Cactus Rose 50 mile

Cactus Rose 50 mile

What an epic come back race it was!

I knew going into this race the body was not back to 100% with only 6 days rest after Palo Duro Canyon 50 mile, timing out at mile 38.　

But having a 36hr cutoff with CR50, I would finish, if it took all 36hrs! The reason for 36hrs, there is a 100 mile race ran also.

Race morning started on the cool side 40F with a high called for in the mid 50's. Real nice after dealing with 108F just one week ago! Texas weather, got to live it!

Start time was 5am so the first two or so hours would be under headlight. The course was a 25 mile loop that would be reversed every loop. This race is also sold as a veteran race, meaning little to no help or food at aid stations. Just a sign in book, ice and water would be supplied by the race at the aid stations. Sounds crazy and in some was I guess it is. But to be about to come up with a plan to cover 50 or 100 miles with little to no help is one hell of a feeling!

The first loops plan was to just play it safe and have fun, knowing the second loop would be work! And this first loop plan worked out great! The only bad feeling was the right knee I.T.

Off on the second loop!

Going into this loop, I really want to make the last aid station before have to run under headlight. That means 20.5 hard miles away!

This loops plan was to run as much as the flats as I could and power walk the ups. Let me say now just how much all the power walking training helped. If you change just one thing in your training program, add power walking! I was able to pass people left and right going up!

About a quarter into this loop the downs were really starting to hurt the right knee. Nothing like eating pain killers like they are in a Pez dispenser! But nothing was going to stop me from bring home the bling! With that said, here comes Ice Cream Hill! This is the hardest climb on the course! After making it to the top, it was like being King of the World! Freak did that hurt!

As I made my way into the second to last aid station the mind was in the right place. The body wanted to be at home in bed! After signing in and refilled the water bottles off I go to the last aid station. Still on track to not turn on the light! Crap, about half mile out of the aid station I left my gloves on the table at that aid station. To hell with going back, that's like 20mins at this point!

I made it to the last aid station before having to turn on my light, HELL YEAH!!

It was only 4.5 miles to the finish line! This was going to be some of the hardest miles I have ever raced! The feet were starting to hurt bad and the right knee would not bend at all and the Pez　dispenser was empty! But this is when one finds out just what they are made from!

I didn't play into my time for must of the race, just wanted to finish! But after seeing where I was at, I wanted to get a sub 16hr!

So I kick it into Trans-warp! That would be any pace under a 20min mile at this point! And by God, at mile 48 my best pace was 11:21! It did hurt like hell but what's a little pain!

The last 100 yards or some were a love hate! As I made the last corner and could see the finish line I wanted to just cry like a little baby.

I crossed the line in 16hrs 1min, missed it by one freaking min!

Thank you to everyone's support and to my awesome wife for putting up with my crazy running life!

Next up in only 3 weeks, Wild Hare 50 mile!

Gear;

Fueling: 2 GU gel packs, 2 SaltSticks in each 20oz water battle.

Water bottles: Nathan QuickDraw Plus

Shoes: New Balance MT 110

Socks: DryMax, trail

Backpack: Nathan Endurance, less the bladder

Garmin 310xt

Headlight: BlackDiamond Storm