El Chupacabra de Houston Nighttime 10k Trail Run

I somehow let a month go by without a running update.  Not much to report on the running front these days; I'm enjoying being injury free and am running a somewhat light 15-20 miles a week average these days.  I ran my longest run since March on the trails at Huntsville State Park last Sunday.... a tough 10 miles in humid conditions with horseflies chasing most of the way.  Horseflies can be persuasive motivation to continue moving forward.

Last night was a first for me.  I ran a nighttime 10k trail run at Lake Houston Park in New Caney (TX).  Now I've run a night race, a 10k and trail races before but never all three disciplines in the same event.  I thought the race was well organized, especially being the first year for this event in the Houston area.  The race organizers have had a similiar event near San Antonio the past couple of years.

I ran the first 5k of the race somewhat harder than I planned on running.  My first mile was slower than I wanted due to the narrow trail and slower runners ahead of me.  It wasn't worth the effort to pass people on this portion of the trail so I waited/conserved energy so that I could make my move when the trail opened up.  My second mile was much faster given better running conditions and the fact that I could pass runners.  When I hit the lap button at mile 2, I thought my average pace was 9:58.  I picked up the pace even though in my mind I felt like I was running faster than a 10 minute pace.  Turns out I was; at mile 3 I realized that I was at an 8:58 pace.... running without glasses at night makes 8's and 9's look identical. 

I stopped at the halfway point and refilled my hand held water bottle (practicing for next week's 1/2 in Wyoming where you have to carry your own bottle).  From that point to the finish I did a good mix of running and walking averaging around a 10 minute pace for the last 3 miles.  My unofficial time was 1:01:01 per my Garmin.  Definetely not my fastest 10k; actually pretty comparable to my 6 mile barathon times back in New Orleans.  Different obstacles but just a much fun.

The post race party was excellent for the event.  They had bar b que and lots of beer.  I do believe this will become an annual event for me. 

Next up is my continued economical travel.  I run my 42nd state a week from today in Wyoming followed by  my first Boulder Bolder 10k race in Colorado.  It will  be interesting to see if altitude in Boulder or darkness, humidity and trails is the tougher challenge.