Very superstitious

I am a science person by nature. I want proof for things. Scientific evidence. I like a well-designed research project that includes case-control standards. I geek out over dissecting the pros and cons of research methods in journal articles.

So.

Why am I still superstitious about races?

A black cat walks into the Cubs dugout during a 1969 Cubs/Mets game.
The feline was "bad luck" for the Cubs, as the Mets passed the Cubs to win the division and then the World Series.
More on the story and image source

I can ignore the hubbub about Friday the 13th, black cats, walking under ladders, and stepping on cracks. But race-day brings out my superstitious side. Some people (most famously, Michael Jordan) have lucky shorts. Some people have favorite foods (case in point: Wade Boggs' winner-winner-chicken dinner).

Some athletic superstitions get downright weird... For instance:

• Changing personal hygiene habits (including the playoff beard and between-inning tooth-brushing)
• Tapping, patting, or kissing the goalie
• Asking for a good, hard slap across the face
• The Sports Illustrated cover jinx or the "Madden curse" (Of course, this is a superstition most of us need not worry about..)
• Ritual dance
• Wearing red (or not wearing yellow)
• Banning peanuts at NASCAR events (Personal opinion: They should ban cigarettes too. My burned arm would have been thankful, but that's another story for another time...)

So I'm not alone in being a little superstitious when it comes to athletic pursuits. (In fact, mine seems downright pedestrian compared with some others...)

My biggest nagging superstition involves "bad runs." I suspect you know what I mean. "Bad runs" are those days when you have every intention of running your long run (10, 15, 25 miles, or whatever your training plan called for) but when you get out the door things just go wrong. Your legs feel like lead. Your stomach heaves. You get shooting pains in ____________ (insert body part here).

Over the years, I've resigned myself to the fact that bad runs happen. In fact, they happen every few months. But no one takes away my "runner card" for one bad day every now and again, so I don't worry about those days very much.

But in the weeks before I race, I start to worry wonder when/if the bad run will hit.

Because here's my superstition:

If I don't have a bad run before the race, my race is likely to be that bad run.

So when I have a huge long-run fail, about 3 or 4 weeks before a race, I do a little cheer in my head: Crisis averted! (The more spectacular the fail, the better. If I have to do the quick-step home for a restroom emergency, I am convinced that my race will be flawless.)

I have no proof for this. No science to back it up.
Hell, it could easily just be a self-fulfilling prophecy.

But I'm glad my last long run was a sweaty slog-fest with some stomach issues. No matter how hot race-day is in 2 weeks, I'll be ready for it!

Are you superstitious?
If so, what's your lucky charm?

Places to run - Texas

Welcome to the Lone Star State!

Image source

Yes, folks - everything is bigger in Texas.

Cattle drive at the Fort Worth Stockyards.

In fact, I considered splitting the state into two different posts for the running travel guide series, but decided that wouldn't be very Texas-like. So I here's a lengthy lowdown (sorted by region) on where to run in the great state of Texas.

North Texas

• Amarillo: The Lone Star Runners Club calls Amarillo home and can point your in the right direction for local races and running routes.



Valley Pecans in Chillicothe, TX (halfway between Amarillo and Dallas)

• Dallas: The Dallas Running Club is a hub of information on local races, training runs, and routes. They highly recommend running the Katy Trail if you're in town. 
• Fort Worth: Not to be outshadowed by it's sizeable next-door neighbor, the city of Fort Worth boasts its own dedicated running community. The Fort Worth Runners Club and Fort Worth Running Company (running gear store) have the lowdown on local running.
• My personal favorite run has been the Independence 5000 along the Trinity River (race report here).



Beware: the cattle don't obey traffic laws. (Note the "one-way" sign.)

• I also enjoy the parks around the Fort Worth Cultural District.

Sculpture in the Fort Worth Cultural District.

West Texas

• El Paso: Run El Paso describes itself as "a loose, friendly organization of people from the border area who share a common love of running. [They] have training runs every day of the week, occasionally sponsor races and support each other in our long-distance running goals. Runners range in ability and age, from beginners to regional stars, from children running their first 5K to experienced veterans who've logged more than 100 marathons."

Central Texas / Hill Country

• San Antonio: While the Riverwalk is pretty, it is difficult to run (crowded! tourists!) at any time except the very early morning. And while you should certainly remember the Alamo on your trip, the cobbled sidewalks are rough on a runner's ankles. Thankfully the San Antonio Road Runners have compiled a long list of running routes ranging from 3 to 20 miles.



Image source





Austin: If you're going to run in Austin, read the list of "best streets to run in Austin" from  5ksandCabernets. Then check in with the Austin Runners Club for up-to-date information about routes, races, and group runs.

Gulf Coast

• Houston: Houston has several active running associations including (in no particular order): the Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA), the Bay Area Runing Club (BARC), and the Houston Masters Sports Association.
• Galveston: The Gulf Coast Running Club calls Galveston home.

Other Texas Running Resources:

• List of Texas running groups from RunningInTheUSA

Are you involved in a Texas running group, or do you have a favorite running route that is not listed here? Send me the info and I'll add it to the list.

For more reviews of running routes and other travel information, see Places I've Run.