He graduated High school the year I was born!

I ran into my friend Roland yesterday. He flashed a big smile as he raised his head to see who was calling his name.

I met Roland several years ago on the trail near our home and have been running into him occasionally. Roland is turning 81 on Tuesday March 2. Again he smiled when he shared this with me. We talked and he shared a prose he had just written that morning. Again smiling as he watched me read his prose. 

Writing proses mainly about memories of his youth is his new hobby.

We shared stories of some of the places we both knew in our youth. It turns out we grew up not too far from each other, though he pointed out he graduated from High school the year I was born! Again he smiled broadly.

But perhaps his biggest smile was when he told me of a 5K he is running on Saturday.

Running, writing, smiling. 

yep, that's the ticket.

Hillotes half marathon

 The Hillotes half marathon is usually held in Helotes TX. As you might guess,"Hillotes" is a play on words of the name Helotes, a small town just northwest of San Antonio and at the foot of the Texas Hill country. Helotes is Spanish for Corn, by the way.  Because of covid-19 restrictions in Helotes the race was relocated to Bankersmith Tx. 70 miles further to the northwest. Bankersmith is nothing but a general store next to an old barn turned into a honky tonk. There is an old 1950's era bus behind the barn next to a small stage surrounded by picnic tables. This is where packet pickup and after race festivities took place. Parking was on the grass along the winding hilly state road that runs through Bankersmith..

At race start from the courtyard adjacent to the store, runners were required to wear a mask until they spilled on to the road for the out and back race. The field of 92 runners were also released 10 at a time and at 10 second intervals. 

The run starts with a long downhill. First thought that came to mind was how this would be an uphill at the end! Next to running trails I really enjoy running country roads. There were no spectacular views on this course though. There were cattle ranches and the remnants of what looked like an old stone home on the course that made me wonder who may have lived there 150 years or more ago. 

The road had may twists and slanted curves. This had me switching from the left to the right side of the road for a more even surface to run on. luckily this was the case for only about a quarter of the race. There were also dips where the road crossed 3 creeks. These were not to steep except for one where I did walk up after crossing the bridge at the dry creek. 

There was about a three quarter gradual uphill climb approaching the turn around. Surprisingly I felt good at this point. I had been worried since I crammed in only a couple "long" runs of 9 and 11 miles in my training. I thought about running the 10K but I could not see driving 70+ miles to run a 10K. After the turn around I began leap frogging with a young girl. She passed me as I slowed on the ascents and I caught and passed her on the flats and descents. It seemed like we were playing a game as we exchanged smiles and thumbs up. With a little over 2 miles to go I set my eyes on another runner who had been running ahead of me for most of the race. Her pace was good and I locked in on it as I slowly cut the distance between us. As I was about to pass her I recalled what my friend Liza Howard would say when she accelerated near the end of  Ultra marathons where I paced her,  "lets get this thing over with!" As I passed this runner I said "come on, we've got this thing licked. just two miles to go!'

The last quarter mile and there it was! The uphill climb that was a downhill at the start. I walked most of it but of course ran the last 100 yards when I was in sight of the finish. After the race the runner I leap frogged with thanked me for helping her pace. The one I passed at two miles also came to tell me "Thanks for the motivation."  Very Nice. They helped me as much as I helped them.

Post race I hung out and saw two old friends and my neighbor down the street who had signed up at the last minute. He won the Half Marathon race with a time of 1:25:08! 

I was third in the 60 to 65 age category with a time of 2:01:48. 

Fun race, fun experience.

 

Life. Forrest Gump's mom was right.

 I have not posted in quite a long time! Major changes happened in my family since my last post in May 2016. I retired from the Metropolitan Transit system in San Antonio Tx. in May 2016 after 30 years. It was a great place to work, I loved it. 12 years in Warehousing/Inventory control and 18 in Information Technology. It was time to go though but I did not want to stop working, so I went to work for the San Antonio Police department in  Fleet Management.. That was fun and very interesting. I made many good friends. Cops are people just like you and me. I heard many stories from policemen who joined the force to help others. One story that really touched my heart was a cop who struggled as a child of a single parent. He talked about his life moving from home to home, abusive stepdad, going hungry. Now he wanted to help kids and families who may be struggling.

This brings me to my family. My wife and I were faced with a life changing decision in late 2016. Our three grandkids, ages 2 months, 1 yr. old and three years old needed us! Without going into details, we brought them in to our home and eventually adopted them in 2018. Of course this turned our lives upside down. Diapers! Sleepless nights, runny noses, daycare! Of course this threw my running routine into a loop. Between the bickering, crying, finger pointing and non stop talking, the kids are wonderful. With the oldest grandkid now in third grade and the middle one in kindergarten, I was forced to leave my job with the PD three months ago to help the kids with virtual learning. The third grader is the reason I decided to come back to this blog. He has to write a personal narrative. I showed him mine. "you write long stories." he said. 

Back to 2016 and running. 

The wheels really started to fall off in 2013. That year I was 55 years old and was running well at the beginning of the year but I ran too much and too fast. For me. In the first six months of that year I set my marathon PR in Austin, 3:40:00, ran a very tough Possum kingdom 55K, ran a difficult and technical, beautiful,  mountain 50K in Colorado and crewed and paced my great friend Lalo 25 miles at the Angeles Crest 100. After that I was out of gas but in denial. Maybe I did not want to adjust my training. Maybe I wanted to rely on the strength I thought I still had. I was never a fast runner but I held my own in the middle of the pack and usually placed in my age group. But I was done. Cooked. I kept running and struggled to complete races.

In what has been my last attempt at an ultra I registered for the July 2016 Never Summer100K in the Mountains of northern Colorado. If you love running as I do, you will never quit. 

It has been four years. I will try to remember my attempt at the Never Summer 100K. I flew up to Denver and met up with friends for the ride to Gould Co. Gould is a very, very small town. As I remember there was not even a traffic light. Just a sign marking the city limits. We checked in to our cabin at a campground about 2 miles from the start of the race at the community center (a barn like structure). Having stopped to check out sights along our drive from Denver we arrived late the day before the race. 10 miles down the road was a town whos name I forget but a little bit larger than Gould. It had three traffic lights! Our visit to the grocery store there proved futile, all produce and snack food was gone. My friend Rachel and I chatted with the store clerks. Across the street we stepped in to an adult beverage store to buy some post race refreshments. Chatting with the clerk there I got a sense that some folks who live in this area have left a past they are trying to forget.

At the start the friends from San Antonio got together for a photo.

left to right. Jason, "The Hawk" and me in the forefront, Brian (red visor, lowered head), Chris and Ash center rear. Not sure where Rachel was or who the guy in the upper right of this photo is.

The race starts at an elevation of 9000 feet and heads up a dirt rocky road. We climbed up the mountain and soon came to a clearing and beautiful majestic views.

The trail at this point was nice smooth single track. We crossed many streams and came to serene alpine lakes. The steepest climb was to the highest point of the race at 12,840 feet. On this climb there was no trail! The markers took us straight up the mountain. At one point I thought I would fall back. Thankfully I had my trekking poles with me. Going up I saw a marmot just sitting by a small bush about 4 feet from me. He just watch as I hiked by him. At the top of the mountain four of us took a photo.

Late in the day Ash and I were together rounding a mountain when my foot caught a root and I went down hard with no time to reach out and try to break my fall. I was hurt pretty bad. Ash is a doctor and asked me if I was ok. He advised me to get up slowly and catch my breath. I was good to go. A bit later the trail took us over a long patch of big jagged rocks and boulders. There was no trail here. We had to be careful with our foot placement for fear of turning an ankle. The only good part of this was the  beautiful lake to our left. I was glad to get over this portion of the course.

As evening set in the temperature was dropping fast. I found myself trying to warm up with the hot soup at the 44 mile aid station well after dark. Ash was there too. Ash's dad was crewing for him and was there also . I changed my socks and left the aid station with thoughts of my jacket in my drop bag at the next aid station. I left before Ash thinking he would catch up with me. I was tiring and thought for sure he was feeling stronger than me. To this day I wish I had waited for Ash.

 About 50 yards down the road from the aid station the course turned left in to a brushy area. Up ahead I could see a couple of head lamps slowly drifting away. Soon I was climbing on a smooth trail. I was moving very slow at this point when I heard an animal sound off in the distance to my right. Then I heard a similar sound to my left. Hmm, I thought. That is not a cow. It's not a cat because it was more like a long grunt. I kept hearing this for the next hour. the sound started to sound clearer and closer. What could it be? I came to a clearing on what seemed like a hilltop where the trail turned around the hill to the left with a slight drop off into a field. suddenly I heard the grunt very close! I turned to my right and my headlamp revealed a MOOSE! No Antlers but she was huge and only about 25 yards from me. I yelled out loud "Oh C&@P!" I wanted to run but I picked up my walking pace and was yelling "Leave me alone moose, Leave me alone."

The trail then lead back in to the woods and the moose left me alone. I was tired and I was cold. It was very dark in the woods. I could not see or hear any other people on the course. Then after a long climb the trail spilled out into a dirt road and I could make out the faint sound of people talking. I saw light about a third of a mile down the road. My elation in hearing the signs and sounds of the aid station was interrupted by a small dark animal running right at me! It was so fast I could not make it out nor could I aim my headlamp at it. It wasn't a raccoon. It was bigger. It almost hit me as it ran by my right leg. Then, a very strong musky odor filled the air. Another "Oh C$@P!" Bear? Was the small animal a cub? Bear prey? I don't know but thank god I made it to the aid station.

 At the aid station I was very tired and beat, cold, and now spooked. The jacket in my drop bag was too thin. It and the coffee at the aid station could not get me warm and now at 10 PM the temps were dropping even more. I decided to call it a day. DNF.  I was ok with it. As my friend and race director Joe Prusaitus once said, "It's only a freaking run!"

The sag wagon showed up and took six of us back to the start/finish. Ash would drop too. After trying to sleep in the car for a couple of hours I went to the community center to look for my friends. When I explained that I Did Not Finish one of my friends said, "Oh, I'm sorry."

I am not, I thought. I had fun. It was a beautiful tough course. I am alive, and I saw a Moose!

I have run a few races since Never Summer. Short distances. 10K, 10 milers,  and half Marathons. I have contemplated giving up running and maybe go to cycling. But nah, I love running too much.

The kids are more manageable now which equals a little more time. I am older and wiser about running and recovery. I have gotten over my pace slowing and run distance shortening. 

Yesterday I  registered for a road half marathon in the Texas hill country on October 17th! Next to trails I love running on country roads. I'll be back with that story.

   

 
 

 

Running at Pace Bend Park.

I ran the Tejas trails Paleface 30K race for the first time last year and although it has some technical rocky sections I did not think much of the course in terms of it being pretty or very challenging. This year though the course was rerouted and changed to a Marathon and Half Marathon that included more views of the bend in the Colorado river that surrounds about two thirds of Pace Bend Park. Like Mikey, I like it!  There was a climb along some power lines, nice views of the river,  and an abundance of wildflowers on the flat dirt trails near the end. I ran the Half Marathon.
I was not expecting to run hard yesterday. My left hip has been hurting a bit and affecting my hamstring on that side. Foam rolling has helped. I have to stick with it though.
Arriving at the race site is always fun. Meeting folks in our group with big smiles, hugs, and laughs sets the tone for a fun day and motivates everyone to try to do well. There is truth to finding more in yourself than you think there is when you are exposed to "the Group effect" and we have a great group in the Rockhoppers.
At the start line I exchanged teasing and well wishes with my buds. As the race began I took off at a swift pace trying to get to the single track quickly. I hung on to Rick and John who run at about my pace. Soon I felt like I may not be able to keep up with their pace but then it seemed we all relaxed and toned it down. Exchanging greetings on the trails with my friends of the Austin groups is always fun too. As I pass them feels good also. Of course this racing is all in fun. Hah!
At about mile 6 our buddy Wade passes us looking great! I tried to hang on to Wade. Wade had a smooth strong pace going but at one point he did pause to take a glance at the water below as we ran along a ridge. "Pretty, huh?" I asked. Wade knodded.
The next aid station was at the bottom of a hill. After quick gulps of Mountain dew and Tailwind with a pretzel I was running up the hill to catch Wade who was gone!
Power hiking this short hill and sprinting to catch Wade the hip and hamstring issues were out of mind. I was very surprised at how well I was feeling hopping over roots, rocks and through trees. The group effect! I hung on until the last aid station with Wade. Here I commented on how he was maintaining a great pace. We leave together but I could not match his pace. Now I just wanted to keep him in sight.
Racing is fun. We were not racing for the win. We were racing for ourselves.
Wade started to pull further away. A runner I came up on asked if I wanted to pass. I really did not want to but I did. Sprinting to pull away from him because I would not want to pass someone only to slow down. By this time I knew I could not catch Wade so I settled into a comfortable pace without slowing to a shuffle.
My dream goal to finish under two hours faded but my realistic goal to finish under 2:15 would happen.
I finished in 2:09 and Change. A bit over a minute after Wade. Rick and John were only a few minutes back. At our group tent we exchanged high fives, smiles and congratulations.
Another fun, exciting, and great day at the races.

My Hip hurts today.

A tale of two races

The first weekend of March I ran the Pandora's Box 'O Rox half marathon. Last year I ran the Marathon here and after that vowed never to run long again. For the umpteenth time. I have yet to learn how to run this course. Revielle Ranch, where the race is located is in the Central Texas Hill Country. The terrain is littered with granite rock and there are not too many even surfaces here. Those darn little hops over and around rocks and rock domes are killer. I admire those who run a 50 miler here. Of course running a half marathon makes one run a little harder. Only because in our mind it is a "short " race.  I started Ok but after 5 miles those little hops took their toll. Then at about mile 8 I twisted my ankle. It was painful to pivot or turn on my left foot. One good thing about this is I had my good friend Tom in my sight and soon caught up with him and was able to trot with him for about three miles. Tom's commitment to run by heart rate has paid great dividends. Tom completed the Texas 250 today at the Hells Hills race. The Texas 250 award is presented to anyone who completes 5 Fifty milers of Tejas Trail races in 5 months. Congratulations to Tom!
I finished the half marathon back in March but beaten once again By Pandora.

Yesterday at the Hells Hills race it was a different story. My training has not been what I would like but is it ever? It has to improve though. I have registered for The Never Summer 100K in Colorado on July 23rd. Does it ever end? I don't know. I have been wanting a new adventure and should go for it while I can. So  it will continue. For Now.

Back to Hells Hills;
Race morning was a chilly 43 degrees. What to wear was a worry as I hung around with fellow Rockhoppers huddled around a butane heater provided by Rich and Jeanie at our hangout near the start line.
I decided on a short sleeve cotton T over a sleeveless tech shirt and shorts of course. Shorts which kept slipping off.  My original plan was to take it easy and try to run by my max aerobic heart rate of 128 while listening to music. My earbuds kept slipping off too! Not my usual ones. I discarded the earbuds but kept my shorts on.
The HR running went out the window too when the race started. My buddy Rick, John MC.Allen and a host of others raced up the hill at the start and I tried to hang. Only for a little bit I thought. Then I'd back off and cruise. yeah right.
We drew a few others and soon had about 8 to 12 runners in a pace line. I don't know what the pace was as I have quit tracking mileage pace and all that other stuff that made it seem like work. I work 5 days a week in IT monitoring software, tracking and troubleshooting data! I don't want to do it while I'm trying to have FUN!
Anyway, a runner drops off unable to keep up the pace. A quick look at my new heart rate monitor (ok, I've started to look at that only because I see Tom's success) and I am at 156 bpm.
I try to relax without slowing too much but soon find myself dropping off the pace line with two others. Seeing the lead pack led by Rick pulling away I speed up and pass runners racing to catch Rick and John and three other runners. One of the guys then trips and falls. We stopped, made sure he was OK and continue as he gets up. This guy dropped off the back later.
No one stops at the first unmanned aid station. At the next aid station Chris Russell is walking up and with a grin says "Man you guys sure are moving slow."  He also says we shouldn't bromance it and walk across the finish line holding hands. Gotta love the big guy.
After leaving the aid station a tall guy in our pace line wearing a long sleeve red shirt decides to pull off the front and takes off. No one follows. Until a few minutes later when the youngster with spandex under his shorts takes off leaving John, Rick and I.
The pace remained even with John now leading, I was right behind and Rick not too far behind me. John keeps asking where Rick is. Not far behind me I say. Soon John starts to pick it up and I find myself  trying to hang and not willing to let up.
The Thrill of it all! Makes me feel like a kid again!
With about 3 miles to the finish we catch and pass Long sleeve and soon after overtake the spandex kid. John kicks it up and drops a guy who tried to cling on to his heels a bit earlier. Rick is right behind me. In an attempt to catch John I recall words from a book I am reading. Actually the Title of the book, "How bad do you want it?" A glance at my HR monitor and I'm still at 156 but it doesn't matter anymore. Rick is right behind me and the thought of waiting for him crosses my mind but the thrill of the chase keeps me going. I love Rick! He has helped me become a better runner. We've trained and  run races together.
I turn it on and pass a couple of runners heading for the finish but can't catch John.
Still good enough to take third place Masters, Thanks to John and Rick.

Just Like Ruben

Yesterday My truck would not veer towards the trail head. My tired legs kept my arms from turning the wheel.
That was not the case today and I am glad! I fumbled with my gear getting it ready for a trail run on my home turf, Leon Creek. As I stepped out of my truck and on to the Paved trail that leads to the woods, Ruben came riding by! My good old friend Ruben! I've written about Ruben before. My friend who Challenged me years ago to ride and go further and further. We rode our road and mountain bikes on  many Texas back roads and desert trails. He is still hitting the trails on his mountain bike. Mostly the paved ones but hits the nature trails every so often. Not many 75 year old guys are able to do that but Ruben is still at it. My old pal  and I caught up. We laughed, shared stories old and new. He asked about my brother Andy who joined us on some rides way back when.. We vowed to get together soon as we parted ways. I could not help to wonder about how active I will be at 75 years of age. Can I be just like Ruben?
Running on n the trail again after my last race felt labor-some at the start but soon I eased into a comfortable pace. It was nice being on familiar trails. I contemplated upcoming races. What next?
Towards the end of my run I came around a corner and to a slight incline as another runner was about to descend. He stopped and said "come on, I need a rest." Running up to him I asked how he was doing. "Good" he said smiling, as I passed he added, "Keep at it!"
Yes, I thought. I will. Just Like Ruben.

Leon Creek, My home turf

Return to Huntsville State Park

Late last year I mentioned to Tom that I would like to run at Huntsville State Park again. My first Ultra was at Huntsville 10 years ago. A 50K which was then called The Sunmart trail race and where I set my 50k PR that still stands.
Since then I have been to the Rocky Raccoon trail race at Huntsville to pace a good friend on her first 100 miler and to volunteer at the Damnation aid station.
Early this year I registered for the February 13, 2016 Fifty mile run.

On one of my almost daily conversations with my brother Andy, I told him my plans to run at Huntsville. His response was, “hey, maybe I'll go and meet you there! I can support you.” Of course I thought that was a great idea..

Andy booked a room and counted down the days every time I spoke to him. Asking what I would need him to do and planning what we would do after I crossed the finish line.

Feeling I had not trained properly for a 50 miler and knowing I would not be up to doing anything with my brother after the race, I changed my registration to the 50K so that I may be more able to spend time with Andy. My big brother who I owe so much too. He doesn't see it that way but Andy has done so much for me all my life. When I introduced Andy to Jeanie at Rockhopper Central she asked me what kind of brother Andy was.

Andy scolded me and even may have punched me (tongue in cheek) if and when I strayed but did everything for me otherwise. I could not have asked for a more loving and supportive big brother.

Andy drove from his home north of Dallas, I from from San Antonio to The Woodlands, TX. We met at the Hotel Friday afternoon before the race and were soon joined by his son, my nephew Andrew who had recently relocated to Pearland, TX. After having dinner we settled in to our room and caught up and learned some history and interesting facts from Andrew. That guy has a wealth of knowledge. As a kid Andrew read The Guinness book of world records, issues of the Farmers Almanac, and Texas Almanac cover to cover and would keep up with new editions. When he learns something new he researches it even further (something we learned from Grandpa, my dad). It's fun having a conversation with Andrew.

Andy dropped me off at the race site in Huntsville state park at 5 AM the next morning. He would drive back to the Hotel 30 miles away to have breakfast with Andrew and the two would return two hours later and hang out with the Rockhoppers at the Damnation aid station.

Rockhopper Central was already buzzing with smiles, hugs and well wishes at 5 AM as everyone was getting ready for their race. My plan was to run relaxed and hope to have a good time emotionally and on the clock without bonking.

As the race started on time at 5:45 AM, I found myself trying to stay close to other runners so that I
 could take advantage of their headlamps. Mine was a bit dim. I should have replaced the batteries beforehand.

I completed the first loop feeling good about seeing so many Rockhoppers on the course and at all the aid stations. Damnation had the biggest group of Rockhoppers and that place was really hopping! I looked forward to running into Damnation because of the big ruckus there. Also it's where my big brother was. I had pushed my pace just a bit over my comfort zone on the first loop but held back many times trying to conserve some energy for the second loop.

I walked out to begin the second loop eating an oreo cookie pancake while thinking I had only seen a couple of old guys (like me) at the turn around before me. Hmm, masters awards go three deep. Ah, I'll run my best, I thought. Then, An old guy passed me. Now the competitive side of me thought, I need to stay close to this guy. I fed off his pace trying not to stay too close. I felt he knew I was close behind as he picked up the pace. I gave him more room. Approaching the nature center aid station I relaxed and fell! I got up and walked in to the aid station and lost sight of the guy in front of me. He was gone. A mile or so down the trail, there he was. I caught him and passed him. Soon he passed me. I stayed close. I passed him again. The race was on. On the downhills my pace was faster. Running uphill he was stronger. I let him go up the next hill as I power hiked. As I crested that hill he was halfway down the other side. With another hill up ahead I made the decision to try and kill his spirit. Hey, this is racing! I get that competitive fire in me. Maybe I learned this from my brother as a kid. Andy was a great competitor in Soccer, Tennis, and life.

I picked up my pace going downhill trying to get momentum to carry me up and over the next hill in hopes of dropping my competition and making him think I had a full tank of energy.

I crested the next hill and kept on pushing into Damnation. In and out after big smiles with my Rockhopper pals I kept pushing on the out and back that would bring me back to damnation again. A funny thing happened on this out and back. I acquired some pacers! Two dogs ran out of the woods towards me! One ran ahead of me and the other behind. I talked to the beautiful light brown brindle pit bull and the dark brown hound mix. On the way back on the out and back, there was the other old guy about a quarter mile back. I tried to stay strong without blowing it. The dogs ran back into the woods as I approached damnation. Jokingly I asked Chris Russell to help me out. Engage the old guy in conversation Chris! He's gaining on me! Stall him. We all know Chris can talk.

A quick laugh, a bottle refill, and a pancake with bacon, I was out of the damnation aid station.

My only thoughts now were can I keep up my pace and stay ahead of this guy. Now, I was not sure if I really had a chance for a masters award but in my mind it was now me and the guy behind me. If I am in the running this guy will not take it from me. Does it matter? In the big scheme of things, probably not. But this is my little game of competition, in a little race, in the woods.

I'll confess to using the same line at Park road aid station with Claudette. In this case I asked Claudette to use her charm on the guy behind me to stall him. Jason chased me out of Park road.

By this time my legs were tired and a bit achy. I ran into another guy who was fading. We talked and encouraged each other on (later he would come over to Rockhopper central and say thanks).

I ran trying my best not to look back and remembering a quote by the great Satchel Paige “Don't look back, something might be gaining on you.”

I crossed the finish line and was asked how old I was (guess I look like an old guy) and was awarded third place masters. A big metal red ant! Another yard ornament to remind me that I am very fortunate to be able to run.

And fortunate to have friends like the Rockhoppers and a big brother like Andy.