Rocky Racoon 100Mi/50Mi, ???, Huntsville, TX, 02/07/09

Rockledge Rumble, 50K, Grapevine, TX, 11/08/08

Run from the Ducks, 8 hour Ultra, 8 HR, Mineral Wells, TX, 9/27/08 - 27.4 miles

I did not make my goal milage of 30 miles but I did learn a bunch. This race is a blast because of the volunteers and small size. The sun is tough in September in Texas. I improved my milage over last year. In the first four hours I was 3 miles ahead of plan at 18.3 but only managed 9 miles in the last 4 hours.

Toughest Race in Texas, 10K, Austin, TX, 04/12/08 - 1:37:36

I love running in Austin an I knew this would be my only chance this year BUT I was not in shape and came in dead last (199 out of 199!) It was a fun course with some interesting and killer ups. I still had some mental recovery to do since ATY.[15.6 pace]

Grasslands, Marathon, Decatur, TX, 03/22/08 - 7:50:13

This race really kicked my butt. I could not get ATY out of my head. I stopped believing that I could do it. In fact for much of the first half I planned to drop out after the first loop. Lucky for me, after a cool drink and a long sit, Suzy left me go backout and try to finish. I did but dead last of the Marathoners. There was a bright spot since I was last I had a mounted escort to the finish line. [17.9 pace]

Across the Years, 48 HR, Phoenix, AZ, 12/30/07 - 64+ miles

ATY was a tough race for me. An intestinal bug got me the first day, it might have been related to the drive out there. I got my electrolites badly out of wack and had a hard time keeping down fluids. The fine medical staff at this event helped me get back out on the course. I passed my published goal of 100K on day 2 but a second round of vomiting late in the day knocked me out of the race. I was concerned about the 1000+ mile drive home and decided to call it quits. I do have to admit that my training had fallen off after the Ultracentric. I thought I could tough it out but I would have needed to be real lucky. In the future I need to rely on training and not luck. No DNFs in a timed race but I feel this was my first DNF.

Ultracentric, 48 HR, Grapevine, TX, 11/16/07 - 73.5 miles

I have finally made it past 100K in a race. I learned a great deal about my mind and my body on this effort. At mile 70 I ran as hard as I could for my last 2 mile lap and was able to run it with an 11:30 / mile pace. It was my fastest lap but it also told me I held too much in reserve. My feet were in good shape through about 50 miles but were in tough shape by the end. Much to learn, more training to do but I know I have more in me.

Run from the Ducks, 8 hour Ultra, 8 HR, Mineral Wells, TX, 9/22/07 - 22 miles / 8 Hours

This timed race event was a lot of fun but HOT! the Clark Botanical Gardens were beautiful. I worked on a partern of "rest and run" which I hope will work well for me in the Ultracentric.

Rogue Series “The Belt”, 30K, Austin, TX, 6/24/07 - 5:16

This was the last race in the Rogue Trail Series. I won a “Finisher” T-shirt for completing the 3 30K races. This was an interesting course with some of everything. There were water crossings, hill, mud, and more. I felt pretty good at the end. Overall pace was 16.9

Rogue Series “The Loop”, 30K, Austin, TX, 6/3/07 - 5:10

This course kicked my butt! It was like running 18+ miles with 10 of them being stairs. On the first loop I ran a bunch of ups but paid the price later. The Emma Long Park course is really a bike trail. See pics of the course here. This race resulted in more than 25 DNFs, nearly 15%! I was happy that I made it to the end. Oh yes, it gets hot in Texas. It was 95 degrees at the end. It was a fun course even with all that and worth doing again but I would prefer to do it in February. Overall pace was 16.6 (survival called for much walking)

Rogue Series “The Maze”, 30K, Austin, TX, 5/6/07 - 4:59:51

The first race of the Rogue series is done! I went out far too fast, 1 hr 20 minutes on the first 10K about a 12.9 pace. The race was fun but by the time I got to the third loop I was was really sucking wind. I did make my goal of break 5 hours but barely. Overall pace was 16.1.

The Grasslands Run, Marathon, Decatur, TX, 3/24/07 - 7:12

I finished the Grasslands Marathon in less than 8 hours. I can tell my condition in much better. I was able to run most of the first 16 miles but was really slowed by the sand and the heat on the second loop. It was a good experience but I noticed my body was much more exhausted than at shorter distances. I have some work to do.[14.4 1st 15.8, 16.5 overall pace]

East Texas Ultra Trail Run 25K, Tyler, TX, 2/10/07 - 3:56

I This run started on a cold, crisp morning. It was the first time that I was able to run with a “pack”. There were several people that I passed and was passed by all morning. I pretty much kept to my 10 minute run / 5 minute walk schedule with adjustments for the long hill sections. [15.2 pace]

UltraCentric 24 Hour, Grapevine, TX, 11/18/06 - 36.35 miles

I ran and walked for 36.35 miles in 24 hours. I did pretty well in the first 12 hours by finishing just over 12 laps (28.8 miles). During that time I took one break for about an hour at the 5 laps and changed sox. I should have been making more stops and more changes. By the time I reached 24 miles I had a major blister problem going on both feet. It made those last 12 mile a real adventure in the “joy of running”! I had no foot problems at Rockledge so I made a rookie mistake of not tending to my feet.

I was very inspired by the many runners in their 60’s and 70’s who ground out the miles. Their drive and determination was plainly visible. It took my age (53) right off my excuse list. I did end up with sore feet and a fever on Sunday but it was worth every bit of effort.

The biggest news was that I was not LAST!! Now I have a base line to work from. I am going to shorten my target race miles and train to run more than walk.

Rockledge Rumble 30K, Grapevine, TX, 11/11/06 - 5:51:49

My first race is in the books. I finished a solid last place in the 30K but I am pleased that I finished. I walked a great deal of this race, for the most part I only ran on the down hills. I had a great time, a beautiful trail and I did not die! [18.8 pace]