26.4 miles, 3:59:50. Houston Marathon. Now completed 5 outings in a row. This one had fantastically perfect weather. Also no drama this year. No cramping at mile 25 and slow down at mile 20. This year bypassed the convention center and bag drop and instead carried car clicker and didn't worry about cooling down too much before hobbling back to car. Still able to get good parking by arriving at 6:15am. Got last bathroom visit in at home instead of dealing with the lines at convention center. Going straight to start line saved alot of early morning physical and mental energy. Nice 42F and little wind. Planned on 9 minute mile pace after last (and only) long run in training. Pace was OK and made sure got plenty of Gatorade despite cool weather. Also did Gel Shots at 50 minute intervals 1:45:00, 2:35:00 and 3:25:00 which felt perfect amount. (previous years had been 1 or 2). And for extra insurance from cramping some electrolyte tablets in hours 2 and 3. Only minor cramp twinges in right calf muscle on fast down hills towards end. Nothing like the major whole leg cramping of last year. Pace slowed down at end - but not catastrophically. Calculated I had an hour to do last 6 miles to be under 4 hours - so always had a great goal in sight at the end.Location Time Pace/mile
10km 0:55:07 8 :52
Half 1:56:09 8:51
30km 2:47:31 8:59
Finish 3:59:50 9:08
