Holiday Double Day 1 Marathon

The Background

I was going to run Brazos Bend Marathon in December, but they moved the race to a week before Bandera 100k, a week after my planned run at Texas Marathon - Kingwood.  That did not seem wise when going for a Western States qualifier at Bandera, so I requested a refund.

That, and a work conference that will likely have me defer the Woodlands marathon, dashed my hopes for reaching 100 marathons this season.  That was okay; I'll get there.  But I had been running relatively fast - some sub-9-minute runs in training.  I had made a goal this season of beating my time of 4:47 at Woodlands Marathon 2023.  I thought about getting one more marathon in before Kingwood.

I looked around and there was a race in Fort Worth - the Holiday Double.  Having to be back for family at Christmas eve, I could not run Day 2.  I told myself to run Friday in the neighborhood and see how fast I was.  I ran 5 miles at a sub-9-minute pace.  That convinced me to sign up for Day 1 of the race the next day.

I got up at 1:30am and drove up to Fort Worth.  Making good time, I sat in the car and closed my eyes a few minutes, not sleeping.

The Race

The race was a 3 miles and change out-and-back on sidewalks along the Trinity River, 8 loops of that for the marathon.  It was cool and overcast.

I went out at a sub-9-minute pace and held that to half marathon, reaching that in 1:58.  

Then I started to slow down.  I had planned on this possibility, and figured that if I could just keep running I would still beat my goal finishing time.

Around 14 miles, I felt a twinge in my knee.  I walked about 30 seconds, and then ran again and it was okay.  I repeated that a bit down the course once, then it was fine for the rest of the race.

Moving at 11-minutes plus a mile, I was feeling bad.  There was the temptation to walk, as I could still finish sub-5 hours.  But I first told myself to hold on until 20 miles, as at least I would get in a 20-mile training run.  Reaching that, with less than 2 loops to go, I told myself I could hold on for the rest of it.  I chugged along slowly.

Approaching the finish, a guy was on my heels so I pushed it to not be overtaken.  I finished 8th out of 24 finishers (top 33%) in 4:29.  I also got 1st place in my age group (only two men ran 40-49).

Reflections

I'm proud that I did not give in and walk.

I might have had a better time had a run the first half at a 9:30 pace instead of a 8:50 pace.  Then again, I could have similarly faded and the overall time been slower.  Either way, going out too fast hurts.

Regardless, I reached my goal of beating my previous time of 4:47 and finished in the top third of the field.

Thanks to God, Terri, running friends, my kids, volunteers, and the race organization for the support!

2023 Wild Hare 50 Mile

The Background

I DNFed at Cactus Rose 100, not having any mental energy left after the Arkansas Traveller 100 earlier in the month and a busy work week. Lesson learned: I need to be mentally dialed in for a 100 miler and should probably space them well apart in the calendar.

Back to training, Jamie and I ran a long run two weeks out from the Wild Hare 50 miler.  I did 21 miles, and Jamie did 26.  That, combined with 27 miles I ran at Cactus Rose, meant I was well enough trained for Wild Hare.

I flew to San Diego for a work trip and ran to the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday afternoon, 9 miles.  It was overcast, but at least I saw it.  

I did not get home until around 10pm Friday, then had to get up at 3:20am to drive to Warda for the race. 

The Race

At the start

It was perfect cool weather for the race. Jamie and I started off running at 11 or 12-minute miles.  The first loop was longer, 11.3 miles, with a repeat of the first section.  Then the regular loop was 7.8 miles, with 3.5 to the midway aid station and 4.3 back to the start.  These were bike trails, with a few twists and turns, and the second section featured a big paved drop, which I had fun bombing down.

Jamie's wife and two of his kids came and cheered us on at the aid stations, which was great motivation.

By the time we approached the end of the second loop, I felt a bit tired, and Jamie pulled ahead a bit.  But I recovered after the aid and we stayed together.

On the third loop, I knew I needed some extra time at the aid station coming up, so I told Jamie I would meet him back at the start and ran ahead.  

As Jamie and I headed out on the 4th loop, a marathon in, we were in good shape.  Some time later, looking at my watch, I saw that we could hit 50k in under 7 hours, so we made that a goal.  We made it in 6:58, but my GPS was a mile short, so our actual 50k time was faster.

 33 miles in

A bit further down the trail

Along the way, I said hi to Agatha, a great runner who I have met at many races.  She ended up finishing 2nd female overall for the 50k.  Congratulations, Agatha!

Heading out on the 5th loop, 34 miles in, my watch told me that a sub-12-hour finish was possible.  This was quite heartening since we had only hoped for a 13-hour finish at best.

We had been running consistently throughout the race, and moving forward we kept it up, while trying to take care of ourselves with powerhiking breaks.  We ran from mile 35 to 37, and some more around mile 40, then finished up the loop. 

Starting the final loop at 42.5 miles in, we ran 1.5 miles.  Making it to the final aid station, we ran about half of the last 4.3 miles, including the last mile.  

Now dusk, with finish close, we knew we wouldn't need our headlamps, though we had anticipated running a couple hours at night. We had been passing people now and then, and caught one more guy with a quarter mile to go.

We finished in 11:22, 12th and 13th out of 33 finishers and 40 starters.

Finish 

Reflections

This was a great race.  Jamie and I moved steadily throughout, and never hit a major low.  Finishing in the top half of the field feels great.  Also, I finished my first 50 miler at the 2012 Cactus Rose in 11:36...nice to know I still can run at that pace!  

The weather was great, which definitely helped us.  

As always, I am amazed how tough and focused Jamie is.  Such a great first 50 mile performance! I am very grateful to have such a good friend to run with. Thanks to God, Tejas Trails, PJ, the volunteers, Jamie and his family, Terri, and my kids for all the support!

2023 Arkansas Traveller 100

The Background

This year, I tuned into the livecast of the Western States 100.  The announcers cheered on a man trying to make the finish by the cutoff.  This planted the seed of me trying to get a Western States qualifier.

Running 5-6 times a week 4 or 5 miles minimum had brought me a better level of fitness than in the last few years. The new job at UHD and training with friends strengthened my mental outlook.  I improved my pace between Muleshoe Bend 60k and Trailway 50k, the latter being 1 week before the Arkansas Traveller 100.

I severely watched my budget because of a gap in pay before the new job and some unexpected bills. So when my mind returned to getting a Western States qualifier, at first I thought it was off the table purely for the cost.  But the thought wouldn't go away.  I reasoned the Arkansas Traveller 100 could be done just by paying for the gas and entry fee if I camped.  Everything was against me signing up:  the cost, the fact that I would have to make a 30 hour cutoff, something I had only accomplished once at Rocky Raccoon 2014, the elevation gain.

But the thought of a Western States qualifier won, and I decided to take a gamble. I figured if I went in with the attitude that I am not sure I can do this, but I am going to try anyway, I could be stopped for not making the cutoffs if it happened with a clean conscience.  My running pace, 10 or 11-minute miles running and 16-minute miles powerhiking, suggested a finish was possible.

Another motivating factor was the 2019 DNF at Arkansas.  That was a troubled time in my life and the DNF did not help.  Thanks to God life got better, and going back would be a chance at redemption.

You can't do hill training in Houston, but I did do a few minutes of stair repeats during lunch breaks at UHD.   The Trailway would be the last training run, and I did 50k in 7:38.  If I did that at Arkansas, I would have banked 2+ hours off the 18-minute pace for a 30-hour finish.  Of course, Arkansas is a tougher course than Trailway.  But the Trailway was hot, and the weather forecast for Arkansas was high of 70. 

Luckily, by the time the race came my finances got better after my first check from the new job.  As such, I booked a hotel for after the race. I had to work the morning of the day before the race until noon, so I would have to drive straight through at arrive after dark.  I camped at the race the night before and got about 5 and a half hours of sleep.  Even though I gave myself over an hour before the race, fumbling around with gear, I still was rushed getting to the starting line on time.  I couldn't find my bucket hat, so I bought one at the race merchandise shop.

Race Morning

The Race

I headed out at a 10 or 11-minute pace in the crisp, cool air.  Reaching the Ouachita trail 8.6 miles in, I felt strong.  Last time that trail beat me down and people were passing me; this time I cruised along the singletrack.

On the Ouachita Trail

Returning to the fireroads after Lake Sylvia aid station, I went up the big hill, moving steadily.  At this point, I was still running the flats and downhills, and hiking the uphills.

Along the Trail

As I approached the Electronic Tower, I got dizzy and weak.  My pace slowed to a stagger.  Arriving at the aid station at 24 miles in, I sat in a chair and ate some food.  A volunteer had been alerted to my state by another runner and asked how I was doing.  I didn't sit too long and got moving.

I recovered and kept running, reaching Lake Winona mile 30.9 in 7:57.  This was roughly keeping the same pace as at the Trailway.  I succeeded in banking 2 hours ahead of 30-hour pace.  The question would be, could I hold it? 

Lake Winona

Leaving Lake Winona, I began climbing up towards Pink Flamingo at mile 39.  I started to feel dizzy again, but remembered from the Badger 100 that if I ran, I could shake it off.  I did that on some flats and downhills and it worked.

I felt good running a downhill bit towards Bahama Mama at mile 43. I noticed that from Lake Winona to Bahama Mama the course gains elevation overall, so there would be plenty of downhill on the way back.

At Bahama Mama

After leaving Bahama Mama, I got lost, which cost me about 8 minutes.  Finding my way back, I powerhiked at an easy rate up the grassy section of trail, trying to keep myself in good shape by the halfway point.  Then I ran a couple of miles as I approached Powerline at mile 48.

Leaving Powerline, I assessed my condition.  I was hiking at a 16-minute pace, still with a 2 hour cushion as I made it to mile 50. 

Mile 50

Night soon fell.  It got chilly, so I put on my cap, long sleeve shirt, and gloves.  The cold wasn't a major factor since I kept moving, just a bit uncomfortable.

After leaving Copper Road at mile 52, I felt woozy again and ran to wake myself up.

I made it to the turnaround at mile 57.9 in 14:13 elapsed.  

On the way back, trying to avoid the dizziness, I ran the big downhills from Bahama Mama, Club Flamingo, Pig Trail, to Lake Winona.  My legs held up to the pounding. I passed a lot of people and maintained the 2 hour cushion.  At each aid station, I got coffee to try to avoid sleepiness.  I never got really sleepy, just often woozy.  

I had major low right before Lake Winona, 85 miles in, and had to sit for 5 minutes or so at the aid station, eat some food,  and recover.  Still, the episode only cost about 10 minutes.

It had been mostly downhill for miles, but the next section to Electronic Tower gained in elevation.  

The sun came up around mile 90 as I approached Electronic tower.  I had been wishing for sunrise for hours.  

Sunrise at Mile 91 

By this time I had developed some blisters on my right foot. Still, leaving Electronic Tower at mile 91, I ran the downhills to Pumpkin Patch at 93.7 miles.

The last 6.6 miles were all downhill, but I just powerhiked the rocky trail at first, knowing I had plenty of time. There were a lot of puddles to go around. Then, passing the crossroads with a little over two miles to go, there was a long, smooth downhill section. Looking at my watch, I realized that if I ran two 13-minute miles, I could finish in under 28 hours.  I had been fighting to protect that 2-hour cushion. I knew this was a special race, so I should try to finish strong.  I ran a 11:05 minute mile.  Then, approaching the finish on the park road, I kept looking to see my car ahead, remembering I parked close to the finish line.  I had to walk a slight uphill, and then I saw the car.  I ran to the finish, the last mile being 12:40 pace.  I finished in 27:57.  I was 84th out of 126 finishers.

Approaching the Finish

Finish Line

Reflections

This was the best race I have ever run.  I ran a 3:41 marathon at Houston Marathon in 2012 when everything clicked, finished in the top half of the field at 2013 Bandera 100k, and ran a faster time of 26:01 at 2014 Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile.  But Arkansas was the best performance because I came closest to my potential at the 100-mile distance.  For example, this was a tougher course than Rocky Racoon, and at that race I lost probably 2 hours from sleep deprivation, lying on the ground.  I was a faster runner nearly ten years ago at Rocky, but I ran better to my abilities at Arkansas.  

I did have low points, but I dealt with them and kept moving.  My powerhiking pace was good.  I ran consistently throughout the race, not settling for an endless hike.  I had to...had I stopped running, I likely would have not made 30 hours.

The cool temperatures definitely helped.  Had it been hot, I might just barely made the cutoffs or not finished.

The race wasn't perfect.  I could have ran all of the last 6.6 miles if I had really wanted to and shaved some more time.  Had I been more diligent in my training, like running every step of a few 20 milers, I could have had a bit more endurance and improved the pace.  I did a little speedwork in training; more could have helped.

But overall, this race was like a dream come true: the beautiful Arkansas Traveller buckle, going sub-30 hours for a 100 for only the second time of my career, getting the Western States qualifier.

After the race, I showered, then struggled to drive to the hotel room in Little Rock.  I had major chills and could barely move. I recovered enough to visit the Clinton Presidential Library the next day.

The Clinton Presidential Library

As I write this, I am still on an emotional high from the race.  In ultrarunning, sometimes you fail, sometimes you slog to the finish.  But sometimes you achieve something you weren't sure was possible.     

The Arkansas Traveller 100 is a wonderful race: great course, great aid stations, great people.  Thanks to all who helped me finish: God, race director Stacey Shaver-Matson, the race organization, volunteers, friends Luke, Jamie, Jeremy, and Cesar, my wife Terri, and my kids James and Paloma.  

 

 

2023 Trailway 50k

The Background

I had begun working at UHD and was enjoying it.  The new job allowed me to run in the mornings many days before work, so I had been running around 6 times a week, 5 miles or so per run.  I ran a 17 miler at an 11-minute pace.

Jamie and I planned to run the Trailway 50k, so we had been training. Friends Luke, Jeremy, and Micah joined us on some runs too.  This would be Jamie's first 50k and trail race.

Jamie and I did a 20 miler at George Mitchell Nature Preserve, ten miles run, ten miles hike.  I crashed on that run, as we had hoped to run the full 20.  Jamie ran on 2 extra miles.   

Big picture, I had the Arkansas Traveller 100 Miler the following week, so the Trailway would be both training and a test to see if I could keep up a decent pace.

Jamie kindly offered to let us use his mobile home, so we travelled in style!  I met up with him in Cypress Friday at 3pm, then we drove out to Lake Somerville.  Our campsite was a couple miles from the start, so we hiked to packet pickup and the race briefing.  After eating some delicious chicken and pasta Jamie cooked, we got some sleep.

The Race

This was a training race, so we figured the 2 mile distance to the start could serve as extra training.  As such, we got up at 4:45am, had coffee, then ran to the start.

Early on, we moved at an 11-minute pace.  The first couple hours were cool, and we felt pretty good.  We did a short half-mile walk break and walked the uphills, which were few, but pretty much ran most of the first loop.

Then I started to get tired as we approached the end of the first loop, and Jamie went on ahead.  By the time I got back to the start, Jamie was headed back out.  

At this point, the sun beat down.  Starting to powerhike, I focused on sub-18 minute miles, as Arkansas has a 30-hour cutoff.

I hiked the whole second loop and, save miles passing through aid stations, maintained 16-minute miles. The heat was tough, but I poured ice the front pocket and back of my pack which helped some.  I saw Jamie as I approached the turnaround and figured he was 20 minutes ahead of me at that point.

A couple times I tried to run but my legs were dead.  On the other hand, I never really slowed down the hiking pace.  Apart from the heat, I felt okay, not great but not horrible either.

As I approached the finish, Jamie cheered.  Jamie finished in 7:16, and I finished in 7:38.  That was from the start of the race, not counting our extra two miles. We had run 34 miles total.

The race director, PJ, kindly drove us back to the mobile home, and even donated some ice for Jamie's ice bath.  I was thankful for the RV shower and got cleaned up.

View at the Start

Finish 

Reflections

I was really happy with this race.  I wish I could have run a greater percentage of it, and I should have been tougher on the training runs to build more of a running base.  But maintaining the 16-minute pace gave me some confidence for Arkansas.  If I were to run the first 34 miles at Arkansas at the same pace, I'd have banked over 2 hours and would be able to hike the rest of it at a 20-minute pace if necessary and still finish.  Arkansas is a tougher course, but, God willing, it will be cooler.  Anyway, I registered for Arkansas with the mindset that it was a gamble to get a Western States qualifier, and if I don't make it, at least I tried.

My pace improved 3 minutes a mile from Muleshoe 60k two months ago, so that's good. 

Meanwhile, I was super proud of Jamie.  He's a tough runner.  Like at USA Fit Marathon and the Ironman, he came through with flying colors.

Well, on to Arkansas and we will see what happens...

2023 Muleshoe Bend 60k

The Background

I was having a good summer.  After being hired by UHD as an assistant professor, I was in a good state of mind.  I watched a lot of classic basketball, including every NBA year-end video from 1980 to 1999.  

Training began, as I started waking up with the sun and running nearly every morning.  These were longer runs than years past, 6 to 8 miles on a regular day.  After discovering the Cypresswood Trails near my house, I did three days of 14, 14, and 16-mile run/hikes.  I did not complete a 20-mile training run though.  After dieting, I hit my racing weight of 160.

The Race

I left about 1pm and drove to Muleshoe, arriving with plenty of time.

I ran most of the first loop, before running out of steam, paying the price for skipping the 20-mile training run.  A bit scared of crashing, I moved conservatively, throwing in short runs after that but mostly hiking.

Calculating my hiking pace of 19 to 20-minute miles, I was looking at either side of 11 hours.  I had to push it to move even that fast hiking.  The trails are challenging, but I sure have slowed down!

Then I felt a sharp pain in the arch of my right foot.  At first I thought there was something in my shoe (I was wearing very old Hokas with holes in them to save money).  It wasn't constant, just when I stepped on rock in just the right way, maybe feeling it a few times during the course of the race.

I did try to keep running at times, but with my torn Hokas, I got a lot of rocks in my shoes and had to stop to clean them out, which may have negated the time effects from running.

On the final loop, I thought I could get in under 11 hours.  But then the foot pain hit me again, and I figured it was not worth risking an injury to run a couple miles.  I finished in 11:03.  

Like last year, it was a good thing I pushed it a bit, because I finished an hour from the cutoff.

Reflections

My foot was only slightly sore on Monday, which is a positive sign.  I need to go easy for a bit. 

The first race of the season always lets me know where I am.  I did have more fitness thanks more running, but at my age, if I want to have a sub-10 hour Muleshoe I will need to do a 20-mile training run.  The Cypresswood Trails are bike trails with a bit of up and down, so next year I may do a 20 miler there.

I also need to work on my hiking.  After the Trailway Marathon, my focus will be Cactus Rose 100, which will be mostly hiking.   In my training runs, when I started hiking, I did not push it hard.  The hiking pace will be more important than the running at Cactus.

There was a sign at Muleshoe: "Someday you will not be able to do this, but that is not today."  I've slowed down...it's a reality.  But I can still finish Muleshoe, and that is a good thing.  As long as I can hike I can finish this race, so I could do it for many years to come. 

I've finished Muleshoe 60k 6 times...most finishes for any race.

Well, the season has started, so what are some goals?

• Finish a 100 miler at Cactus Rose
• 500-mile fleece at Cactus Rose
• 500-mile fleece at Bandera
• Tejas 300 with either a 100k or 100 miler at Rocky Raccoon
• Beat my marathon time last year of 4:47

We'll see if any of the above happens!

2023 Woodlands Marathon

The Background

I had a decent race at Galveston Marathon.  After going out too fast and crashing, I kept fighting and finished in 5:09. Obviously, the lesson learned from Galveston is to not go out too fast.  

This would be the last race of the season.  Originally I was going to run Seabrook Lucky Trails later in March, but I have a minor surgery coming up.

The Race

It was perfect running weather, slightly chilly at the start.

As I headed out, I felt slightly off.  My ear was stopped up and I felt a slight lack of motivation, the latter being maybe a sign it was good the season was ending.  

Putting on music early, I ran at about at about 10:30 pace to mile 6.  Holding that that to mile 10, I still felt okay.  From there to half marathon. I got a little tired but still held a decent pace, hitting the halfway point in 2:22:53. 

I still felt okay to mile 15.  Pushing away thoughts of walk breaks, I chugged along to mile 20.  Though now at 11-minute miles and tired, I could still run.  I thought, "I'm feeling good so I gotta not waste this."  

I had been passing people steadily, like Jamie and I did at USA Fit, and this motivated me.  At about mile 23 on the Waterway, I chatted with a fellow who has finishing his first marathon.

I finished in 4:47:19 having run every step of the race.  I had even run through the aid stations!

Terri cheered for me at the finish.

Reflections

My positive split was only 1 minute and 25 seconds, so that tells me I ran this well.  I cut my marathon time by an hour and a half from Brazos in December.  And running every step is a big deal to me.

As always, having the motivation and accountability of my friends Luke, Jamie, and Cesar made a big difference.

This was the tale of two seasons:  the first half was a string of DNFs, the second half my running buddies got my motivated.  A 100-mile finish at Jackalope, two really good marathons at USA Fit and Woodlands, what more could I ask for?

I hate to take time off while I'm rolling, but maybe it's better to finish on a high note.  I'm registered for Mule Shoe Bend in July, but I could do something before then.  Anyway, first step is to recover from the surgery.

2023 Galveston Marathon

I was riding high after a sub-5 hour finish at the USA Fit Marathon and a 100-mile finish at Jackalope Jam.  Next up was Galveston Marathon, and I hoped to lower my marathon time.

The Race

I made the rookie mistake of going out too fast.  Sub-10-minute miles felt fine up to half marathon.  But by mile 15, I was dead.

Here is where my friends Jamie and Luke helped me.  Had I no accountability, I might have just walked the last ten miles or so and finished 6 hours+.  But inspired by my training partners, I pushed on.  I did take some walk breaks but never more than a mile.  

One of my nip-ease covers fell off, probably because my cotton shirt was drenched.  As much as I hate it, I think I have to switch back to tech racing shirts.  Anyway, since the shirt was bloody and it was hot, I trashed the shirt and got sunburned.

I kept working hard.  In the final miles, I chatted with a runner who had finished 146 marathons, who inspired me.

If I had worked even harder, I could have kept it sub-5, but it was tough work anyway to finish in 5:09.

Reflections

Obviously, for Woodlands Marathon next week, I need to slow down in the first half and run between 10:30 - 10:50 minutes per mile, like I did at USA Fit.  I want to have a good race for my last of the season.  

If I want to lower my marathon time next season, I need to devote time to speedwork.

Still, I am proud of this one. Sometimes the best races are ones where things go wrong but you keep fighting.  

2023 Jackalope Jam - 100 Miles

The Background

After the inspiring experience of running the USA Fit Marathon with Jamie, I was psyched for the Jackalope Jam.  I did not finish a 100-mile race in 2022, and this would be a chance to try again.  

Running with Luke and Jamie had gotten me in better shape than I had been in years.  I dieted and made it to the low 160s.  Even more important, I felt mentally dialed in.  

The Race

I signed up for the 72 hour race, which began on Thursday.  Klein ISD gave us Wednesday through Sunday off, so it was perfect timing.  The best possible result would be to run 100 miles, and I hoped I would finish before Sunday.

Like last year, it was cold and windy as the race began.  It wasn't rainy, so it wasn't quite as bad as 2022.

As always, Jackalope Jam is a 1.5 mile out-and-back around the Cone of Death.  

Heading out at 10-minute miles, I clocked off the opening 15 miles. Though I still felt good, I then took a 5 or 6 mile walk break, remembering my 100-mile goal.  Then, I put in some good miles running to make it marathon by 5:44.  

By 50k, I saw I could get in under 7 hours so I ran to make it there in 6:59.  I felt good about that, since sub-7 hours had been my result for many full 50k races.

I had been running late when arriving to the race, and so took a break after 34.5 miles to set up my tent before nightfall.

Heading back out, I made it to mile 51.  Then, I got mentally weak in the cold, windy night and decided to sleep.  After showering, I shivered in my tent.  I could have woken up before sunrise, but I didn't want to face the night again.  

With the birds tweeting, it was hard to get out of the sleeping bag in the cold.  I knew if I willed myself to get moving, I'd warm up, which was true.

I ran a few miles, then began hiking 16 or 17-minute miles.  By 100k, I had calculated the time and saw that I could get to 100 miles in under 40 hours.  I had a chance of making it by 36 hours, which would would be meaningful to me since that was the old cutoff for Cactus Rose and the current cutoff for the Badger.  But anything under 40 hours would be great, since I was still fighting the urge to stop and finish up on day 3.

Luckily, day 2 was warmer and not very windy.  I actually I wished I had brought my bucket hat for the sun.

Pushing on, I hit a low at mile 75.  My energy was low so I ate some extra food (I had mostly eaten chips this race).  I sat down in a chair for like 3 minutes.  Moving again, I called my friend Cesar to pass a bit of time and as always he helped me.  

I had been drinking coke a lot, but it in the closing miles I watched my calories closely and switched back to Gatorade.  Wanting to avoid a crash, I even choked down a couple of gels, which I hate to do!

I chatted with a lot of great folks along the way.  Jackalope runners always inspire me. A lot of the runners are slower like me but they are doing amazing things - 200 plus miles.  I cheered for a fellow Emmanuel who finished his first 100k.

By nightfall on the second day, I had about half marathon to go to 100 miles.  I had feared to face the cold night again, but with low wind the weather, though cold, was not a factor.  In the last 13 miles, I threw in some running, at times to shake me up when I felt low or just to get closer to the finish.

My pace had slowed when hiking to 18 or 19 minutes a mile, and the 36 hour goal was not to be.  But I moved steadily and finished in 37:30.  

Start

The Cone of Death

Mile 80

Finish

Reflections

This race went about as well as I could hope for.  I could have done better by pushing through the night on day 1 or taking a much shorter break.  But I made it to 100 miles.  I had stopped before at 100k at Jackalope in 2019 and 2022.  I had done the virtual 100-miler for Jackalope in 2021, but that was over 60 hours and not at the race course.  

Further, as I was running this like a 100 mile race with a really long cutoff, my goal was to make it to 100 in the best possible time.  As such, not stretching it over 3 days, like I had done on some of my virtual 100-milers, was an improvement.  Sub-40 hours feels great to me. 

I did not feel despair in the race, as I had at Rocky Raccoon, Cactus Rose (both times), and the Badger.   Maybe my mental outlook is getting better.  Maybe it was the inspiration of running with Luke and Jamie.  Maybe it was just managing the race better.  Probably a combination of all 3.  But this is good, because I now know I can run 100 miles without it being absolute torture.  While it was very hard, apart from the low point at mile 75, I felt okay most of the race.

I could not be happier about this race!

 

2023 USA Fit Marathon

The Background

I was excited to run USA Fit with my friend Jamie, who was looking to complete his first marathon.  Training had been going well.  Between runs with Luke and Jamie and exploring my new neighborhood, I was getting fitter.   Looking to improve on my 5:37 marathon time from Texas Marathon Kingwood, I started dieting, dropping about 10 pounds to get in the 160s.  

Our A goal was to run under 5 hours, the B goal 6 hours, C goal finish.  Averaging 11:27 per mile would get us under 5 hours.

A storm was anticipated, so we both packed ponchos.  

The Race

Jamie and I headed out in the dark and damp.  It never rained to hard during the race, there was no hard wind, and it wasn't too cold, so weather wasn't a factor.  We both skipped the ponchos for most of the race.

Our natural pace seemed to be around 10:30 a mile, but we kept saying "dial it back a bit" to keep us closer to 11 minutes a mile.  

We focused on check points every 2 or 3 miles:

"We're going to make it to 10 miles feeing good."

"We're going to make it to 17 miles feeling ok."

"Let's make it to mile 20 and the turnaround."

As we approached half marathon, a family celebrated a man and woman nearing their finish, and the runners began reciting a prayer.  It was very powerful to witness.  

Jamie's family cheered him on at two points during the race - so inspiring!

By half marathon, we were still feeling good.  This was evident because no one who was behind us at that point passed us later in the race.  Indeed, we chased down quite a few folks.

Throughout my running career, band-aids on the chest had mostly sufficed.  The last two marathons, band-aids have fallen off and I've bled a lot.  I'm going to have to try something new next time.

By mile 20, we were both tired.  At that point, we really hadn't taken any walk breaks.  Then, we threw in a few short bits of walking, maybe a quarter mile each.  Looking at Jamie's watch (I forgot mine), our goal of under 5 hours was achievable, but it was going to be tight.  We ran when we didn't want to run, and I had a hard time keeping up with Jamie at times!  

We saw the final turn and calculated we had 6 minutes to do a third of a mile.  Running it in, we reached our goal with a time of 4:57.

Finish Line Video

Ugh, I'm bleeding!

Post-Race Lunch at OMG! Burger

Reflections

A couple months ago, I was in a running slump, with some DNFs and lowered motivation.  Running with Luke and Jamie has really inspired me again.  To see Jamie reach his goal, with his family their cheering, reminded me why I started running.

I need to fix my chest bleeding issue.  I may try NipEaze that Jamie recommended from his friend.

We managed our pace well.  It felt good to pass people rather than being passed.  I am going to run a few more marathons this season and would like to improve my time.  Speed work in training can help lower my overall pace, but I have to remember still not to go out too fast.

Results showed us at 59th and 60th place out of 117 runners.  Pretty good!

This was one of my favorite races I've run because I was so inspired by Jamie's effort.  I'm so proud of how tough he was and how hard he worked to finish.  Congratulations, my friend!

2023 Texas Marathon - Kingwood

After chatting with some running buddies, I started to get excited about the Texas Marathon - Kingwood. One of them is running both USA Fit Marathon, which I will run, and Iron Man.

This season I will be running a series of marathons.  Also, the following weekend will be Bandera 100k.

I mapped out a plan where I might hopefully reach my 100th marathon by Houston Marathon 2024, a year hence.

I had never run Texas Marathon - Kingwood because it is so close to Bandera, but this time I thought it would be a good training run.  I had run Brazos Bend Marathon a month ago and was looking to improve on that very slow time of 6:19.

The Race

The race is on paved trails through the greenbelt, kind of like the sidewalk trails in the Woodlands.  It was a 6.5-mile loop.

I went out at sub-11-minute miles.  Around 11 miles, I felt mentally weak and walked around 4 miles.  then, I tried to run for 2-mile bursts with walk breaks for a mile or less.  The last mile I was really tired.  I fought hard.

My band-aids fell off and I was bleeding a lot.

Reflections

I enjoyed this race and would do it again.

At this stage of my running career, a marathon is a big challenge and I like the distance.  I still plan to do three ultras this calendar year: Bandera 100k, Muleshoe Bend 60K, and Cactus Rose 100 Mile because they are favorite races.  But I'll be doing a lot of marathons and feel I will enjoy that.  

I can try to work on getting my time down.  This finish of 5:37 was 42 minutes faster than Brazos Bend, so that was some progress. But it was still really slow.  I still failed to train for this.  

But a New Years Day marathon felt good!