Number 8 was the Fiesta (half) Marathon in Mc Allen, Texas. I chose this one because I needed a half for December, we had vouchers from Sun Country that we had to use by the end of the year, and it was a half hour from where my Mom visits. So it was also an excuse to visit her!
The first set of firsts was on the flight down. First, I had to check my carry on bag that I have carried on for close to 20 years. I know I have had this carry on for that long because my Mom gave it to me for a present back when they made suitcases that lasted that long I have never had a problem carrying it on. Well apparently like the seats in airplanes, the standards for carry-ons have also shrunk. I was told to "fit in the box" and due to the little legs it was too long - no matter how much or how many times I tried to force it in to it. Luckily it was not crowded in check in. They were were actually eager to help me check in - another first. BUT I did not go so far as sit on top of it and 'butt jump" it. The main reason that I was peeved was because, if I had known I would have packed all my normal hair care products (all the women readers can relate) Well, actually, if I had known I would have taken a different suitcase. So, of course I had to pay the $25 to check my bag. They offered me a upgrade to first class for $80 which included a check bag. At check in I declined, but while I was sitting at the gate I thought about it more and realized that the upgrade was really only costing me $55 since I had to pay for the bag anyway. So I went up to the gate counter to see if I could still do it and sure enough! It ended up being a good thing I did!
This flight goes directly from Minneapolis to Harligen, TX and it is snow bird time. So the average age of the passengers was probably 75. A LOT of gray hair and 5 people who needed wheel chairs. I was feeling pretty young and able as I settled in to my first class seat. I got engrossed in my movie and couldn't hear the announcements (which I tend to ignore anyway) so I missed the "Is there a doctor on board the plane? announcement. I have had that happen one other time, but we didn't have to make an emergency landing like we did this time (a first). Amazingly the elderly lady walked down the aisle saying loudly, "I am SO sorry folks!" as only a true Minnesotan would. She did get carried down the flight steps too, but it didn't quite seem like an emergency to me, but I was glad she was conscious and appearing to be doing well.
As we prepared for take off I almost had an Alec Baldwin moment. It is weird, as soon as you plunk your butt down in that extra wide first class seat, you feel you rule the world! So, I had my phone and Kindle on and was waiting for the "time to turn off electronics" announcement when the Air Flight Attendant walked by and said in a way that implied I did not have a brain under my pretty red curls, that I HAD to turn off electronics. I apologized, but explained I was waiting for the announcement. She retorted, "When the door is CLOSED, all electronics must be powered down!" (apparently in first class electronics have to be powered down, but in coach they are are simply turned off). Okay! Okay! Geez! I was tempted to retort - "Well when we touch down and everyone whips out their phones the door is still closed, what's up with that?" But my coach class side of me prevailed, that along with the thought that the Alec Baldwin incident, even if on another airline, was probably still a bit fresh.
So, off we were again and 1.5 hours later we were landing in Texas - about 7:30. And since I had to wait for my checked bag, I didn't get out of the airport until 8:00. Luckily, you actually get a meal in first class plus the warm damp towel at the end of the flight calmed me down.
Apparently, they didn't give one to Alec.
My Mom had picked up my race packet for me since I arrived after the allotted pick up time. Not much in it beyond the bib, shirt (a little big of course) and timing chip. It was a chip I had never seen before, and of course no instructions, but I figured it out. This was par for the course with this event. With a name like Fiesta Marathon, I was thinking it would be big - kinda like the Fiesta Bowl. I was getting clues about how big it actually is when I dug deeper into their website. Although the website looked professional (as compared to Norwalk's Rails to Trails)(the beer logos probably helped), when I went looking for information beyond the course route, the only place that really had any meaningful info was their FAQ document. Their Marathon Info tab still says, "Will be updated soon!". I had to email to ask about whether or not there was energy gel on the course and to their credit, they emailed me back right away. There was nothing on the site about a gear check (there was none) but I figured that normally it is warm enough they don't need one. There were some other informational tidbits I was looking for and couldn't find, but I can't remember them now. So, before I headed down to the long horn state I looked up the results from last year. I knew is going to be a small race when I saw that in my age group, I probably would have taken 3rd. Sure enough, it is actually smaller (I think) than Rails to Trails. This year there were 369 half marathon runners, 90 full marathon and 21 relay teams. Not my smallest of the 8 so far, Middlepark Half in Grandby, CO was.
Race day. The benefit of small events is that parking is not an issue especially when it begins and starts at the convention center. It was also the first time that I there was NOT a line for the porta-potty even minutes before the race, and it wasn't like there was a long line of them either. The weather sucked for Texas. It was 54 degrees and misting with a cold wind (about 10-15 mph) from the north. It was pretty humorous to see all of them bundled up with fleece headbands, stocking caps, heavy sweatshirts etc. The only ones in singlets or short sleeves was the "serious" runners toeing the starting line and me. I am sure I stood out - because of my white legs. I did notice that it was quite different from Midwest races. The only non black haired people were gray haired.
Despite it being a small race, it was well organized. It was different in that at ever intersection there was a city works department truck instead of a police car. There were cops at the finish - guarding the beer. The route was nothing special scenery wise (although, as you who know me well can attest, I wouldn't have noticed anyway) it was however FLAT! There were two hills - highway overpasses - which they call Texas Mountains according to my Mom. And one incline - yes, it was so flat that I noticed inclines. What did suck was the cold, wet wind in my face for most of the second half. The next day, of course, there was no wind.
I got in my usual mindset the last mile - WTF!!! WTF!!! WTF!!! (Where's The Finish!). My time was a 1:56 which I was happy with considering I am training for a marathon when my average pace always slows and that nasty wind the second half. The post race offerings were quite a bit different then the Midwest. No bagels, bananas or chocolate chip cookies. Nope! And I REALLY wanted a cookie. Instead there was orange slices, pasta (I learned that spicy (kinda) pasta is NOT what I want after running) and chicken wings (pre-made, breaded kind). The 5K got hot dogs and chips (I went scouting over there to see if I could find a cookie). The did have beer, but it was in cans (apparently volume isn't as much of a concern) and it was Michelob Ultra! Come On! That along with the cold made me pass on the beer. An although I am not a coffee drinker, I did get a cup of coffee - to warm my hands.
Since I knew the average time was quite a bit slower at this race than in the Midwest and the number of participants is smaller, I went and checked out the results board. Third Place in my age group and yes, there were more than 3 participants, 21 actually. Part of me was happy since I have not "medaled" since my inaugural running of the Sparta Stampede (where I got 2nd, but there were only 3 in my age group) but the other part of me was not. One because it was not my best time and two because it now meant I had to wait around in the cold until the awards ceremony. Ah, the challenges us elite athletes must endure! This along with traveling in first class has been quite a learning experience!
It was a little after nine and they announced that the awards ceremony would be at 10:00. I got out of my wet shirt, but there was no where to wait (besides my car). They weren't letting us in the nice, dry and toasty warm convention center. I thought I could handle that wait, but by 10:30 I was cold to the bone and ornery. Therefore, I was NOT happy to hear, "Due to a mix up we only have one set of awards. We will do the men first, so the women will only get their award if their male counterpart isn't here to get his award." WHAT????? What happened to ladies first???? Luckily for her, my male didn't show so I got my lovely engraved coaster (at least that is how I would describe it). As I was walking to my car, I heard her say, "I did the men first because I know women are more understanding." She was so lucky!
So, it was fun and interesting and a memorable #8.
