2024 Aramco Half Marathon

2024 Aramco Half Marathon - No. 11

This marked Sarah's 11th Houston Half Marathon! I provided coaching and pacing duties. I did pretty well if I say so myself. So did Sarah! I have not run the half in a LONG time, and was a bit nervous to attack the half with Sarah. She put in alot of hard work leading up to the race and had a really great taper.

We got to the convention center early to park and stretch. With us both being in the A Corral it was a nice walk to the corral and a couple of blankets kept us warm. Race start temp was 58 and dropped through out the race to 52. I work multiple layers for the run, long sleeve, short sleeve and my Houston Tank (GO COOGS!) Once we crossed the start line the plan was to run 7:45-7:50 pace for the first half and then drop down to 7:40 pace for the second half.

Sarah nailed the pace with me and was feeling and looking strong. We split from the full marathon and had fewer runners around us and so the wind kicked up a bit with the cold front rolling in. I made sure Sarah behind me so that I could block the wind. We turned onto Allen Parkway for the drive home and her pace over the rollers was spot on. She had a great final 2 miles and closed to finished way ahead of pace 1:41:52, a 7:42 pace overall!

A bonus to being in the Houston running community for 30+ years is that you get to know All the photographers! Then when the marathon chooses that photo to be their campaign for the 2025 marathon it gives you the warm fuzzies! Congrats to all the finishers.

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