TIR, Part 2

I’ve got to write up a better report of the Texas Independence Relay, but I just don’t have time at the moment. I finished the literal running, but I am still figuratively running. I have SO much to do between now and Friday. To start the week, I had a crazy, crazy sim all day today. The action doesn’t stop until the weekend.

Here we are waiting for Holden to arrive at the monument so we could finish as a team. He had the fortune — or misfortune — of running the last leg! (Photo by Joe.)

And here were are running the last few tenths of a mile as a team! We got Jose and Manny to run this last bit with us as well. We wouldn’t have made it without them. (Photo by Joe.)

I downloaded my Garmin data this evening, and here’s the damage:

Leg 6 – 4.15 miles – 43:24 – 10:27 pace
I felt pretty good during this leg, though the rolling hills were tougher than they appeared. The sun had also just come out and it was starting to get really hot. It stayed hot all afternoon. We weren’t acclimated. It was rough.

Leg 19 – 5.44 miles – 56:51 – 10:27 pace
I felt awesome during this whole leg. It was dark, it was cool, I was covered in reflective gear. My headlamp was enough to light the road and prevent me from stepping in any holes, but it was dim enough that it did little to drown out the AMAZING sky full of stars. I saw a shooting star.

Leg 30 – 5.49 miles – 1:02:22 – 11:22 pace
This leg was rough. I was fine cardio-wise, but my legs felt like bricks. I took a lot of little walk breaks. The sky started to lighten towards the end of my leg, letting me see the silhouettes of the trees along the trail in George Bush Park. The scenery was great.

All in all, I think I finished right around the average pace that Jon predicted for me, so I’m satisfied. I banked 4-5 minutes on the first two legs, and used it on the last leg!