Texas Race Photos

11 Wednesday Mar 2015

Tags

Austin Marathon, Braunfest 5K, runforapurpose 5K, Shoes and Brews, Twisted X 5K

I think I’m finally starting to lose my double chin. I know this because race photographers continue to think upward angle shots are a good idea. Amateurs. I shouldn’t complain over a free race photo, but then the registration fee was a bit pricey for a little 5K with no road closures. I still can’t get over all the 5Ks around Central Texas. There are over a half dozen each weekend in the Austin metro alone. A baker’s dozen if you expand the radius to New Braunfels and the surrounding hill country. Apparently you can’t have an event without a 5K. I couldn’t find any tenable 10Ks. The Twisted X 5K is the only one that provided race photos. I like this one because it shows me finishing ahead of my buddy Ken. He passed me at two miles. I can assure you that was not part of my race plan, but racing him for the final mile was priceless.

I already posted my only photo from the Lakeway Runforapurpose 5K, which I ran a week before the Twisted X 5K. They took awards photos, some of which they posted in the Austin-American Statesman. I’ve been unsuccessful at finding my photo so here is a pic of the runner who beat me, 24 year old Jimmy Ivey. This race posted age graded results, and by that measure, I beat him. But then Ken beat me with his age graded time, in fact he came in first. This race was memorable, if not for being the first time I raced with Ken in 30 years, for the monster hills. My thighs are still sore.

The Braunfest 5K took photos of us receiving our medals, but never made them available. Doesn’t matter, this picture of me standing with Letty in the post run beer tasting tent is better anyway. That was a big beer morning. The most unique thing about that race was that they served chicken wings afterward, with an outstanding selection of hot sauces. With beer of course. Before 9am. New Braunfels is a very German town.

I have tons of photos from the Austin Marathon. This is me, smiling of all things, just after crossing the finish line. I’ve never finished a marathon feeling better. Austin puts on a fun run. I don’t know how many girls along the route yelled at me to “run boy blue!” Not very original after the third time, but consistent enough that I got the message. Next time I’ll try to wear contrasting shorts. The most unique shout out was from a group of girls standing at mile 13; they asked me if I was Kevin Bacon. They were serious. In case you’re young, he’s an aging actor 4 years older than me. I didn’t take it as a compliment, but was surprised by it nonetheless. Maybe he’s also a runner known for wearing monochromatic outfits?

Dripping Springs

07 Saturday Mar 2015

Posted by Ed Mahoney in Running

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Austin Marathon, CNBC, race results, Squawk Box, Star Wars, SWT, SXSW, Texas State, Twisted X 5K, Yacktman Asset Management

It’s not raining. It’s not even cold. It’s as if God plans on attending SWSX, so suddenly the weather improves. I meet up with Kenneth Hausman in the Twisted X Brewery parking lot for a rematch from last Sunday. This Texmex brewery and brew pub is located on the edge of Dripping Springs, on the way out toward Driftwood. With Ken is his friend and neighbor, 45 year old Steve Yacktman. Steve is prepping for a triathlon and is using this as a speed workout. Steve also runs $30B of investments at Yacktman Asset Management. He said, when he makes a mistake at work, it typically costs him over $100M. Despite the large turnout and fast looking runners today, Steve smiles broadly and calmly on the starting line. No pressure here. This is a video of him on Squawkbox at CNBC.

We line up just behind the runners who we expect might run a minute per mile faster than us. We’re capable of averaging 7 minute miles. My goal is 6:45 per mile. I really want to PR before flying home tomorrow back to altitude. That’s a 6:42 pace. The first quarter mile is on a cow trail. We expected pavement but apparently Twisted X had trouble with the permits. I’m fine with this, I love trail running. Grass and trails are slower though.

I start out running behind both Ken and Steve on the trail. I pass Ken once we hit the street and start to run alongside Steve. He pulls in front of me as we climb a monster hill. This is just before the one mile marker, which we cross in 6:28. I’m concerned because this is 20 seconds faster than my race plan, but it does help explain why I’m so winded.

The street doesn’t last long and we soon find ourselves back in a cow pasture. I pass Steve around the half way point as his stomach begins to cramp. I wish I could say it was because I sped up. As we return to the street and run back down the huge hill, Ken passes me. This is just at the two mile point. I run this second mile in 6:42 which I consider excellent. I’m on pace to PR. Of course, I’d feel even better if Ken didn’t just pass me but I still feel strong and am able to stay close behind him. I catch my breath running down the hill and run alongside Ken for the next half mile.

We’re both breathing hard with spit spraying out of our gaping mouths and snot flying out our nostrils. We’re in a race. Ken is five years older than me but the age division for this race is 50 to 59 and he’s not backing off. The street turns to trail again for the final quarter mile and I’m able to shoot ahead of him. I can’t wait until the last 100 yards to out sprint Ken because for one, I don’t know that I can. And two, I might hurt myself sprinting. My early kick pays off and I cross the finish line 3 seconds ahead of Ken in 20:28 – a personal record – having run 6:44 for my final mile. My 6:36 pace is good enough for third place in my age division, 10th place overall. Steve takes second place in the 40-49 group. We win custom-made bottle openers – exactly what to expect from a brewery.

This will be my last Texas race for awhile. My three weeks are coming to a close. I saw some old friends, work colleagues and family. I ate Thai for dinner last night, Pad Ped Gang Dang with Karen’s brother Steve and his wife Susan. We watched their daughter Lucy in a church play Godspell, with her Grandparents. That was fun. And I met Chris Amaro for lunch Thursday. He’s another running buddy from Texas State. He graduated with a physics degree and went to work in Vegas for the Reagan Star Wars industry. He works now as a physicist for the State of Texas Department of Health. Chris was more into marathons at a younger age, running four in high school. He last ran the Austin Marathon in 2007, but plans to train for another soon. I come down every year to spend quality time with my mom but it’s nice to see other friends and family and get in some low altitude racing. My next race might be the Bolder Boulder 10K at 5,400 feet. Adios Texas.