With a trip to see my aunt, in Houston Texas booked, the opportunity for both a new parkrun and a new country flag presented itself. However, this Saturday morning adventure which technically started on Friday, didn’t start favourably. In the taxi to the airport, we discovered I’d left the baby bag at home. Then due to the Champions League final taking place at Wembley, traffic was gridlocked reducing us to a crawl to the airport. We missed our check-in time and thought new tickets would need to be bought. Fortunately, the parkrun gods were looking out for us as we learned our plane was delayed. They checked us in and fast-tracked us through security to make the gate, Terry Hersey parkrun was back on!
After a 10-hour flight, we landed at George Bush airport, were collected by my cousin, whisked home, food, shower, and bed for 6hrs sleep before getting up to reach the event.
Terry Hershey was a conservationist and environmentalist described by President George Bush as ‘a force of nature for nature’. In 1991 the Buffalo Bayou Park was renamed Terry Hershey Park due to her conservation efforts and is now home to the Terry Hershey parkrun one of the two parkruns in the Lone Star State.
We parked and walked up to the start which is at 0800, a good thing as it was already 25c with 87% humidity; welcome to Texas!
Parkruns are all similar and uniquely different with the Run Director, Emma, reminding us to stick to the right not left as we do in the UK. We were warned about the bikes with no bells before being counted down and setting off. Terry Hershey Park is a county park covering 496 acres, the course is out-and-back and fully paved with a few wooden bridges (one with a cat sleeping on it). Underpasses keep you away from traffic as you meander with the Buffalo Bayou alongside on the right which is banked with mature oaks and other trees. Some of the course had tree cover however the sun was out, bearing down and I was sweating before 1k!
When asked whether I should bring my Nike carbon-plated shoes my cousin had said yes and for the second time this year they propelled me to the front and another first finish! I quickly caught my breath before donning a volunteer vest and proceeding to scan other runners as they finished. This is the perfect way to speak to the other participants and volunteers. Making up the 90 finishers were members of the Texas Beef Team recognisable in their ‘fuelled by Beef shirts. There was much camaraderie and good parkrun chat which continued to Minuti Coffee where the day’s results are processed and the great battles of the morning relived and progress to milestones and challenges discussed.
As in Lahden satama parkrun in Finland, we followed up with another art trip. We travelled to the Houston Botanical Gardens which was hosting an exhibition of Zimbabwean sculptures in their horticultural gardens, it was wonderful.
The botanical garden is 132 acres and teaming with scupltures.
If you’re overseas I do recommend seeing if there’s a parkrun nearby it will be a fun addition to your trip. Terry Hershey parkrun had been a delight and the core team were great. Remember to pack your best running shoes and don’t forget the baby bag 😀
Happy running
What a rollercoaster! So glad everything worked out 💪🏼 but of course it did! 🌈
The baby bag will never be forgotten again! 😊 So glad you didn't break your record whilst in Texas. YST
What an adventure you had!
Interesting trip.
The sculptures look amazing. Thanks.
Engaging and insightful as ever. Linc W