The Background
I had finished the challenging 2020-2021 school year. Wanting to continue running 100-milers, I signed up for the virtual 100 Miles to Auburn. My journey to ultrarunning began with reading about the Western States 100, so this virtual race referencing the endurance capitol of the word was appealing.
Since I would be off in the summer and have time, the location could be more flexible. I chose the Caprock Canyon State Park and Trailway. 7 hours away, the drive was manageable. Inside the park, there would steep climbs up the canyons and plenty to see. The Trailway is a rails-to-trails from the abandoned Fort Worth and Denver Railroad's lines between Estelline and South Plains. The plan would be to start off in the canyons, then do most of the miles on the Trailway.
I drove up the day after work ended, camping in the park. I set out some provisions at trailheads on the Trailway ahead of time.
The Race
Day 1
I started off with a loop around the canyons on the Upper South Prong Trail. The first climb was very steep, and at a few points there was a possibility of slipping. If you fell at Bandera, you would get scraped up; if you fell here, there is a drop to the canyon floor. It was a little scary but I managed it.
Then I headed down the Haynes Ridge Overlook Trail and climbed to a beautiful view.
By the end of the first loop, maybe 12 miles in, I was tired. I really thought about quitting, perhaps turning this into a sky 50k for the Franklin Mountains virtual. Actually heading out on a second loop with the intention to do hill repeats and then quit, I instead just kept going for another loop, finishing that one with 23 miles.
At least on the way there was plenty to see: prickly pears, bison, and white veins of gypsum.
There were many crossings over the dry bed of the Little Red River and my feet got muddy.
Thinking that hitting the Trailway might revive me, I drove to the Quitaque East Trailhead, heading out on the flat trails through farmland towards Turkey. Feeling a bit better, I considered hiking all night. Then I came across a rattlesnake and jumped. That was excuse enough for me to plan to head back to camp. After turning around, on the way back I saw the same snake. I finished off with 33.7 miles and camped on the Trailway at Quitaque East.
Day 2
I headed the other way out of Quitaque East towards Monk's Crossing. The trail was mostly wide and clean.
Leaving Monk's at around 10 miles in on the day, 43 miles in total, I'd reach Clarity Tunnel. Bats lived in the tunnel but they were quiet.
My goal was reach John Farris Trailhead then turn around at 16.7 miles, 50 for the day. The sun beat down and a staggered on the trail, sometimes lying down on bridges.
I worked my way back the way I came, finishing the day at 67 miles.
I had a hotel room, based on the vanished hope that I would be done by this point. I drove to Childress, checked into a Super 8, and ate a burger and fries from Dairy Queen.
Day 3
I woke up at 2:30am, which was good because I had a chance of beating the heat. I drove out to the Estelline Terminal Trailhead as lighting flashed on the horizon. It wasn't raining where I was.
I got a bit scared in the darkness and lighting and didn't want to head too far from my car at this point. So I started doing mile repeats, running one, hiking the other. I ran maybe 3 or 4 miles out of 9. Now I was at mile 76 or so.
Then mosquitos started attacking. I didn't want to fight that for 24 more miles so I drove to the Turkey Depot, where I expected there to be less mosquitoes based on when I dropped my provisions.
With 24 miles left, I could do a 12 mile out-and-back one way from Turkey Depot, a 12 mile out-and-back the other way from Turkey Depot, and be done. I first headed towards Tampico Station, knowing I would not reach it in the planned 6 mile leg.
Finishing the first out-and-back, I rested at 88 miles at Turkey Depot.
On the final out-and-back towards Quitaque, again I battled the heat and again lied in the sun at points. But the magic of keeping moving worked, as always, and I grinded it out for a finish.
Reflections
I failed in my plan to run less than 36 hours, in preparation for the Badger 100. I think if I have a generous cutoff it is difficult for me not to use the extra time - something I could improve upon.
I'm proud I didn't quit. The scenery was beautiful; someday I can maybe do a virtual in Palo Duro Canyon.
3 100-milers done in 6 months...pretty good!
