Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas 5K Recap
The last few weeks have been extremely busy between work and marathon training. But I’m really happy that I was able to participate in this year’s Memorial Hermann 10 for Texas event. I ran what they call the Armadillo 5K — my second official 5K race!
Even though I run 5Ks almost every other day, race day always feels special. There’s just something about the energy, the crowd, and that little extra push that makes it different. My main goal for this race was simple: challenge myself and set a new personal record (PR).
Looking Back at My First 5K
My first ever 5K was about a year ago — at this same event, actually. I remember being so nervous. There were runners everywhere, and I had only been running for a few months at that point. I didn’t finish under 30 minutes back then, but I was determined to improve.
That determination stuck with me all year. Every mile, every run, and every bit of discomfort pushed me closer to becoming a stronger runner.
Race Day – October 11, 2025
This year’s event took place in The Woodlands, TX, hosted by the township. Runners came from all around the area to participate.
Going into the race, I felt a lot more confident. I had several races under my belt, and my focus this time was speed. My goal: finish under 25 minutes.
When I arrived, the first thing I noticed was the parking — it was limited, and most runners had to walk a decent distance to the start line. It also seemed like there were fewer 5K runners this year, though I haven’t confirmed that. The route was the same as last year, which helped since I already knew what to expect.
I lined up in the 9:00 min/mile corral, but to hit my target time I’d need to average around an 8:05 pace — a stretch, but that’s what makes racing fun. You have to set goals that make you dig deep.
What Went Right (and Wrong)
I feel like I did 9 out of 10 things right, but there were definitely a few mistakes.
First, I had been running in Saucony shoes for a while but switched back to HOKAs the day before the race due to some pain issues. I still felt some discomfort on race day — more on that in my next article.
Second, the course starts and ends with a bridge. Going out, it’s not a big deal. Coming back, though, it’s brutal. I made the mistake of kicking too early, right as the incline started. Halfway up, I was completely gassed. I glanced at my watch — my heart rate was redlining. I didn’t want to stop, but I had to slow down. I focused on my breathing, held my form, and gave everything I had left to the finish.
The Results
My official finish time was 26:58 — not quite the sub-25 I wanted, but I’m proud of how far I’ve come. A little over a year ago, I struggled to run a single mile without stopping.
Each race teaches me something new. Each run builds consistency. And that’s what really pays off in the long run.
Next up: another 5K and then a half marathon to prepare for the full marathon that’s fast approaching. I’ll be posting more regular updates as training continues — stay tuned!
Until next time — keep running, stay consistent, and chase those PRs. 🏃♂️🔥
