Cowtown Half Marathon: Earning My Spurs





There are some races that just standout as "favorites" on the run calendar.  The Cowtown Half is certainly one of those.  This was my sixth time to run the Cowtown Half (insert "where has time gone" cliche here) and many of those years have brought stories.  Remember the first year with the freezing cold, high winds, and ridiculous hip pain?  What about the year that I kicked Mr K out of the car on the highway as we were stuck in the worst traffic ever? Always a grand adventure in the Town of the Cow.

Coming soon to a Half Ironman near you: The TriBesties

I had no real time goals coming into this race and I have been trying to approach half marathons with a more natural, laid back attitude.  I have taken to starting my watch then never looking at it again, letting the legs do what they want to do on that day.  I have had some really good races since I started this approach last year in Oklahoma City and I plan to continue it.  Wouldn't you know it, we trained during some of the coldest weather that North Texas has seen in years....and race day dawned warm and humid.  Humidity is no friend of mine and I have had some absolutely horrid experiences on days like this one.  In the past I chose to ignore the weather and push hard in the first ten miles of the race, only to blow up and hate life in the later miles.  This has happened at least three times in recent memory and each time I end up with a time just over two hours.  This time I made an effort to keep the pace more conservative in the beginning in order to have a more pleasant experience.

Team K (Pic: Mama C)

I really enjoy this course despite the added challenge of the hills, the organizers do a terrific time showing off the best parts of Fort Worth.  My favorite section comes just before mile 7 as we run through the historic Fort Worth Stockyards.  The most infamous hill comes around mile 9 as we climb the Main Street bridge leading into my other favorite part of the race - Sundance Square.  The worst part of the Main Street hill is that you can see it coming for more than a half of a mile.  The best part of that hill is that there is always a frunner or two at the top to cheer you on.  I have found that it is best to count the lamp posts on this hill rather than looking at the whole thing all at once.  I started at a fairly conservative pace, but decided that I had more in the tank and felt pretty proud of myself as I passed several dudes on the way up.  As expected, Fred and Music Mary were waiting near the top. 

Passing the dudes on that hill (Pic: Music Mary)

The full marathoners and ultra marathoners split from us half marathoners around mile 10 and I sent all of my best energy to them at the split.  It was not an easy day to run a marathon, but they were getting it done.  As bad as the hill at mile 9 is, I think that the one around mile 11 might be worst.  It is far shorter and more steep and the mental energy is starting to wane by that part.  The good news is that there is a rocking downhill about a quarter mile later and I let it all go.  I don't care what anyone says, I LOVE running downhill.

Spoiler alert....I finished!

I was so focused on finishing strong that I almost missed the hot dog that was calling out my name.  Yep, you read that right.  TPG was dressed as a hot dog and was holding a picture of Kid President that read "you were born to be awesome." Did I notice my friend or the random hot dog?  Nope.  I only saw Kid President before realizing that someone was saying my name before realizing that it was my friend...dressed in a hot dog suit.  Race amnesia at its finest, y'all!

And all I saw was Kid President... (Pic: Mama C)

Shortly after that the race was done and I was pleased to see 1:58 on my watch.  I was so pleased to have a strong and consistent run in the humidity.  It was slower than I would have liked, but it sure beats blowing up at mile 10 and finishing the remaining miles in misery.  I was even more proud when I saw my pacing according to the race results: 5K - 9:06, 10K - 9:10, 11 mile - 9:08, Finish - 9:04. Looks like the hill repeats in the later miles of my long runs paid off!

Post Race With My Girls Marci and Mama C (Pic: Mama C)

The best part of Cowtown is the time spent with frunners at our traditional pre and post race hang outs.  While the weather was warm for running, it was perfect for enjoying some chicken fried bacon and a cold beer on a shady patio.  I enjoy the challenge that training and racing brings, but the thing that keeps me coming back for more is the friendships that I have made in the process. 

Another Great Day in The Town of the Cow (Pic: Mama C)