Galveston Ultra Trail 50k 2026

The Background

I injured my foot going down some steps at a Fourth of July party.  It took 3 months to heal, and a missed a few races, including a 100 miler during the summer. I got started running again in early October.  This was in time for me to run during a work trip to Phoenix, including hiking up Camelback Mountain.

Back in Tomball, I got up to running 5 miles continuously and did a couple of 11-mile run/hikes. I dieted to get my weight down to 167.  I had a trip coming up in Mexico for my anniversary, and I wanted to be able to eat there!

The Race 

I had to get up at 3:15am to make the 6am bus ride...this was a point-to-point race, so they drove us down the beach to a drop-off point. It was chilly at the start.

We'd run down the beach nearly the whole way.  A headwind greeted us, which would continue the whole way.  Sand streamed towards us. No sand in our faces, but the headwind was a battle.

I put on music early on, and got in a good mood running.  The aid stations were 10k apart, and at the first, there was no Gatorade.  I should have taken some food, but I didn't.

At 8.5 miles, I got tired of fighting the headwind and started hiking.  Then my energy got a bit low from no calories as I made it to the 2nd aid station at 12 miles.

Heading out again, I chatted and ran a bit with a fellow in a yellow shirt who had finished a 100k at the Martin House Miler the previous weekend. As we separated, I focused on getting to the halfway point.

At 19 miles, we reached the seawall, and we would have a short section on the sidewalk before returning to the beach.

There was a fellow ahead of me in a blue shirt I kept trying to chase down hiking, but he stayed ahead of me.

Sand blowing down the beach.

At around 25 miles, I made it to Pleasure Pier and the final aid stations.

With 3 miles to go or so, I met up with fellow in the yellow shirt and a lady.  He commented that I was a good walker, since I had been keeping up with his run/walk.  I had been hiking 14- or 15-minute miles, though this slowed to 16-minute miles in the last few miles.

We reached the pavilion where the finish was with about 1.5 miles to go.  I commented to the fellow in the yellow shirt that I hoped the course was short, but we had to do an out and back past the pavilion.  

I saw the fellow in the blue shirt ahead of me, and there were a couple of folks behind us.  Reaching the turnaround cones, I ran the last mile to pass a couple of folks, the fellow in the yellow shirt finishing right ahead of me.

I finished in 7:13, 69th out of 107 finishers.

Reflections

Thanks to God, my foot held out. There was very slight soreness at the very end, but nothing major, and the next day it was fine.

I kept up a 13:57 pace overall.  The 14- and 15-minute miles with the headwind were encouraging for Dinosaur Valley.  

I wasn't really in shape, but this race helped me get in shape.

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

  

2026 Muleshoe Bend 60k

The Background

I was enjoying a lot of free time in the summer.  I trained with a combination of 5-mile runs and hikes. I had to present at a conference in Kerrville, so I used the trip to do a couple of runs at the Hill Country State Natural Area.

Muleshoe Bend 60k was to be the first race of the season.  I would have to miss watching the Western States 100 on the same day.  I drove out and arrived an hour or so before.

The Race

Shortly into the race, I felt a lack of motivation.  I conservatively ran/hiked at the back of the pack to try to stay in good shape. 

I finished the 1st loop in 2:16. But then I followed an arrow that was not meant for me, and ran the wrong way maybe a third of a mile.  Another fellow made the same mistake, and when we saw a sign for 5k/kids run, we turned around. So it was about 2:30 elapsed when I started the 2nd loop.

As night fell, a search and rescue helicopter circled overhead.  I finished the 2nd loop in 2:55, but I think that counted the extra time for the detour.

My headlamp kept going off, so I asked an aid station worker to help me change the batteries. 

I knew I would be fighting the cutoffs, and I struggled to keep up 20-minute miles hiking. This fed my anxiety, and I questioned why I run long races.

A fellow pulled up behind me and we chatted a bit as we approached the end of the 3rd loop, which I completed in 3:05.  

I eventually increased my cushion where 24-minute miles would ensure a finish.  I was still moving at 20-minute miles.  

Then, I saw a headlamp behind me.  I decided to not let the fellow past me.  I ran every time he got close.  At around 50k, I saw a runner I know and respect, Nancy.

The other runner never passed me, and I finished the 4th loop in 3:04. I was 18th out of 22 finishers and 26 starters.

Reflections

I am proud that I worked not to get passed. Since I have been finishing close to the cutoffs for this race the past few times, I need to write down the splits and cutoffs to lessen my anxiety.

Afterwards, the satisfaction of sore legs and a finish reminded my why I run long races! 

2026 Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon

The Background

I had struggled mentally the last few races, and my left knee was slightly sore. Since it was spring break, I made a point to rest, sitting in my chair and watching basketball and Oscar movies. I did do one 3-mile run on the Thursday before the race.

Terri and Princess joined me as we drove out to the Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon.  As always, there were the bagpipes that I love. And they had a backdrop with all the legacy runners' names, beginning at 4 years completed.  I love that stuff, and I definitely will go for 4 years.

At the Start

The Race 

It was good weather, just getting a little hot towards the end of the race. At the start line, I chatted with some folks who had run Jackalope Jam and Habanero.

I started off at 10- or 11-minute miles.  At the end of the first loop, I saw a couple of kids playing with Princess.

Loop 1

Heading out on the 2nd loop, I made a goal of getting to half marathon running continuously and did that. The knee held up with only slight soreness at moments.

Princess Waiting

On the 3rd loop, I set a goal of making it to the bay, which would be 16 miles.  I put on some music and sang along.  After reaching 16 miles, I started hiking, more due to mental weakness that physical fatigue. 

I hiked a couple of miles. I knew Terri was waiting to see me, so that was motivation to start running from 18.25 miles to end of the 3rd loop.

End of Loop 3

I mostly hiked the 4th loop at 14- or 15-minute miles, with scattered bits of running. There were a couple of ladies behind me chatting for miles, and I made a goal to stay in front of them.  I also decided to try to make it in under 5:30. I saw a fellow with a beard, who I knew had run hundreds of marathons, maybe even 1000, which was inspiring.

As I approached the school which was about a half mile from the finish, I heard the ladies chatting again, which was motivation enough for me to run it in. I finished in 5:22.

Reflections

I'm happy that I made it in under 5:30. I gave it a good effort. I improved on my time of 5:34 last year, which at least was some progress.

I failed to run a marathon continuously this season.  I did some decent training, but it could have been better.  Mainly the failure was due to a lack of mental discipline.  I have Houston Marathon coming up in 2027, and I have never walked at Houston Marathon. I can make it a goal to run Kingwood Marathon and Houston Marathon continuously next year.

This really was one long season starting in August with Habanero last year, though I took a 3-week break after Dinosaur Valley in November.  And before this season, I had only 2-months and change since the last race.  So I am due for a good rest.  I will not run for 7 weeks until UHD's commencement.  Then I will enjoy running in the summer to get ready for the next season. 

As far as the season goes, it was not my best, but pretty good. I finished 3 100ks.  I finished Bandera 100k for the 3rd straight year.  I got a Western States Qualifier at Dinosaur Valley. I did manage 1 sub-5-hour marathon at Galveston Marathon.

Well, I do have in mind a possible 100-miler in the summer.  We will see what happens!

 

  

2026 Great Springs Trail Race - Austin

The Background

I had raced the previous two weekends, and work was still challenging.  I did not run between Woodlands Marathon and Great Springs Trail Race- Austin. I watched the Rockets beat the Trailblazers Friday, then got 3 or 4 hours sleep before waking up at 2am-ish in the morning and driving to Austin.

The Race

The Start

Great Springs Trail Race- Austin is a moderately challenging 6-mile course.  There is a .75 mile smooth downhill, followed by a couple of miles of up-an-down single track.  There is a big drop and climb before it opens up to smooth, wide trail for a couple of miles, with an aid station at mile 4.  The last mile has 6 short, steep climbs.

Steps Along the Course

The Big Climb

Soon on the first loop, I felt anxiety and total mental exhaustion.  I had hoped for a better performance than last year, where I stopped competing and just hiked it in, but I knew I was in survival mode. As I approached the end of the first loop, I thought about quitting, justifying it by how thin I had been stretching myself and resting for Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon. But I told myself I had never quit a marathon for lack of will.  I pressed on, telling myself I could run the downhill to start the 2nd lap, then be only 5 miles to halfway.  When I finished the 1st loop, it was showing my GPS was a little short, which made each loop seem shorter.

I worked through the 2nd loop, and felt a little better being halfway done.  At this point, I was running the downhills but hiking everything else.

 

On the final loop, an aid station worker noticed my Seabrook Lucky Trails shirt, and that led to me sharing how I am running 4 races in 4 weeks. At this point, there was a light rain, and my shoes were caked with mud. To pass the time, I counted the steep climbs in the final mile - 6.  I finished in last place in 7:12.

Reflections

To not give up was a victory given my mental exhaustion.  Also, my ultrasignup rating was sitting at 60.14%, and I wanted to bump it up to keep it above 60%.  As slow as I was, based on the winning male time, it looks like this one will be about 72%, which helps. I did improve my time by 20 minutes from last year.

I rewarded myself by watching a replay of the Spurs coming back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Clippers with a pizza with anchovies.

Last year I had raced 4 weeks straight around March, but I had had a two month break in October and November.  This year, I have been racing since August with only a 3-week break after Dinosaur Valley in November.  It was probably not wise to race so much back-to-back at the end of a long season. 

I have Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday where I am free due to Spring Break.  I told myself to sit in my chair and recharge before Seabrook Lucky Trails Marathon.

2026 Woodlands Marathon

The Background

I was excited to run another race with my good friend Jamie for the first time since 2024. Terri, Paloma, Kari, and Owen would cheer for us at the race.

After Jackalope Jam, I did a 2-mile run and 1-mile walk in the seven days before Woodlands Marathon.

When we arrived, there was no parking, so I hopped out and headed to the start to meet up with Jamie.

The Race

Jamie and I chatted as we ran high-10- and low-11-minute miles.  

After mile 10, I let Jamie pull away from me, as I slowed to mid-11-minute miles through mile 14.  

Then, I put on headphones and the music motivated me run a bit faster for a couple miles.  I caught up with Jamie around mile 16.

I high-fived Jamie as I passed him, but he soon passed me again, as I had to run/walk miles 17 and 18, though my pace stayed pretty good at 13- and 12- minute miles.

I slowed a bit with a 15-minute mile 19, then ran a bit picking it up for a 12-minute 20, then a 15-minute 21.

At this point it was getting a bit warm, and I was beat. I focused on hiking as fast as I could.  I made good time with a 14-minute mile 22 and 13-minute miles 23 through 25.

Terri and Paloma cheered for me at Riva Mile along the waterway.

The 5:15 pacer passed me, but I set a goal of getting in under 5:20. A ran a few bits in the last mile, finishing in 5:17.  Jamie was waiting at the finish line, having finished in 5:07.

Reflections

Though I had hoped to run the race continuously and go sub-5 hours, this might have been a bit unrealistic a week after 100k at Jackalope Jam.  I did push as hard as I could and made great time hiking.

It was great to race with Jamie again.  Jamie finished his 10th race of at least marathon distance. Congratulations, my friend!

I'm glad I was only 10 minutes behind Jamie so everyone did not have to wait so long for me.

Well, I have 2 races left in this season.  Let's see what I can do!

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

 

2026 Jackalope Jam

The Background

I had a very tough week at work, so I knew I would likely not go for 100 miles at the Jackalope Jam. In fact, I had a project deadline, which I finished, but I had to check my email 3 times just in case, which cost me like an hour during the race.

On a happier note, I was excited to race a longer version of the Jackalope Jam for the first time since 2023 (2025 had been the 6 hour).  Though I was mentally exhausted from work, I told myself I had never failed to finish 100k at a longer version of Jackalope Jam.

The Race

I set up a canopy with the help of a kind woman named Monica.  I brought a tent but did not set it up, hoping to avoid the temptation of sleeping through the night.

Though it threatened to rain, it never did. It was mostly cool, though it got a bit warm in the afternoon. In short, great weather and no real winds. 

The Start

I ran 3 or 4 of the out-mile sections to the Cone of Death, but after that it was hiking.  

The Cone of Death

I did push it a bit too hard, because at 18 miles I had to sit in a chair and recover.

Moving on, I chatted with a couple of armed forces veterans and said hi to runners I know Agatha and her daughter Aurora. I told the former that I was working on mini-goals, first to make it to marathon, then 50k. For this race, 28 miles is really marathon at the end of that loop.  I first wanted to make it there to at least get a race finish.

Jackalope Jam is great because of the people!

28 Miles In

The next goal was to get to 32 miles, halfway to 100k. Around this time, I started to develop a blister on my left foot. 

I hit a low point around mile 40.  I found Cal and verified that it would take 64 miles to get credit for 100k.

40 Miles In

Trying to motivate myself, I set a new goal of making it to 64 miles continuously. In all previous years at Jackalope Jam, I had reached 100k or 100 miles by breaking it up over two days with a night's sleep in between.  I also called Terri, James, and Paloma and texted Jamie and Luke.

Shortly after mile 40,  I put on some music which motivated me as I sang along.  An aid station worker got to know my request to fill my bottle with coke and joked about having it ready for me.  They had good food, especially the magic cookie bars.

I stopped the music around mile 48, hit another low, and trudged to 50 miles.  I was ready to give up the goal of not sleeping through the night, but was so tired I skipped a shower and just grabbed a sleeping bag, a couple of blankets, and a pillow and threw them on the ground. 

I slept for what felt like a couple of minutes but was probably longer.  But then I woke up and told myself to get back on the trail.  I was cold, so it took a few minutes to will myself to get up.  I put on my hoodie and headed out on the trail.  The spilt for lap 26 was 1:46, so the break was probably an hour, not any different than a long rest at an aid station. 

As I recommenced, I was moving at 19- or 20-minute pace.  I warmed up and switched to a long-sleeve shirt. I played music again for a bit. I had to stop a couple of times at my chair for a minute or two rest.

On the final lap, first light shone. I finished 100k in 21 hours and 45 minutes.

Reflections

I am proud that I even ran this race given my week at work. I improved from previous Jackalope Jams by not sleeping all night.

I had a hotspot which took a while to boot up, then I figured out it was quicker to use Wi-Fi at the start.  If I have to work again next year I could be more efficient, as it cost me a lot of time. Though maybe I will sign up for the 24 hour and just go for 100k.

Thanks to God, Terri, James, Paloma, all my family and friends, fellow runners, Cal, and the volunteers for the support!