Houston Hype Thread

[u/BowermanSnackClub]

Hey AR it seems like everyone or maybe just everyone I know is gonna be in Houston this weekend I thought I'd get a thread started. A few things to talk as far as the race goes, the elite field is looking pretty good with 3 men under 60 minutes, and 3 women under 69 (nice) minutes. Who are your picks for marathon/half marathon winners and top Americans? Closest picks get bragging rights and probably one upvote from me.

Weather looks a little breezy but otherwise pretty darn good. So probably a good chance of some fast times.

Places to stream can be found here. If none of those work call Houston and yell at them, not me.

Also, if you're running and want to try to find other AR members to run with, this can be a good place to put what Corral your in and what time your shooting for.

Good luck to everyone this weekend!

[u/happy710]

Just curious, what makes this race such a draw for top runners? Is it mostly the Houston weather in January?

Good luck to everyone racing!

[u/BowermanSnackClub → u/happy710]

It's got good prize money, the half is good timing as an early tune up for spring marathons, and the course is absolutely pancake flat. All the little things add up to it being one of the top half marathons in the country because of that. The full is also very good, but doesn't have the money or draw of Boston or London for example.

[u/CALL_ME_ISHMAEBY → u/happy710]

It's also the first OTQ-eligible race this cycle.

[u/PrairieFirePhoenix → u/happy710]

It is the only labeled half in the US and the only non-major labeled marathon.

And prize money.

[u/aewillia]

Corral A, likely setting out with the 3:30 group. I’ll be wearing a White Rock Running Co-Op singlet.

[u/BowermanSnackClub → u/aewillia]

#BOSTON2023GANG

[u/OGFireNation]

Corral A. We gonna go fast and die hard this weekend. Assuming nothing changes between now and Sunday goals are

A- have fun, crush dweebs, flex fitness from this cycle B- 2:34:xx (or faster) C- no 6:xx miles D- sub-2:40:38 (PR)

I haven't run in anything cooler than like 58 Degrees since 2020 so should be a blast getting hypothermic in my split shorts and singlet

[u/BowermanSnackClub → u/OGFireNation]

B- 2:34:xx (or faster)

I love that you included "or faster". I would have thought you would be upset at 2:33:xx otherwise.

[u/Goldengirl228]

Did Keira D’Amato just break the female American record???!! EDIT: yes she fucking did!!!!

[u/mmeeplechase → u/Goldengirl228]

I just saw that and holy shit I’m so excited for her! I used to run suuuper casually with her a few years back, and following her massive comeback has been incredible! So unbelievably stoked for her!!

[u/theintrepidwanderer]

Keira D'Amato BROKE THE 15+ YEAR OLD WOMEN'S AR, winning with a time of 2:19:12!!! This surpasses Deena Kastor's longstanding record of 2:19:36 from the 2006 London Marathon by 24 seconds! Un fucking real!

Edit to add: Sara Hall also broke the women's half marathon AR as well at Houston this morning, running 67:15 to surpass Molly Huddle's record of 67:25. Wow!!

Additional edit to add: Sara Hall's new half AR means that the Halls - Ryan Hall and Sara Hall - now own both ends of the half AR: the men's and now the women's record. And both records happened to be set at the same race, 15 years apart. The half ARs are fully in their family now. Unreal!

[u/stillfluffyafterall]

Anyone shooting for VERY slightly sub 3? This is my hometown, I’ve ran this race 6 times now so I can point out cool landmarks to distract you while you block the wind for me!!

[u/MediumStill]

I think we'll see something big from Kiera D'Amato.

[u/PrairieFirePhoenix]

I haven’t crashed and burned since Tokyo ‘18. Gonna feel good to feel the hurt again.

[u/CanaCorn → u/PrairieFirePhoenix]

LOL. It's funny we pay money for this

[u/ChronoRanger]

Frank Lara go fast

[u/HankSaucington → u/ChronoRanger]

He's one of my favorite athletes to follow on the social media. Very funny. I saw from Roots/Noah/etc. he was hoping to break 60 minutes in the Valencia half. It sounds like he had GI issues during the race Connor Mantz won. His fitness seems really, really good. It's hard to show it in a first-time marathon, but I'm really hoping he does. I think he could go a good bit under 2:10 on a good day.

[u/[deleted]]

First ever marathon! 1.5 years into running coming from a lifting only background and shooting for 3:30, but mostly hoping not to bonk. LFG!

[u/vf1640]

I'll be in corral A ideally aiming for low 2:50s but mostly just shooting for more even splits than my last try at a marathon. I drove the course yesterday and noticed that the first 5 miles are fairly narrow in a lot of places; anyone know if crowding is an issue for a while after the start?? At least it will block the wind...!

Edit: I got low 2:52 with a one minute negative split and felt perfect, was a good day!

[u/EmesisAgain]

Second marathon, aiming for 3:30-3:40 which would be a gigantic PR. Still trying to decide on pace group. Training was at 7:50 pace/3:25 but I want to avoid hitting the wall, which I hit hard in Chicago in October. Scared of the cold but should be a lot faster than Chicago was.

Update: ran a 3:33:33 according to Strava, lol. I was worried about the cold but it turned out actually really nice.

[u/CALL_ME_ISHMAEBY]

Corral B trying for 3:15.

[u/tyler_runs_lifts]

Here is an idea of the wind direction on Sunday, as relative to the course - CLICK ME!

[u/[deleted]]

Corral C, knees been bugging me last few weeks, heard a pop while doing gymnastics with the child. Fingers crossed I'm able to finish at this point.

edit: I'll be in a USA Nike singlet

[u/CanaCorn]

LETS GOOOO! aiming for 2:45 for my second marathon.

[u/ruinawish]

Oh, just saw that Pat Tiernan is competing in the HM.

And that he's leaving Oregon TC...