FKT: Jenny Gruber - Around Houston 610 Loop - 2024-10-13

For the most part, I followed Thomas Hannan's (much-appreciated!) route, with 4 exceptions in deference to safety and the law. Texas state law for pedestrians on the interstate requires you to only enter the interstate when absolutely necessary, and to be on the shoulder facing traffic when you do. To accomplish that, I modified the route as follows: When entering the interstate to get over the Ship Channel and the two rail yards near Liberty and between Wayside and Kirkpatrick, I moved to the inside part of the loop, so I would be facing oncoming traffic, and then moved back to the outside part as soon as safely possible. Also, Thomas went over Huntington Bayou by entering 610, but there is a hike and bike trail there now, so I stayed on Kelley and took the trail to Lockwood, and then moved back to the outside of the loop. My total mileage was 49.8, but I think the changes in route only added 0.25 - 0.5 miles, and the rest of the difference was from me going in and out of crew stops, and crossing roads or grassy areas trying to find safer and/or more runnable spots.

The day was rather warm, and there were no clouds, so we knew this wasn't going to be a fast effort. We decided to make it fun. I was crewed by my husband, son, and a few amazing friends. Route debrief is broken up into segments between crew stops.

Start at MLK Blvd (5:22 AM, 68 deg F) to Whataburger on Homestead (approx 19 miles, 9:21 AM, 75 deg F): I didn't have any problems with dogs except for one business near Gellhorn, but there was definitely way more high grass and brush than expected. Not sure if it was just the wrong time of year for mowed grass, or things have gotten overgrown since Thomas did his run, but the first mile was full of tall grass, and the portion between Clinton and I-10 full so full of brush and tall grass, you can see me weaving on the GPS because I was trying to stay safe, and also not fall. At that point, I was walking quite a bit in the grassy areas and watching for snakes and spiders. Grass was more manicured as I went around the I-10 interchange, but then there were a few more bad spots, interspersed with good sidewalk. All told, probably about 4 miles of the first 19 were high grass and brush. I ended up covered in burs below the knee, so had to do an unexpected calf sleeve/sock/shoe changeout at Whataburger.

Whataburger to Whole Foods at Yale (approx 26.5 miles, 11:01 AM, 82 deg F): The sun started to really beat down on me in this segment. I had planned to eat rice rollers and energy bars to get some solid food in me, but I just couldn't choke it down. I mostly stayed with UCAN gels throughout the whole effort after this. During this segment, I started with 0.25 walk/0.75 run intervals, but it quickly went down to 0.5 walk/0.5 run.

Whole Foods to Velvet Taco at the Galleria (approx 35 miles, 1:32 PM, 90 deg F): There is very little shade over the entire course, but there were a few spots here and there in this portion, starting at the turnoff on TC Jester. The sidewalk between Yale and Shepherd was covered in high grass again. I was predominantly doing 0.25 run/0.75 walk intervals at this stage, and I think I even took one full mile walk break. At Velvet Taco, with the assistance of water and lemonade, I was able to get down a salmon taco. It was tasty, and it energized me, but the heat just really impacted me. I also reapplied Trail Toes here because I was getting some hot spots on the bottom of my feet.

Velvet Taco to Randall's at Bellfort (approx 41.5 miles, 3:11 PM, 92 deg F): There were maybe a few trees in this whole segment, and at this point the sun was defeating my sunscreen. I started getting collarbone cramps within a mile of leaving Velvet Taco, even though I was drinking plenty and using salt caps and REGAIN drink. I alternated 0.25 run/0.75 walk intervals with full mile walk breaks. I started to develop a hot spot on my heel, but honestly, I was so over it by mile 41 that I didn't reapply Trail Toes. I regretted it at the end.

Randall's to the finish (49.8 miles, 5:23 PM, 92 deg F): The sidewalk situation on 610 prior to NRG Stadium was a bit sketchy in places, and the bits on Almeda and Holmes either had no sidewalk (on the GPS you can see me hopping over to face oncoming traffic) or gravel/sand or bits of sidewalk interspersed with tall grass. At this point I wanted to be done, so I maintained 0.25 run/0.75 walk intervals with faster walking until the finish.