The Bastrop State Park is a quick 20-minute drive from my home. I love to visit the park, picnicking, cooking on the grill or hiking and running the trails. My memories are peppered with hours spent in the park.
In September 2011 a roaring fire swept through Bastrop County in Central Texas. The fiery inferno didn’t spare the state park. The resulting devastation affected ninety-six percent of the park as firefighters struggled to extinguish the blaze. Ultimately, it charred 32,000 acres.
The recovery has been amazing and the many volunteers who work tirelessly to revitalize it are inspiring.
Last Sunday, we arrived at the park for our first visit of the new year. As I tightened my laces, my spirit stirred. The sandy trail, flowed beneath my sneakers, grabbing for traction, keeping me sure-footed as I navigated the rocky trail.
The rustle of the dry leaves falling from the trees whispered, reminiscent of a Texas rattlesnake.
Fallen trees lay tangled, a jigsaw of trunks etched on the ground by spring flooding. We passed a young hiker garbed in a pink dress and knee high cowboy boots. She grasped her father’s hand wide eyed as her brother warned us “to watch out for those ants up ahead”. He punctuated his words with his walking stick, the stick twice his size.
Regal pine trees crooned a melody, their branches, the wind’s violin. Small white flowers sprinkled across our path an embryo that would soon be plump juicy berries, ripe and tart.
Trudging up slopes I flew down the other side, shedding inhibitions. I felt free to stumble, laugh, fall and get back up to do it again. Leaping mud puddles in a single bound, I conquered makeshift bridges and eluded poisonous tendrils of vines alongside the trail.
Fire damage and destruction faded. Sparks of green climbed over and under fallen and damaged trees.
Seven miles of fun later, wonderfully spent but also energized, I sat. Warmed by the sun, I enjoyed the song of a bird, the notes carried on the breeze. Marveling at the unexpected joy of a soul unburdened, my soul and body were restored. What a precious gift!
Everyone is guilty of saying I will never… I’ve begun many sentences with it myself.
A few of my favorites are:
“I will never wear tennis shoes with a dress just to get in a walk during my work day.” This one I do often!
“I will never be one of those parents/grandparents who…, well lots of things.” There are too many of these to list.
And, “I will never run 13.1 miles!” This timeI don’t mind being proven wrong.
In 2001, my husband signed up for and trained for the 3M half marathon. I thought he was crazy to even consider it, but I knew he would finish it once he’d committed.
He trained for several months and never missed a scheduled run. We lived in the Texas panhandle and rain, sleet or snow never kept him from completing a training run. He is much more disciplined than me. When we met, I was a runner, and he a cyclist. I jogged occasional laps on the track and around the neighborhood; he rode for 60 miles on the weekend. I learned to ride but rode only once or twice a year. He fell in love with running.
So before sunrise early February 4, 2001, I dropped my husband at the start line. I ate breakfast and headed downtown to watch him finish. Runners crossed the finish line celebrating their victories. I turned to my friend and vowed, “I could never run 13 miles and why would anyone want to run that far?”
Fifteen years later, having completed 15 half marathons and 17 full marathons, I stood in the predawn chill ready to run the 3M half marathon. As I waited along with 5400+ runners, I shivered in the cool morning breeze and remembered that declaration. I could never have envisioned myself running more than 2-3 miles at a time back then.
Almost awake!
On this day, I was running with my good friend, Shirley and our goal was simply to finish. Shirley has lost over one hundred pounds and is determined to keep it off. She ran her first half marathon in San Antonio in December 2015 and as we crossed the finish line, she asked, “When’s the next one?” So here we are lining up to make the trek from North Austin to the State Capitol downtown. Shirley trained for the run using the run/walk method. In San Antonio, we ran one minute and walked one minute throughout the course. Our plan today was to do the same.
When we crossed the start line, we were both running strong. As the alarm sounded for our walk break, Shirley said, “I’m feeling good. I want to keep going.” So we kept going. Eleven minutes later I looked up and saw the first mile sign. Pointing to the sign I asked, “Have you ever run a mile without a break?”
When she answered no, I replied, “Well now you have!” Both our eyes were glistening when we passed the one-mile mark.
At mile 7, we waited in line for a “porta potty”. That stop cost us 10 minutes but sometimes you have to listen to mother nature!
As we ran through the University of Texas I was in front of Shirley. Suddenly, I heard a group of runners singing. Shirley was talking to a nearby runner and mentioned it was her birthday the next day. A spontaneous rendition of Happy Birthday rang out as we passed by the UT stadium.
We completed the course and shaved 10 minutes off our San Antonio time. Even with the delay of our bathroom break we were faster. Amazing!
First thing Monday morning Shirley was standing at my desk with a handful of ½ marathon flyers, asking “Which one is next?”
So while we decide on the next one, we’ve already signed up for 3M 2017!
Last Friday, Ron and I headed to the Austin-Bergstrom international airport en route to our destination Atlanta, Ga. I was nervous and excited. If all went according to plan, I could cross two things off my life list. My life list is like a bucket list, but a lot more fluid. I add, change and delete from the list regularly. I planned to run a marathon in Alabama on Saturday. This would be my 17th state to complete a marathon. I also intended to run a half marathon in Chattanooga, Tennessee on Sunday.
There are many people who run back to back marathons and routinely compete on consecutive days. But not me! This would be my first “double weekend”. I considered running the marathon course for both Saturday and Sunday but soon changed my mind. Ron enthusiastically signed up for a marathon on both days.
We booked our flights on a budget airline, so we had to get creative with our packing. Running clothes and shoes for both races had to go in our carryon luggage for safekeeping. The airline charged for carryon luggage but allowed a personal item at no charge. I conscientiously stuffed running shoes, tights, and shirts in my backpack along with my kindle, purse and snacks. Although, I secretly believed if our running clothes got misplaced, it would be a sign. No running shoes or clothes? It just wasn’t meant to be.
In spite of long security lines, we made it to our gate with time to spare. Once on board, I looked forward to napping, but I discovered the seats didn’t recline. No nap for me! I couldn’t get comfortable enough to rest.
Arriving in Atlanta after two hours flying time, even sans nap I felt great. Several trains, walkways, and stairs later we arrived at the rental car lot. After a quick lunch at Applebee’s in Marietta, GA we headed to Chattanooga to pick up our packets for Sunday’s run.
We pulled up to packet pick up after sundown and fifteen minutes before the eight o’clock deadline. Race numbers retrieved we left for Albertville, Ala to find our hotel.
Albertville is 30 miles from Lake Guntersville where the Mainly Marathons Appalachian Series Day seven was being run at 6:30 AM on Saturday morning. The thin hotel walls allowed us to hear talking and movement all night. I didn’t understand the purpose of the mirrors covering the wall behind the bed. I’m sure I slept some but it didn’t feel like it.
Lake Guntersville
Pulling my running clothes from my suitcase to dress, I couldn’t find my running bra. Sure enough I didn’t pack one. The most supportive bra I had with me was my Victoria Secret bra my daughter bought for me.
Victoria’s Secret bra, gloves, jacket, tights and long sleeve running shirt warded off the chill and made it the temperature more tolerable.
Arriving at the park, we checked in and picked up our T-shirts and medals. Yes, we received our medals before we ran. We had to wait until we finished to get our state and year attachments.
We lined up with 60 other marathon hopefuls, ready to run the out and back on the 2.184 mile course 12 times. As one of the other runners said, “After the first few times, you stop noticing how pretty this looks.” That quote was from Bryndis a marathoner from Iceland. There are four marathons a year in Iceland, so she travels to the USA to run. She had run a marathon with the group the previous day on a course that required running 21 laps. Many of the runners were completing the series and were on their seventh day of running. Running a marathon in laps takes patience. You keep up with the laps by taking a rubber band each time you complete a lap. The scenery was beautiful and several times we had to slow for ducks to meander across the trail.
Our bibs had our names printed on them and everyone soon learned our names and shouted support as we crisscrossed the course. It was soon impossible to know who was passing you and who you were passing but everyone was smiling. It was the most non-competitive event I’ve ever participated in.
The end! Is it really over?
My watch battery died before I finished so my last few laps were very relaxed. I finished with blisters on both feet. Taking my shoes off to change I discovered my Tiva’s were safe at home so I stood around in my socks. Ron brought me a cup of Fritos, pretzels, jelly beans and an orange for a recovery snack. It was fantastic!
We regrouped and left for Chattanooga. Stopping at a Mexican restaurant along the way and we had a lovely meal.
Anything would have tasted good but our food was great. The meal arrived just as the Texas A&M and Alabama football game began to broadcast on the television mounted above the bar. Since we were in Alabama, we didn’t advertise our support of the Texas team.
We made it to Chattanooga and checked into our hotel. It was lovely and more than made up for the first hotel. We each had showers and got comfortable while we waited for room service. I was feeling spoiled!
Our hotel was a mile from the race tents. We slept an hour later than Saturday and made it to the start around 6:30 AM. The marathon started at 7:00 AM and the half at 7:30 AM, so I was able to watch as Ron crossed the start line.
It was still 43 degrees, but I was getting used to the colder temperatures. Crossing the start line to the tune of Jump On It, by Sir Mix-a-lot was invigorating. Along the course you always meet interesting and fun people. Sunday was no exception. I ran with a couple who were married the day before and this was their honeymoon. Crazy, I think! I also ran with Jeanetta who was running because she is terrified of bridges. She chose to run the four bridges marathon to help get past her fears.
And there is always someone willing to give advice. My favorite advice overheard on Sunday was from a man running his first marathon. He said, “Never pass up an opportunity to pee!”
We both finished our races, Ron much stronger than me, but we had fun. After stopping for lunch at Genghis Grill, we returned to our hotel where we showered and napped before heading back out for ice cream at Ben and Jerry’s.
We wandered around downtown Chattanooga a while. We visited a book and yarn store where the owner was demonstrating how to use a spinning wheel. We ate again before going back to the hotel for the evening. Exhausted and sore, we slept early and soundly. We woke early on Monday and headed back to Atlanta. Our vacation was over. Marathon state #17 – check. Back to back race days – check!
Previously, we had a boot camp class at my office after work. We worked out downstairs in the courtyard. I loved the convenience; especially on days I had to go back to work after the workout.
It enabled me to take a break and still get work done. A little over a year ago, we lost our trainer. When he left, we had trouble finding someone who would come to our location. We couldn’t to keep enough people interested to make it worth their while. Interest fizzled.
But a few weeks ago, we got word that a new coach had been found for boot camp. After a flash of excitement, I immediately remembered how long it had been since I did a real workout, with a coach pushing me to my limits.
Class began on Thursday night with six people, which was promising for a first class. I soon realized how unprepared I was for the workout. We began with jumping jacks for 1 minute. I thought, “this isn’t too bad”, but as we transitioned to kicking our feet front to back and hands moving side to side I faltered. Coordination has never been my strong point. I tried not to fall on my face, as I did some semblance of throwing feed to chickens while stomping out a tap dance with my feet! We immediately moved on to squats which weren’t too bad, but as we transitioned to mountain climbers, I had forgotten how much fun they could be. I mean a plank is a ton of fun by itself, but throwing in some quick movements, pulling alternating knees forward, sort of like laying down while running, well that’s just peachy.
My abs were on fire, which I guess means I was doing something right! Knowing I had really accomplished something close to a miracle, I sucked down a gallon of water in anticipation of more fun.
At least every time we finished a set, I knew we were hacking minutes off the hour.
Back to my mat, I arrived in time for Coach Travis to call out, “It’s time for groiners and then we’ll add groiners with a twist.” Oh my! I didn’t want to know what this was going to be.
Surviving groiners, straight leg marches and follow the leader, I was huffing and puffing. Travis was our leader and we ran through obstacles, around the building and up three flights of stairs where we finally got to stop and stretch. That was great until Travis said, “Move to the rail and put your foot on the top rail.” Right! My foot found its way close to top, hovering dangerously on the third rail while I tried to keep from falling over.
After some wonderful (yes that’s sarcasm you hear) stretching, Travis instructed us to hurry back down to grab some water. “The faster you get down the more time you have to drink your water,” floated after us as we trooped “quickly” away.
I sipped water and trudged back toward my mat to collapse, relieved that hour would soon be over, as Travis shouted “Warmup is over! Let’s get started on the workout.”
What???
Friday, I woke, proud that I wasn’t too sore. At least I wasn’t sore until I sat up in bed and my abs complained. Then walking up the stairs, my calves reminded me they were a little bit sore as well. As the day wore on, I found lots more spots that reminded me I had worked out.
Tuesday evening, found me back at boot camp with nine other hopefuls. Ready to accomplish miracles with my poor tired muscles I prepared to start. Encouraged that I talked myself into coming back, I gamely tackled new exercises, got eliminated in the second round of the fitness challenge, but still felt successful. Ron and I totally represented in the medicine ball toss and finished more reps than anyone else. Baby steps, small victories. There’s always Thursday night!
I’ve been so busy and absentminded lately! Today I was particularly scattered. I began the day with my supervisor standing in the door of my office with a major problem. I spent the first half hour of my day researching the details of his issue only to find out everything was fine and there really wasn’t a problem after all.
When I finally got to my computer, I checked my calendar for meetings. The first one was scheduled for 10:00 AM with another one scheduled immediately afterward. I had just enough time to get a few things out-of-the-way first.
At 10:00 AM I headed off to the meeting, stopping by to grab my staff. They informed me I had been looking at tomorrow’s calendar. The rest of the morning, I kept forgetting it was Wednesday and tackling Thursday’s tasks.
I was sure I was going to forget to pick up my vegetables from the Farm to Work program which is delivered on Wednesday afternoon. The pickup time had changed from 2:30 PM to 1:45 PM. Finally I set my alarm for 1:45 PM and got back to work. I kept thinking about the pickup time and watching the clock until finally the alarm went off. I realized I had forgotten to bring a bag for the vegetables!
Digging through my office, I finally found a bag with some books in it. Dumping the books out, I rushed down three flights of stairs and hurried to the courtyard to pick up my vegetables. I had been so busy I had only left my desk one time to get a glass of water. Walking through the fresh air and sunshine was revitalizing! When I rounded the corner of the building at 1:46 PM, no one was waiting, no vegetables were lined up for collecting and I didn’t see the farm truck parked in its spot. I took a seat at the picnic table and enjoyed the sunshine. After five minutes or so I began to wonder if maybe I was confused about what day it was, although I was pretty sure I had already established it was really Wednesday.
Reluctantly I left the warm sunshine and headed back up the stairs to re-check my email. When I opened my email, I saw that at 1:15 PM I had received a message about the vegetables arriving early. The vegetables were in the Wellness office. I headed back down the stairs, back into the sunshine in search of vegetables.
As I filled my bag with the lovely fresh smell of cucumbers, sweet potatoes, jalapeno, squash and more I was smiling.
I didn’t forget my vegetables, I got more exercise by doing the stairs twice and I had some delicious vegetables to use as weights on the way back to my office.
Even the view outside my window looking at downtown Austin, TX looked just a little bit brighter.
When we have family gatherings, it almost always centers around food. Whether it’s cooking, potluck or trying a new restaurant, we love food.
Months ago, when my daughter, Kat was visiting we tried a new restaurant in Pflugerville, TX, the Taste of Ethiopia. It was wonderful! The food was delicious and the atmosphere inviting, providing a full dining experience. It’s not a large venue, managing to feel intimate but not crowded.
When Kat returned to Austin for a visit this weekend, she mentioned how delicious the meal had been and we decided it was time for a return visit. This time my son, Rich accompanied us.
As before, once we reached our seats, our server informed us with a huge smile that we were to eat with our hands. If you aren’t up to the full experience, utensils are available. The meals are served on a special bread called injera which is used to scoop up the food.
Meals are served family style in a woven basket called a mesob. A large metal tray covered with the injera is placed into the basket and topped with the food.
We over ordered but wanted to try everything. We started with Sambusa, Minchet Abish and Tomato salad for appetizers. The Sambusa is a light pastry dough filled with your choice of beef, lentils or spinach. On our first visit we had the spinach filling but today we chose the lentil. Both were delicious. Rich said the minchet abish reminded him of sloppy joe texturally but a much nicer flavor.
We ordered the Ultimate Combo of vegetarian dishes. We had gomen (seasoned collard greens), fesolia (mixed vegetable stew with ginger and turmeric), yemisisr wot (lentils with traditional spices), tikil gomen (spiced cabbage, carrots, onions and tomatoes, ater kik (split peas in herbs and turmeric) and eggplant wot (eggplant with traditional spices). If you’re thinking that’s a lot of food and Yum, you are correct on both counts. Even with three of us eating we left with several cartons of food.
The mesob(basket) arrived at our table first, followed soon after with a basket of injera. My mouth was watering from the smell of the buffet simmering in the back of the room. When our food arrived, our server sat a large pan of injera inside the mesob. He then spooned each of the entrees around the circle putting half on each side.
I think my favorites were eggplant, sambusa, and yemisisr, but truthfully, we loved everything we ate.
Kat and I ended our meal with a cup of traditional Ethiopian coffee. The coffee was prepared in the back and then delivered to our table in a special clay pot called a jebena. I’m not sure how they make it, but it was the perfect treat to end our meal.
It was a lovely experience which I hope to repeat soon!
The past couple of weeks the temperatures in Austin Texas hovered just under 100 degrees finally tipping the scales to peak at 100 degrees for more than 8 days straight. The thought of slogging through the humid soupy air isn’t very motivating.
As the heat climbs, exercising outdoors becomes dangerous. In Austin, the trails and roads are filled with all of us crazy runners, walkers and cyclist at all hours of the day.
Savvy athletes know you should always carry water if you will be out for any length of time in the Texas heat. Even so I have occasionally found myself in the heat sans water bottle. It usually happens when I intend to go a short distance and turn around but get caught up in the run and forget. I’m certainly no expert on how to prevent or treat heat illnesses but running in Austin for 12 years, I’ve picked up a few tips and tricks on keeping your cool.
If you run in the downtown area, the Lady Bird Lake hike and bike trail has water fountains placed strategically along the course. Much of the trail is shaded with large trees hanging over the path. I enjoy the shade on the trail, but it does get too crowded at times. Dodging strollers, cyclist and pets often drives me to the pavement for my runs.
If like me you prefer to run the roads instead of the trail, downtown Austin offers wide sidewalks on many streets. Drivers are accustomed to runners in the crosswalk, on the shoulder or occasionally in the bike lane. Less traveled side streets commonly offer tree lined sidewalks which provide some shade.
If you find yourself in need of water, there is a public water fountain near Colorado on Cesar Chavez. About a mile down Congress from Cesar Chavez you can access a replica water fountain located on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol Building. The fountain was restored in the early 1950’s and has a foot pedal to pump fresh water to quench your thirst. Warning! Be prepared to get wet as you push your face under the falling stream for a sip.
There are a few businesses who provide access to water for runners as well. I personally know of a dry cleaner who leaves a hose out for runners so they can get a drink from his outdoor faucet. I have also befriended a gas station attendant who has invited us to share the fountain in his garage any time we are out for a run.
On the UT campus there are public areas that offer cold water fountains for a brief respite for overheated runners. In addition, Pease Park and Butler Park both have water fountains to refill water bottles. I’m sure there are many other water sources but these are some of my “go to sources” if I find my water bottle nearing empty on a hot day.
All things considered, if you have to train in the heat, Austin Texas is a great place to do it.
Saturday morning I was up at 6:00 am and on a mission. I was determined to find a recipe for the perfect soap. I was planning to make the soap as a gift for someone special.
I decided to take a few days off from training and running this weekend. I will get serious next week (I promise :p). So, I joined a studio this week, which offers yoga classes, Pilates, boot camps and more. Next week, I am going to take a few classes and increase my mileage. Hopefully, I can get myself ready for a half marathon in November.
But Saturday was a day for creativity. I began by catching up on some writing projects. I spent a few minutes on Pinterest and found some perfect recipes. One for the soap and also one for some lotion I thought might be fun to try. I checked the ingredients and found I needed rosemary essential oil.
No problem. There is a small rosemary plant out in my garden. I love my little garden…… and it is little. I have two tomato plants and a couple of pepper plants along with my herbs. I clipped some fresh rosemary from my garden to blend my essential oil.
I researched and found two different methods for infusing essential oil. One method required drying the rosemary for a few days, dropping it into a bottle and covering with oil to infuse over time. The second method called for warming fresh rosemary and oil in a crock pot for about 6 hours to infuse. I chose the latter for several reasons. The main reason? I wanted to enjoy the aroma of the oil while it infused.
Mixing the oils together for the lotion was relatively easy, but I was disappointed in the consistency of the lotion. Nonetheless, I now have a lovely jar of rosemary essential oil in my cabinet. It has already been used to sauté a handful of mushrooms which were tossed into a skillet of quinoa for a delicious meal.
But now it is dinner time, and I think I will go out and pick some fresh tomatoes for my salad.
My husband has been in search of a classic older pickup for years. Recently he has become a bit more serious in his search. His criteria is a bit loose. Somewhere in the 1963 to 1972 range, preferably a Chevrolet, but he would consider a Ford.
We had an appointment in San Antonio on Saturday afternoon and while we were there we planned to look at a 1971 lilac pickup. Yes, it was painted lilac, but it was the right price range and the right year model. Then he discovered a 1969 blue Chevy in Waco. The ad for the Waco pickup said, runs good and well it wasn’t purple. So even though Waco is about 100 miles north and slightly East of Austin and San Antonio is approximately 80 miles south and slightly west of Austin, we decided we had time to see both vehicles.
We arrived at the dealer in a small town just outside of Waco a few minutes before it opened. We wandered over to a Walgreens to kill time. As we were passing the dealer we were glancing at the cars on the lot, when my son said, “Hey that Jeep has a bench seat on it.” Literally, someone had welded an actual bench on the back of a Jeep. Hmm, you don’t see that every day.
In Walgreen’s we roamed over to the clearance aisle, past the “as seen on TV aisle” and on to the toy and candy sections. I took a minute to check out all the pens and pencils. I love shopping for new pens and pencils but I managed to resist purchasing anything except an extra-large bag of M&M’s and some birthday and graduation cards!
Back at the car lot, we parked. While my son and husband got out to look at the truck, I waited in the car. I watched a pretty blond “girl” inside the building. She was wearing cut off shorts, a black tank topped with an unbuttoned white shirt. She stepped up to a mirror, gave her boobs an upward push while pulling downward on her tank top. Smiling I watched her fluff her hair and saunter out to the pickup. I’m sure she is very good at her job and knows a lot about cars, but she couldn’t quite get the hood to open and it wouldn’t start…… She wasn’t able to open the passenger door but she did have a beautiful smile. After a few minutes, one of her male associates came to assist but still the pickup didn’t start.
About 30 minutes and more patience than I would have had, my husband and son finally said thank you and stepped away. I asked if they were sure the vehicle had gas and was informed that yes, the plastic tank sitting in the bed of the pickup had plenty of gas. Uh, oh my! We left that pickup behind.
Bluebonnets in Bloom
To get to San Antonio we took Highway 190 over to 281 which is a lined with beautiful Texas wild flowers and is much less congested than Interstate 35. Along the route there is sign after sign proclaiming numerous ranches. We briefly debated what is required to call your home a ranch. Just outside of Kempner, TX a sign proclaimed miniature donkeys for sale. When I commented, “Look, we don’t have one of those!” My husband and son said in unison, “No! And we don’t need one!”
As we passed through Burnet, TX we spotted a sign for a farmer’s market. It was a small market with probably ten vendors, but it looked like it might be worth stopping in. We started browsing the stalls when we noticed the wind was picking up. Just as we stepped in front of the Texas Herb Company and Crafty Threads, a huge gust of wind lifted the canopy and flipped it upside down behind the tables. Handmade soaps and other craft items were scattered all over the ground. Everyone rushed up to help. No one was injured and the table was righted with crafts stacked atop. I was amazed no one was injured by all the flying products and was heartened how quickly everyone rushed to help. Still willing to try shopping, we wandered to the Sage Creek Farms booth where we bought a lovely mahogany rolling pin. It turned out to be a successful stop after all.
When we got to Marble Falls we started searching for somewhere to eat. I spotted a food trailer that looked promising. Lee’s Food Trailer sported ads for a philly sandwich, gyros, catfish dinners and more. It seemed as if I wouldn’t have any trouble finding a non-meat food option.
I had the Falafel gyro, my husband had the beef and lamb gyro. My son had a classic philly sandwich. Lee’s did not disappoint. Everything was delicious! As we drove away completely satiated, my husband proclaimed, you know if you ever wanted to double back there to eat, I would go! High praise indeed.
Somewhere along the backroads of Texas, I discussed my funeral plans. All my nephews should be prepared. I requested they all show up with 1980’s shorts, tanks and sweatbands as I am laid to rest in my running clothes. Seemed fitting to me! I also learned that if you are going to honk at someone, you should always use the Chicago honk or just don’t bother. You should hold the horn down for at least 2 minutes.
We arrived in San Antonio finally, laughing and talking. After our appointment, we checked in on the lilac truck only to find out it was not on the market anymore.
So we have to start over on the pickup search but since it was mother’s day weekend, I was treated to a buffet at India Taj Palace where they have tasty dishes and serve warm from the grill naan bread made after you arrive and carried immediately to your table.
It was a wonderful day of meandering! I look forward to many more days just like it.
Saturday morning Mar 29, 2015, the much awaited/dreaded race day. Up at 4:20 AM, we needed to arrive at the Cedar Creek high school parking lot before 6:00 AM. The shuttle buses would start running at that time to transport runners and spectators to the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa for the Zooma Texas 2015. We were out the door by 5:10 AM and on our way. We arrived at the parking lot by 5:55 AM and scrambled to make sure we had our watches, gels and sunscreen before boarding the bus.
The temperature was mild at 55 degrees with a light breeze. By the time we arrived at the Resort, I was grateful to be wearing my jacket as the temperature dipped to 47 degrees. The resort is beautifully nestled in a wilderness setting. The run is not ‘a walk in the park’. It is peppered with multiple hills from slight rises to steep grades. If you plan to run this race, you should train on hills.
Mile 9!
We arrived at the resort and moved inside where staff opened the door and welcomed us. Inside additional staff were stationed throughout the building offering smiles, greetings and directions as needed.
For runners who are used to port-a-potties at the start of a race, it was quite a treat to have indoor, clean and warm restroom facilities. It was wonderfully relaxing to sip a cup of complimentary coffee seated on a comfortable chair and visit with fellow runners. In the lobby, I met Shonda and Lisa from Houston, TX where we joked, laughed and discussed race strategy.
As we lined up at the starting line there were a couple of llama’s on the sidelines to send us on the way.
The Llamas
Once on the course, runners were full of smiles and waves. As I turned onto Highway 71, a school bus full of kids passed by. With the windows down, they were all shouting ‘Run Forrest Run’! I smiled for several miles remembering their enthusiasm.
The last couple of miles were on the resort property, along a relatively flat only slightly rolling path on the golf course. Mile 13 was marked by the resident longhorns lounging in the grass.
The golf course
This is the third time I have run Zooma at the Lost Pines Resort. It has not disappointed yet. If you can forget about those hills for a minute, the scenery is lovely. The run starts in the parking lot and continues to Pope Bend which is a county road. The road is lined with wildflowers including Bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes and natural grasses. There is a short leg of the course that takes you down the shoulder of Highway 71, but it’s relatively short and downhill.
The temperature and winds both rose as I neared the finish line. The wind, although gusting at times, was a relief from the 70+ degree temperatures.
Bluebonnets in Bloom
The Zooma race mission is to inspire women to live healthy, happy, & active lives. The post-race celebrations included vendors, live music, food, and massages. Sponsor Barefoot wines provided post-race samples and complimentary coffee was also available.
The race field the inaugural year 2009 was over 1200 women. This year the event included a 5K and a 10K in addition to the half marathon. There were only 362 runners in the half marathon, 162 in the 5K and 173 in the 10K but the celebration was just as entertaining.
Nana's Apron Strings 