Springtime Strides and Wildflower Miles in Washington County

Springtime in Washington County is something else! The rolling hills are alive with vibrant bluebonnets and an array of wildflowers, painting the landscape in breathtaking hues of blue, red, pink, purple, yellow, and white. It’s that time of year when every turn down a country road offers a postcard-worthy view, and visitors flock to soak in the beauty of Texas’ wildflower season.

This past weekend, the 47th Annual Blue Bell Fun Run took place, bringing in over 5,000 runners from near and far. Known for its challenging hills, this race has earned a reputation as one of the toughest in the state—at least in my opinion! But with those grueling inclines come equally rewarding views, making every step worth the effort. The energy in town was electric, as locals and tourists cheered on the participants before heading out to enjoy the great weather, local shops, and of course, a scoop (or two) of Blue Bell ice cream. I serve on the board of Run for the Youth of Washington County. This board does not plan the fundraising event, we do meet throughout the year and decide where the proceeds are allocated amongst the various youth sports in the county. It is a great cause to keep our youth in shape and active. I commend the organizers and the Brenham High School staff for all they do to continue this ever-growing event.

With warmer temperatures settling in, my runs will start shifting to the early mornings. The heat may be creeping in, but so is my motivation—I think I’m about to start “pre-training” for another marathon. We’ll see how things progress between now and August 1st, which is when the real training would begin. If all goes well, I’ll be tackling another 26.2, and let’s just say… hills will be my primary focus. The irony? The marathon I have my eye on is flat. But as any runner knows, hill training makes you stronger, no matter the course.

I’d love some company on those longer runs—because let’s be honest, logging all those miles is way more enjoyable with good conversation and some encouragement along the way. If you’re up for the challenge, let’s hit the roads together and take in the beauty of Washington County while we train.

Whether you’re here for the wildflowers, the races, or just to soak up the small-town charm, spring is one of the best times to be in Washington County. I, for one, am looking forward to many more scenic runs, hill repeats, and of course, a well-earned scoop of Blue Bell.