State Number 14 - USA Fit Marathon

State Number 14 – USA Fit Marathon, Sugar Land, TX

1 February 2015

I often hear that the Lone Star State is a whole other country within the mainland U.S. Unquestionably, it is a state I can see as a place to retire.  It’s a conservative state and only one of a handful that respects the Second Amendment.

Despite time spent at Dallas-Fort Worth and George Bush Intercontinental Airports in previous years waiting for a connecting flight to other destinations like Baltimore or Boston, Houston is my first official state visit.

A few weeks prior to marathon day, my wife and I were offered the opportunity to be official pacers for this marathon.  That meant we needed to book a flight to Houston, rent a car and find a hotel on rather short notice.

Although the USA Fit Marathon was not my first marathon choice for Texas, we cordially accepted the offer and prepared ourselves for a weekend get-a-way in Sugar Land.

We left LAX early Saturday morning for a non-stop Southwest Airlines flight to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).  We reserved a rental car from a cheapo company located near the airport.  When we arrived at the counter, we were in for an unpleasant surprise – they had no cars available!  What was that about?  We reserved one so we should be owed one. 

Being rather ticked off and with an urgent need, we didn’t have much of a choice but to spend more money for a vehicle at another company without any time to researching the best value.

Sugar Land, situated in the Greater Houston area, lies about 50 minutes southwest of IAH.  Arriving in time for the expo and packet pick-up was out of the question, however, we notified the race director before we left home.  The director told us that our race jackets, bibs and other goodies would delivered to our hotel, the Hilton Garden Inn – Sugar Land.  I was a little skeptical, but soon after checking in, the front desk clerk handed us our race packets.  Gee, with that kind of service, I felt like a VIP.

When I went to remove the attention-getting black wind breaker jacket sporting the marathon logo blazoned on the back side from the plastic wrapped enclosure, it looked big – very big.  My heart sank.  I can’t wear this.  The little tag dangling from the zipper indicated it was a size 2XL, nearly double my normal size.  As I tried it on, it felt as if two people could have fit in it.  Swapping the jacket for a suitable size was a top priority.

Dinner time was upon us and it was time for some pizza.  Across the street from our hotel was the Bombay Pizza Company.  The Food Network featured this restaurant as one of the “best things I ever ate.”  So, we had to find out for ourselves if this was a valid statement.

The pizzeria serves Italian cuisine adorned with Indian herbs and spices.  As one walks in, the colors from the sun like saffron and a roasted yellow present a comfortable and homey atmosphere with walls decorated with murals of scenes of Mumbai.  Besides classic international beers, assorted sodas imported from India are also available.

We stuck with the usual cheese pizza, but not from being afraid of trying something new, but because we stick with what works prior to a marathon event.  Was it the best thing I ever ate?  I would have to say, “No”.  It may have been true if I tried one of their fancy creations with multiple toppings, spices and essences.

Across the street was a HEB Food and Drug store.  We picked up some bananas, water and other incidentals before heading back to the room to get some rest before our marathon.

The sun hadn’t yet risen over the eastern horizon as I gazed out the hotel window towards the starting/finish line venue at the University of Houston – Sugar Land campus.  Streetlights were obscured by the thick fog blanketing Sugar Land similar to the Tule fog common during the winter months where I live.  However, this wasn’t due to an inversion layer, but from the high humidity of the warm moist gulf air creating a high dew point.

The university was just a short drive down University Boulevard just south of I-69.  The fog was moderately thick making for severely reduced visibilities, so driving down University Blvd was an adventure, especially being unfamiliar with the area.

I thought to myself I was going to have a good run day.  As I stepped out of the car, it was still dark and the weather was somewhat cool and the muggy air was laden with moisture great for lubricating my lungs and alleviating the work required for heavy breathing. 

I was going into this marathon with my mind set on pacing a 5:00 group and my wife leading a 4:30 pace group.  However, when I met up with the individual assigned to give out the pace signs, I was handed a 4:45.  I questioned the time, but his list showed me at 4:45.  “What the heck?” I thought.  This would be a challenge, but I accepted it anyway telling the assignor I would try but don’t expect miracles.  I will just have to take it up with the pace organizer at a later time. 

Once armed, fortified and equipped with my fashionable, chic and stylish pacer sign, I was ready for the challenge.  I had another job to do before start time – find the race director to exchange my 2XL jacket with a much smaller, large size jacket.  I didn’t take long to find her and she happily made the exchange.  It fit perfectly!

Race participants at start line (note the fog)

The marathon’s 0430 start time designed for walkers and those who anticipated finishing later than the cut-off time were already on the course.  For others, the race officially started at 0630.

Approximately 900 – 1000 runners (both marathon and half) toed the start line in the foggy and thick dark air.  Sweat started beading on my head just standing around and knew I had tough day ahead of me.  If the sun didn’t shine, I may have a chance to fulfill my pacing obligation.

The course is a “looped” course covering 13.1 miles consisting of three turnaround points with full marathon runners completing the course twice on concrete streets with a small portion consisting of an asphalt concrete running path.

Enthusiastic runners lined up at the start.  The horn sounded at 0630 and we were off.  Exiting the UH campus driveway, runners continued onto Lexington Blvd to the first turnaround just after Marathon Mile 1.  From there, runners continued back on University to the second turnaround located in a residential neighborhood on the north side of I-69.

After three miles, I was in need of some water, but no aid stations were to be seen.  I noticed some runners complaining of the same thing and were seen sipping water out of a hose connected to a spigot in the street median.  Wow! I thought.  Are hoses a substitute for aid stations?  Anyway, I took a large sip of the warm rubber-tasting water, but I was so thirsty I didn’t pay much attention to the unpleasant taste.  The water served its purpose for needed hydration and I just hoped it wouldn’t upset my stomach.

The weather was still foggy, but the temperature was rising as the sun rose.  It was becoming uncomfortable for me but I was still ahead of pace gradually banking some time without becoming too obvious for my group, knowing that the hard part was still ahead.  I had mostly half marathon runners with me and we were all making light about the aid station situation.

Passing back under the I-69 freeway near Marathon Mile 6, we were wondering when an aid station will become available.  I was sweating profusely due to the high humidity, as with the other cantankerous runners around me. 

Not until after passing by the university driveway from whence we began, an aid station suddenly appeared in the foggy air.  I was delighted and I voiced my complaints to those staffing the table about the absence of water for the last six miles.  I know they were volunteers, but I hoped they would say something to race officials so water would be available for the second loop.

Just after Marathon Mile 7, the skies began to clear.  Still, clouds mostly obscured the sun, but the day was heating up and my greatest fear was about to unfold – sunny skies with rising temperatures coupled with sultry air.  In other words, oppressive stifling heat.

I was nearly a minute and a half ahead of pace as I made my way to the fourth turnaround cone placed in the middle of the roadway just past the 15 km point on University Blvd.  There were a few runners in my group (half marathon mostly) behind me maintaining my pace.  I overheard several say the heat was beginning to take its toll and were unsure if they could maintain my 10:50 pace.  I agreed with them on the heat and I tried to uplift everyone’s spirits to keep going.  Soon, I began to become a little uneasy about the second half of the course, especially the six miles after the half-marathon split.

At the half marathon point (and beginning of the second half), my small group of half runners had finished and disappeared from my radar (lucky them).  I was nearly two minutes ahead of schedule and suddenly I realized I was running alone.  I began to wonder if race officials knew of the absence of water for the next six miles.  What do you know?  Marathon Miles 13 to 19 were identical to the first six – NO WATER!  Apparently no one said anything or no one cared.  I had already stocked up with several cups of water and some nutrition prior to the turnaround while embarking on my second loop.  My pace suddenly slackened between Marathon Miles 15 and 16.  The heat from the sun coupled with the radiant heat from the concrete streets was wearing down my ability to keep a consistent pace.  I was done and the last ten miles would mostly be a mind game.  My banked time rapidly dwindled and it would certainly not be enough to carry me through.

I was beginning to burn out near Marathon Mile 17 as I saw two runners passed out on the side of the road with medics tending to their calamitous needs.  One was being loaded into an ambulance for transport while the other was still on the ground being rehydrated with a medical intravenous IV drip D5W TKO lactated Ringer’s.

Seeing the EMTs hard at work and the consequences of overexertion was sort of a wakeup call for me not to push too hard and to listen to my body while paying close attention to my limits.  I was not going to hit my pace time, so I continued to try to enjoy the marathon in the best way and to finish safely.  That was more important than hitting any goal pace I had committed to.

I approached the aid station at Marathon Mile 22 when a volunteer suggested I drop my pace sign with her.  She must have sensed I was struggling.  Knowing that a turnaround point was nearly a mile ahead, I placed it on a folding chair behind the water table and reclaimed the coveted sign on my return.  Why hold an annoying stick I wasn’t using?  I wish I could have permanently ditched the sign since it served as a constant reminder of something I wasn’t going to accomplish.  Not a sole asked if I was on pace.  I wonder if it was how pathetic I looked.

When I traversed a bridge spanning a flood control spillway structure near an oxbow lake adjacent to the Brazos River, I could see the one of the university’s buildings off in the distance.  The finish was so close, yet sooo far away.  I couldn’t run anymore – even on the downhill side of the bridge.  I was so hot and sunburnt and I wanted to be done so badly.  I could only think of Marty Robbins crossing the Brazos at [Sugar Land].

During the final two miles or so, I walked.  It was painful just to walk in the blazing sun.  I was several minutes behind my 4:45 pace and if anyone would ask, I would respond with, “Sorry, I am out of service.”

A spectator saw my declining state of vigor and kindly handed me an ice-cold bottle of water.  I quickly drank half and poured the rest over my head.  It was very refreshing, but not quite enough to rev up my metabolism needed for an added boost of endorphins.

Marshaling up enough energy to run the “eternal” mile, was difficult to do in the heat.  I managed to gather my last bit of oomph to fuel my final 100 meters to the finish line in a time of 5:16:19 for a 12:04 pace.

Age graded score:  43.92%

Age graded time:  4:48:48

I was grateful I was done.  Even if I had led my original 5:00 pace group, I don’t believe I would have conquered my goal time.  The weather was just too hot for my body to handle.  I later found out that I wasn’t the only pacer to miss the mark. 

I proudly received my Texas-style finisher’s medal, picked up my finisher shirt and grabbed some grub, what was left over, and some cold drinks.  Of course, there was no shade to sit under, so I toughed out the heat at a stand-up table.

My wife, pacing 4:30, met her goal time by a couple of seconds.  I guess the heat just doesn’t bother some as it does me.

The marathon consisted of 220 runners finishing with an average time of 5:22:46 and a standard deviation of 1:18:26.  I looked on the bright side, I was above average!  I could rationally argue that the heat and humidity affected practically all of the runners.

I was more than ready to get into the car and head back to the hotel to clean up and have something to eat.

After some careful deliberation on a dining establishment, we decided on Escalante’s Tex-Mex & Tequila restaurant located in the Sugar Land Town Center.  The fashionable center near the downtown area had many dining opportunities, but a south of the border meal was very appealing.  After expending over 3500 kilocalories, pretty much anything would have satisfied my appetite.

I got the impression that Escalante’s is for those habituated with upscale social scenes and used to dining with swank décor.  The service was great, but a little overpriced, however, I must say that my burrito smothered in green sauce was pretty delicious.  The chips and salsa were a little lack luster, but okay.  I avoided the “hand-crafted” margarita with its twelve dollar price tag.  Yikes!  It was better to hydrate with ice water than with tequila.

Hermann Park attractions

Our late Monday afternoon flight back to LAX gave us the opportunity to see some of the sights in and around Houston and to partake in a Texas BBQ lunch.

Being in a big city such as Houston, finding activities to consume time can be a difficult undertaking.  This was definitely the case as Monday dawned.

I was eager to take a fifty-mile side trip to Galveston to see the sea waves crashing or sitting on the beach dreaming of the cannons flashing symbolic of the Spanish-American War.  Remember Glen Campbell?

We sacrificed the trip to Galveston and chose to visit Hermann Park, which turned out to be a pleasant substitute.

Hermann Park situated south southeast of downtown in the vicinity of Rice University, is an expansive open space that looked to be a popular and attractive destination for locals and visitors alike.  Home to museums, cultural institutions and amphitheaters, numerous water features, statues, memorials, gardens and shade trees, the park sits adjacent to the Houston Zoo and a public golf course.

The relaxing time at the park caused me to become hungry for some Texas BBQ.  Not knowing where the best places in the city are located, we found Pappas Bar-B-Q in downtown.  The establishment catered to the working stiff in the downtown offices.  I ordered a beef brisket sandwich with tangy BBQ sauce on a French roll packed with onions.  Delicious!

The time quickly arrived for our return to the airport to drop off the rental car, catch the shuttle and proceed through the dreaded and chaotic security lines at IAH. We arrived at LAX safe and sound and we were happy to check off another state, even though I failed my pace time goal.  Hey, I don’t do heat!

Leaving Houston, or Texas for that matter, was a sad day for me.  Our trip only confirmed that when I retire, I will happily leave California behind, not look back, and seriously consider Texas as my new home state.  I can fit right in with the conservative atmosphere of Sugar Land and the surrounding area.

Yes, California has a lot to offer and the state can boast about many things, but the political climate, cost of living and governmental regulations are major turn-offs for me and only fuels my internal fire of antipathy.

The marathon from my point of view?  Yes, the course is flat and fast.  Flat, of course; fast, absolutely not, since I cannot cope with high heat indices.  The humidity – common – but the high temperatures – not common for early February.  Both came together creating a hostile environment.  The weather was certainly not ideal, but the subtropical conditions made this event a testament to my actual fitness level.

Given the looped nature of the course, marathoners run past everything twice.  It’s suburban Houston – for those who run for the scenic splendor, consider another marathon.  Warning: reader discretion, science content ahead.  The concrete streets typical of Houston definitely influence runners in terms of energy absorption versus asphaltic surfaces.  Considering the high surface temperatures and the Young’s Moduli of each material, asphalt will absorb almost 100 times the energy than concrete.  No wonder my feet and muscles were killing me.

I live in a hot and arid climate with temperatures frequently exceeding 100 degrees during the summer.  But it’s a dry heat.  My hot weather training and acclimatization evidently did not prepare me enough to endure the significantly higher dew points characteristic of Houston.  Keeping pace without any water stations throughout the first six miles of each loop was a real challenge.

Surprisingly, the marathon had a very small contingent of runners.  Of course there is nothing wrong with that, I like small marathons, but the field of runners thinned out considerably once the half-marathoners finished.  Basically, I had no one in my pace group for practically the entire second half.  At least I had several flood control structures and features I could study and look at while running alone for those long stretches.

Other than people at the start/finish, spectators along the course were few and far between.  Some onlookers set up their own make-shift water stations handing out ice cold bottles of water, God bless them. 

The volunteers at the water stations were very supportive and made sure everyone was hydrated and fueled when there were food items available, pretzels, Oreos, and cookies.

Unlike most marathons, runners must complete the marathon, or half, to earn their race specific finisher’s shirt.  In a way, I’m glad that’s the case.  I wear my shirt with pride, and I think back how much it took to earn those tough 26 miles 385 yards. 

I wonder what the participation rate would be if this marathon was held on Super Bowl weekend.  Oh, everyone heads for Surf City in Huntington Beach, CA during that weekend.