran twice.  It was a “crushed gravel” surface, but really felt more like running on sort of packed dirt.  As a pavement runner, I found it took a lot of my energy, but it did make things easier on my foot.

We started “dark and early”, but thankfully it was mostly light by the time we actually hit the path.  It was quite chilly and I couldn’t feel my feet until about the end of the first mile.

TX_Start

The scenery was lovely in some parts and very desolate feeling in others. Sadly, I spent most of the 13 miles by myself as we were all spread out.

tx_course

The camper above was the start, finish, and midway point LOL.  The race went well for me for about the first 9 miles.  I was aiming for a 12 minute pace, but reality was in the low to mid-11s.  That was just what felt comfortable.  At mile 9, I began to realize my endurance wasn’t where I’d hoped after taking the three weeks off.  The next two miles included some walking, but still felt mostly strong.  That ended at mile 11.  My hip flexors announced that they were all done running on that surface and I started getting nauseous because I was hungry and cold from the headwind.  Those last two miles were more walking than running.  Finally, I came around the bend and headed towards the finish.  Beer Geek was right at mile 13 and took pictures as I headed his way.

tx_finish

When I got to Beer Geek, I did something I’ve never done before – I walked the last .1.  I was just done and didn’t care, so I walked and chatted with him.  After I crossed the line, I spent some time talking and grabbed a half of a sandwich (so needed at that point!) The end result of that walking and eating?  I don’t know my exact time LOL.  I think it was around 2:40, but it may have been a bit faster.  Then we headed back to the hotel where I took the hottest bath I could stand with some epsom salts.  By the time I got out, I’d stopped shivering and was feeling surprisingly good!

We grabbed a quick lunch and headed to Liberal, Kansas and the Land of Oz (which was sadly closed.)

Land_of_Oz

One state down, four more to go.

Tx_medals

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Filed Under: half marathons Tagged With: 13 in 2013, 5 in 5, 50 States, Dust Bowl Series, Mainly Marathons, Texas

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Comments

  1. Suzanne says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:58 am

    Nice job on State 1! Good luck today with #2!
    Suzanne recently posted…Meet Aiden!My Profile

    Reply
  2. Christy @My Dirt Road Anthem says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:59 am

    sorry you felt a little rough at the end, but yay for hot baths!

    Reply
  3. Nicki says

    March 19, 2013 at 7:24 am

    Thinking about you while you run state 2. Great job!!
    Nicki recently posted…Some Parenting Lessons from SteubenvilleMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Andrea says

    March 19, 2013 at 7:52 am

    You did it. Looks like it was colder than you expected.
    Andrea recently posted…A Different LensMy Profile

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  5. Indi says

    March 19, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Nice job on #1. When not used to it that crushed gravel can really work hip flexors. Get some good stretching done. Good Luck in Kansas! Weather should hold today I think!
    Indi recently posted…Alligator, Boat Ride and Oh….a 100mi DNFMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Jamoosh says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:00 am

    One down; four to go!
    Jamoosh recently posted…Owning the TreadmillMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Kim says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:31 am

    I hope Kansas is good to you!

    Reply
  8. Kim @ (Just) Trying says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:47 am

    Those medals are surprisingly awesome. I wish the course for #1 would have been as well. I’m so proud of you. Keep it up.
    Kim @ (Just) Trying recently posted…Georgia Publix Half Marathon Race RecapMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Tanya says

    March 19, 2013 at 9:50 am

    Yay!! Congrats on #1 of 5. I sooo wanted to do this series this year, but found out about it too late to make it work. SO impressed! Can’t wait to read about the rest! Good luck.

    Reply
  10. Amanda @RunToTheFinish says

    March 19, 2013 at 11:36 am

    go erika go!!!!!! the gravel is tough, but i do think it was probably a good soft surface to start, fingers crossed you keep feeling great
    Amanda @RunToTheFinish recently posted…I’m not Vegan, I just eat that wayMy Profile

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  11. Shelly says

    March 19, 2013 at 1:52 pm

    Congrats!!
    Shelly recently posted…Getting It DoneMy Profile

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  12. Jess says

    March 19, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    You did it! Woo-hoo! That’s a cool idea for the medal.
    Jess recently posted…Keepin’ the Streak AfloatMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Michelle @ Running with Attitude says

    March 19, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    Yay 1 down! Hope the next surface you’re on is a bit more forgiving!
    Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted…Embracing the ChallengeMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Erin says

    March 19, 2013 at 3:03 pm

    Cheering you on! Great job! One down, four to go. 🙂
    Erin recently posted…A few of my favorite things…My Profile

    Reply
  15. Char says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:02 pm

    Well done. It’s good to get the first one out of the way safely.
    Char recently posted…Happy Birthday TobyMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Teresa says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    Congrats on one down!!! Way to go! Good luck on the rest!

    Reply
  17. Michael says

    March 19, 2013 at 6:41 pm

    We have one of those pea gravel trails here in Kansas City. Most people love it, but I hate it. I feel like I never have traction and it totally tears up my calves. I would have been miserable running a whole half marathon on that, and to be cold too…ugh. Great job though!
    Michael recently posted…Snakes on a Trail – The Race Report!My Profile

    Reply
  18. Run With Jess says

    March 20, 2013 at 7:51 am

    Ugh, I hate loop courses… it was the deciding factor in me not doing the Dust Bowl. But I’m extremely jealous of 5 states in one week! Cheering for you from afar… Keep on running!!
    Run With Jess recently posted…Race Recap: Georgia Half MarathonMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Laura says

    March 20, 2013 at 9:53 am

    You pushed through and finished, doesn’t matter how you got there but you did, and that’s incredible! Nice work, glad you thawed out well!
    Laura recently posted…Ten Things TuesdayMy Profile

    Reply
  20. Stimey says

    March 28, 2013 at 10:40 am

    I can’t quite imagine what it must have felt like knowing that you had four more races coming up in quick succession. You are such a rock star.
    Stimey recently posted…He’s Right Behind Me, Isn’t He?My Profile

    Reply
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Who is MCM Mama?
A slightly obnoxious mom and wife who loves good beer and running, who struggles a bit with depression especially in the winter and when running isn’t allowed, who’d rather go on a fun vacation than upgrade the kitchen or add a master bath.

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