The next day I hiked to the water falls which was so amazing!
In Freeport, I ran a local 5K named the Shrimp Run. It was a fun little race with a bridge crossing and I managed to snag 1st place in my age group.
On Labor day weekend, I headed to Alvin in the morning to run the Purple Monkey Fun run 5K. This race is a great event with tons of crowd support and a good cause!
That same day, I headed to Lake Jackson to run through the woods at dusk getting chased by zombies in the Zombiefest 5K. I didn't realize this race was going to be so competitive as there was four of us girls battling for the top finish spots.
Another September race took me near Blanco, to the Lighthouse 20 Miler, a trail race in the Texas Trail Championship. This course was hilly and two loops with beautiful views. Over 1300 feet of elevation gain at this race. My first loop was much faster than my second, as the heat and hills really started to wear me down the second time around.
In October I competed in my only triathlon for the year- the Mammoth Lake Tri. I had done little biking since my accident in April and barely any swimming which is my weakest sport. After having a near drowning experience years ago, I should have known that I needed to train properly and could not just wing it. I freaked out in the water and had to have a friend who was on kayak patrol calm me down and talk me into finishing the swim and the race. It was a panic attack and I'm not proud, but I am glad I was able to finish.
I was registered for the Houston Half Marathon in October but due to torrential rains that weekend, the event was cancelled. We had some local runners get together and ran the 13.1 miles that afternoon on our own to get in the distance anyway. It drizzled rain and was cool but we persevered.
In Lake Jackson I ran the Turkey Trot 5K for the Intermediate Band Program. I love this race, as its a great way to see local running friends and has a good turn out. I finished in 26:45 for 1st place in my age group. I especially love it when I see my running idol: Max Royalty who is an amazing runner and who I aspire to be like! He won his age group as well! See below!
The last race of the Texas Trail Championship took me 7 hours north to the Isle Du Bois State Park for a 23 Mile trail scamper. This race didn't have any major climbs and the elevation gain was 900 feet, but there wasn't any places to really open up and run. Its a twisty turny kind of course that is best for seasoned trail runners. I found out later that I was able to take 1st place in my age group at this event. The race director from Endurance Buzz adventures sent my award, a cow bell.
The last race of the year was the Santa Hustle Half Marathon in Galveston. I wasn't feeling real strong and still recovering from Isle du Bois so I took it easy and just enjoyed running with friends at this race.
Even though I'm not a fast runner compared to many, I did compete with a solid plan in the Texas Trail Championship and was able to win my age group for 2015. It was a lot of fun keeping up with the standings and meeting other trail runners around the state.
There it is, lots of training, running, and having fun with my family and friends. Can't wait to see what 2016 may bring!
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