Cactus Rose 50 Mile Trail run

The day before the race I prepared my gear and fuel. Filling my drop bags for what I may need is always difficult for me. I can never make up my mind and wind up packing too much and adding something different just in case. Same goes for my shoes. I decided to wear a pair of new Balance 874's. I've had them for over three years(they don't make them anymore). I rarely ran in these shoes, instead using them for golfing. And I golf about twice a year. I took along two other pair too. One of them being the Hokas. But I had not trained much in the Hokas so I thought it wouldn't be wise to start with them.
It was cold at 3 AM Saturday morning as I drove up to the race. 42 degrees in the city and surely in the mid 30's once I arrived at Hill Country State Natural Area outside of Bandera, TX.
When I was younger I was able to withstand cold weather. Not anymore! Wearing my 3/4 length spandex pants, a long sleeve tech shirt under a short sleeve one and a fleece vest on top of that, I checked in and greeted friends. Hand shakes and hugs at the start set me at ease as we began promptly at 5 AM.
I've run these trails so many times that it was comfortable running in the dark. Although at one time I did feel I may have gotten off course. But Joe does such a great job at marking the course with glow sticks and ribbons. I arrived at the first aid station sooner than what I had expected. Maybe I was moving too fast but I was feeling good and kept the same easy swift pace. Further down the trail at about mile 6 I was alone. My buddies Lalo and Tom were long gone ahead of me. No way I could keep up with them. As I turned back too see the runners below the slight incline I was on, the stream of headlamps looked pretty cool. The long row of runners headlamps in succession looked like a file of motorcycles on a highway far off in the distance. Pretty, but not as beautiful as the sky displaying it's awesome show of stars. Arriving at the second aid station, Nachos-mile 10, I refilled my handheld water bottle quickly. There was another runner there. I tried to greet him but he seemed preoccupied. He nodded. I took off down the trail. What was on his mind? Maybe he was trying to figure that out. Trail runners are a different breed. how many folks would get up before dawn to go run 50 plus miles, in the dark, on rugged ,hilly trails? Why do they/we do it? Everyone has a different reason. Those reasons change over time. Some reasons they don't care to share. Some will share after being high. High on hours of running on the trails.
At the mile 15 aid station it was time to ditch the water bottle and put on my hydration pack. Quickly filling the bladder with water and grabbing some olives I had in my drop bag, I was off to climb the three sisters, a series of three short but steep and rugged climbs littered with loose rocks of all sizes followed by Sky Island, another steep, rugged climb. Up and over, through the 20 mile aid station and on to the halfway point. Arriving in 5 hours and 20 minutes, I grabbed a banana and some sweet potato fries from my drop bag. I also chatted with my old friend Robert from Austin before heading out for the second loop, on the same course in the reserve direction. By this time I had shed the vest, long sleeve shirt, put on my sunglasses, and Tilley broad brim Hat. It was now sunny and warm.
Going over Cairns climb I planted my foot smack-dab on what must have been the sharpest rock out there! It hurt! Shaking it off, I continued at a good pace although I could not keep up with my friend Rachel who was trucking along on her way to a second place finish in the 100 mile race. About this same time Larry and Chris, Also running the hundred miler dropped me like a wet rag.
At mile 35 I changed from my tights into some shorts. And something happened after leaving the 35 mile aid station. My legs began to stiffen up and soon they were toast. I tried to run or shuffle along but it became painful to do so. I decided it would be a power hike to the finish. The climbs up the sisters in reverse were a bit difficult but my familiarity with them eased the struggle. At about mile 43 my friend Amanda came up behind me. She was cheerful, and lifted my spirits as she passed me saying her legs were aching. She continued on, off into the distance, passing a few people who had passed me before she came up on me. This gave me more energy. I was able to trot now and then.
As I reached the 45 mile aid station Jason and Tanya were there, with Rich and Jeanie who were providing their own special aid to our group. They were wonderful in offering their support (and FOOD!) with genuine care. I sat in a chair for about 10 minutes I guess. Way too long to stay at an aid station in a race, but I was well ahead of my 13 hour finishing goal. Rich looked at me like "you gotta go man" and Tanya said, "you can't stay here long!"
I left happy knowing I could accomplish my goal, covering the next 5 miles in less than two hours. Doable. Even hiking on sore tired legs and knowing I had steep, rocky, Lucky peak to climb. Lucky peak is a bear! I came up behind two others climbing up but could not keep up, much less pass them. I stopped twice to catch my breath before cresting the hill. At this point I knew I was home free, A 100 mile runner beginning his third loop offered encouragement as he said "you're almost there." I could only think about him and how he would have to climb Lucky Peak sometime tomorrow at mile 98.
I finished in 12:22:00 greeted by my many trail running friends, and training buddies and special friends El And O!
I was Aching, aching, aching. I planned on trying to pace a friend on a portion of his hundred miler but I couldn't do it. I ached to much. Besides, he was running faster than I could hike. Thankfully He finished strong.
The shoes held up well. My Fuel? still trying to figure it out. I tried mixed nuts. Olives. fruit. Gels and dates turned my stomach, too sweet. I should go back to chicken sandwiches. Oh well, I'm not trying to WIN these races. Or get faster. I just want to complete them.
Why? I don't know. come run with me. It may spill out.

Tapering.

Tapering really does a body good. During this period of tapering the body rebuilds itself. Muscles get stronger as they are allowed to rest and recover. This includes the heart too. I can feel it!
The last two weeks my mileage has decreased dramatically. Thursday of last week I went out for what I thought would be an easy 3 mile trail run at our groups usual weekly meeting place, Eisenhower Park. Don't know exactly how many miles I ran since the group was running hill repeats, thus throwing a wrench in my planned route. I haven't been using my Garmin lately. Instead I run a planned route or just go out for an hour or two not worrying about distance.
I felt I shouldn't be running hill repeats while I'm tapering, but the peer pressure got to me. I ran slower than my friends but completed 5 hill repeats and felt great.
Going in to the last of the Scallywompus Alamo Beer Challenge series(a 15K)this past weekend, I planned just to take it easy and complete the run with no plan to "race."
As I started people were passing me as I was running relaxed. But something happened at about mile 3. I picked up the pace and kept it up. At the turnaround of the out and back, I picked it up even more! It's only a 9.3 miler, but can I keep this pace up to the finish? I asked myself. I did and finished strong in 1:13:09, a 7:51 pace. That's fast for me.
My body gives me hints when I've trained too much. A little twinge in my left knee, very chapped lips, sore upper arms/shoulders. These symptoms have been with me the last two weeks. BUT IT'S SO HARD TO TAPER! I WANT TO RUN MORE!
But I tell myself, "listen to your body." And think, "Tapering does a body good"
Cactus Rose 50 miler this weekend!
Still can not decide what I'll fuel with. I'm thinking, Avocados, olives, coconut milk /water, sweet potatoes, Gels, nuts, and ........who knows.

Jesse

I visited my friend Jesse today. Jesse is at University Hospital recovering from a motorcycle accident. I was a little apprehensive. Afraid I might say something wrong. I heard he was in good spirits and I was afraid I'd put my foot in my mouth and change that.
Jesse lost the lower portion of his left leg just below the knee. I thought about how I felt after dislocating my ankle a few years ago and how helpless I felt. My injury was nowhere near, and can not compare with what he must be going through.
Jesse was watching the football game last Sunday as his pre-teen daughter was sitting on the front porch at home waiting for the ice cream man to come by. He went out and told her he'd take her to the store if the ice cream man didn't show as soon as the game was over. The game was near it's end when Jesse went out to take his daughter to the store right down the street. Wearing her helmet, Joyce climbed on the bike behind her Dad and they headed out to the store. Cruising down the street an oncoming car decides to turn left at an intersection at the last moment, giving no warning, and slams into the motorcycle severing Jesse's leg and throwing Joyce into the air. Jesse can see his lower leg feet away as the car speeds off. Concerned for his daughter, Jesse crawls behind and around the bike and finds Joyce a little banged up but OK. Fortunately there was one witness and the driver of the car has been identified.
As I entered Jesse's hospital room he smiles and calls out my name. An old buddy of his was there as was his older daughter, a student at UT Austin. I was pleased Jesse was in good spirits and positive. He recounted the story and said he was lucky because it could have been worse. He was thankful for the fact that he was alive and Joyce was OK. And how he must and will continue to be there for his family. Jesse spoke about what he would do after getting a prosthetic. I told him he had to get two! On for normal activity and one for running!
Jesse had come to me recently and asked for advice on preparing for running a 5K in Austin. His older daughter had urged him to run with her and she eventually wanted to run a half marathon with her Dad. They were able to run that 5K last week and his daughter said it was him pushing her to the finish.
To my surprise, Jesse said he would run again. He looked forward to getting back at it. And He said he will.
As I left from my visit with Jesse I felt he made the visit easy, for Me. Jesse's job requires him to be on his feet. Life will change for him. He will have struggles. But I am happy that he has such a positive attitude. And I look forward to running with him in the future. I told him I would.

The good Doctor

Yesterday V. and I spent the morning walking through the Historic King William area checking out the garage sales. There was some really cool old stuff for sale. The best part was viewing all the really cool, restored, old wood frame homes. Some have so much detail in shutters, custom overhangs, and sidings with unique color patterns, from earth tones to pastels These homes built over one hundred years ago, give you a sense of when life was simpler.
I met Doctor Roberto P. Trevino. A very nice mild mannered man. Dr. Trevino, a physician specialized in internal and critical care medicine, was manning his yard sale with his wife, and son. One item for sale was the Doctor's book, "Forgotten Children" The true story of how politicians endanger children.(2009)
This book presents the dark side of the diabetes industry. The diabetes industry is a $174 Billion dollar industry! The doctor writes his book like a novel, but it presents true events. It reveals how Politicians, Bureaucrats, and special interest groups (Big Pharma, no doubt), kept a program that had shown to decrease blood sugar content away from children that were at risk. The Doctor was very passionate as we spoke. I was very interested and told him how I thought this occurs in the Cancer industry, among others, also. Why would the Cancer industry try to find a cure? I asked. They're making money TREATING cancer. Curing it would put them out of business.
We agreed it's all in what we eat. WE are in control. I told him about Dr. Roby Mitchell's quote, "You'll never medicate yourself out of diseases you behave yourself into"
He liked it, and agreed. I think my friend Lalo, also a doctor, would agree too.
I bought his book. And he signed it!
Some of my friends, family, and co-workers think I go to extremes in what I eat and how I exercise. But I'm only trying to make myself feel good and to set an example for others. I try to stick to a diet that is almost Paleo, but I do indulge in a burger now and then. And I know Paleolithic man didn't have beer! I like beer.
I try to eat well and get my nutrients from REAL food. Did you know there is Organic junk food? Dr. Phil Maffetone wrote a report on this years ago. Do you know where it went? Nowhere. The packaged Organic food industry is another one you have to be wary of. “Organic” white flour, “Organic” pure cane sugar, is still sugar and is not good.
As far as exercise, I read a good quote recently, "those who say they don't have time to exercise, will have to make time for illness later"
I have to share this link. Posted on facebook by a friend. Watch the whole video. It makes sense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCFZoqmKf5M&feature=share

shoes

It's taper weekend! Taper for the next two weeks actually. No more long runs in preparation for the Cactus Rose 50. Now it's time to think about race day strategies in terms of fuel, drop bags, and shoes.
Shoes are a serious consideration for running at Bandera. Every time I put on a different pair of running shoes I wonder if they'd be good enough to withstand the many jagged rocks on the trails at Hill Country State natural Area. Or how long they can take the rocks before my feet start to ache. The rocks out there are like no others. I've run in the mountains of California,New Mexico, Colorado, and in the Grand Canyon. They Ain't got nothing compared to the rocks at Bandera. And the rocks at Bandera have Babies! According to my friend Chris. One Colorado runner said Bandera is where rocks come to die.
With all the running shoes I have, it's going to be a tough decision. Guess I'll take a couple pair. But which ones?

Running in the rain

As ten of us drove up to Bandera Early Saturday morning for a run in the hills, rain clouds were gathering. We definitely need the rain but running in the rain does change things up a bit.
I carried a light rain jacket and made sure my iPod was in a water tight plastic bag. Who knows, maybe it won't rain and I can listen to music. A self proclaimed "very slow runner" brought along a small bag of flour in hopes someone would place small arrows at the turns on the trail. She wasn't sure of the route and starting in the dark would further confuse her.
It was raining steadily as we approached the park but stopped when we arrived. I laid back with Liza as we were sure to make the flour arrows at every turn. This would be OK as long as the rain stayed away. The sky was clear and the starry sky was beautiful, for just a little while. Liza would run back to make sure D was Ok and still on course. I would speed up to try and reach the group (interval training!). There was enough flour to last till daylight and the rain was yet to begin. We laid a few arrows made with sticks until we were sure D would be OK.
Some of us discussed our iPod music playlists. And what songs annoyed us. Our music playlists cover many genres. This made me pull out my iPod. I listened for just a short time as it began to drizzle. The clouds were gathering and becoming thicker. Running along a ridge over one of the higher peaks, the hills in the distance were surrounded by heavy dark clouds. Tom likened the scene to volcanic peaks in Japan. I thought it looked like something in the rain forests of Central America. The wind picked up and was cool. It began to rain and it felt so good. It has been too long since we've had rain and to feel it coming down on us was heaven. On the rocky hills this was great, but as we descended onto the lower dirt trails the mud began to stick to the soles of our shoes. Tim was to say it was like running with cinder blocks strapped to your feet. This and the fact that I was still sore from the weeks squat and lunge exercises convinced me to call it quits at 25 miles. Others left earlier due to time restraints. Chris, Tom, and Tim continued for another 5 as I laid on the picnic bench under the cover of a mesquite tree with the clouds and cool wind circling around me. D showed up and shared coconut macaroons with me and Stefan who also arrived before C, T, and Ti came back.
Tom ran around the campground hoping to reach an even mile, we thought. But this time he wanted to reach his goal of 31.07 miles for the day. He came up short, 31.04.

Running I've learned..................

We can improve our well being by retracting from life for just a little while by emerging ourselves into an activity which stimulates our senses to the limit, and try to go beyond that perceived limit. Whether the activity be walking, painting, volunteering, Dancing, biking, or running. We can go alone, take others with us, or follow those who also enjoy the same activities. Listening, sharing thoughts, helping us grow, nurturing happiness. Happiness is found within us and is nurtured by sharing our thoughts and ourselves.
The activity that does it for me is running long distances. I am not special, anyone can do it if they wish. Enjoying the journey should be the goal, not speed. We should not rush the enjoyment of life.
There will always be others faster than you, others slower than you. But no one better than you if you are happy with you.

The miles and hours fly by on the trails.
Saturday I met my friend Lalo for a planned 10 miler on the trails of Leon Creek. We began before sunrise on familiar trails to me but new to Lalo. The conversation was great and flowed like a river. We are new to each other but it seems we've known each other a long time. That's the feeling I get. We discussed how the trail running community is very welcoming and is so different from the roadies. In trail running it seems everyone is "In it together." On the trail, runners check on each other, share water, and you hear things like "Good job" "Are you OK?" At aid stations most people will share what they have. After races folks hang around and encourage others who are still on the trail and cheer other runners as they cross the finish line. You meet and make friends on trail runs and at Trail races.
Our 10 miler turned into an 11 miler and as Lalo put it, "It felt like five"
The brain plays a big part in helping our physical efforts. Music is a good stimulant, as is a good running companion.
Time passes very quickly and the effort seems so easy, when your running with good company.