3M Half Marathon and Relay
AJ was up before dawn this morning cajoling me out of bed so I could drive him up to the Gateway Shopping Center to the start of the 3M Half Marathon. The weather was clear and just above freezing, miserable for huddling around the one gas heater like moths to a flame before the start but pleasant enough once the race was on. (Pleasant, that is, compared with last year’s Freescale Marathon which he ran on the coldest day of 2006 after a night of freezing rain and sleet.)
As usual, the bathrooms were crowded sending some of the runners into the bushes and behind walls. AJ quotes physiologist Frances Ashcroft to explain, “Exposure to cold increases urine production.” An explanation of why that is so can be found in her book Life at the Extremes: the Science of Survival. The result is that during these long races in cold weather there are rarely enough facilities to handle the output.
The 3M Half Marathon is considered a fairly fast race–most of it’s 13.1 miles are downhill. The field of 3431 timed runners were split almost equally among men (1734) and women (1697). AJ says that this year’s course, which finished in Waterloo park, avoided the steep, uncomfortable downhill finish of the 2005 course.
This is AJ’s second half-marathon. He was happy to beat his goal of 1 hour 40 minutes by 37 seconds.
Congrats to AJ!
I was excited to finish my first half-marathon and get my first race medal at the end. I’m MUCH slower than AJ, though, clocking in at 2 hours, 54 minutes for the “fast” course.
It was an awesome day for a race! The weather was perfect, if a bit cold at the start (and cold for the spectators). I really appreciated all the folks out there cheering, including the bands, and especially the volunteers who undoubtedly got splashed with cold water and gatorade all morning.
The race raised at least $30,000 for the Capital Area Food Bank according to news8austin.
Next up, AT&T Austin Marathon & Half Marathon.
Congrats to you, too! I marvel at all the participants, your discipline and determination.
Secretly, I’m pleased because AJ beat my old boyfriend’s time by almost four minutes. I knew I picked a winner.
Wait, did you just say you finished your first half-marathon! Go you! Congrats!