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, he 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!

 

2026 USA Fit Virtual Marathon

The Background

The 2026 USA Fit Marathon was changed to virtual due to a freeze.  The weekend that worked for me to run was after the Galveston Marathon. I did not run a step between Galveston and USA Fit.  

My friends Jamie, Luke, and another friend joined me for the run from Northshore Park to run loops around the lake.

The Race 

We ran the first mile at an 11-minute pace, then 3 miles at a 10-minute pace.  Luke and the other fellow split off, leaving Jamie and me.

We kept an 11-minute pace up through mile 15, then ran a 12-minute pace for mile 16. Then we ran/waked to mile 20.

Luke was waiting to say hi at mile 20!

Jamie completed his 20-mile training run, so we all said goodbye, and I headed off to finish the marathon.  I mainly hiked the last miles with scattered bits of running. The hiking was at 14-minute pace, which I figured was good practice for Jackalope Jam.

I finished in 5:44.

Reflections

I ran the USA Fit Marathon with Jamie in 2023 and Luke in 2025. God blessed me to run it with both of them in 2026! Thanks guys for running with me!

Now I have Jackalope Jam 48 hour coming up, so I need to continue to work on my powerhiking.

2026 Galveston Marathon

The Background

After Bandera, I got busy, and my knees were slightly sore, so I only did scattered 2 or 3 miles runs.  I had planned to run USA Fit Marathon, but it was changed to virtual due to a freeze.  So I would run that after the Galveston Marathon.

I had the TCTELA conference up until Saturday, with the Galveston Marathon on Sunday.  The morning of the race, I felt a bit tired from going nonstop at work. 

The Race

It was cold at the start. There was a lady with a chihuahua in line for packet pickup, and the dog shivered.

I ran the first 4 miles at around 1 10:15 pace. Miles 5-6 were at 10:40 pace.  I must have felt good, because I sped back up again: mile 5 was 10:15 pace, then I did a couple of 10:20 pace miles. Miles 10 through 12 were at 10:30 pace.  

Somewhere along the way, a young fellow pulled up next to me and said, "You've got a good pace. Can I run with you for a while?" I said sure, and learned he was running his first marathon.  He pulled away from me after a few minutes.

I got tired, and slowed to 10:58 pace for mile 13.

On the second loop, I ran 11-minute miles all the way through mile 21.  I was still feeling decent, but my mind was wrong, so I hiked a couple of miles at a 14-minute pace.

After I passed the finish and headed out to Pleasure Pier, I ran again.  I took a short walk break after the final turnaround, then ran again.  

As I approached mile 25, I saw the same young fellow.  He started walking right after he passed the mile marker.  I pulled up to him and said hi, and he started running again.  Looking at my watch, I knew if we walked then last mile we would be over 5 hours.  I said, "Running gets it in under 5 hours," and we ran, finishing in 4:57.

Reflections

The story of the young fellow and I running to the finish made this marathon memorable.

I could have been mentally stronger not to walk a couple of miles. Still, I pushed and made it in under 5 hours.