Cross Timbers 50 Mile Trail Run

Yesterday I ran in the Cross Timbers 50 mile Trail Run, which bills itself as the “toughest little trail run in Texas,” along the Texas shoreline of Lake Texoma. While I can’t attest to it being the toughest, it did have everything that a trail runner could ask for: beautiful, fun technical trails that made sure you were watching where you were going; great views over the lake; trail markings everywhere (has to be one of the best trail markings I’ve experienced); gourmet spreads at each aid stations; pre-race hot coffee; and some nice race swag (we all know we only race for the t-shirt).

With the race only an hour away from home, Carl and I decided to just get up early and drive to the race the morning of, which I found out a lot of other runners did as well. I came into the race undertrained and overweight and not knowing what to expect as far as terrain goes, so my two goals for the race was: 1^st to finish, and 2^nd  to finish around 10-12 hours (at the starting line, I added a 3^rd goal, which was to finish before the Pomeranian who was running with his owner). Race was scheduled for a 6:30am start, and headlamps were recommended. But with a near full moon, and twilight only 20ish min away, I opted not to use one. After a quick “good luck” and “have fun” speech, the race was underway.

The course was a 12.5 mile out and back (for 25 miles total) that us 50 milers would do twice. The first loop went by rather fast and uneventful. I ran for an hour with a couple from Houston who were doing their first trail and ultra race. They both had a strong road running history, and were questioning the strategy of hiking the up hills. I tried to explain to them that their legs would be thankful for hiking the up hills 30 miles later, but that is something I too struggled with when I first starting doing trail ultras. I ran on ahead of them awhile later, and found myself mostly by myself for the remainder of the first loop. With 4 races going on, all on the same single track trails, I was surprise that there never was any trail congestion, or at least any that I experienced.

I saw several bandit/pacers out on the course so at about 20 miles into the race and 5 miles from the start/finish area, where Carl was waiting for me with food, I decided I was going to talk him into running most of the second loop with me. I got to give him props, even one week after running his first 50km ultra, he was up for joining me for most of the second loop. With Carl running with me, I was off onto the 2^nd loop, and feeling very good, especially after having already run 25 miles. Carl and I started having some of those conversations that can only take place out on a long trail run. The kind that compare running hills to going a dance: where the uphill is the slow and awkward courting of a girl, and the downhill being a quick tap dance, and ends with me singing Relient K in the middle of the woods. Those kind of conversations.  

Carl and I reached the aid stations at mile 9.5 (mile 34.5 total for me), where we decided he was going to wait for me to come back and then finish the loop with me. I was still feeling very good and strong. I was running more/faster on the 2^nd loop than then I did on the 1^st. But that changed fast. About .5 miles out of the aid station, I hit a big low. I knew it was coming, I always seem to hit a low point around mile 35 in every race. Because I had been expecting it, the low didn’t really bother me too much, but was more of just a nuisance. I just kept running and still was able to run this section in the same time I did 25 miles earlier.  

I made it back to the aid station where Carl was waiting and was a little dehydrated. While 70 degrees is perfect weather any other day in Texas, it was 20 degrees warmer than what we have had for the past several weeks and what I had been training in. Hydration became a big problem the last 9.5 miles for me. Still though, I was happily surprise that my splits between aid stations were only 3-5 min slower. At about mile 45, I had salt rings all over skin, was very lightheaded, dizzy, and was having trouble focusing on what was in front of me. Defiantly the hardest few miles of the day. Carl and I made it to the aid station at mile 47.5, and I sat down for the first time of the day to drink some water and cool off. It wasn't ideal to have to sit so close to the finish line, but I needed it. We were only at the aid station for 7 min, but the quick break and cold water made all the difference.

The last couple of miles flew by quickly with me finishing in a time of 11:11, and achieving my goals #1 and #2 (I also achieved #3, but that is still one tough little Pomeranian). I also ran nearly even splits (if I subtract the stop at mile 47.5, I ran dead even splits) which I was happy for. All in all I am happy with my race performance. Nowhere near my fastest, but with the amount of races I am wanting to run in the next few months, I won’t be doing much “racing” but focusing more on just completions. I am feeling much better today after a couple of good meals and a lot of liquids, and am about to head out for an easy 3 mile jog to shake out the legs. Huge thanks to Carl for running with me, and to Theresa, the race director, for putting on a great race.

And now, I have two weeks till the Nueches 50 Mile Trail Run in Rocksprings, Texas. 

Piney Woods 50km Trail Run

Piney Woods 50km Trail Run

"The marathoner is by most standards a peculiar guy. He has found freedom through the acceptance of rules, has cured his loneliness with solitude, and has discovered the peace inside of pain and effort."
-George Sheehan

            Ultra and trail running are possibly the quintessential solo endeavors. Participates, for the most part, run and train for hours each week alone. Our events frequently take place in remote areas where we then spend hours upon hours running through the woods, desserts, mountains, and/or general boondocks with little signs of human existence save for the oasis-like aid stations every 5 or so miles. Let one of the things that draws me to this sport is its social aspect. In every race I met several new running buddies whom I run with on and off during the day, telling jokes, sharing stories, and generally just helping each other to the finish line. We don’t think twice of about sharing our water and food or helping someone up if they fell. We just do it. This holds true from the runners barely beating the course cut-off times to the lead pack. We also make friends at aid stations with volunteers who are there for the sole purpose of helping us met our goals. Ultras and trail races become a communal efforts, with each participant helping each other reach the finish line.  
            This weekend I got to see this from a different perspective: as a volunteer/crew and not a runner. I traveled down to the Lake Houston Park for the Piney Woods 50km to help out my friend Carl who was running his first ultra and who has crewed for me at several races. We arrived the night before to a fairly empty park. We were both too lazy to put up our tent, so we just slept in the car. Morning came soon, and the park started to fill up. The 50km and 20 mile race both were to start together at 7:30am and each seemed to have about 30 entreats. The 50km race featured a short 1 mile loop, followed by 3 10 miles loops. The race was certainly low key, and didn’t actually start till about 7:40 but I nobody seemed to care.
            After the first 1 mile loop, Carl stop to drop off some layers of clothes. While it had been cold and wet during the week, temperature the morning of the race was near perfect. A little chilly and humid but for the Houston area, nothing too bad. As the 50km and 20milers were in the middle of their first 10 mile loop, the 10mile and 5k race started. With the 4 races going on simultaneously it was hard to tell who was running what race, but over all there never seemed to be any congested on the trail. The 50km race leader came by soon afterwards looking strong and running at a very fast pace for the distance.
            Carl finish his first loop right on the time he had expected. A quick changed of socks and shoes, and he was out for his second loop. I spent the next few hours helping out at the start/finish aid stations. Every runner was commenting on how fast the course was and seemed to be having a great time (I also learnt that the aid stations before me was passing out beer which might have helped to explain the cheerful spirit of a few runners). The Houston Area Trail Runners were there as well helping out and seemed to be well represented in the race.
            The 50k leader, Joshua Pauley, finished his 3rd looped winning his first ultra in a very fast 3:32. Ill be seeing him again later in the year as we both are running the Possum Kingdom 52miler put on by Endurance Buzz Adventures. Soon afterwards, Carl finished his second loop right on time and stilled looked strong. After another sock and shoe change, and getting some calories in, he was back off to start his finally loop. I was surprise to see him still moving so well after 20miles. While he was finishing his final loop, more of the 50k and 20mile racers finish, each adding to celebrations at the finish line where race organizers had typically Texas bar-b-que fair for the finishers. Almost on clock work, Carl came around finishing his first ever ultra. Other than some general fatigue, he seem to be in good shape and I am sure he’ll be wanting to run something even longer fairly soon.

            Outside of helping out at the Piney Woods race this weekend, my training this week has been focused on getting ready for my first race of the season, the Cross Timbers 50mile Trail Run next weekend. I'm not sure what to expect as far as course/terrain goes, so I haven't set any goals for myself for the race other than to finish. Ill have a write-up of that race next week.

Following Through

It's the job that's never started as takes longest to finish.

-J. R. R. Tolkien

Two ideas, goals that I have talked about for some time have been to start a running blog and starting a running streak. I started the latter on 14 December 2013 and, as of today, have successfully ran at least 2 miles each day for 49 days (186 miles total). Not the longest streak by any means, but it has been habit forming: my streaking changes the question from “if” to “when” I am going to run each day. I don’t have a hard goal or set date in mind for how long I want to continue the streak, but “a year” certainly has a nice tone to it.

As for my other goal of starting a running blog, well here I am. I hope to post weekly on training, racing, running in Texas, food, and any other thoughts I may have about running. With an ambitious racing schedule for the year (I plan on competing for the Texas Trail Running Ultra Championship Under-29 Category and racing several other races not in the series) I should have enough race reports to keep this blog interesting.

            I'm going wrap this post up, short I know. Next week Ill have a write-up on the Piney Woods 50km where I am volunteering/crewing for my good friend. Thanks for reading.