2018 Possum's Revenge 56K

The Background

After a healthy training block starting late February and a successful, if poorly paced, running of the Wildflower Marathon, I was ready to run the Possum's Revenge 56k two weeks later.  This would be the second training race of the summer leading up to the Bear 100 in September.

Terri couldn't come with me because of a family illness, so I drove up to the DFW area solo after work.  The drive was relaxing and I checked into a hotel in Mineral Springs.

The Course

Trail Racing Over Texas took over the Possum's Kingdom race from Endurance Buzz Adventures.  I had never run this one but it's supposed to be the same course.  For the 56k it's two loops, which I like because going out on a third or fourth loop adds a mental challenge.  The first four miles are a bit sandy and the rest features rocky, up and down terrain with some decent climbs.  Beautiful views of Possum Kingdom Lake, cacti and wildflowers make this course a gem.

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Pre-race view of the lake

The Race

After blowing up at Wildflower, I took off at a conservative pace.  At around ten-twelve miles or so I got off course with a group of four or five runners and lost fifteen minutes or so. The course was well marked but there was a lot of two-way traffic so I worried a lot about going the right way.  After this detour, I just followed the signs and it was fine.

I felt good through the first loop, getting a little tired around the last couple miles of loop one.  I ran with an older gentleman whose son was running the race as well for many miles; he inspired me!  I want to be in my 60s still running.

Starting loop two, I felt strong and ran at a decent pace.  Throughout loop two, I passed a few folks here and there, which is always confidence boosting.  Granted, many of those were probably running the 52 miler, but still it was a big change from my 2016 and 2017 races of constantly being passed.

At the marathon distance I started slowing.  It was 90 degrees and while there was shade and the heat was never oppressive, this combined with the miles added up.  I still kept up a fair pace and split running and hiking.

With around three miles to go I caught up with a 52 miler who was having a bit of a hard time and we chatted a bit.  Then a couple of 56k runners started creeping up behind.  One thing I love about ultras is the balance between supporting one another and competitiveness.  We will stop and help each other and most are not in their own little world like in road marathons.  Nevertheless, it feels good to give one's best and compete with those around us.  I started running, trying to give a decent effort to not get passed in the last two miles.  I even passed another 56k runner in the home stretch. Again, I'm a middle of the pack runner at best and my place doesn't matter that much but I felt good about giving it what I had on the day.

Approaching the finish line

Reflections

I finished in 8:24, 30th out 55 finishers (bottom 54%) of 66 starters (top 45%).  Even though this was a longer, tougher, and hotter race (and I lost time by going off course), I ran this 51 minutes faster than the Isle Du Bois 55k in December.  Granted, I had a cold the previous race, but overall fitness-wise I feel way better.  Progress!

I felt a profound sense of peace after finishing this race, relaxing in the hotel room and driving back.  Finishing an ultra plus living healthy is beautiful.

My training is going well.  I had a nice four week block of twenty mile training runs building up to Wildflower.  I ran a twenty miler the week in between the two races so now I have a another good three week block.  I'll take an easy week then build up to the start of the Captain Karl's 60k series.  The heart of my training for the Bear, this will be four 60k night races three weeks apart each in the Austin hill country.  In between the third and fourth races I'll run the Habanero 100k for my long prep race.

Also, I'll be heading to San Antonio for a board meeting in a couple of weeks and I'll go to Bandera for some hill work and camping.

Lots to look forward to!  Thanks to Rob and Cheryl, Trail Running Over Texas, and all the volunteers for putting on a great race!  I'd run this one again.

Additionally, this was my 30th career marathon / ultra.  This is the seventh straight calendar year I've finished an ultra dating back to 2012.  I want to keep the streak going!

2018 Wildflower Marathon

The Background

Over the past three years, I have worked to get myself back to a better place, both in running and life.  The last time I really felt strong as a runner was when I crossed the finish line of the 2014 Cactus Rose 100.  I got injured in the 2015 Bandera 100k and the past three years of my running and life have had a lot of challenges.

This January, I DNFed Bandera once again.  I had three injuries going in: left calf, right Achilles, strained back.  All three were in pain at 10-15 miles in and I dropped.

Devoting the new year to healing, physically and emotionally, I walked a lot.  By March I was running.

I emerged from this dark time feeling better than my first or second year running.  Clocking eight or nine minute miles on the road, I felt confident about my first race of the season, the Wildflower Marathon.  This would be the start of a series building up to the Bear 100 in September.

The Course

The Wildflower Marathon is a rolling course in Bastrop State Park.  It starts with a mile out and back up a hill to a little house.  Then there are four 10K loops with a few climbs but mostly runnable terrain.  Burned out sections offer little shade, which would factor in to what happened on this hot day.

The Race 

I made a rookie mistake and went out too fast.  Reviewing the previous results, it appeared a 4+ hour marathon would be at the front of the field.  Excited about my road pace, I took a shot at a fast time and it blew up in my face.  Lining up at the front, I sprinted up and down the out and back hill, already feeling I was working too hard but not wanting to block those behind me.

Charging the hill too fast

Settling into a nine or ten minute pace on loop one, I was maybe in fifth or sixth place at this point. What felt like a manageable pace proved my undoing by the end of loop two and the beginning of loop three.  A combination of going out too fast, getting behind on hydration and calories, and the day heating up left me woozy.  I never fell into a death march, but I slowed way down.

I grabbed a hat from my dropbag and headed out on the final loop, feeling a bit better. I'm proud I kept running, even the road climb up the hill to the last 2 miles.

Pushing Forward 

I finished in 5:40, 14th out of 28th runners (50%).  Technically, I achieved my goal of finishing in the top half of the field :-)

Finish Line

Post-race Lunch at the Taco Stand

Reflections

I feel great to have finished the first race of the season and to be healthy.  Obviously, it was dumb to go out so fast, but I'm happy I held on for a semi-decent performance.  I raced this 50 minutes faster than the Night Moves Marathon nine months ago, which I think shows I'm in better shape.

I've got the Possum's Revenge 56k, the Captain Karl's 60k series and Habanero 100k coming up and I'm not going to worry about my time for any of these.  They all will be training races for the Bear 100 and I'll just try to move a decent pace.

Thanks to Rob and Cheryl, Trail Racing Over Texas, all the wonderful volunteers, and my sweet girlfriend Terri for the support!

I'm excited about this season.  It will be an adventure!