Before I left for the Edinburg 10K, someone asked me a question. I don't remember the question, but I remember my reply. I said, "The only thing I know for sure is I'll return with the same medal they've given for the last two years."

​Well, Edinburg made a liar out of me. They upgraded for their 35th anniversary. This one's a keeper. You can see it in the photos above.

Here are some quick highlights from the run:

• I'll be straight with you. I don't like runs that start later than 8 a.m. This was started at 9 a.m. I'm sure that's appealing to a lot of people and there are good reasons for it, but my long runs usually end at 9 a.m., so I'm always a little antsy at races with a later start time. 
• The corrals where runners start are a bit of a mystery to me. I have no idea what some of the colored bibs are for. I thought they were for elite runners. I asked a man at the end of the run why his was yellow. He said he didn't know. He thought maybe it was because he registered early.
• There was an area at the start where runners were getting stretched and, if necessary, taped before the race. That's interesting. I usually only see that post-race.
• It's a great crowd in the corrals and always nice to see all the schools and organizations participating. 
• Like the previous years, I like to see the first-time participants' surprise as they see how quickly the lead runners double-back to the finish line. It is amazing to watch. I just wish I wasn't watching from so far behind.
• I was still afraid of having dizzy spells, so I made up a game to keep me occupied. As always, hundreds of people pass me as soon as I cross the start line. I decided my goal was to pass 100 of them. So I picked one of the shirts a lot people were wearing (I think it was the HEB participant shirt) and used those as my markers. I counted the shirts as I passed them. It kept my mind busy, so I wasn't scaring myself into a dizzy spell.
• The best cheer station was made up of middle school cheerleaders. I confess I egg cheer stations on. "I'm sorry, what? You're cheering? I can't hear you." Those middle schoolers were loud.
• I appreciate ending on the stadium track. I rarely get to run on one, and if someone's in the stand to cheer you on, they get a good view of your finish.
• One of the neat things about the Edinburg 10K is the finish line is recorded, When you check your race results, there's a link to video of you crossing the finish line. 

So, in addition the new spiffy medal, I even had someone to take a photo of me at the event. (Thank you, Alan.) That rarely happens, because that requires, y'know, friends.

​Great job on another 10K, Edinburg!

For another year, the South Texas Sizzler didn’t live up to its name. It was chilly. Or for a South Texas native as myself, really, really cold, like “Why am outside without a jacket” cold.

I have to tell you that little running buff I got at the San Antonio Rock ’n’ Roll expo once again proved very helpful.

I feel like Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat when I wear it. But that’s really just a bonus.

This was my first run after not being able to complete the half at the McAllen Marathon. 

Short version about what caused that: I had an ear infection.

You know what’s not a good combination. Dizzy spells and running.

The South Texas Sizzler is special to me. Years ago, it was the first running event I ran the whole way. Of course, unknown to me, the 1 Mile Fun Run was actually a kids’ run.

In my defense, it was not labeled as such at the time. Three or four other adults who also lined up for the start were as confused as I was. Yes, I was tempted to just stay close to a child to make it seem like I was with them. But that could come off as creepy.

That year, as I finished my mile, I thought, “Well, at least, no one I know is here to see me run with children.” And then I heard, “Go Malena!” and saw a camera pointed at me. So that happened.

I was nervous about running this year, since I did still get a dizzy spell every now and then. But Tony Forina, MC extraordinaire at the event, assured me before the race, “No one dies today.”

I didn’t retain my title of last finisher, but I was close. The route changed this year (or maybe last year, I missed that one). It gave me chance to finally check out the 25th Street Hike and Bike Trail. It’s a nice trail, but I’m not sure what the lighting is when it’s dark, so I hadn’t tried to use it before.

My workplace was one of the sponsors, so I was joined at the event with coworkers. Some of them I saw returning to their cars as I tried to finish the run. The route got a little confusing at the end with lots of finishers wandering about, but there was someone there to guide me to the last part.

Along with the cool palm-tree medal, I was looking forward to the raffle giveaways. But the cold go to me, I couldn’t stay for that part. Note to self: Leave extra layers of clothing in the car.