Heading into the 2018 Capt'n Karl's Pedernales Falls 60k, everything had gone more or less according to plan. Prepping for the Bear 100 in September, I had started off with my best training block in five years or so, getting in consistent mileage and 20 mile long runs. I went out too fast at the Wildflower Marathon but finished and ran a better race at Possum's Revenge 56k.
On a work trip to San Antonio, I swung by the Hill Country State Natural Area and camped for a weekend. That Saturday, I did a big 3.5 hour loop around the park. Sunday was hill repeats, 20 times up and down Sky Island in 4:20, with 3000'+ feet of gain.
In between that and Pedernales, I suffered a bonk long run in The Woodlands. Planning to go 20, I felt a lack of will and energy and ran / walked 18. Thinking that it might be a sign I needed mental and physical rest, I decided not to push it and just get my long in during the race.
I finished the first draft of my dissertation (!) and sent it to my professor the morning before driving out to the Hill Country with Terri. That definitely uplifted my spirits.
I was excited to run Pedernales, as it would be the start of the 60k series. I had attempted this in 2013 but DNFed Pedernales with a stomach virus; I finished the other three. Here would be another chance to get that buckle and good training for the Bear.
The Course
Pedernales has a couple miles of runnable trails at the start and end of each 18 mile loop, with a bunch rocky sections in the middle. No climbs.
The Race
As I recalled, Capt'n Karls played Grateful Dead at the start. The race shirt featured a quote from Jerry Garcia, "Everybody just relax man, we have you all night long." Also, on the course was a line from "He's Gone," "Nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile." Two of my favorite things: ultrarunning and the Dead.
At the Start
I headed out in the back of the pack of 60k runners at a conservative pace. The first two hours or so were uneventful, just plodding along. I started to flag a tiny bit towards the end of the first loop but nothing major, finishing that in a around 4:15.
Feeling good, I set off at a brisk pace for the first runnable miles of loop two, passing a few folks. I had turned on my GPS watch, which only has enough battery for 5 hours or so. I'd play a game in my head of whittling away one mile at a time.
I slowed a bit in the middle, rocky sections. A bit tired but not at a low point, I was still "running" but really more like fast walking - hopping over the rocks. I chatted with a guy named Eric for a while.
At one point, I kept hearing two ladies talking behind me. I tried to stay ahead of them and they never caught me.
In the last half of the second loop, I noticed my legs felt strong. I thought, "This is cool!" while feeling genuine excitement. I started running harder.
I passed a few folks as I made my way through the rocky sections to the last aid station and then the fast 2.3 miles to the finish, a few on the trail, a few by making quick work of the aid stations.
When I approached the finish, a headlamp appeared, gaining on me. I sprinted and made it 3 seconds ahead of the other guy. Not that my finishing place matters to anyone but me, but I like being competitive when I can and giving it a decent effort.
I love the green!
Reflections
I finished in 9:04, 17th out of 43 starters (top 40%) and 70 starters (top 24%). This was my 22nd ultramarathon.
Finding that strength in my legs late in the race gave me confidence for future races and frankly was quite thrilling. This is a big difference from when I was unhealthy, slowing way down early, struggling just to finish. It was also nice to finish a race I had DNFed 5 years ago.
I'm looking forward to the Capt'n Karls series. Though my ultimate goal is the Bear 100, I'm on a quest for the Capt'n Karls belt buckle. One down, three to go!
I'm looking forward to Muleshoe. I like building up multiple finishes of a race and this will be number 3, hopefully.
Onward!
