I met Chris Russell, Chris Matuszak and Liza Marcello-Howard at Government Canyon one Sunday and found out Chris was also training for Cactus Rose. We trained together regularly with a few trips up to Bandera. On one of those trips I sprained my ankle. I took Liza's advice and iced it as soon as I got home (something I never do) and raised it above my heart for 15 minutes and repeat a few times. I never got in the really long run I wanted, But had a few back to backs of 25+ and 15+ miles. My wife insisted I see a Dr. before the race to make sure I was OK. Well, I was forced to only because of my left eye, which would not stop watering and was very painful. Turns out I had contracted a rare bacterial infection. The Doc put me on a strong anti-biotic the week before the race.

My brother Andy drove down from Dallas on Friday. I decided to sleep at home and Andy drove me up to Bandera Saturday morning for the 5:00 AM start. Driving up I gave Andy instructions on preparing my drop bags and food. Avocado sliced in quarters, Chicken salad sandwiches, Almond butter sandwiches, Pasta salad, bananas, oranges, sweet potato, nuts, cookies, and fig newtons. Andy found the four aid station locations and set out my food, and drinks also. Sobe life water and Vitargo, an energy drink mix I found at GNC that really works for me.

At check in I was greeted by Race Director Joe P., Robert and Diana Heynan, and John Palmer. We chatted a bit and off to the starting line. Andy gave me a hug and wished me luck. John came over and said “your ready man” Your gonna do great.” “go slow” and he gave me a hug that stayed with me throughout the race.

Off we went into the dark. I tried very hard to go slow. I moved over to let others pass me so I would not feel pressure to run faster than I wanted to. I was cruising right along when at about mile 4, there goes my left ankle. Oh S&%T! Turned my ankle already? Not too bad I said, shake it off, take it easy. I made it to the first aid station. Andy handed me some food and I was out of there in less than 2 minutes. Somewhere before the next aid station I turned my ankle again! Arriving at Nachos aid station Robert said I was pretty quiet. I told Diana I turned my ankle and she responded, “It's pretty early in the game.” I was upset with myself. Before completing the first loop I would turn it yet again. This time it really hurt. I kept thinking about directing my thoughts somewhere else and accepting the fact that I am going to hurt on this 100 mile trip. Then, I came upon Abigail Meadows. We chatted a bit and I noticed she was grimacing every now and then. I asked her if she was OK. She said “yeah, I've got a cracked heel and I'm just hoping it goes numb real soon. I'm scheduled for surgery on Wednesday.” Wow!and all I've got is a little sprain.

I was babying my left ankle which led to a change in my gait. As a result, my right knee started to hurt!

My right knee never hurts, it's always my left knee I have problems with. By mile 40 I decided I would power walk the rest of the way. I had practiced power walking during my training and it was working well. Approaching the park headquarters on trail 7 a man was walking a horse on the trail. I fell in behind the horse and followed his pace for a little while. By this time my body was starting to hurt in many places. John Palmer was cracking glow sticks on trail 2 when I came upon him and told him how I felt. Keep moving he said, your just going through a bad patch. Take some ibuprofen. I don't like taking that stuff, but at this point I knew I had to. Arriving at crossroads I told my brother about it and he pulled what he had out of his car and gave it to me. By this time (mile 45, 4:30 PM) Tom Bowling had arrived. He was taking over as my crew chief for the night. Andy's camping days were over in 1975 (His words).

I made it to the lodge, completing my second loop at 6:15 PM (50miles), 45 minutes ahead of schedule.My Pacer was not there. No problem, I told her I'd be there at 7 PM. I left word with the folks at the lodge aid station to tell her I had gone ahead. Less than 2 miles up the trail Tom Bowling popped out of the woods to pace me into crossroads. My original pacer, Marissa Toland, was running late. I found out later she was late because her Pug Sophie was in some beauty contest. Oh well, I love my dog too. I understand. Night had fallen as Tom and I came into crossroads. Marissa was there! Everyone was lying to me telling me how good I looked. They fed me, we laughed a little. Chris M was there and I asked him about Chris Russell. He said Chris R was not too far behind me, but was taking his time at the aid stations. I found out later from Chris R that he was run out of at least one aid station for chatting too much. Marissa and I took off into the night.

What is amazing are the runners who do this race without a pacer at night. As Matt C from Garland told me earlier, “don't fight this course because it fights back.” well at night it gets even tougher. Marissa and I had a great time chatting for the next 10 miles. Back at crossroads Liza was waiting to take me the next 15 miles. I ate, we laughed again and Tom took a picture.

Off to climb the big hills with Liza. I started to complain about the soles of my feet. Liza said she would take a look at boyles aid station. I sat down once we got to Boyles as Liza removed my shoes and socks to look at my blisters. “Ah, they're not too bad she said.” But they hurt! She taped them up and said if they bothered me she'd look at them again later. We crossed paths with Chris R, chatted a little and kept going. We stopped and looked at the stars a couple of times. Liza pointed out Orion, Scorpius, and some others. I knew the big dipper! Liza was also pointing out the spiders by their glowing eyes. That was weird. She kept me awake and I was just counting down the hours to daylight. I never felt sleepy, but got dizzy after bending down once. My hands started to swell up. I knew I was drinking enough because I was stopping to water trees often. And I was perspiring. I was also taking in succeed capsules (electrolytes). Maybe I wasn't balancing it just right. We made it to the lodge and back to boyles just a little late. Kelli Newlon was waiting to pace me the next 10 miles. I thanked Liza and Kelli and I took off (I felt like James Coburn in The Great Escape as he was greeted by a different guide crossing borders of European countries after fleeing the Prison).

Kelli was making sure I did not fall as I descended the steep drops. She was shining the light ahead of my feet. By this time the pace was really slow and my knees were stiff. I could not run if I wanted to. The pain in my right knee would not allow it. At crossroads Chris Russell came in right behind us. We agreed to stick together to the end. Kelli, Chris R, Chris M (pacing Chris R) and I enjoyed a beautiful sunrise Sunday morning. I told Kelli, “I think I'm going to pull this off.” “Of course you are” she said. Approaching Ice cream hill, the last BIG climb before Lucky peak at the end, I told the group to go on ahead. I had to dig a hole. Kelli waited up ahead, but Chris R. could not stop. I understood. I would not stop on a climb at mile 88 if I did not have too. I finished my business and Kelli and I started the climb up Ice Cream. Chris R and Chris M were waiting at the top! We descended and on into Nachos (mile90!). Kelley Anz was waiting to pace me the last 10 miles.

We're power hiking I told her. “Fine” she said. “ready?” lets go. Kelley and I caught up on some things. I have not run with her much lately. It was great having her at this point. With her and Chris R talking you can hardly get a word in edgewise(ha!ha! Luv ya guys).This kept my mind off the pain. And They have interesting conversation too! I was doing pretty good the next 5 miles, although the soles of my feet were burning! We made it to crossroads for the last time. 5 miles to go! This time Chris R was the one speeding out of the aid station. I had to take a potty break and told him I would catch up. I could not walk fast enough to catch him before reaching Lucky peak. The last climb. I was so afraid of falling back while climbing this steep hill, I was leaning forward and felt as if I was almost crawling up. All the while Kelley was lying to me by telling me “you look good you're doing great!” Over Lucky and the Chris' were out of sight. Kelley kept pushing me on. As we neared the end Chris M came back to check on me. “Alright” he said. “we”re there.” “Is Chris waiting?” I asked. “yes” Wow! Chris R did not enter the clearing approaching the finish line until I got there! How cool is that?

I ran to get to him and he said “ oh no, You're running?” Just to catch up Bud. “don't want to make you wait too long.” Thanks Chris.

We made in together at 32:13:28.

Chris wanted us to cross the mat together. We did, but I registered 4 tenths of a second ahead of him.

That's just not right.

In my book, Chris Russell was the winner that day.

My crew was there along with some friends with an ice cold Guinness extra stout that Kelli N had left for me. This was the surprise my crew kept telling me about. I ate first of course. Two beers and I was done! What a great experience. I was asked, what next? I don't even want to think about it. I want to savor this for awhile.