2025 Hippo Trail Fest Marathon

The Background

I had raced 3 races the previous 3 weekends, none of them being A-level performances.  In particular, the fact that I didn't fight as hard as I should have at the Great Springs Trail Race - Austin made me want to go back and seek redemption at the Hippo Trail Fest Marathon.  Just like Great Springs, it was to be on the east side of Austin and put on by Tejas Trails.

I woke up around 1:30am and couldn't go back to sleep. I headed out at 4am, listening to the Rewatchables for Days of Thunder.

The Race

At the start, I saw a fellow I had raced with at Great Springs, Russell.  We chatted for most of the first loop.

At the Start

The race was a 4-loop course at the Hippo Social Club in the town of Hutto.  There were some real trails, but a lot of it was mowed paths in fields, sometimes with houses on the other side of a fences.  The paths wound around at times like a roped-off waiting line...straight a few yards, 180-degree turn, straight a few yards, 180-degree turn.

Right in the Middle of a Neighborhood

Runners Negotiate the Winding Paths

I kept an easy running pace for the first 3 loops.  Each loop was measuring around 6.3 miles per loop on GPS...no way of knowing what the actual distance was, but the illusion/reality of shorter loops was comforting.  I still felt pretty good at the end of the 3rd loop.

I ran the 1st mile of the 4th loop, then ran/hiked the 2nd mile.  That mile ended up being in the 15-minute range.  Since the trails were pretty smooth, I figured I might powerhike just as fast.  I did this, and the next mile was 14 minutes and change.  During this time, I passed around 3 people and didn't get passed.  

I knocked out the rest of the race at 15-minute miles.  When I saw the last section in front of the social club, I ran it in.

I finished 10th out of 19 starters and 22 finishers in 5:42.

Reflections

Finishing right in the middle of the pack felt good after some races where I didn't do as well as I might have.  I stayed in a competitive mindset, fighting to improve my position in the field as best I could. Running a 5-hour trail marathon is the same as a 4-hour road marathon for me...a good time for my abilities. While this was 8 minutes slower than Seabrook Lucky Trails, Seabrook's course was way easier.  Thus, I judge Hippo a much better performance.

I raced 4 straight weekends, and it was a lot of fun.  I wish money and time would let me do this every weekend, but of course that is not wise.

Now I have 2 weeks until Brazos Bend 50k.  Now is the time to really shift my mind to training for the Mohican 100 Mile.

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

 

 

2025 Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon

The Background

I had been wanting to run the Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon for years but had never gotten around to it.  Sometimes I called the season by Spring Break, and I remember 1 year I had surgery which prevented it.  I was looking forward to finally getting to run it.

Meanwhile, after starting the season strong, I had had a 2 challenging races the past 2 weekends.  It is logical that running the volume of races I was doing this year, 7 in 2 months, that I would not be at peak performance on some of them.  Especially since I threw in an extra race, Great Springs Trail Race Austin Marathon, last weekend.  

I drove to Seabrook and parked at a school designated for parking down the street from the start.  A bagpipe player played, which I thought was great.  

I was wearing my hat and shirt from Woodlands Marathon 2 weeks ago, which a lot of people commented on. I chatted with some 50-state marathoners, 1 who had run like 160 marathons, and 1 who had run 2,000!

The Race

It was a bit warm, humid, and muggy, though from time to time a breeze would help things.  I started off at high-10-minute miles. The course was 4 loops, running on smooth gravel trails by the bay.

As I was about 17.5 miles in, I felt beat, mentally and physically, right about the spot I ran out of steam at Woodlands Marathon.  I hiked a couple of miles in to finish the 3rd loop. But I put effort into it, maintaining a 15-minute pace even though I was hurting.

I remembered how I felt kind of disappointed in myself for not fighting as hard as I could have at Great Springs Trail Race Austin Marathon.  Obviously, I was not having a great race and hopes of finishing under 5 hours were out the window. But I could fight as hard as I could.  I made a goal of running .25 mile each mile, then hiking hard for the rest of it. I maintained this to the finish, finishing in 5:34.

Reflections

Well, I think it is clear that right now the volume I am racing is effecting individual performances. Or I  could just be in a mini slump. But I love racing, and I would rather have more adventures with some challenges.  Besides, I already had a couple fine performances for my abilities at Houston Marathon and Jackalope Jam 6 Hour this year.

I am glad I decided to fight.  I need to remember that sometimes the finishing time really doesn't matter as much as the effort I put in.

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

2025 Great Spring Trail Race Austin Marathon

The Background

Spur of the moment, I signed up for the Great Spring Trail Race Austin Marathon. Woodlands Marathon the previous weekend was challenging, as I went out too fast, crashed and burned, and barely made it in under 5 hours. 

It took me a while to get to sleep, so I was a little tired as a got up at 3:30am and made the 2-hour drive to Southeast Metro Park - Austin. Most trail races are in the country, but this one was right off Highway 71 in Austin.

The Race

There were only 13 people running the marathon, including 8 men. Given that, there was a chance I could win one of the top 3 male awards. I chatted with a guy a bit older than me who had finished 62 marathons and was running 25 in 2025, going for 100 marathons lifetime.

Start

The course was a 6.5-mile loop with an two-way section in the middle. There were a lot of short climbs out of creek beds, with the biggest being in the middle of the two-way section.

In the first loop, a guy ran out fast and I said there was no way I was catching him. After a mile or so in 2nd place, I thought I was going out too fast and stepped off the trail to let a pack pass me. I figured I was now in 5th place male or so. I finished the first loop in 1:30.

Capt'N Karl's used to have Grateful Dead-themed signs, and I missed them when they went away. So I was happy to see a sign reading "What a long, strange trip it's been."

At Mile 12

The second loop I slowed, but still ran a lot of it, finishing in 1:52.

The 3rd loop, I went back and forth with one runner. We joked about a couple of his friends who were going to run with him but backed out. It got hot, and I used a buff given at the raced for ice. I finished the 3rd loop in 1:58.

The Climb on the Two-Way Section, Loop 3

Cacti

I made a mistake on the 4th loop. As I headed out, that same runner passed me. I was weak from the heat and tired. I figured that I was 7th place male or so and there was no way of earning an award, so I let him go. I decided to just hike to the finish, and my hiking pace was not that great. I finished the 4th loop in 2:11.

Beat on Loop 4

Finish

Looking at the results, I was 4th place male, 20 minutes behind 3rd. 3 of the male marathoners had dropped. So if I had competed on that last loop, I might have gotten an award.

Reflections

Obviously, I got in a bad mindset in this race. I should have just focused on running the best I could and competing until the end.

I didn't deserve an award given that I didn't push as hard as I could have on the last loop.

Back-to-back weekends of racing might have been a factor in the motivation. But I better get over that since I have Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon next weekend.

I have to remember not to assume what position I am in the race, as people can drop or I can pass them (or get passed) without knowing.

On a more positive not, I finished a race that I hadn't planned on running. During the race, I set a goal of no DNFs this year. Let's see if I can do it!

2025 Woodlands Marathon

The Background

The 2025 season was going well, with sub-5 hour road marathons and a 3rd place overall finish at the Jackalope Jam 6 Hour. My legs felt strong. When planning the season, I thought Woodlands Marathon might be the race where I could post my best marathon time of the season.

James and Paloma were to see me at mile 10 and the finish.

The Race

For the first few miles, I ran at sub-10 or low 10-minute miles.  It felt brisk but not like I was pushing too hard.

For quite a while, I was near the 4:30 pacer group.

I saw my kids around mile 10, near the house where they grew up.  That lifted my spirits!

I tried to save something in the tank until half marathon.  Then, I increased the pace a slight bit for a mile or so.  Then, I fell back to 10:30ish miles for another couple of miles. 

At mile 17, I began to feel weak, like I was low on energy.  It hit me all of the sudden.  Soon, I was forced to a walk.  I made it to the mile 18 aid station and fueled up. At either that or the next aid, I grabbed like 5 gels, trying to pull myself out of the spiral.

But it was like a switch had been flipped, and I was now in survival mode.  Hopes for my best marathon time of the season vanished. But I had written at the beginning of the season a goal to finish all of my solo road marathons in under 5 hours.  I made that my new goal. Reduced to run/walking, I would have to fight.

Towards the end, the 5 hour pacer was behind me.  But I knew I had started a few seconds ahead of him, so I needed to watch my watch rather than him.  Still, it was helpful to keep the pacer in sight.  

I barely made the 5-hour goal in 4:59:16.

When I crossed the finish line, I was beat and sat down in a chair at the medical station, not because I wanted medical aid, but just to sit.  A lady told me to drink water, and I did.

Getting up after a minute, I found my kids.  I must have looked out of it, and I pulled off to the side to throw up.  James said, "That was hardcore, I gotta say."

We went to celebrate at Niko Nikos.

Reflections

At the beginning of the race, I had advised a first-time marathoner not to go out too fast, then I went out too fast.  However, I was trying to improve my time, and it is always a fine line on what is too fast.

I should have had gels in my pocket.  I might have done better with more fueling earlier.

I was probably due a tougher race after having a 3 go well.

Still, I am proud I fought hard and made the sub-5-hour goal.

Thanks to God, Terri, friends, all my family, the race organization, and the volunteers for the support.  Special thanks to James and Paloma for being there to cheer! 

2025 Jackalope Jam 6hr

The Background

Originally, I was going to run the Jackalope Jam 48hr.  For work- and family-related reasons, I switched to the 6hr race. I had been running sub-5-hour road marathons, so I figured I could at least get in a marathon in the time allotted.  Another plus was, after looking at the previous years' results, I thought I might be competitive in the standings given the pace I had been running. 

The course was a mile out and a mile back on smooth trail, turning around the Cone of Death. I set a goal of getting to at least 28 miles, since 26 miles is technically not a marathon. 

The night before was Valentine's Day, and Terri and I had a wonderful evening with a charcuterie board and watching The Bachelor.   

It was raining on the way to the race, but by race start it had stopped.

Terri had to go to a baby shower later, but she came to cheer for me for the first two hours.  I set up a canopy and a chair for her.

The Race

The 6hr, 12hr, and 24hr runners started at 9am.  I set out running what felt comfortable, which ending up being 9:49 pace for the first loop.  For the first half mile or so, I was actually in the lead, but then some faster folks passed me.  

Loops 2 through 4, bringing me to 8 miles, were at 10-minute pace.  I told myself to to make it to mile 10 still feeling good.

Loops 5 through 7 were at 11-minute pace.  Right around mile 11, I started to get a bit tired.  As usual, Jackalope Jam is windy, and there was a headwind on the 2nd half of the loop from the Cone of Death back to the start.  It seemed the wind picked up around this time, but that could have just been my imagination.

Terri filled my Gatorade bottle for me a couple of times, which was a great help.

Along the way I saw a runner I know, Agatha, and we said "Way to go!" as we passed each other.

After mile 14, I fell into 12-minute pace, which I held onto for a long time.  Reaching the start at mile 16, I asked the timing fellow where I was in the standings.  I think I was in 3rd place at this point, which motivated me to keep running.  I had been debating whether to pick a point to hike, but I decided to to keep competing.

At mile 20, I stopped at my chair to pick up my headphones, Just then a strong gust of wind blew, and the canopy turned over on its side!  A lady a next to me helped me grab it, then I worked to collapse it.  This whole episode took about 7 minutes, which would be crucial as the race unfolded.  I was so discombobulated that I forgot my headphones.

Somewhere on this loop, I called Terri and asked her to look up where I was in the standings.  She said I was in 4th place, which again made me determined to run.

After mile 22, I did pick up my music.  The first song was "Dancing in the Dark," and immediately my spirits lifted.  I ran and sang along.

After mile 24, I slowed to 13-minute pace.  At this point, I knew I could make it to 28 miles, even if I hiked some.  But with runners of all different distances around, I had no idea who were the 6hr runners I was competing with.  There was one lady who was running my pace for the whole race, and I made it a goal to try to stay ahead of her.  It turns out she was running a different time, but it helped me stay focused.

I reached 26 miles around 5:13 or so.  I knew I would have time for 1 more loop, but 2 was only a distant possibility.  

By the time I made it 28 miles, it was 5:39.  I had been running 13-minute miles, so I figured there was not a good chance of me running 2 10-minute miles.  

I stopped and took a shower, and then got my medal and poster with my mileage written on it.  When I called Terri, she told me I was 3rd place overall, 2nd place male.  I finished 3rd out of 26 runners (top 12 percent).  I also won my age group.

Early in the race

Along the trail

The Cone of Death

Reflections

For the first time in 15 years of running, I finished on the podium.  That meant a lot to me.

If the canopy had not blown down, I might have had a slim shot at 2nd place.  The lady who ran 2nd finished 30 miles in 5:57. But races always have unexpected snags, and I was very happy with 3rd place.

Well, I love running the 48hr version of Jackalope Jam and going for 100 miles, but maybe next year I could come back and compete in the 6hr.  

Thanks to God, Terri, friends, all my family, Cal, Trail Racing Over Texas, and all the volunteers.

2025 USA Fit Marathon

The Background

After the Houston Marathon, I took a week off of running. Then, I ran 5 miles each day on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  Sunday was to be special, as I would run with Luke for his first marathon at USA Fit.

For me, I was also looking forward to returning.  This would be my 4th running of the event, which included my 1st marathon finish in 2011 and running it with Jamie for his 1st marathon in 2023.

I woke up at 4am to the news that Luka Dončić had been traded to the Los Angeles Lakers.  I downloaded a podcast from Bill Simmons on this and listened to it on the road.

HWY 6 was blocked off, and there was a detour.  Then, my GPS took me to the wrong place.  But thanks to God, I arrived only a few minutes later than I intended and in plenty of time for the 6:30am start. I met up with Luke and we chatted about our game plan.

The Race

For the first 7 miles, we strove to slow down.  We kept it between 10:30 and 10:50 minutes a mile.  Making it to the the turn around and heading back, the weather was beautiful, clear skies and in the 70s.

We made it to 10 miles and still felt good.  Then, we finished the 1st loop and half marathon.

Moving at more like 11-minute miles, we set out on the 2nd loop. We had a mental low point, but we kept running.

Then, at around 16 miles, we started to run/walk.  We had banked so much time at this point that there was no danger of not finishing before the 6 hour cutoff.

Luke amazed me as he pushed to run through the pain.

Making it the the turnaround at 20 miles, we chatted with a lady who had finished 82 marathons.  Her positive attitude lifted our spirits!

At mile 23 though mile 24 there were 3 bridge crossings.  As we topped the last of these, we saw our friend Jamie.

Nothing could have been better at that point than chatting and running with Jamie.  As we approached the finish line, Jamie ran ahead so he could capture the finish.

Less than a mile to go.

Running toward the final turn.

Approaching the finish.

Crossing the finish line.

Luke valiantly fought all the way.  We finished in 5:18.

Reflections

This was one of my favorite races I have run because I got to witness Luke's amazing journey to finish his 1st marathon.  His willingness to battle the pain and give all he had inspired me.

I was happy to finish USA Fit a 4th time.  

Thanks to God, the race organization, the volunteers, Terri, my friends and all my family for the support.   Special thanks to Jamie for cheering us on and running the last couple miles with us.  Luke, thank you for allowing me to be there as you accomplished your goal!

2025 Houston Marathon

The Background

I ran the Bandera 100k the previous weekend.  I did not run a step between that and the Houston Marathon.

I dieted to get my weight from the 180s to the mid 170s.

I had to work at UHD downtown Friday, so after my duties were done, I walked over to the George R. Brown Convention Center to pick up my packet at the expo.  They were giving custom shirts, which were made on the spot with a choice of 4, so there was a 30-minute wait to get the shirt.

I woke up at 2am race day and couldn't go back to sleep. The weather was very cold.  Terri and I arrived at the GRB at 5am and waited for the start.  

Then, when I got to the corral, I had another long wait, shivering.  Poor Terri was cold too waiting for me to start.

The Race

I warmed up pretty quickly.  The only problem with the weather was a blasting wind from time to time, but it was not a significant factor.

I tried to go out brisk but conservative, finishing the first 6 miles at around 10-minute pace.

Then I said to myself, reign it back in for the first mental check in at 10 miles, finishing the next 4 at around 10:20 pace.

I was still fresh at 10 miles, I only added a few second per mile as I made it to half marathon.  Still feeling strong, I pushed to the next mental check in at 15 miles, which was a 10:35 mile.

I slowed a bit, but was still in good shape at mile 18 in 10:46.  

I started lagging, and miles 19-21 were in the low 11-minute range.

My legs were pretty trashed by this point, and miles 22 and 23 were at 11-and-a-half-minute pace.  

I was hurting by the last 3 miles, but I said to myself, "I've never walked at the Houston Marathon.  I'm not going to start now."  Miles 24-26 were at about 12-minute pace, but I ran them.  

Seeing the finish line, I calculated I could get in by 4:45, and I ran hard to accomplish that.

Reflections

I gave this an A-level effort.  Despite not being totally in shape, I ran to the best of my abilities.  I ran every step, and I'm proud of that.

Given I ran 100k a week earlier, the effort was doubly good.

I fueled well, drinking Gatorade every time offered and eating several gels.  My energy level stayed pretty good.

I am slower than most of the folks that lined up at Houston Marathon, but I am okay with that.  I'm just happy I can still run, thanks to God.

I'm glad I finished in 4:45, because I feel adequately prepared to pace Luke at USA Fit in 2 weeks.

Next year, Houston Marathon is on the same weekend as Bandera, so I will not be running it.

As always, the hoopla and excitement of a big city marathon was thrilling.

Thanks to God, the race organization, the volunteers, friends, all my family, and especially Terri (who endured the cold to be there) for the support!