• Fantastic soft-pine covered single track throughout most of course (just overlook the big rocky climbs at the beginning!)
• Well stocked and staffed aid stations at 5-mile intervals on 15.5 mile loop (you’ll meet veterans who know how to help, encourage, and be sure you’re doing things right)
• Easy 45-minute drive from Austin’s airport makes it convenient for out-of-town runners
• Very nice cool-release shirt as part of the swag bag
  

Nutritional plan

• 20 oz. of water during all 5-mile sections (except first loop between Longhorn and Tunnel o’ Pines when I had HEED) with lots of refueling from the cups of water, gatorade, and soda at the aid station
• 12 oz. can of Miller Lite at Tunnel o’ Pines aid station on second loop (critical for getting me through)
  One 20 oz. helping of HEED during the first loop
• 8 e-caps taken in either 1s or 2s at each aid station (and no cramping through entire race in 80+ degree bright, sunny weather–thank goodness for the shaded trails)
• Plenty of canteloupe at Longhorn on my second loop, PB&J a couple of times, 2 ham and cheese wraps, and a few fritos and pringles tossed in here and there

I got into Austin around 8:30pm on Friday night planning to catch up on one of my favorite Tex-Mex restaurants, but when Guero’s had an hour wait, I opted for Zen instead, and it definitely wasn’t a bad backup. I had my usual white chicken and broccoli bowl with 4 pieces of a Philadelphia roll–both excellent as usual.

After a decent night’s rest at an airport hotel, I headed out to Smithville around 6am. I arrived with 15 minutes before race time which was plenty to get my race packet, meet friends, check-in with Robert Heynen and make last preparations. Right on time, we were off.

The course is three very different sections in my mind. I’d last run it in 2004 but remembered it pretty well. The first 5 are loaded with the big climbs up front followed by lots of winding until you’re dumped out on a jeep road that leads down the Longhorn Aid Station. The second section is lots of twisting ups and downs with some good flat runnable sections as well. It ends by dumping you out into an open field that you cross before heading into Tunnel o’ Pines and the second aid station. As was the case in 2004 due to recent rains, there was a small bit of water in the creek after the aid station which made for a very small water crossing you could probably leap across.

My first 25K loop went really well. I was with Deborah for most of the way until the big downhill sections in the last third of the course. I finished it in 3:45 and sat and rested around 15 minutes before heading back out. The temperature was getting up there and one guy stopped and asked me how I was able to stand the fleece vest I was wearing. Really though I wasn’t hot!

Mentally I headed back out to the second loop in great condition and physically I was in a better place than at the end of last weekend’s 25K. That would soon change. We took the uphill climbs very easily and then were doing a lot of walking through the first section. I decided that I’d attempt to drop at Longhorn if there was a truck heading back to the start/finish. I was starting to worry that I wouldn’t be able to finish in time to make it back to the airport to catch my 6:00pm flight. Negative thoughts snowballed and I wasn’t in a good spot. When we finally reached the road, I powered through to the aid station and sat for a good long while talking to the volunteers. Gabe gave some kind words of encouragement and suggested I just take it slow and easy all the way in. Keith and Deborah rolled in and I was starting to feel a lot better. I powered out of there knowing I needed to go a bit faster or my negative thoughts would take me back down.

I tried to put in as much jogging on this second part as possible but my heart rate was higher than I wanted it to be. After experimenting with walking/jogging for a good hour, I determined that jogging didn’t really elevate my heart rate a whole lot higher so I resolved to move in whatever way was most comfortable. All things considered, the race was going pretty well given that it was getting hot and I wasn’t cramping, had no gear issues, and no blistering. Shortly before entering the field, a 50-mile runner came upon me and I asked the time. When he told me it was only 2pm, my spirits were lifted. I was going slowly, but not nearly as bad as I thought. I figured it was at least 3pm and I’d be in trouble and need to drop at the next aid station.

Without Deborah, I decided to sit and wait at the aid station to see if she’d come in soon. I took the volunteers up on their offer of a cold beer and enjoyed a full 12 oz. Miller Lite while sitting and resting. I probably spent a good hour just in the aid stations at this race but it really helped get me through and made things more bearable. Deborah did roll in with Keith again and we all three headed out about the same time.

At this point i just wanted the race to be over so I kept pushing as much as I could. When I’d find a comfortable log, stump, or picnic table, I’d stop and sit for a couple of minutes to let the throb in my feet subside and get my heart rate back down. When a 50-mile runner came upon me sitting, she seemed a little worried and ask if I needed anything (I always love how nice fellow runners are on the trails). I had a ton of salt buildup on my face and I’m sure I didn’t look so good and the sitting down in the middle of the trail didn’t help. But I powered on and knew I was fine when I made it to the water station about a mile out from the start/finish with enough gas left to still do some jogging. It was still more comfortable to walk though so I just kept at it slow and steady.

I came into the finish with the clock already past the 9-hour mark but I was happy to have this one in the bag. Robert was a little concerned with how I looked and asked me lots of questions to make sure I was ok. Several other volunteers shuffled around to make sure I had what I wanted and it was so nice to be back at a race where the people do so much more than expected. Having started trail running in Austin with HCTR and Joe’s races, I have really been spoiled into thinking how races should be! But it was so good to see my HCTR and NTTR friends from years past and it was great to be back on the trails with so many I knew.

After a quick hosing down of my head and face to get the salt off, I drove back to the airport and loaded up on some delicious Belgian chocolate with M&Ms from Amy’s. I miss Austin!