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!