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!

  

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!