Anyone running it this year? I am in for the full and will be in Corral A.

Any tips/tricks for a 1st timer in Houston? Is packet pickup on Saturday a cluster? Parking suggestions?

It's still pretty far out, but the weather is looking bearable although not ideal...wishing for 40s but looking like 50s.

SJEAg said:

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Anyone running it this year? I am in for the full and will be in Corral A.

Any tips/tricks for a 1st timer in Houston? Is packet pickup on Saturday a cluster? Parking suggestions?

It's still pretty far out, but the weather is looking bearable although not ideal...wishing for 40s but looking like 50s.

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If you're in Group A, you don't need much in the way of tips. You'll be sipping on beers before a lot of half marthoners finish.

Packet pickup isn't bad at all. Just might take a little time to park. Walk around the area after you get all your stuff and just enjoy the atmosphere.

The biggest cluster is finding a place to park the day of. Recommend you have someone who can drop off and pick you up.

If you want a bit of warmth as you wait, buy a cheap ass sweatshirt you can shed after a couple of miles. They pick them up and give them to the homeless. You're gonna be stuck in that corral for at least 30 minutes getting cold. It really sucks for the turtles in D.

Best of luck to you. I did my one in 2015 and that was enough. I'll stick with bikes and short runs.

In for the half. Corral B

3rd year doing Houston, done the full once and the half once.

Post above is overall solid advice.

Only thing I'll add is for the weather, follow Space City Weather. They do a solid job forecasting and one of the guys is running so they've been adding notes on what the extended forecast looks like for the race.

Passing out beer would be great!

digging tunnels said:

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Passing out beer would be great!

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+1, this slow half marathoner would go for that

Have 4 under my belt
Great accomplishment to you, Andy best of luck
Beat my Pr of 3:50

digging tunnels said:

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Passing out beer would be great!

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I wonder how a mimosa would be? Chicks love mimosas.

But yeah, beer is great when running!

vansprinkle said:

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digging tunnels said:

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Passing out beer would be great!

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I wonder how a mimosa would be? Chicks love mimosas.

But yeah, beer is great when running!

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My first marathon I almost vomited after grabbing a beer from buffalo bayou at mile 15.

Good chance I'll be hanging out with the Karbach lunatics.

Anyone want a beer?

In for the half. My best times are behind me and I'm starting from C. Not sure what Houston half this is but did 3 of the fulls. I don't think race day parking is too bad. I like the garages. Yes, it's a bit of a ways from the GRB but I'm about to run 13.1 miles, walking a couple extra blocks isn't that big a deal. As for pre-race, get a big trash bag, clear if possible, and cut a small hole for your head to push through. Does an incredible job of keeping you warm and easier to part with than a sweatshirt.

You better save some beer for me at the end.

CDUB98 said:

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fatass

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In for my second full, corral B. Doing packet pickup at lunchtime on Friday.

Agreed on the sweatshirt idea. I picked one up from Goodwill last year. This year I bought a cheap one from Wal-mart. Consider it a donation to the homeless.

Crowd support is great. There are very few spots along the full marathon route where there aren't any people cheering.

Full as long as my old-man joints and back cooperate. Corral A.

I really hate all you fast runners. I just want you to know that.

Quote:

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If you're in Group A, you don't need much in the way of tips. You'll be sipping on beers before a lot of half marthoners finish.

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Yeah I was surprised I was in Group A...or just assumed that it was no big deal. I don't consider myself fast by any definition and have only run one marathon. Think I submitted my most recent half-marathon time (1:39)...which I guess was good enough. Hopefully, I don't get trampled or piss people off clogging the path as my goal is maybe 3:40.

They'll have signs to break up the corrals by pace. You'll probably just need to be towards the back of corral A, but you should be fine.

Dude, you're fast.

For instance, when I ran it, I was in D. My goal was a sub-5. I made it by less than two minutes by negative splitting my last 8 miles. I thought I might die during the last mile.

Us turtles deserve love.

Now, lets talk about bike speed.........

SJEAg said:

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Anyone running it this year? I am in for the full and will be in Corral A.

Any tips/tricks for a 1st timer in Houston? Is packet pickup on Saturday a cluster? Parking suggestions?

It's still pretty far out, but the weather is looking bearable although not ideal...wishing for 40s but looking like 50s.

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In for my 10th Houston. I PR'd in San Antonio in December, and didn't run at all for 2 weeks over Christmas so I'll be taking it very easy.

Packet pickup is crowded but very well organized. Just park wherever you can. Plenty of street parking, surface lots, and garages. Enjoy the expo but don't spend ALL DAY walking around. Get some free stuff, try to find some discounted shoes, and get out.

I agree with having someone drop you off on race day if you can. Otherwise, get there really early to park. 5:30-5:45 should be fine.

Your corral closes around 6:30-6:40, so keep that in mind. It's not a big deal if you miss it. You can always drop back a corral.

Martin Q. Blank said:

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When I used to run marathons, I used to get wicked hammered. My nickname was "Puke." I would chug a fifth of So-Co, start the race, polish off a few runner's empties, some brewskies, some Jell-O shots, do some body shots off myself, pass out, wake up mid-race, boot, rally, more So-Co, and cross the finish line. Probably would have gotten kicked out if I'd let it affect my time, but I set all sorts of course records. They called me "Speedy." It was totally awesome. I always finished in the top 100. They called me "Century."

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Where is the best place to wave at a friend for 5 seconds who is running the half? Will wait at a bar for them later for the beer.

The Kirby/Bissonet intersection is a good spot.

Southeast corner of the intersection of Waugh and west gray. Once they pass, walk east down west gray to Montrose. And they'll pass again.

After they pass for the second time, keep walking down west Gray to Cecil's pub (will be on the left). It has a big patio and is a proper dive bar. No idea whether it will be open, but if it's not, just break in and steal some beer. They probably wouldn't notice or care. Or, if you really need a place to whet your whistle on a Sunday morning, Midtown Diner is just a little further east on Gray. It's 24 hours and can probably serve you.

Skipping it this year. I think I'll go throw peanuts at the half route losers.

After 5 full's in a row, decided to take a year off and do the half this year. The thought process was that I wanted to train for the half like I would've the full and go get a half PR on that flat fast course...instead, I got lazy, gained 10 pounds (instead of losing 10 to get down to my normal race weight) and forgot what it feels like to run a decent pace. Pretty positive this will be the first half in a really long time that isn't sub-2.

I will be out watching my youngest daughter run her 2nd full. I did my one and only full marathon 24 years ago, before I became a cripple. Well not really a cripple but the rice crispy knees told me to stop running years ago.

So that sounds like an implicit vote for me to make some "FATTEST PARADE EVER!!!!" signs.

Well things looking a lot colder now. Now I have to figure out what to wear. Mid to high 30s is a weird in between area for me. Probably go long sleeve but not sure about shorts.

I'll be bike escort for wheelchair participant. 1st time doing that. Looking forward to it.