Zooma Texas 2015

 I have been pretty loyal to running Zooma races. I ran the first Zooma in 2007 in Annapolis. I have run a Zooma race every year since that time. My first race report was Zooma last year. The Texas course is tough ... hot, hilly. But, there is no way I wasn't running Zooma again this year. It's a "must-do" race for me. It's fun. Very women-centric. This year they had a girlfriend special and Sorority Girl and I signed up together and we each got a discount.

Both of us were able to get off work a little early and drive to Bastrop. The race is held at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort and we wanted to get in and settled. I have turned Sorority Girl into an INKnBURN FANATIC and we were both dressed in INKnBURN kits for packet pick-up. Lace is the new spring line and it's really kind of sexy. Robot is an older design that is no longer available. Great traveling gear. As usual whenever I wear INKnBURN, got tons of compliments. I handed out lots of ambassador cards. We checked in and headed to packet pick-up. Always a little nicer and female-centric swag. Tech shirt without a lot of logos. Feetures socks (my fav). Journal. Mini-toothpaste from Tom's. Athleta reusable shopping bag.  They had a few exhibitors and Sorority Girl bought a Silpada necklace. I have realized that my head is not meant for hats and I knew it would be sunny. I was hoping for a visor and found one with the Zooma logo. Wish it weren't black, but needed a visor. Sorority Girl also schmoozed the Feetures rep and we were able to score some of their new compression socks. Promised to wear them for the race.  (They were super comfortable. No blisters. No swollen cankles. And no sore calves. Win!!!)

 We got settled. Had some dinner at the resort. Sat in the hot tub and prepared for morning. They had some temporary tattoos, so what the heck ... put one on my wrist. I don't usually take pics of my race-day set-up ... but a bunch of FB friends were posting their "flat mamas" for the following day, so we did too.

 Why do races start so early? Alarm went off and we both groaned. After rolling out of bed, we mixed up some oatmeal and stumbled to the start line. We were both dressed in new INKnBURN Ryu. We had just received these tops earlier in the week. I wore Ryu Blue Tech T and Sorority Girl was in Ryu Green Singlet. I think they pair fantastic with Bloom Shorts. I always feel pretty special in INKnBURN. We got lots of compliments. A few people recognized the design. And, it's not just pretty ... they are so comfortable. Like wearing sweatproof silk. And sure ... orange shorts with pink compression socks and green Hokas? Oh well ... at least no one can accuse me of being too matchy. The resort Llamas were available for gentle neck scratches. Don't scratch too high on the neck, they don't like that. No spitting, that's good.

 Before we knew it, we were starting the "race." It seemed so much smaller this year than previous years, but the Austin 10/20 was the next day and I suspect a lot of people were doing that. Both of us had been on injured reserve and we planned to go super easy. Set intervals to 3-minute-run, 2-minute-walk. Remember, last week I was DONE at mile 9 and wasn't sure how my hip strength was going to do on the hills. It went OK at first. Better than last year. At least I didn't lose the walkers in the first 10 minutes. And yes, it was hills, hills, and hills.

Buuutttt ... somewhere around mile 6, the intervals turned into 3-minutes-walk and 2-minutes-run. Then, it rapidly turned into mostly walk. Good thing we were just out for a long, leisurely Sunday stroll. Yes, the Bluebonnets were in full bloom. And yes, I lollygagged and took pictures of flowers.

 

 Mile 7 and my favorite picture. I had been looking for this barn. I just love this barn and this tree. It feels so Wizard of Oz to me. I had to get another picture this year to match last year.

 I have to say, all along the course, the volunteers were AMAZING!! When we strolled past, they cheered like we were running with the lead pack. About mile 9, we encountered a dog and pet him. He tried to follow ... oops, but we found his home and he trotted back to his yard.

Mile 10 and we are back on resort property. Yes, I got distracted by ponies and longhorns.

 The rest of the course was on the golf course and I was completely mesmerized by the trees this  year. The leaves haven't started filling in and for some reason, the skeletons of branches were just beautiful. This part of the course was flat. Thank goodness. We were very happy that we started passing people and felt a little more spry to do more running than walking. We were especially happy to pass the girl who was leisurely strolling with a PURSE slung over her shoulders. We checked, yes, she was wearing a bib. She had been ahead of us the whole race. A PURSE?!?!?! Were we really THAT leisurely?

 

 Finally, as we started, Sorority Girl and I finished ... together. So, last year was my PR for slowest half marathon EVER!!! I was happy that I did not set a PR this year. I was a whopping 2 minutes faster.

 We picked up our medals. Thanks volunteers who stayed out there until we were done. I have to admit, I LOVED when Zooma medals were charms on little silver chains. I don't need big medals. I am glad, though that they have detachable charms still to keep the charms going. But ... no chain for the charms. Aaaannddd ... I'm too lazy to take the charm off and find a chain for it. Also sad that the 10K and 5K don't get charms on their medals. This particular race is really tough with the hills and the heat comes on quickly despite the chilly start. I really want the charm. I know ... silly. I have to think long and hard about this race in the future. If I am going to keep doing Zooma halfs, I may have to start traveling. Wine Country?

 After finding some food, we found the really important things ... Barefoot Wine. YUM!!! And the cups change color with temperature change. YES!!! The little things that amuse and excite me. OK ... probably will see you next year.