2020 Coyote Run Virtual 50k

The Background

The Coronavirus Pandemic disrupted life around the world.  I had time on my hands and races were cancelled.  Luckily, Trail Racing Over Texas offered virtual options - run at your own place at your own pace.  It was cool... for less than $30 (with a discount code for early sign-up), you get a bib, shirt, and medal, official times.  I signed up for the Brazos Bend 50k and Coyote Run 50k.

I'd run the Coyote Run 50k first.  I had run a marathon and a 50k over the last two weeks, but these were slow efforts, mainly training runs.  This would be another training race so I wasn't worried about overdoing it.

When I dropped off the kids with their mom, James asked to play basketball.  I was happy he wanted to and we played one on one to 11 points.

Then I headed to the George Mitchell Nature Preserve.  The 1.5-mile main loop would be perfect for a virtual run.  I left a 1 gallon jug of Hawaiian Punch on a picnic table as an aid station.  The weather was cool and I knew it would likely rain.

The Race

There were a few families out on the trail, but there was still less risk of infection than going to the grocery store.  I ran alone.

For the first 11 miles, I kept up with a 12-minute pace.  My mind started playing tricks on me at mile 11 and I took a walk break.  This was a chance to work on my power hiking and I was pleased to keep to a 15 or 16-minute pace hiking.  I ran again at mile 13 to the halfway point of 15.5.

I alternated running and walking up the the marathon point, hiking consistently at a 15 or 16-minute pace.

It had started raining, and after marathon I got cold.  I wrapped a towel around me to keep warm as I hiked.  I slowed a bit to 18-minute miles.  Then the last mile I ran it in.

Reflections

I really enjoyed this virtual race.  It felt like a race.  It was inexpensive plus no miles on the car, no hotel needed.  No rushing to get to the start, no people passing me, no worries about getting lost.  Of course, it lacks some of the excitement of a regular race.  I love racing and would not give up those experiences, but virtual racing is pretty cool.

This race was an improvement of 1 hour, 15 minutes from the Green Ultra 50k.  The Green Ultra was a tougher course, but I was still in better shape and moving faster a week later.

I was pleased about my powerhiking pace.  If I run a 36-hour hundred, I need a 21-minute pace, and I was well under that. If I run to 50k, or 50 miles, I could hike the rest.

This was fun!  Next up is Brazos Bend Virtual 50k in two weeks maybe.

2020 Green Ultra 50k

The Background

I felt pretty good about finishing an off-the-couch Woodlands Marathon.

Then the coronavirus hit.  Work would be shut down, as would a race I had planned to run, the Abby's Alliance 5k to benefit a friend's family.  I'd be sitting around with time on my hands, so I signed up for the Green Ultra at Millican 50k.  I had a good experience running the 50 miler a year ago.  Plus it was inexpensive, an hour and a half away from home, and most importantly still open!

The Race

For the first few miles, I averaged 12 minutes a mile.  Then I started to really slow.  My GPS has been acting funny, but I'm sure I really was slow.  I made it a goal to run the first loop of 15 miles.

The second loop, I ran some and walked some.  I remembered that this race gave age group awards and since it is so small I might get one. I saw a guy behind me roughly my age...no idea whether he was running my race or in his 40s.  Regardless, it gave me a bit of motivation to move.  I ran a couple of miles, then walked some...finished the race running off and on.  It got a bit hot the second half.

Also, I knew I was close to 9 hours. I ran and made it in in 8:56.

I got first in my age group.  But I was the only one in my age group I later found out.

Reflections

Right now I am really slow.  I haven't properly trained but now I have two long runs in.  I also need to work on powerwalking as I was over 20 minutes a mile walking...at least by my GPS.

After the race, the world went crazy with the virus.  My main job is shut down for four weeks.  No races.  I'm going to run the Brazos Bend 50k and Coyote Run 50k virtually to keep moving.

2020 Woodlands Marathon

The Background

I secured a new job which gave me a new lease on life.  It was time to start running again!

I signed up for the Woodlands Marathon about two weeks before the race.  I had always wanted to run it since it is in my hometown; I had always either been in the offseason or had conflicts.  This was the perfect time.

The spur-of-the-moment decision did not give me time to train.  I had been working long hours with my night classes at the University of Houston and UHD, and busy with the new job at Klein.  Just able to squeeze in a few three mile runs here and there, this marathon would be pretty much off the couch.

I did a 20 miler on Spring Creek Trail, running about 9 miles and hiking the rest.  This was all the training I could manage.

The Race

I headed out at a 4 hour marathon pace, knowing I would probably not be able to keep it up but hey, why not try.  At about 7 miles, I fell off the pace.  At ten, my legs were shattered.  I pushed on to the half marathon point.

Running 11 or 12 minutes a mile, legs dead, my mind stayed focused.  At one point, eyes half closed, I sang "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd and "Desolation Row" by Bob Dylan along with my MP3 player.

A goal was to run the whole thing.  Apart from USA Fit 2011 (my first), I had never walked significantly in a road marathon.  I know the run/walk strategy can be effective but I wanted to run it.  at mile 20, I took a short walk break, but then "Elevator" by Strangefolk came on and I decided I could run that long song.

My kids were waiting for me at mile 23.  I made it a goal to keep running to them.  Mile 23 was a special moment.

Mile 23

At mile 24, I took a longer walk break, maybe .6 of a mile to get to the bridge over Lake Woodlands.  then I ran it in.  I knew that at this 13 minute-a-mile shuffle, I'd be cutting it close to make it under 5 hours, another goal.  I crossed the line in 4:56.

Reflections

This was a good race at a good time in my life.  I'm healthy with a good job.  I kept my mind focused, ran the whole way (with a couple of minor walk breaks), and finished under 5 hours.

This race also marked 10 straight years with a marathon finish.

I'd still like to properly train for a road marathon at some point and hopefully break 4 hours again.

I'm excited about running again.  I'm going to try to schedule 1 or 2 races before the summer - maybe Brazos Bend and/or Wildflower.  Then it will be Capt'n Karls of course.

If it all works out, maybe the Badger 100 in Wisconsin....