Running in Austin

Last night after work we left to go to Austin for our weekend of activity. It only took 2.5 hours with the sat nav giving us about two directions - turn left on I10 then go straight for 55 miles followed by turn right on highway 71 for another 55 miles!

We booked ourselves into a motel just of the Interstate so we could take the bikes into our room. Both of slept like logs not disturbed by any partying in the rooms above us or the traffic - not bad for $45 per night! It was an early start to get into the centre of Austin to register for the 5km, starting at 8am, and for tomorrows bike race. Guess what I have ended up with a large t-shirt - I don't think I have ever got a good sized t-shirt from a charity event. I tried it on and it is a night dress!


There was definite nip in the air even when the sun came up just at the start of the race. There were 3200 runners/walkers and a couple of dogs. A wee dachshund had a trolley with his fluffy bed to lie in!

The route was down, up and around downtown Austin. At the starting gate the only way forward was by walking but then we were off. Stu did really well and no pain from his knee. Just coming into to the finish line Stuart accelerated, well not enough as I steamed passed him! He just said I was typical Ferguson never wanting to lose! We finish in the top third!

We have just had breakfast at an American diner so pancakes and waffles but it was no way near as good as the Egg and I in Houston. Plus we had a really annoying bloke and his mother - he can only be described as fat and ignorant with no volume control! We left sharpish before I got up and hit him over the head with his plate (from the all you eat buffet!)



Off to see caves now :) the caverns we went see were called Inner Space just 20 miles north of Austin. There are lots of limestone caverns along the Gulf Coast apparently. Brad, our guide, was absolutely mad but entertained all the kids on the 75 minute tour. There were some impressive features not only from the calcite precipitation - so all the stalactites and mites but also from the water that had gouged the out the caverns.

We will meet up with a fellow cycling mates tonight for dinner, including Sarah from back home and her family. But it won't be a mad night as another early start for our cycling tomorrow.