Living Outside The Lines: “Moe’s Better Half Marathon In My Rearview”

What I do distinctly remember however is how I felt after those races.

by, Becky j Miller

Sunday, March 5, 2017, close to three hundred runners participated in what was the 33^rd and final Moe’s Better Half Marathon, I was one of them.  Although I no longer reside in San Marcos, I am sad to see this iconic event close it’s proverbial doors.

According to Austin Fit Magazine, Moe’s Better Half Marathon was birthed in 1984, the brain child of Dr. Moe Johnson, former Texas State University professor, along with McCoy’s Building Supply CEO, Brian McCoy.  Both men desired to host a well-organized long-distance race. Touted as the oldest continuous half marathon in Texas, one could surmise they were successful.

My affiliation with the race began in 2011; Moe’s was the third half marathon I ever completed.  My running career was still in its infancy at the time, but I had already tasted the thrill of victory, and much like any addiction, was hungry for more. 

After running my first half marathon in October 2010 and finishing two solid minutes under my targeted completion time, I was ecstatic with what I’d accomplished and eager to improve. 

I excitedly began searching for another race, and Moe’s was everything I was looking for, a local & reasonably priced race supporting a great cause.

Moe’s did not disappoint, despite the murderous hills, I shaved a significant amount of minutes off my original finish time.  I would share exactly how many, but since my official records are all in storage at the moment, and I cannot verify exact finish times, you’ll have to take my word for it.

What I do distinctly remember however is how I felt after those races.  The afternoon following my first race was spent reclining on the couch because it hurt to move.  After Moe’s, I cleaned up and headed to Grin’s Restaurant for a wedding shower. 

I was much better trained for Moe’s and therefore suffered no soreness so I was able to easily engage in my normal activities afterward.

It seemed appropriate that my final race in San Marcos would also be Moe’s.  Currently, in training for the Diva Half Marathon in Galveston next month, I felt Moe’s with many rolling and one killer hill would be a great dry run to give me an idea where my training stands.     

When I registered for Moe’s we still lived in San Marcos, but thirty days prior to race day I’d started a new job and we had relocated to another town.  The stress of all the changes definitely impacted my training, plus I was completely alone on race day for the first time in many years.  The race took place on a Sunday, which meant my husband, a

The stress of all the changes definitely impacted my training, plus I was completely alone on race day for the first time in many years.  The race took place on a Sunday, which meant my husband, a full-time pastor, could not join me.  

Race morning dawned damp & rainy, which fit my mood perfectly.  I was alone, undertrained, stressed, and dreading running in the rain.  Perhaps you can imagine how welcoming the sight of a dear fellow runner was the instant I spotted him.  Dressed in jeans, he had come only to wish me well before I started.  We chatted and my spirits were lifted.  Hugging him goodbye, I headed to the start line as tears clouded my vision; his selfless gift to me that morning was priceless.

Dressed in jeans, he had come only to wish me well before I started.  We chatted and my spirits were lifted.  Hugging him goodbye, I headed to the start line as tears clouded my vision; his selfless gift to me that morning was priceless.

The final mile of the race was tough.  I knew the finish line was just over the horizon, but the struggle to keep moving was almost palpable.

I began looking for markers on which to focus.  Initially, my eyes were fixed on buildings further down the road, but when that didn’t work I focused instead on the bright orange cones placed approximately 10 feet apart.  Ten feet was a distance I knew I could cover.

About ¼ mile before the finish line, just as the cones ended, Danny Gokey’s, “Hope in Front of Me”, began playing on my IPod. 

I smiled and picked up the pace. That song was just what I needed to finish strong.  I did not finish in the 2 hours I’d hoped, but I did finish, and with a smile too!

On behalf of the San Marcos running community, I’d like to say,  “Thank you Moe for 33 great years of racing!”

Until Next Time,

Becky J Miller

“Warrior Princess”

Becky J Miller is a contributor and is exclusive to SM Corridor News. You can read more of Becky’s columns in Lifestyle.