Fairview Half Marathon Race Report

Today was the Farview Half Marathon and Saturday was a strange day to run a race. I was tired from a long week at work, and we were up relatively late last night trying to finish the never ending bathroom remodel (we didn't finish). It really didn't feel like race day when my alarm went off. Since there was no expo, I wasn't riding the wave of excitement from it, but it did start to build once I arrived at packet pick up. I felt very sophisticated going into the Fairview Town Hall building to get my bib and race shirt. Thankfully we arrived early and snagged a spot to sit inside before it got too crowded, because, yet again, it was cold and really windy!

Packet pick up 

Getting busy, almost time to start!

While waiting for the race to start, my husband started talking to a gentleman with a Palo Duro t-shirt on. Turns out he and his wife are ultra runners and have run many ultra races, so this was going to be easy for them! The most interesting thing was that they were older, she was in her 60s, and he in his 70s. She actually won her age group at the race today, congratulations Suki!

As we filed out to line up for the start of the race, I realized how cold and windy it really was. Temps were in the low 50s, so not quite as bad as the Dallas Rock 'n Roll a few weeks ago, but the wind just as bad.

Flags standing straight out!

Only 650 racers this morning

Start and finish line--this was taken down by the time I finished due to the danger the wind was causing

 If you've never heard of Fairview, TX, I know why. Fairview is only 30 miles from downtown Dallas (and about 20 from where I live), but it is way out in the country. The race course followed a very scenic route, traversing some lovely neighborhoods that I had no idea were even there. I also got to take in beautiful views of longhorns, alpaca, and plenty of horses along the way. Some of the roads were in miserable shape though, even bothering me in my aqua soxs. Definitely not barefoot friendly.

There were hardly any spectators during the race, but some very interesting racers. The most outrageous costume I saw was a guy wearing a chicken hat, complete with legs dangling on the side of his head. There was a guy who stopped at every mile marker and did burpees consistent with the mileage. I saw him at miles 9 and 10, and even with the burpees, he still kicked my ass. There was also another guy wearing a shirt that said "From 461 lbs to 13.1 in 12 months". Pretty amazing accomplishment!

The course was challenging, with some great but unexpected hills. The wind was very strong and very rough to run against for the last 2 miles of the race, but I made it through. No PR for me this race, but I did stop and use a port-o-potty along the way and still came in at a respectable 2:20.

 

Miles logged: 13.1