Big D & Buddy C(ER)
Okay, something has to give. We so dig being able to hang out with Kathy and Clay. Every time we leave there or they leave here, we are reminded that we live so far away. Here’s the deal - we did our Texas years, I think it’s time they did some Desert ones! Besides, I mean they are already halfway here in many respects anyway. For example: One night we had a really good time playing a game called ‘Chicken Feet’ (I think anyway). Chicken feet is played with Domino’s. Let’s face it, domino’s is much more a ‘Texas’ game than say a California one. Nothing wrong with that, the game was a very fun and we had a great time. The ‘halfway here’ bit comes from the beverage of choice that was partook of. One would think you match a game of bones (domino’s lingo ya’ know) played in Texas with some Budweiser, or Lone Star, or maybe a shot of Jack even? But noooo, at Casa (or Ranch as it were’ Texas) Reeves we were drinking Napa Syrah’s that you had to be on a one year waiting list to get.
See my halfway already point? They are living a life that’s half California, and half Texas already so why not do that geographically and land in Arizona? I can make a stronger case, but I though Chicken Feet and Library Vino did it nicely.
Aside from the enjoyable time with our Texas family, we also got to run in a race - I know - you are so surprised right? The Rock ‘n’ Roll Series is now in Big D. Sadly they only have a Half Marathon, but it was a great run and a fantastic time all the same. We headed over toward Dallas from Casa Reeves the day before the race. First thing we did was hit the Expo and pick up the bibs, grab some extra GU. We hung around for a little bit but it was lunch time and the pre race day lunch meal is the biggie. The expo was at the Dallas convention center so it wasn’t all too far to head over to the West End area and find some grub. We decided on the Old Spaghetti Factory - they are so much better than the knock off copy cats. OSF is also very good about making sure the preparation is how you want, and they have an ‘endless’ salad bowl (nice to get those Greens too). We had a great lunch, walked around a little bit then it was time to check into our Hotel. Our hotel The Adolphus was most excellent. I have no idea how we got the price for the room we got - we booked it last minute online and they must have had some mess up in their system - either way, it was very nice and I would recommend if you need Downtown Dallas.
After we were settled in it was now near dinner. as is now a locked in tradition (not becoming anymore) we were able to meet up with a bunch of runner friends we have met online or previously at other races. A couple of them had setup a cool dinner meeting downtown right around the corner from our hotel at a placed called Campisi. We had a great time, there must have been 12-14 of us or so including Tim Lee and Lisa Hernandez we have met at other races - way cool stuff. I got the pizza that was recommended and unlike Little Rock, this time it was good. We hung out for a bit with everyone, took a couple of pictures, wished all a great race and headed back to the hotel for an early night and an early rise.
The course was actually better than I expected. It hit all the expected locations through the downtown area of Dallas you would expect. Then you cruised through a really nice neighborhood and then after about 7 miles of a slight but steady uphill you began the decent and headed toward Fair Park which is where they hold the State Fair and where all the finish line setup was today.
I was able to have a nice negative split and come in at 1:35:21 which was good for 266th overall out of 9,250 runners. Kimberly jacked up foot and all (all being she was also running in a Green tutu and had a boa for the first mile in celebration of St. Patty’s Day) still had a sub two hour at 1:58:11 which was top 25% overall and 15% among them female types. Very sadly, Kimberly’s race ended on a very somber note. A young man who we later came to know had a family, was being assisted by medical personnel as she crossed the line. Tragically the young man did not make it. All our thoughts go out to his family for their loss.
After the race we hung for a bit, listened to the Guitar Shorty rip some, said hello to Tim and his buddy again at the PF Chang’s setup. Seeing this course was a point to point, we had to get back to our hotel quickly before checkout, so we did a quick boot scoot (like the Texas lingo?) over to the light rail, which took us back within 2 blocks of our hotel. We ran up, packed up, drive back to Casa Reeves, showered (yeah you know that had to come) and partied on into the night celebrating you know who turning 48 yesterday before the race. Rock Star stuff there baby….