2025 Bandera Eagle 100k

The Background

A few days before the Bandera 100k, Tejas Trails announced the race would be moved to Camp Eagle.  This changed the travel plans from going with family and staying at the Flying L Ranch to going alone and staying hostel-style at Camp Eagle.

I drove up Friday and arrived by the afternoon. Luckily, the road to camp was smooth; it was a covered in rocks and shook the car last time. The hostel room was nice: bunk bed, shower, restroom, and heat.  This was good, as it was cold.

A runner friend, Jon,  saw me and said hi before the start.  He was not running this year, but I later saw him at an aid station.

I forgot my pack, so I had to carry stuff in the pockets of my hoodie and shorts.

The Race

I felt a little weak early in the race, so I hiked anything uphill.  Many people passed me. The first section the the Windmill aid station has one big climb at the end.

The second section, 6 miles, contains 7 or 8 big climbs, and is what makes Bandera Eagle tougher than the regular course.  Early on in this section, I rebounded for a bit and was running well.  At one point, a deer leaped over an 8 foot fence, hitting its hind legs. It was able to land and run off.

Then the hills beat me up.  I got behind on calories as well. By the time I reached the Windmill aid again, 10+ miles in, I knew my A goal of 17 hours was not to be. 

I decided to take care of myself as best I could so I could finish the race.  Switching to powerhiking, I still strove to compete.   After about 13 miles, the trails got less tough, and I was able to move reasonably well to reach Mi Casa aid station.

The next section  headed toward Zip Line has about a mile of smooth trail before another climb.

Right after leaving Zip Line, there was another climb, before the trail became more manageable.  At some point, I chatted with a runner named Lesley from the Dallas area. I reached Party Barn aid.

The last section has no big climbs, but a lot of maddening switchbacks before the last couple of miles smooth out.  After running by the river, I reached the start.

I was still in relatively good shape, but I knew I was looking at 18 or 19 hours at least for the finish.  I focused on making it through the first 13 miles of the loop and getting to the easier back half. 

Both times I left the Windmill aid station, I shivered for a bit.  But I warmed up by moving fairly quickly.

Hiking in the night, I said to myself, "Okay, you are not sleepy. You are not cold.  You can move. If you have to do this for 2 extra hours, it is okay."

At one point, a runner I greatly respect, Nancy, said to me, "You are a fast hiker!" That alone made the race worth it.

At some point, I tripped and twisted my ankle.  Luckily, I was okay.

I kept competing, chasing headlamps, trying to avoid being passed.  This kept my head in the race. However, a lot of the trail that seemed relatively fast the first loop was tough in the night with tired legs.

In the last section, the switchbacks seemed like they would never end.  But eventually they did.  A runner was not too far behind, and I avoided getting passed as I made it to the finish in 20:18.

I love the blue!

Reflections

If I want to do better at Bandera, I need to do some Stairmaster.  While my lack of hill training would have hurt some on the regular course, it really hurt at Camp Eagle.  Since every year there will be a chance the race will move, I need Stairmaster training.  Plus, this season I had less of a build up than in 2024, so a bigger training block would be good.

While I did not get the Western States qualifier, I was still very happy with race. Bandera is the race closest to my heart, and I finished despite difficult circumstances.  I have now started Bandera 100k 9 times and finished 5 times, bringing the finishing rate to above .500.  Finishing two years back-to-back felt good.

Thanks to God, Chris McWatters, Tejas Trails, the volunteers, Terri, James, Paloma, Cesar, Luke, and Jamie, and all my family and friends for the support!

2025 Texas Marathon - Kingwood

The Background

I trained by running 5 mile runs at high-8 or low 9-minute miles.  Also, Luke and I ran a 13 miler and a 10 miler.  Still, I had not run a 20 miler going into this season.

Terri and I watched the New Years Eve CNN and Rockin' New Years Eve broadcasts, and the fireworks show in our new neighborhood before going to bed.

The Race

Prerace

I started off the first few miles between 9:30 and 9:45 pace.  I finished the first 2 laps in 2:09:30, which was 9:53 pace overall.

I started to slow a bit, but still chugged along.  Though running out of gas, I had told myself to mile to  keep running until mile 20, so at least I would get in a 20-mile training run for the season.  I stretched this to mile 21 before beginning to powerhike.

Meanwhile, my GPS watch was malfunctioning, so the only clue to my pace was the overall time elapsed and the mile markers on the course.  I powerhiked two miles, and it looked like if I did not run again, I would go over 5 hours.

I  started running again at mile 23 and ran to the end of the race.  In the last mile, I chatted with a fellow, Cole, who was finishing his first marathon.  I finished in 4:51, 74th out of 151 finishers (top 49 percent).

Reflections

I did not do as well at this race as last year, when I ran in 4:29.  But last year I had a good Wild Hare 50 miler and another marathon in the leadup.

I should have run a 20 miler in training if I had wanted to do better for this race.

However, I am proud that I ran the last 3 miles to get in under 5 hours instead of powerhking the rest of the way.

Finishing in the top half of the field (barely) was nice.

I've finished Kingwood three years in a row.  They have special awards for 5-year finishers, so I will go for that, God willing.

I need to get a new watch at some point. It has malfunctioned too many times.

Well, it is 2025, so what are some goals?

• Run all my solo road marathons in under 5 hours
• Lose 15 pounds to get under 170
• Run a sub 4:29 marathon
• Get a Western States qualifier
• Run 100 miles in 2025

Thanks to God, the race organization, volunteers, Terri Winton, friends, and all my family for the support!

Silver Moon 12hr Virtual Race

The Background

After DNFing at the Arkansas Traveller 100, I wanted to get back on the horse and run some races.  However, I soon received a knee injury, which took several weeks to heal.

My friend Jamie had signed up for the Brazos Bend 100 Miler, and I was scheduled to pace him. I moved into a new house in Tomball, which luckily was close to the Kleb Nature Preserve.  I healed and ran several trail runs in preparation to pace Jamie 33 miles. I had a virtual race I had not used lying around, so I figured I would use it there.

That morning, as soon as I got off a work meeting, I caught the end of the Western States 100 Lottery. Jamie and I were not selected.

The Race

The weather at Brazos Bend State Park was cold and rainy.  However, it was not super cold and rain or mud were not significant factors in my 2 loops.

I met up with Jamie after he had completed 3 loops at 50 miles.  We set out powerhiking, maintaining 15 or 16-minute miles for the fourth 16.7 mile loop.

The next loop we slowed a bit, with Jamie valiantly fighting blisters and sore legs.  But we still clocked off miles at sub 18-minute pace.  Right before the final aid station, I got dizzy.  I drank a cup of coffee at the aid, and I felt better.

Jamie on loop 5

Having taken Jamie to mile 84, it was time for our friend Luke to pace.  It rained more on their loop, but they said the rain didn't bother them too much.

Jamie and Luke about to set out on final loop 

Meanwhile, I headed to my tent to sleep, and discovered by air mattress had a hole in it.  I slept for 3 hours on the ground.  

Jamie's wife Kari arrived in the morning, and we cheered for Jamie and Luke as they crossed the finish line in 27:45.

Reflections

This was my first time pacing, and I had a blast.  I was super proud of Jamie for completing his 2nd 100 miler and Luke for finishing his longest run ever.

Now that I am back from injury, it is time to prepare for the 2025 season, starting with the Texas Marathon-Kingwood New Years Day...

 

2024 Trailway 50k

The Background

Last year, I ran the Trailway 50k with Jamie one week before the Arkansas Traveller 100.  I had worried that running a race a week before a 100 miler might be a mistake.  Instead, I finished in 7:38 and had a great race at Arkansas.  Since it worked and the Trailway is relatively close to me, why not do it again?

I had finished the Running Man 50k two weeks earlier in 7:04.  A 7-hour 50k at the beginning of Arkansas would give me a 2-hour+ cushion off 30-hour pace.  Indeed, I ran the first 50k of Arkansas to Lake Sylvia last year in 7:15 and held on to the 2-hour cushion, finishing in 27:57.

So running the Trailway 50k this year in 7 hours would be a great final training run.

I had to pick up my kids late Friday, as James had to work.  So I only got about 5 hours of sleep.  I left at 4am and was sleepy on the drive to Lake Somerville.

The Race

Though it would get hot, the weather was nice and cool the first half of the race.

I felt good at the start, running the smooth trails in 10-minute miles.  I ran to mile 6.5 with a fellow named Emmanuel, who was attempting his first marathon.  He then turned around, and I proceeded to the mile 7.8 turnaround.

I started to get slightly tired at 14ish miles,  one mile to go to the halfway point.  Remembering this was just a training run, I switched to powerhiking.  I figured running half of it, walking half of it would prepare me for both aspects of Arkansas.

When I crossed the line at the halfway point, I went back out the wrong way, crossing the mat again.  I turned around and told the volunteer tracking the time, and he said it was fine.  Then I went out the right way. I verified at the end of the race that my time was right.

Pushing on, my powerhiking pace was 14- to 15-minute miles, so I was making time.

My watch was malfunctioning.  I think I had too much data on it, so I reset the whole thing.  The only thing was I could not tell my exact time elapsed, as even the time of day was off after the reset.  At one point, I asked a runner the time, and she said 12:30.  After some calculations, I figured I was on pace to finish close to 7 hours.   A handful of times, I ran for a couple of minutes, but each time it seemed wiser to hold off and powerhike.  I put in a hard effort, but was still holding back.

It got hot, so the last 2 aid stations I put ice in my buff.

The runners were pretty spread out.  On the last 12 miles or so, one guy passed me, then I passed him.  After that I held my position for the rest of the race, passing one person at the very end, who I think was running the marathon. But I kept knocking out 14- to 15-minute miles, finishing in 6:47.  I finished 19th out of 34.

I got a delicious Dairy Queen burger on the way back.

 

Reflections

The finishing time gave me confidence, as 6:47 would bank 2.5 hours off of 30-hour pace at Arkansas.  The Traveller has big climbs compared to the flat Trailway, though overall the Traveller is quite runnable.  So, maybe I won't do the first 50k in 6:47, but if I am in the ballpark that would be good.  

My powerhiking pace the last two races is welcome, as maybe I can keep hiking sub-18-minute miles at Arkansas.

Thanks to God, Tejas Trails, Chris McWatters, the volunteers,  my running group Jamie, Luke, Doug, Joe,  and Micah, my friends, all my extended family,  Cesar, Terri, James, and Paloma for the support! 

2024 Running Man 50k

The Background

At the Habanero 50k, I placed in the top half of the field, which is always welcome.  Three weeks later would be the Running Man 50k.  A running festival in Georgia, this would be a special treat.  

Jamie and I flew out, arriving on Friday, the first day of the festival.  We tried out the combination of a cold plunge followed by a sauna, which was invigorating. There were several speaker options, and I heard running legend Jeff Galloway talk on the run/walk method.  Several speakers shared on near-death experiences climbing mount Everest. Jesse Itzler gave a great motivational talk to close the day. Tent camping, I got some good sleep and enjoyed coffee and muffins race morning.

The Race

The race would be one-mile loops with an 8-hour time limit, circling the festival grounds on smooth trail.  There was a slight climb on the 2nd half of the loop.  The great backyard runner Harvey Lewis ran with us.

The weather was nice and cool, clouds overhead.  We had worried about the weather report of rain, but it only rained lightly and briefly.

The first 10 miles, I ran relatively fast for me, 10-minute pace or so.  

Getting a bit tired, from 10 to 15 miles, I hiked the quarter-mile climb, and ran the rest.

Halfway to 50k, I hit an energy low.  The race did not offer coke, and the energy drink available was low calorie, so I needed to adapt my nutrition.  I decided to eat a whole pack of M&Ms each hour, to at least get in 200+ calories.  Jamie pulled away from me at this point. As I neared mile 20, I started to feel better.

At this point, I was powerhiking everything, but my pace was 14- or 15-minute miles, good for me.  I had set an A goal of 7:15 for the 50k, as that was what I did at the first 50k of the 2023 Arkansas Traveller 100. As my powerhiking pace looked like would get me to that, I figured why mess with it, so I kept it up.

I misunderstood the rules of the race, as I had reviewed the previous year's results and just looked at the overall number of laps completed.  I thought you could get in as many loops as you can under 8 hours. This year they did not have the overall lap count.

This was another reason why I didn't start running more of these miles: I was saving up for a final push in the last hour.  But when I had reached mile 30, a lady at the start told me it was my final loop, and confirmed that the results would only show up to 50k.  I had hoped I could move up in the field by tacking on more miles.

Well, I thought, might as well run the last mile and see what I could do.  I did pass some people that last mile, finishing in 7:04.   

Looking back a week later, the place results were organized in alphabetical order by first name, making it difficult to get a sense of the order of finishing time.  Before they reorganized by alphabetical order, I remember I was like 39th out of 109.  Jamie beat me by like 40 minutes.

Reflections

This was a great experience, as I liked the festival atmosphere. 

Finishing in 7:04 gave me confidence for my goal race of the Arkansas Traveller...if I did that again there, I would have 2 hours banked off of 30-hour pace.  I could have got in under 7 hours had I paid better attention to the rules, but I'm grateful for the time.

Moreover, it was wonderful to go on a running trip with my good friend Jamie.

Thanks to the God, All Day Running, Jesse Itzler, the workers, the volunteers, Jamie, Luke, Cesar, all my friends, all my extended family, Terri, James, and Paloma for the support! 

2024 Habanero 50k

The Background

I had run 3 marathons and 2 60ks this season, all pretty slowly. For Habanero, Jamie, Doug, Joe and I did a 7ish-mile noon run at WG Jones to get in a little heat training.

Jamie and I would run Habanero 50k.  Terri had a family party to go to, so I arranged to meet Jamie at an Olive Garden parking lot on Kuykendahl and 99 that was on the way. But Terri would come to the finish.  Luke met us at the start, which was great.

The Race

Early in the race, the heat hit hard.  It was high of 97, which was not as hot as possible, but still hot.  My vision was blurry, my face felt like it swelled, and the trail shimmered.  Later on, I had to loosen my watch because my hands were swelling.

I drank two bottles of gatorade every 3 miles, and filled up on ice in the back of the pack and buff.  Apart from one cup of coke at the last aid station, the gatorade was my only fuel.  But my energy level never dipped.

I quickly let Jamie go ahead of me.  After a couple of miles of running, I settled in to mostly powerhiking with scattered bits of running.  The good thing was that my hiking pace was very fast for me, 15 to 16-minute pace, even on the slow trail of sand and grass.

By loop 3, I ran even less, as when I ran it was for short bursts and then my powerhiking pace slowed.  I felt I was making better time fast hiking than run/walk.  Plus, I wanted to take care of myself to get through this thing.

A fellow named Carlos was running the 100 miler and we kept the same pace for miles and miles.

By the end of the 4th loop, I saw Jamie's wife Carrie and his kids.  It was great to see them!  I asked how far ahead Jamie was, and Carrie said 20 or 25 minutes. This lifted my spirits, as I worried I might be an hour plus back, and they would wait for me a long time at the finish.

On the 5th loop, I ran a bit more.  It had been cooler for a while.  Some people were passing me, which motivated me to run some sections.  But I had difficulty chasing anyone down, which I normally try to do.  I had developed a blister on my left foot, but it was not a significant factor.

By the end of the race, Terri was waiting for me along with with Jamie and his family.

My pace was very consistent:

Loop 1: 1:29:56

Loop 2: 1:38:13

Loop 3: 1:43:00

Loop 4: 1:44:29

Loop 5: 1:39:46

Finish 8:15:24

Jamie ran so well, finishing in 7:41.

Reflections

Jamie was 10th out of 46 finishers, and I was 16th out of 46 finishers (top 35%).  When I finished, I felt like I was in the back of the pack.  After several races actually finishing in the back of the pack, being in the top half of the field feels great.

I could have put in harder effort on loops 3 and 4, running a bit more, instead of playing it safe, and got in under 8 hours.  But I was very pleased with my fast hiking pace.  If I can keep that for Arkansas, it would help. 

Thanks to God, Trail Racing Over Texas, the volunteers, Luke, Jamie and his family, my friends, Terri, James, Paloma, and all my extended family for the support!

2024 Colorado Bend 60k

The Background

I had finished the Capt'N Karl's Muleshoe Bend 60k in slower-than-hoped-for time.  I decided to add the next race in the series, Colorado Bend 60k, to the calendar three weeks later to try to improve the time and finish sub-11 hours.  Lately, I've enjoyed thinking about all the races I have finished more than once.  This would be an attempt at my 4th Colorado Bend.

Also, that Thursday I had dived back into work.  I knew from past experience that having a lot of work stress on my mind can mess with my head in races, such when I dropped from Cactus Rose in 2022 and Bandera in 2023.   Nothing was really wrong at work, but I knew I might be mentally fatigued at the start.

The Race

Sure enough, after the first 2 miles of the race, I started feeling anxiety and depression.  I remembered the previous drops, but I told myself there was no way I was dropping a Capt'N Karls: I had only dropped one of the many starts of the races, 2013 Pedernales due to stomach sickness.

I asked myself, "Okay, this is happening to me.  This is not good. What can I do?"  I answered that right now, I could powerhike and not give up.  Which is what I did.

Not having checked the weather report, I was unprepared when thunder and lightning rolled in. Then, at around mile 10, as the most challenging part of the race approached, the heavens opened, and the rain came down.  Not having brought a hat, I could barely see and worried about my contacts washing away.  As I entered a water-and-electrolytes-only aid station, I struggled to find the arrow that would lead me out the right way.

But it was not all that bad. The rain and wind cooled down the hot night.  And it really was quite thrilling to be alone in the woods, facing a thunderstorm at night. As I climbed a big hill, water streamed down from the opposite direction.  The mud did slow me down, especially as I traversed a technical field strewn with big rocks.

The rain only lasted an hour or so.  As I approached the end of the big lollipop and began to return on the out-and-back section to the start, I took stock.  It looked like I would finish the first loop in 5 hours and change, which meant I would have to move on the 2nd and final loop to avoid the cutoffs.  The last half mile was smooth trail, so I ran it, finishing the first loop in about 5:30.  This mean I could run the 2nd loop an hour slower and still finish, but time would be of the essence.

I pushed on.  Around mile 22, I passed a couple of people, chatting with one fellow Jonathan who was moving  quite well.  I ran several stretches, making good time. Sub-11 hours seemed a possibility.

With about 3 miles to go, I reached the final aid.  Jonathan popped out of the trail behind me.  At this point, I was way in the back of the pack and I could see that sub-11 hours was slipping away.  But I could try to compete and maintain my position in the field.  I make quick work of the aid station and got moving.

Then, with about 1.5 miles to go Jonathan again was on my heels.  I started running as  fast as I could on the rocky terrain with tired legs.  After crossing the finish line in 11:10, I waited for Jonathan, which was only like 3 minutes, and fist bumped him.  He was a really great competitor, and I was thankful for his motivation.

Reflections

So improving my time from Muleshoe Bend was not to be.  But I am really glad I ran this race because of the fun experience of the thunderstorm.  

I am proud that I still competed at the end of the race.  It would have been easy just to let myself get passed and hike it in, but I gave it what I could.

I was in the back of the pack, 13th out of 17 finishers.  But I was 13th out of 30 starters. 

Thanks to God, Perspective Pacing, PJ, all the volunteers, my running friends, Terri, James, Paloma, and all my extended family for the support!