Don't mess with Texas! State 30

 

State 30 on my running adventure seemed like it meant a big goal achieved, so we went big with the state of Texas!  Our trip there went through many different plans, but in the end, we were headed to Texas for Memorial Day weekend 2026.  I first signed up for a half that involved two laps, but they canceled on us.  So we signed up for the only other option, a race with 4 laps!  It was called the Texas Triple and benefitted the Multiple Sclerosis Society.  The triple aspect was you had the option to run a half or full for three days in a row.  We picked the middle day only!  May 24 was our race day.  The course was actually nice with the laps going around a lake and only a couple tiny hills.  Well, a couple times four!  My goal was to not be lapped by Camden before I finished one loop, and I made it 5.5 miles, about halfway through the second loop.  I did good for myself the first two laps, but slowed down the last two.  It was starting to get hot by that point.  The race actually started at 6:00 am to help with the heat.  I also gave the Jeff Galloway method a shot, or at least my version of it since I have not read his book or looked at his plans.  It either doesn't work for me or I didn't do it right (that is probably the reason), because my time was slower by almost 15 minutes.  But in the end, I wasn't too concerned as I finished and got my belt buckle medal.  And since this race had a marathon option and a very generous time cut off, I did not finish last!  

Camden, on the other hand, had a great race!  He finished first of all the half marathoners!  He started out fast and kept it up!  His time was 1:36:52; 7:23/mile.

The race was at Bachman Lake, which is right beside Dallas Love Field airport (where JFK flew into for his trip to Texas) and there were planes overhead quite often.  

Bachman Lake

Early morning views.  It was not fully light when we started

Camden passing me!

      Overall, running four laps is not my idea of a great half, but this course and the people who ran the race made it a good experience!  And the medal was nice too!