By Ambassador Lindsay McClelland

I don’t think I’ve ever been so sad that a race was over. No, not because it was painful, but because I have to wait a full year to do it again! Words can’t describe just how much fun I had during the Chevron Houston Marathon race weekend, especially during the full 26.2. I’m pretty sure the photos tell my story well…I had a smile on my face the entire time!

Yeah, still smiling at mile 23!

Race week kicked off with media day at Memorial Park where I was interviewed with the other ambassadors and got to meet some of the incredibly inspiring charity runners. From there the week just kept getting better. Friday was a whirlwind, starting with a morning show to meeting Meb Keflezighi then volunteering at the Memorial Hermann IRONMAN Sports Medicine Institute EXPO and ending the night with a pasta dinner with family and friends. The ABB 5K on Saturday was also a blast and made for the perfect shake-out run for Sunday. Seeing tons of running buddies and wishing luck to complete strangers at the EXPO that morning made the perfect pre-race routine.

#HouMarathon Ambassadors start the weekend on TV!

Getting race advice from Meb was a huge highlight of the weekend!

Sunday morning was a blur. My dad and I headed into our corral feeling relaxed, yet very excited. We were lucky enough to run into fellow ambassador Heather before the race began and off we went! My dad joined us for the first 10 miles, which was a blast! We’ve never run a race together, so pacing him to a huge PR and BQ on his second marathon was extra special.

Still a little sleepy at the start line.

The weather was perfect, spectators were out in droves. I saw so many friends, co-workers and hard working volunteers on the course cheering me on…I couldn’t have asked for anything more! 20-miles seemed to breeze by and just when the going started getting tough around 23, familiar faces started popping up along Allen Parkway. I managed to negative split the race, for the first time ever (by about 3 minutes!)…it’s amazing what a difference having spectators and volunteers cheering (with fab signs) can make! Seeing my fiance and mom at the finish line was the icing on the cake.

Fab signs!

Big thanks to the Houston Marathon Committee for another incredible race weekend. I hope everyone who ran, volunteered or spectated had a chance to raise a glass and celebrate, I for one sure did! How was your race weekend? I’d love to hear all about it, let me know on Twitter at @Lindsaylm.

Ambassadors still smiling at the finish line!

About the Author: Lindsay McClelland
Lindsay is a 26-year-old PR & social media professional at MMI Agency in downtown Houston. About a year ago, she moved to Houston from Honolulu, HI to be closer to her fiance. While she does miss living in paradise, she’s fallen in love with her new city and it’s countless opportunities. She loves everything active, outdoorsy and fitness related. Her hobbies include running, crossfit, hiking, yoga, reading, dining out, writing, and traveling. She is a former collegiate swimmer and still loves to coach!  Lindsay has run seven marathons and more half marathons than she can count…she’s even dabbled in a few triathlons. Here in Houston, she trains with Kenyan Way. She comes from a very active family. Her father is also a runner and the Houston Half Marathon was his first half marathon ever, she had a blast sharing the experience with him last year. Her mom is a former professional ice dancer and is obsessed with tennis.
Twitter – @Lindsaylm
Instagram – @lindsaylm