One of the hardest things I've had to deal with, overtraining syndrome.
I sure most of you are asking yourself, whats overtraining syndrome? I did the same not just two weeks ago.
Overtraining is a physical, behavioral, and emotional condition that occurs when the volume and intensity of an individuals exercise exceeds their recovery capacity. It is a real body injury, not something made up to just get out of training or racing.
My journey began back in February with the completion of my first 100 miler followed by four weeks rest, thinking this was enough. I did an easy 5k followed two weeks later by a half and full marathon on the same weekend followed the very next weekend by 25 miles of the Texas Independence Relay "TIR". That's around 170 hard race miles in a month and a half, on top of all the training miles.
Three days after the TIR I came down with a fever and real bad headache. Was it spring allergies the flu or something else like Lyme's disease. The fever would break with Ibuprofen and the headache would feel a little better. This went on for 5 days. The day the fever broke for good, my hands, knees and feet swelled to the point of hurting! I have had swelling before during a race, but never like this! So I did what I should of done a week earlier, went to the doctor. After the Q&A with the doctor, I told him my resent race history. Yes he thinks I'm crazy, but that a different story. He had no clue as to what was going on. So he ordered blood work to see if that would show anything. I the mean time it was just rest and wait to see if the blood work helped.
This is where the, Thank God for knowing the right people comes in!
To back up just a little, when I did the full marathon, I took part in a cardiac study with the University of Pittsburgh. This study was to maybe help find out just why people die of heart attacks at the finish line of marathon. They did blood work on me before and after the race, 12 lead EKG before and after, holter monitor during the race and the 24 hours after the race. I was all wired up for science!
Back to the story
One of the doctors that helped with the study had seen me make a few Facebook postings about not feeling right and all the swelling and stuff.
She contacted me and ask a lot of questions that the first doctor did not ask. Keep I mine she works with endurance athlete's on just this! It didn't take her long to tell me, I was Overtrained!
Me, how could I be overtrained? I don't put in 100 plus mile weeks, I only put in 35 miles a week training for my 100 miler! I don't race 100 milers once a month. Easy, I trained for 8 hard months for my 100 miler, then jump right back into other races. Over 10 months of hard training/racing with very little to no quality rest for the body! And it was shutting down in a very bad way! Like stop now or I just may die on you!
Some of my symptoms here, resting heart rate went from 50 to 80, B/P way up, hint's the bad headache, Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy, Pain in muscles and joints, Depression, Moodiness and irritability, Decreased appetite, Peeing what seemed like every 20 mins. This is just the ones that I can name real easy, I'm sure there are others that a doctor could point out.
Three days after the swelling came, it went away just as fast. I have been sleeping a lot more then I have in years. I'm starting to feel a little better, but have no plans to go out a train. With the strong words of advise, I will be taking a full month off from all workouts, more time if needed. The blood work did come back, everything showed normal.
I want to thank Serina, for what I'm saying, more than likely saved my life! Along with Vanessa, one of the other doctors with the study for checking up on me. Thank You, Thank You, Thank You is not enough! I will be buying yall a beer or 4 the next time yall are in town!
Guys I just could of been one more number they report on! I have learned to listen to my body in the last year when it come to training, guess I still have a tons to learn!
If there is one word of advise I can give you, log your resting heart rate! If it starts to go up for seemingly no reason, STOP training and get with a Sports Medicine doctor! You can DIE from this! If I would of done what I was thinking I needed, a short run, it just could of killed me!
We as Ultra Endurance Athletes push our minds and bodies to the limits like no other sport! It only makes since to take a REAL break in our training/racing to let it truly recover! Kids, I pushed my body to the out most limits and I didn't like what it looked like! It scared the HELL out of me! When you have someone in the field say to you, you are at risk of a cardiac event! You damn right I'm going to park it!
Live to race a nether day!
Stay safe out there my friends and I'll see you on the trails!
My Journeys
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Hero Rush, 2013
What is Hero Rush?
Hero Rush is a 5k firefighter-themed obstacle course, made up with 17+ Tough, Crazy, Fear-Facing Fun Obstacles!
As much of you know, I have been a professional firefighter for over 27 years. I'm also a member of the Texas LODD Task Force, http://texasloddtaskforce.com As the crazy ultra runner of the Task Force, I was ask about getting a team together for Hero Rush, how could I say no!
So with that, the "Texas LODD Task Force" Hero Rush team was formed! Made up of 14 people, 10 firefighters, 4 non-firefighters.
As a team, we signed up for the 343 wave. The 343 wave is to honor the 343 firefighters that gave it all on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Centers. Each bib would have the name of one of the firefighters, I would be carrying, Thomas A. Casoria. Firefighter Casoria was with Engine 22 and only 29 years old the day he gave it all, http://bravestmemorial.net/html/members_individual/casoria_thomas/newsday_article.html
Before our wave stated we also honored the 5 firefighters that have also gave it all already this year in the State of Texas,
Pilot Ronnie Chambliss, Bureau of Land Management
Firefighter Jalen Smith, Jackson Heights Fire Dept.
Capt. Neal Smith, Atascocita Fire Dept.
Lt. Eric Wallace and Lt. Gregory Pickard both with Bryan Fire Dept.
God Speed Brothers!
Start time weather, 38F with a 20mph wind! Yes it was COLD!
Once our wave started, it didn't take long before our team was spread all over the place, no big deal. I stayed with our youngest and non-firefighter, this would be her first 5k!
It didn't take long before we got to the first obstacle, climb over a 4 foot wall and through windows.
Are they all going to be this easy, oh just wait!
Next, crawl through a smoke filled maze.
Off to the next one!
Little did we know we would be getting wet before we got to the next one, a stream crossing, knee deep. But the trail runner in me was loving it! This part of the course was single track in the woods!
As we made it to the next obstacle it was a rope bridge, but the rope was fire hose! I was thinking this could be tough! But I guess watching all the Bear Grylls does pay off, I smoked it across it!
Before we got to the next one we would have a nice run in an open field, I put the gas to it, legs got happy!
The next obstacle was crawling though rope filled tubes, needed my knife!
More single track and stream crossing before the next one, loving it! My team mate not liking it so much. But she was hanging in there!
The next obstacle was more crawling! This time you put two tires on a backboard, the tires are a patient. First you go over a 4 foot wall then crawl under barbed wire! I told my team mate, you hold up the wire and I'll do the pulling, team work!
Short run to the next one. This would be carrying a 50 foot section of 3" fire hose, about 75 pounds. You had to carry it up and down a hill two times. This is where all that stair climbing helped big time!
Off to the next one, but first you had to walk through knee deep water on the side of the lake, wasn't that bad.
This next obstacle would be a tire drag! This is starting to be nothing but a everyday workout, love it! You had to drag a tire about 200 feet. So what did I do? Yes, I did grab two tires and took off. Hey, if you're going to get a workout, make it good!
Boom, off to the next one!
Did someone say, CPR? This was by far the easiest one. You had to do 30 chest compressions on the CPR dummy.
Yes, it was a save!
The next obstacle you climbed up a ladder and into a smokey maze. Stay low, grab a wall and go!
My team mate was starting to feel the course a little by now. But like any great team mate, I told her to suck it up buttercup! If looks could kill!
On to the next one, foam filled tubes! More like a bubble bath.
Off we go again!
The Hazmat pond! This is a knee deep pool, full of that jell that you put in a flower vase. You had to go under barrels. Again, team work. I'll hold up a barrel so you don't have to put your head under this crap and then you do the same for me.
Will this ever end? Only 5 more obstacles!
More tire carrying! My team mate was really starting to feel it now! She was having fun getting over a 4 foot wall in this obstacle, but she did it!
As we made our way to the next one, we had a lot of people walking back at us. Are they lost or what?
We found out why! You had to go for a swim in the lake!! So much for staying dry at the Hazmat pond! This was a 100 foot swim across the lake! I'll never complain about getting into a cold river in the summer time again!
Now to climb up a tube 30 feet and slide down a tarp! But first the tube. It had wet boards in it you had to climb, slow and easy. Now for the slide, looks easy enough! That is until you get about half way down it and think, oh crap I'm going FAST!
We can see the finish line, 2 more to go!
What more water?! This time the public gets to spray you with a fire hose! Like we aren't wet and cold enough! I told one of the kids spraying us, I'm going to take that hose away from you a spray you. He just sprayed me in the face, thanks kid.....
Fire, I see fire!
Last obstacle, fire jumping! But wait, fire is warm and I'm cold! So I did what any smart firefighter would do, I stopped to dry off and warm up! Oh crap the clock is still running, I need to go!
We finished in around 58 mins! I know this sounds slow, and it is for most 5k's. But when I found out that the Top Male finished in 39 mins, I was feeling better!
In the end, it was a great day with awesome people! Thanks to everyone for honoring our fallen and supporting the Texas LODD Task Force!
Hero Rush is a 5k firefighter-themed obstacle course, made up with 17+ Tough, Crazy, Fear-Facing Fun Obstacles!
As much of you know, I have been a professional firefighter for over 27 years. I'm also a member of the Texas LODD Task Force, http://texasloddtaskforce.com As the crazy ultra runner of the Task Force, I was ask about getting a team together for Hero Rush, how could I say no!
So with that, the "Texas LODD Task Force" Hero Rush team was formed! Made up of 14 people, 10 firefighters, 4 non-firefighters.
As a team, we signed up for the 343 wave. The 343 wave is to honor the 343 firefighters that gave it all on September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Centers. Each bib would have the name of one of the firefighters, I would be carrying, Thomas A. Casoria. Firefighter Casoria was with Engine 22 and only 29 years old the day he gave it all, http://bravestmemorial.net/html/members_individual/casoria_thomas/newsday_article.html
Before our wave stated we also honored the 5 firefighters that have also gave it all already this year in the State of Texas,
Pilot Ronnie Chambliss, Bureau of Land Management
Firefighter Jalen Smith, Jackson Heights Fire Dept.
Capt. Neal Smith, Atascocita Fire Dept.
Lt. Eric Wallace and Lt. Gregory Pickard both with Bryan Fire Dept.
God Speed Brothers!
Start time weather, 38F with a 20mph wind! Yes it was COLD!
Once our wave started, it didn't take long before our team was spread all over the place, no big deal. I stayed with our youngest and non-firefighter, this would be her first 5k!
It didn't take long before we got to the first obstacle, climb over a 4 foot wall and through windows.
Are they all going to be this easy, oh just wait!
Next, crawl through a smoke filled maze.
Off to the next one!
Little did we know we would be getting wet before we got to the next one, a stream crossing, knee deep. But the trail runner in me was loving it! This part of the course was single track in the woods!
As we made it to the next obstacle it was a rope bridge, but the rope was fire hose! I was thinking this could be tough! But I guess watching all the Bear Grylls does pay off, I smoked it across it!
Before we got to the next one we would have a nice run in an open field, I put the gas to it, legs got happy!
The next obstacle was crawling though rope filled tubes, needed my knife!
More single track and stream crossing before the next one, loving it! My team mate not liking it so much. But she was hanging in there!
The next obstacle was more crawling! This time you put two tires on a backboard, the tires are a patient. First you go over a 4 foot wall then crawl under barbed wire! I told my team mate, you hold up the wire and I'll do the pulling, team work!
Short run to the next one. This would be carrying a 50 foot section of 3" fire hose, about 75 pounds. You had to carry it up and down a hill two times. This is where all that stair climbing helped big time!
Off to the next one, but first you had to walk through knee deep water on the side of the lake, wasn't that bad.
This next obstacle would be a tire drag! This is starting to be nothing but a everyday workout, love it! You had to drag a tire about 200 feet. So what did I do? Yes, I did grab two tires and took off. Hey, if you're going to get a workout, make it good!
Boom, off to the next one!
Did someone say, CPR? This was by far the easiest one. You had to do 30 chest compressions on the CPR dummy.
Yes, it was a save!
The next obstacle you climbed up a ladder and into a smokey maze. Stay low, grab a wall and go!
My team mate was starting to feel the course a little by now. But like any great team mate, I told her to suck it up buttercup! If looks could kill!
On to the next one, foam filled tubes! More like a bubble bath.
Off we go again!
The Hazmat pond! This is a knee deep pool, full of that jell that you put in a flower vase. You had to go under barrels. Again, team work. I'll hold up a barrel so you don't have to put your head under this crap and then you do the same for me.
Will this ever end? Only 5 more obstacles!
More tire carrying! My team mate was really starting to feel it now! She was having fun getting over a 4 foot wall in this obstacle, but she did it!
As we made our way to the next one, we had a lot of people walking back at us. Are they lost or what?
We found out why! You had to go for a swim in the lake!! So much for staying dry at the Hazmat pond! This was a 100 foot swim across the lake! I'll never complain about getting into a cold river in the summer time again!
Now to climb up a tube 30 feet and slide down a tarp! But first the tube. It had wet boards in it you had to climb, slow and easy. Now for the slide, looks easy enough! That is until you get about half way down it and think, oh crap I'm going FAST!
We can see the finish line, 2 more to go!
What more water?! This time the public gets to spray you with a fire hose! Like we aren't wet and cold enough! I told one of the kids spraying us, I'm going to take that hose away from you a spray you. He just sprayed me in the face, thanks kid.....
Fire, I see fire!
Last obstacle, fire jumping! But wait, fire is warm and I'm cold! So I did what any smart firefighter would do, I stopped to dry off and warm up! Oh crap the clock is still running, I need to go!
We finished in around 58 mins! I know this sounds slow, and it is for most 5k's. But when I found out that the Top Male finished in 39 mins, I was feeling better!
In the end, it was a great day with awesome people! Thanks to everyone for honoring our fallen and supporting the Texas LODD Task Force!
Monday, February 25, 2013
Life as a child growing up in Oklahoma....
Around age 10 my dad got me one of those little badass compound bow beginner kits. Of course, the first month I went around our land sticking arrows in anything that could get stuck by an arrow. Did you know that a 1955 40 horse Farmall tractor tire will take 6 rounds before it goes down? Tough sumbich. That got boring, so being the 10 yr. old Dukes of Hazard fan that I was, I quickly advanced to taking strips of cut up T-shirt doused in chainsaw gas tied around the end and was sending flaming arrows all over the place. One summer afternoon, I was shooting flaming arrows into a large rotten oak stump in our backyard. I looked over under the carport and saw a shiny brand new can of starting fluid (Ether). The light bulb went off in my head. I grabbed the can and set it on the stump. I thought that it would probably just spray out in a disappointing manner. Lets face it, to a 10 yr old mouth-breather like myself, (Ether), really doesn't "sound" flammable. So, I went back into the house and got a 1 pound can of pyrodex (black powder for muzzle loader rifles). At this point, I set the can of ether on the stump and opened up the can of black powder. My intentions were to sprinkle a little bit around the (Ether) can but it all sorta dumped out on me. No biggie, a 1 lb. pyrodex and 16 oz (Ether) should make a loud pop, kinda like a firecracker you know? You know what? Screw that, I'm going back in the house for the other can. Yes, I got a second can of pyrodex and dumped it too. Now we're cookin'. I stepped back about 15 ft and lit the 2 stroke arrow. I drew the nock to my cheek and took aim. As I released I heard a clunk as the arrow launched from my bow. In a slow motion time frame, I turned to see my dad getting out of the truck... OH SHOOT! He just got home from work. So help me God it took 10 minutes for that arrow to go from my bow to the can. My dad was walking towards me in slow motion with a WTF look in his eyes. I turned back towards my target just in time to see the arrow pierce the starting fluid can right at the bottom---right through the main pile of pyrodex and into the can. Oh shoot. When the shock wave hit it knocked me off my feet. I don't know if it was the actual compression wave that threw me back or just reflex jerk back from 235 frickin' decibels of sound. I caught a half a millisecond glimpse of the violence during the initial explosion and I will tell you there was dust, grass, and bugs all hovering 1 ft above the ground as far as I could see. It was like a little low to the ground layer of dust fog full of grasshoppers, spiders, and a worm or two. The daylight turned purple. Let me repeat this... THE FRICKIN' DAYLIGHT TURNED PURPLE. There was a big sweetgum tree out by the gate going into the pasture. Notice I said "was". That son-of-a-bitch got up and ran off. So here I am, on the ground blown completely out of my shoes with my thundercats T-Shirt shredded, and my dad is on the other side of the carport having what I can only assume is a Vietnam flashback: ECHO BRAVO CHARLIE YOU'RE BRINGIN' EM IN TOO CLOSE!! CEASE FIRE. DAMN IT, CEASE FIRE!!!!! His hat has blown off and is 30 ft behind him in the driveway. All windows on the north side of the house are blown out and there is a slow rolling mushroom cloud about 2000 ft. over our backyard. There is a Honda 185 3 wheeler parked on the other side of the yard and the fenders are drooped down and are now touching the tires. I wish I knew what I said to my dad at this moment. I don't know - I know I said something. I couldn't hear. I couldn't hear inside my own head. I don't think he heard me either... not that it would really matter. I don't remember much from this point on. I said something, felt a sharp pain, and then woke up later. I felt a sharp pain, blacked out, woke later....repeat this process for an hour or so and you get the idea. I remember at one point my mom had to give me CPR. and Dad screaming "Bring him back to life so I can kill him again". Thanks Mom. One thing is for sure... I never had to mow around that stump again, Mom had been bitching about that thing for years, and dad never did anything about it. I stepped up to the plate and handled business. Dad sold his muzzle loader a week or so later. I still have some sort of bone growth abnormality, either from the blast or the beating, or both. I guess what I'm trying to say is, get your kids into archery. It's good discipline and will teach them skills they can use later on in life.
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Race Report, Rocky Raccoon 100, 2013
Rocky Raccoon 2013
Let me start with a recap of last years RR100. I dropped at mile 60, end of recap.
Now for this year, Rocky Raccoon 100, 2013
My journey started on Friday with the hour and a half drive to Huntsville. What a beautiful day it was, not a cloud in the sky! Once I made it into Huntsville and was all checked into the hotel, I made my way out to the State Park.
"This is where amazing people go to make epic shit happen!"
I just hope to be part of that group this year!
I ran into Joe Prusaitis the RD for the Tejas Trails races and an amazing ultra runner alone with being a great all around guy! With him was Liza Howard, also an amazing ultra runner and great all around person! After our hand shakes and hugs, Joe ask if I was ready. The answer was, much more than last year! The mind is so much stronger now! Little did I know at that time, just how much I would push the mind!
My crew was on there way to the park, couldn't wait to be with them!
Packed pick up started and my lucky number for the weekend would be bib #51. I liken it to, Area 51, being I just could be seeing some crazy stuff in the 30 hour time limit for the race!
Trail briefing went good, nothing really new, other than, look out for them roots! We think Joe ships in extra roots just for the race.
After trail briefing, we took a group photo of all Team Red, White and Blue members that were there, Go Eagle!
Now for a little team dinner time. My crew had a campsite for the weekend, so we did burgers with all the sides at their site. It was so relaxing to be with them. I was trying to keep my mind off of race day until race day.
But come on, when you're just 12 hours away from toeing the line of a 100 mile race, it's kind of hard to not think about it.
After a great dinner I made my way to the Holiday Inn Express for one last good nights sleep. I was in bed by 8pm with a 4am wake up coming up! So yes, I can say, but I did say at a Holiday Inn Express last night! Lets see just how good that saying is.
RACE DAY BABY!
The day I've been looking forward to for a year was finally here! One last nice hot shower, then time to lube up and gear up! I stop down in the lobby for a cup of coffee, been coffee free for 3 weeks! And get this crap, they didn't have any ready! Really people, no freaking coffee! So off I go, coffee less. I called my crew to let them know I was on the road to the park and I would see them in 30-45mins. They would have coffee waiting for me!
Time to toe the line!
One year of revenge was about to get started! I took my place in the back of the field, telling myself, you have 30 hours to pass people, just take it easy.
The horn sounded and off we went, 375 crazy 100 milers! "Rocky Raccoon 100 is a 5 loop course, 20 miles each loop." The first loop went by in a flash, it seemed as, somewhere around 4hrs 33mins.
Let me add, these years race plan was to take the race, aid station to aid station, nothing more. If you think about the whole 100 miles, the mind will go crazy!
Loop 2, 20 miles in
Off for 20 more fun filled miles! I knew this loop it would start getting warm, so I would need to take in more fluids. All was going great until mile 24 when a big time cramp hit me on the inside of the left thigh! Not freaking now, this is not happening! It stop me dead in my tracks! Ok, what to do? More Salt! Salt fixes everything on the trail! I dropped one SaltStick and started to just walk it off. After a half mile, back in the game! Other than the one cramp it went real good, coming in around 5hrs 20mins for the loop.
Loop 3, 40 miles in
20 more fun miles coming up! This loop would be getting dark before I make it back in, so my crew gave me my lights. They then said they would meet me at the Park Road aid station with my gloves, arm sleeves and beanie. Ok that sounded good. About 6 miles into the loop it was dark enough to turn on the lights, let the night time fun begin! Looking at my times, I was feeling real good about having a lot of time in the bank! The body was still feeling good, even after 45 plus miles on it. I was coming up on the 50 mile mark, at this point last year, I knew I was going to time out. But this year, I was in major kick butt gear! I hit the 50 mile mark, right at 12hrs! This was a BIG moment for me. I just PRed my 50 mile time by 29mins! And I'm feeling great with 50 more to go! I was over 3 hours ahead of last years time at this point! It was starting to get a little cool so I was looking forward to seeing my crew to get my gear. I got into Park Road only to not see my crew! Crap, getting cold. I refilled my bottle and still no crew. Got to go. I told myself, they will meet you at the start of loop 4. This only 4.4 miles away. But it's real hard to not keep thinking about getting cold or will they be there! As I was coming end for the end of this loop, I started yelling crew names out hoping they would hear me. BAM, I hear one of them yell back! This loop took around 5hrs 20mins.
Loop 4, 60 miles in
I can now have a pacer run with me.
Only two crew member were there, no cold weather gear! I was told it would be at the Nature Center aid station, 3. something miles away. Ok, deal with it Tony, you're not going to die in that few miles. Time to go, ok Mike lets do this! Mike was my first pacer. It was great to have someone to talk to and to pass along my needs to my crew. We made our way into Nature Center and there they were, gloves, arm sleeves and beanie, much better! I also picked up a new pacer, Melissa. Melissa is a road runner, so this would be her first time on true trails, much less at night! She would be with me for 12 miles. The first few miles was a little tough on her, but she got her footing down and did great! We talked about all kinds of stuff. But then there were times I didn't want to talk. I told my pacers before hand this could happen. The back half of this loop I needed to do more power walking then running. Body starting to feel the 70 plus miles on it. But the mind was still strong! I told Melissa we needed to get a jacket out of my Dam Nation drop bag, I was getting colder. Making our way into Park Road I was getting tired but would be getting a new pacer there, Gretchen. Off we go 4.4 miles to hit the 80 mile mark! This loop took around 6hrs
Loop 5, 80 miles in! Victory lap!
My body and mind was in truly uncharted waters at this point. I have never gone past 55 miles! Gretchen would stay with me on this loop until Nature Center, new pacer there. At Nature Center I picked up Russell, he would pace me back to Park Road, 12 miles away. There was going to be way more walking this 12 miles. Still had time in the bank, but could waste a lot of time or it could get bad, fast! Off we go, again we talked about, you name it! My calves started getting tight and my back in the lower right side in the kidney area start to hurt a little. As we made our way into Dam Nation, I told Russell I needed to sit down just a few minutes to rub out my calves. He refilled my bottle and then it was time to go. It was more like a death march, just 13 more miles to the finish line! 13 freaking miles! The longest 13 miles of my life! My back was really starting to hurt like I never hurt before, bad hurt! I was still able to walk a 14 minute mile, not bad after 87 miles! But I was hurting bad! When you leave out of Dam Nation, it's a 6 mile loop then you come back into it, then it's just over 3 miles to Park Road. Coming back into Dam Nation for the last time! I told Russell to refill my bottle that I was not stopping, if I stop I'm not sure I will be able to start. The sun was coming back up by now. With only a little over 7 miles to the finish line I had 6 hours to go 7 miles. Sounds so freaking easy, NOT! I was in bad shape. The body was starting to shut down! I was leaning to my right side at about a 45° angle! Having to stop every 100 feet to try and sit-up right, didn't help much. The tears started flowing. I was in pain that I wish on no one! 6 miles left, we got me a stick to help me walk. 5 miles left, it was taking me close to one hour to go one mile! This is when a runner passed us in a Zombie walk! Everything hurt like hell! I ask Russell what the cutoff time was at Park Road, didn't know if I was going to make it. A half freaking mile! And not sure if I could make it! About this time we see someone walking our way, Lesley! Lesley is one of my trail sisters. She would also be with me the last 4.4 miles if I live! As we made our way to her the pain on my right side was unreal! But Lesley would not hear any of it! Get your ass moving, she said! I'm trying, I'm trying, as the tears from the pain flowed more and more. Lesley also told me, Fawn said you will not stop unless you have a bone sticking out! At this point that would have to feel better! Fawn is a trail sister also, that was going to pace me the last 20 miles but thanks to the flu, she couldn't. I was upright coming into Park Road, 4.4 miles left! I told my crew I needed to sit down and I didn't give a flying &@$? what they said! An aid station worker ask me what's hurting, I told her my right lower back in the kidney area. She worked it over and told me to drink nothing but water the last 4.4 miles. Now here comes Lesley, get your ass up and lets get moving! Now just who could not love them kind of words after 95 miles! Off we go just 4.4 miles away from finishing my first 100 mile race! The longest 4.4 miles ever! I had just under 4 hours to go 4.4 miles, easy cake, right? I downed about 32oz of water just after leaving the aid station. Did it make me feel better, hell no, I hurt! But I told Lesley I'm going to try and run. And run I did! Later I learned from my Garmin data, my best pace time at mile 95 was an 8:17, an 8:17 pace after 95 freaking miles! That's badass! Now I can hear some crazy talking people coming up behind us. What the hell I'm thinking. BAM, it's Mike and Gretchen! I was needing all the support I could get at this point, so I was so glad to see them! Two last climbs then its somewhat flat. The first one is going to kill me I told them. Lesley told me whatever I do, don't stop or you will not get going up hill. BAM, topped that one! Time please. 2.5 hours left on the clock with 2 miles to go! It's looking good! But still anything could happen in them 2 miles! Lets be safe guys! The last hardest part left, going along the side of the lake. The angle of the trail in this area puts your body at a bad twisted. And after 98 miles, it's sucks! I told Mike to get in front of me and I was going to grab a shoulder and for him to go until I told him to slow down! By dam it worked awesome! I needed to stop and pee from all the water a just took in. As I was peeing they ask me what color it was, making sure there was no blood in it. I told them, can't tell, let me pee in one of your hands so you can look. No one let me. Half mile to the finish line with just under 2 hours left on the clock! I'm going to make it! I ask if we could stop and let me take a 30 minute nap, they didn't let me. 100 yards to the finish line! My crew was waiting. I told them to get my jacket off, there would be photos, I needed to look good! Yeah right 99.9 miles and like anyone looks good! I told them I wanted only Lesley to cross the finish line with me. Here I come finish line, ready or not! I crossed the finish line of my first 100 mile race in 28hrs 27mins 52sec! And who was there to give me my first buckle, Joe Prusaitis! I gave him the biggest hug and started crying like a baby! I did it, I freaking did it!
Thank You's
First and foremost, my wife and son! My wife, Joy is amazing to put up with all my talk about nothing but running at times. To the cost of my running. Thank you, I love you more then ever! My son, Colton who got me into running just 4 years ago! Not sure if I should say thanks or not, but I'm going with Thank You! I'm still waiting to run a marathon with you.
My crew/support group
Tammy, my amazing crew chief! Thank you more then you will ever know! Jim, thank you for sharing Tammy with me. Russell, thank you for not making to much fun of me when I was crying like a baby. Melissa, it was great doing your first true trail run with you. Gretchen, girl can you ever talk up a storm at 3am, loved it! Mike, my tow truck, thanks brother! Lesley, my trail sister, thank you for pushing me past my limits!
"To give your all, sometimes you have to give away all your control"
And I give all control to my team!
The rest of my small village that got me to the finish line, in random order Libby, Fawn, Suann, Martin, Jeremy, Kim, Tim, Michael, Liza, Maryann, Michael, I just know I forgot some. I'm so sorry if I did.
Gear: Shoes, Inov8 255, Socks, DryMax Trail, Lube, Hydropel, Tights, CWX, Garmin 310XT, Headlight, Black Diamond Storm, Race vest, Nathan Endurance, SaltStick, Nathan handheld bottle, 50 PowerBar Gels
Training: no more then 35 total miles a week. Longest run being 5 miles. Lets of stair repeats. Tire dragging with 30 pounds extra weight in tire.
Let me start with a recap of last years RR100. I dropped at mile 60, end of recap.
Now for this year, Rocky Raccoon 100, 2013
My journey started on Friday with the hour and a half drive to Huntsville. What a beautiful day it was, not a cloud in the sky! Once I made it into Huntsville and was all checked into the hotel, I made my way out to the State Park.
"This is where amazing people go to make epic shit happen!"
I just hope to be part of that group this year!
I ran into Joe Prusaitis the RD for the Tejas Trails races and an amazing ultra runner alone with being a great all around guy! With him was Liza Howard, also an amazing ultra runner and great all around person! After our hand shakes and hugs, Joe ask if I was ready. The answer was, much more than last year! The mind is so much stronger now! Little did I know at that time, just how much I would push the mind!
My crew was on there way to the park, couldn't wait to be with them!
Packed pick up started and my lucky number for the weekend would be bib #51. I liken it to, Area 51, being I just could be seeing some crazy stuff in the 30 hour time limit for the race!
Trail briefing went good, nothing really new, other than, look out for them roots! We think Joe ships in extra roots just for the race.
After trail briefing, we took a group photo of all Team Red, White and Blue members that were there, Go Eagle!
Now for a little team dinner time. My crew had a campsite for the weekend, so we did burgers with all the sides at their site. It was so relaxing to be with them. I was trying to keep my mind off of race day until race day.
But come on, when you're just 12 hours away from toeing the line of a 100 mile race, it's kind of hard to not think about it.
After a great dinner I made my way to the Holiday Inn Express for one last good nights sleep. I was in bed by 8pm with a 4am wake up coming up! So yes, I can say, but I did say at a Holiday Inn Express last night! Lets see just how good that saying is.
RACE DAY BABY!
The day I've been looking forward to for a year was finally here! One last nice hot shower, then time to lube up and gear up! I stop down in the lobby for a cup of coffee, been coffee free for 3 weeks! And get this crap, they didn't have any ready! Really people, no freaking coffee! So off I go, coffee less. I called my crew to let them know I was on the road to the park and I would see them in 30-45mins. They would have coffee waiting for me!
Time to toe the line!
One year of revenge was about to get started! I took my place in the back of the field, telling myself, you have 30 hours to pass people, just take it easy.
The horn sounded and off we went, 375 crazy 100 milers! "Rocky Raccoon 100 is a 5 loop course, 20 miles each loop." The first loop went by in a flash, it seemed as, somewhere around 4hrs 33mins.
Let me add, these years race plan was to take the race, aid station to aid station, nothing more. If you think about the whole 100 miles, the mind will go crazy!
Loop 2, 20 miles in
Off for 20 more fun filled miles! I knew this loop it would start getting warm, so I would need to take in more fluids. All was going great until mile 24 when a big time cramp hit me on the inside of the left thigh! Not freaking now, this is not happening! It stop me dead in my tracks! Ok, what to do? More Salt! Salt fixes everything on the trail! I dropped one SaltStick and started to just walk it off. After a half mile, back in the game! Other than the one cramp it went real good, coming in around 5hrs 20mins for the loop.
Loop 3, 40 miles in
20 more fun miles coming up! This loop would be getting dark before I make it back in, so my crew gave me my lights. They then said they would meet me at the Park Road aid station with my gloves, arm sleeves and beanie. Ok that sounded good. About 6 miles into the loop it was dark enough to turn on the lights, let the night time fun begin! Looking at my times, I was feeling real good about having a lot of time in the bank! The body was still feeling good, even after 45 plus miles on it. I was coming up on the 50 mile mark, at this point last year, I knew I was going to time out. But this year, I was in major kick butt gear! I hit the 50 mile mark, right at 12hrs! This was a BIG moment for me. I just PRed my 50 mile time by 29mins! And I'm feeling great with 50 more to go! I was over 3 hours ahead of last years time at this point! It was starting to get a little cool so I was looking forward to seeing my crew to get my gear. I got into Park Road only to not see my crew! Crap, getting cold. I refilled my bottle and still no crew. Got to go. I told myself, they will meet you at the start of loop 4. This only 4.4 miles away. But it's real hard to not keep thinking about getting cold or will they be there! As I was coming end for the end of this loop, I started yelling crew names out hoping they would hear me. BAM, I hear one of them yell back! This loop took around 5hrs 20mins.
Loop 4, 60 miles in
I can now have a pacer run with me.
Only two crew member were there, no cold weather gear! I was told it would be at the Nature Center aid station, 3. something miles away. Ok, deal with it Tony, you're not going to die in that few miles. Time to go, ok Mike lets do this! Mike was my first pacer. It was great to have someone to talk to and to pass along my needs to my crew. We made our way into Nature Center and there they were, gloves, arm sleeves and beanie, much better! I also picked up a new pacer, Melissa. Melissa is a road runner, so this would be her first time on true trails, much less at night! She would be with me for 12 miles. The first few miles was a little tough on her, but she got her footing down and did great! We talked about all kinds of stuff. But then there were times I didn't want to talk. I told my pacers before hand this could happen. The back half of this loop I needed to do more power walking then running. Body starting to feel the 70 plus miles on it. But the mind was still strong! I told Melissa we needed to get a jacket out of my Dam Nation drop bag, I was getting colder. Making our way into Park Road I was getting tired but would be getting a new pacer there, Gretchen. Off we go 4.4 miles to hit the 80 mile mark! This loop took around 6hrs
Loop 5, 80 miles in! Victory lap!
My body and mind was in truly uncharted waters at this point. I have never gone past 55 miles! Gretchen would stay with me on this loop until Nature Center, new pacer there. At Nature Center I picked up Russell, he would pace me back to Park Road, 12 miles away. There was going to be way more walking this 12 miles. Still had time in the bank, but could waste a lot of time or it could get bad, fast! Off we go, again we talked about, you name it! My calves started getting tight and my back in the lower right side in the kidney area start to hurt a little. As we made our way into Dam Nation, I told Russell I needed to sit down just a few minutes to rub out my calves. He refilled my bottle and then it was time to go. It was more like a death march, just 13 more miles to the finish line! 13 freaking miles! The longest 13 miles of my life! My back was really starting to hurt like I never hurt before, bad hurt! I was still able to walk a 14 minute mile, not bad after 87 miles! But I was hurting bad! When you leave out of Dam Nation, it's a 6 mile loop then you come back into it, then it's just over 3 miles to Park Road. Coming back into Dam Nation for the last time! I told Russell to refill my bottle that I was not stopping, if I stop I'm not sure I will be able to start. The sun was coming back up by now. With only a little over 7 miles to the finish line I had 6 hours to go 7 miles. Sounds so freaking easy, NOT! I was in bad shape. The body was starting to shut down! I was leaning to my right side at about a 45° angle! Having to stop every 100 feet to try and sit-up right, didn't help much. The tears started flowing. I was in pain that I wish on no one! 6 miles left, we got me a stick to help me walk. 5 miles left, it was taking me close to one hour to go one mile! This is when a runner passed us in a Zombie walk! Everything hurt like hell! I ask Russell what the cutoff time was at Park Road, didn't know if I was going to make it. A half freaking mile! And not sure if I could make it! About this time we see someone walking our way, Lesley! Lesley is one of my trail sisters. She would also be with me the last 4.4 miles if I live! As we made our way to her the pain on my right side was unreal! But Lesley would not hear any of it! Get your ass moving, she said! I'm trying, I'm trying, as the tears from the pain flowed more and more. Lesley also told me, Fawn said you will not stop unless you have a bone sticking out! At this point that would have to feel better! Fawn is a trail sister also, that was going to pace me the last 20 miles but thanks to the flu, she couldn't. I was upright coming into Park Road, 4.4 miles left! I told my crew I needed to sit down and I didn't give a flying &@$? what they said! An aid station worker ask me what's hurting, I told her my right lower back in the kidney area. She worked it over and told me to drink nothing but water the last 4.4 miles. Now here comes Lesley, get your ass up and lets get moving! Now just who could not love them kind of words after 95 miles! Off we go just 4.4 miles away from finishing my first 100 mile race! The longest 4.4 miles ever! I had just under 4 hours to go 4.4 miles, easy cake, right? I downed about 32oz of water just after leaving the aid station. Did it make me feel better, hell no, I hurt! But I told Lesley I'm going to try and run. And run I did! Later I learned from my Garmin data, my best pace time at mile 95 was an 8:17, an 8:17 pace after 95 freaking miles! That's badass! Now I can hear some crazy talking people coming up behind us. What the hell I'm thinking. BAM, it's Mike and Gretchen! I was needing all the support I could get at this point, so I was so glad to see them! Two last climbs then its somewhat flat. The first one is going to kill me I told them. Lesley told me whatever I do, don't stop or you will not get going up hill. BAM, topped that one! Time please. 2.5 hours left on the clock with 2 miles to go! It's looking good! But still anything could happen in them 2 miles! Lets be safe guys! The last hardest part left, going along the side of the lake. The angle of the trail in this area puts your body at a bad twisted. And after 98 miles, it's sucks! I told Mike to get in front of me and I was going to grab a shoulder and for him to go until I told him to slow down! By dam it worked awesome! I needed to stop and pee from all the water a just took in. As I was peeing they ask me what color it was, making sure there was no blood in it. I told them, can't tell, let me pee in one of your hands so you can look. No one let me. Half mile to the finish line with just under 2 hours left on the clock! I'm going to make it! I ask if we could stop and let me take a 30 minute nap, they didn't let me. 100 yards to the finish line! My crew was waiting. I told them to get my jacket off, there would be photos, I needed to look good! Yeah right 99.9 miles and like anyone looks good! I told them I wanted only Lesley to cross the finish line with me. Here I come finish line, ready or not! I crossed the finish line of my first 100 mile race in 28hrs 27mins 52sec! And who was there to give me my first buckle, Joe Prusaitis! I gave him the biggest hug and started crying like a baby! I did it, I freaking did it!
Thank You's
First and foremost, my wife and son! My wife, Joy is amazing to put up with all my talk about nothing but running at times. To the cost of my running. Thank you, I love you more then ever! My son, Colton who got me into running just 4 years ago! Not sure if I should say thanks or not, but I'm going with Thank You! I'm still waiting to run a marathon with you.
My crew/support group
Tammy, my amazing crew chief! Thank you more then you will ever know! Jim, thank you for sharing Tammy with me. Russell, thank you for not making to much fun of me when I was crying like a baby. Melissa, it was great doing your first true trail run with you. Gretchen, girl can you ever talk up a storm at 3am, loved it! Mike, my tow truck, thanks brother! Lesley, my trail sister, thank you for pushing me past my limits!
"To give your all, sometimes you have to give away all your control"
And I give all control to my team!
The rest of my small village that got me to the finish line, in random order Libby, Fawn, Suann, Martin, Jeremy, Kim, Tim, Michael, Liza, Maryann, Michael, I just know I forgot some. I'm so sorry if I did.
Gear: Shoes, Inov8 255, Socks, DryMax Trail, Lube, Hydropel, Tights, CWX, Garmin 310XT, Headlight, Black Diamond Storm, Race vest, Nathan Endurance, SaltStick, Nathan handheld bottle, 50 PowerBar Gels
Training: no more then 35 total miles a week. Longest run being 5 miles. Lets of stair repeats. Tire dragging with 30 pounds extra weight in tire.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Monday, October 29, 2012
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
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
Monday, October 22, 2012
Palo Duro Canyon 50mi
Palo Duro Canyon 50mi
This is a 50 mile race with a 12 hour cutoff, four 12.5 loops with 5 aid stations.
This is the first race of this years race season. I signed up for this race thanks to some awesome running friends, y'all know who y'all are.
The weekend started on Thursday with a 10 hour drive to Canyon, TX., where I got a hotel room and one last good nights sleep.
Friday morning I was up and going early, at the park gate at 7:30am, they open at 8:00am. I was first in line of what ended up being about 10 cars!
After getting my campsite, I made my way into the park. WOW! This is the most awesome beautiful amazing parks I have even been to! No matter the outcome of the race, I was already winning just by getting to see this park!
Once camp was setup, it was time for a short nap. Around 4pm I made my way into town for packet/trail briefing/pasta dinner and to meet up with the awesome running friends that talked me into this race.
When I picked up my packet, it was a little upsetting to find out the shirt was a cotton not tech shirt! The pasta dinner was ok. The for the trail briefing. It started out ok and only got worse! After they did their talk it went to Q & A.
I had to ask if the 50 milers could have a pacer at some point being it was a 12 hour cutoff. Yes you can have a pacer on the last loop. Is there going to be gel at the aid stations I ask. Yeah, what's that stuff called, GU. No GU is a name brand, gel is the generic name. I'm sure Hammer Nutrition would like that being they are a sponsor!
After the Dog & Puppet show I made my way back to camp.
Once back at camp I made up my drop bag and premixed my water bottles with my gel and SaltSticks.
Bed time was around 9pm with a 5am wake up call, race start time 7am.
Race day!
The day started on the cool side, 43F knowing it would warm up, but not sure just how much.
I dropped my cooler a drop bag a Phil's aid station. This aid station is in the middle of the figure eight course.
I made my way to the start line feeling good about the day. Once there I met up with the group of friends. Only two of them was doing the 50 mile the others the 50k, smart people!
The first 30-45 mins would be run under a headlamp. This would put us at the first aid station just after sunup, just right to drop the light there.
The first 3 miles went real good, just trying to get warmed up and stay safe in the dark.
After dropping the light and topping off the water bottle, off I go.
About a mile out from the aid station a pack of coyotes that was maybe 100 feet from me in the tree line went crazy! The pace did pick up a little!
As the sun made its way up over the canyon, the color on the canyon walls was amazing! This part of the course was out in the open, zero shade!
The first loop went real good with a 2hr 15min time, up by 45 mins.
The start of the second loop started to get warm, low 80's.
All was going good until mile 17. This is where the leg cramp monster from hell grabbed my left thigh and said stop! On hell no this is not happening! I dropped two SaltSticks and walked after maybe a half mile trying to walk it out. It seemed to help, but this part of the course was the toughest, so smart going it was. Only to have to get crazy bad over and over. As I made my way back to the start/finish I was thinking, it's I'd going to be a tough loop. But I was still up by 30 mins, only dropping 15 mins the second loop. Not bad dealing with this cramp. If I could just keep it up by dropping 15 mins the next two loops, that puts me right at 12hrs.
The start of the third loop was getting hot, mid 90's!
I grabbed a hand full of real food and off I went! It was starting to hurt real bad to run, or at the time what I called running. This is where all the power walking training came into play. I was able to walk fast then run, funny how it works at times! About half way into this loop the cramp monster came back with his friends and they came with baseball bats! They do not play fair! About 3/4 way through this loop I knew my race day was over. Even if I could make the fourth loop cutoff time, there would be no way I could make the 12 hour cutoff. I was ok with it, it's just a race in the end. There are lots more down the road.
As I made my way to the finish line it was an amazing feeling to see and hear all the support.
As I gave it my all running down to the finish line, I do think I was passed by someone using a walker!
So at the end of the day, I put in 37.5 miles in 9hrs 33mins in the hardest race mile to date! I also found out that the high temp for the day was 105F to 108F depending on what part of the course you were on!
The 11hr drive home was just about as hard as the race!
Thank You to everyone that played a part in this race!
Would I do this race again, yes, but with a little more planning.
Now for a 6 day rest and back at it with Cactus Rose 50 mile this coming Saturday!
This is a 50 mile race with a 12 hour cutoff, four 12.5 loops with 5 aid stations.
This is the first race of this years race season. I signed up for this race thanks to some awesome running friends, y'all know who y'all are.
The weekend started on Thursday with a 10 hour drive to Canyon, TX., where I got a hotel room and one last good nights sleep.
Friday morning I was up and going early, at the park gate at 7:30am, they open at 8:00am. I was first in line of what ended up being about 10 cars!
After getting my campsite, I made my way into the park. WOW! This is the most awesome beautiful amazing parks I have even been to! No matter the outcome of the race, I was already winning just by getting to see this park!
Once camp was setup, it was time for a short nap. Around 4pm I made my way into town for packet/trail briefing/pasta dinner and to meet up with the awesome running friends that talked me into this race.
When I picked up my packet, it was a little upsetting to find out the shirt was a cotton not tech shirt! The pasta dinner was ok. The for the trail briefing. It started out ok and only got worse! After they did their talk it went to Q & A.
I had to ask if the 50 milers could have a pacer at some point being it was a 12 hour cutoff. Yes you can have a pacer on the last loop. Is there going to be gel at the aid stations I ask. Yeah, what's that stuff called, GU. No GU is a name brand, gel is the generic name. I'm sure Hammer Nutrition would like that being they are a sponsor!
After the Dog & Puppet show I made my way back to camp.
Once back at camp I made up my drop bag and premixed my water bottles with my gel and SaltSticks.
Bed time was around 9pm with a 5am wake up call, race start time 7am.
Race day!
The day started on the cool side, 43F knowing it would warm up, but not sure just how much.
I dropped my cooler a drop bag a Phil's aid station. This aid station is in the middle of the figure eight course.
I made my way to the start line feeling good about the day. Once there I met up with the group of friends. Only two of them was doing the 50 mile the others the 50k, smart people!
The first 30-45 mins would be run under a headlamp. This would put us at the first aid station just after sunup, just right to drop the light there.
The first 3 miles went real good, just trying to get warmed up and stay safe in the dark.
After dropping the light and topping off the water bottle, off I go.
About a mile out from the aid station a pack of coyotes that was maybe 100 feet from me in the tree line went crazy! The pace did pick up a little!
As the sun made its way up over the canyon, the color on the canyon walls was amazing! This part of the course was out in the open, zero shade!
The first loop went real good with a 2hr 15min time, up by 45 mins.
The start of the second loop started to get warm, low 80's.
All was going good until mile 17. This is where the leg cramp monster from hell grabbed my left thigh and said stop! On hell no this is not happening! I dropped two SaltSticks and walked after maybe a half mile trying to walk it out. It seemed to help, but this part of the course was the toughest, so smart going it was. Only to have to get crazy bad over and over. As I made my way back to the start/finish I was thinking, it's I'd going to be a tough loop. But I was still up by 30 mins, only dropping 15 mins the second loop. Not bad dealing with this cramp. If I could just keep it up by dropping 15 mins the next two loops, that puts me right at 12hrs.
The start of the third loop was getting hot, mid 90's!
I grabbed a hand full of real food and off I went! It was starting to hurt real bad to run, or at the time what I called running. This is where all the power walking training came into play. I was able to walk fast then run, funny how it works at times! About half way into this loop the cramp monster came back with his friends and they came with baseball bats! They do not play fair! About 3/4 way through this loop I knew my race day was over. Even if I could make the fourth loop cutoff time, there would be no way I could make the 12 hour cutoff. I was ok with it, it's just a race in the end. There are lots more down the road.
As I made my way to the finish line it was an amazing feeling to see and hear all the support.
As I gave it my all running down to the finish line, I do think I was passed by someone using a walker!
So at the end of the day, I put in 37.5 miles in 9hrs 33mins in the hardest race mile to date! I also found out that the high temp for the day was 105F to 108F depending on what part of the course you were on!
The 11hr drive home was just about as hard as the race!
Thank You to everyone that played a part in this race!
Would I do this race again, yes, but with a little more planning.
Now for a 6 day rest and back at it with Cactus Rose 50 mile this coming Saturday!
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