Just like thousands of others, I ran the MetroPCS Dallas Half Marathon on Sunday. It was my second or third time to run this race, and though I wasn’t out to break any records or even go for a personal record (PR), I was still nervous at the start. I even had a dream the night before that we all boarded a plane that taxied us to the start line (organizers, is this something that can be done next year?).
Overall, it was a good day, made even better by having very little guilt eating the rest of my birthday cake on Sunday. Here, a few thoughts on the half marathon course.
1. The weather was weird, but at least we didn’t have ice.
It was chilly waiting for the race to start (also very humid), but within minutes, we were all sweating. About an hour and a half in, though, there was a nice drizzle that cooled things down. Luckily, I finished before the rain started. Kudos to those who ran through it.
2. There were no clocks along the course.
My watchband broke a few weeks ago, and I never got it fixed. I figured it wouldn’t be a big deal, because every race I’ve ever run have had clocks along with mile markers. There were no clocks along the half marathon course. I felt naked. Unless I asked fellows runners, I had no idea how much time had passed.
3. The cones along the course were confusing.
I heard several people ask about the purpose of the cones along different parts of the route. None of us could really figure out where we were supposed to be running.
4. The course got odd by Baylor.
At one point, the cones did make sense. They blocked us from running in one lane next to Baylor. That lane just so happened to be the emergency entrance. It made no sense to have us go by there, especially since we were making a left in front of that lane. I made my left right as an ambulance turned on its sirens. We debated jumping on the sidewalk to get out of the way.
5. Runners and spectators are the best.
I don’t listen to music while running, and I don’t like to talk. I love to eavesdrop. One thing I heard at mile three that made me smile was a woman behind me who said with a lot of enthusiasm: “This is fun! I love running.” I really appreciated her sentiment, because at that moment, I did not agree. But it reminded me why I was out there.
6. Neighborhood running makes the miles sail by.
Another comment I heard was one woman say how fun it was to run through the neighborhoods. Of course, when she said this, we were going through Highland Park, which has told my running group we can’t run on its streets (only its sidewalks).
7. The best entertainment and support came right before mile 8 through mile 9.
Remember earlier when I said I felt naked? Well, there was a guy who was actually naked, or at least appeared to be. The best course entertainment started on Longview with the naked cowboy and beer handout and continued along Greenville. At one point, we gave high fives to a boy was turning five. He was trying to set a world record on high fives. Hope it happened for him.
8. There was a nice downhill finish.
Though I was feeling awful at mile 12, I really appreciated the nice downhill finish. I remember finishing on the Katy Trail one year, and I did not love that.
9. Seemed like a lot of people set PRs.
Which means it was a decent course.
10. But I missed West Dallas.
I haven’t done a half through West Dallas, crossing over the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. I’m still a little disappointed that we didn’t get that little bit in there, or that we didn’t go past Texas Scottish Rite.
11. Signs about flatulence were prevalent.
No matter how old you are, some things will always be funny.
Congrats to everyone who ran, jogged, and walked yesterday. And thank you, thank you, thank you to all the volunteers and spectators. You all make this race fun.
