Brief summary: Whoda thought! Not me! I went NOT intending to run a marathon and wellllll, Wilber.... I did! And won First place Female Masters! It was the most incredible experience of my running !!! Recovery feels like nothing... no aches, no pains! I'm still high! Felt great the entire time, felt I could have kept running after my 5:04 finish. Temps: high 40s or low 50s. Warmed up to 70s. Perfect weather!

Long version: I only found out about the run on Monday night at the Austin Triathletes meeting from my cool buddy, Mark Lindsey. I wasn't sure I wanted to run it. I was a 3 loop marathon, so I figured I could just run 2 loops and get a taste of trail running. That was a safe distance and I knew I could do that.

I could not get a hold of the race director to sign up. So, I drove 80 miles to Inks Lake to check out the terrain and sign up. It was cold and windy on Friday...what was I doing. But, it was so beautiful out there! I was glad I made the road trip to sign up. Still thinking I'm crazy, but my gut feeling was strong to try this run. (had to really see why Mark likes these races)

My hubby didn't come home from traveling until 9:00 p.m. and we went to our favorite Mexican food place here in Wimberley. I ate a taco salad with Fajita Chicken meat and yes, I had a Margarita!!! I wasn't serious about this run.

Off to the "race" ( I always put quotes because I don't know if I ever race, okay, maybe the last 100 yards). Nice weather. I was observing all the experienced trail runners. Looking at what they were going to wear, what shoes they had, most had trail shoes, but some running shoes. I didn't look like a total newbie. A few youngins (under 40 types), but most were masters. Yes, I did look to see how many woman masters there were who would probably beat me like they usually do.

I missed the meeting to discuss the trail, I was in the potty okay!

We took off as the sun was coming up. I just thought, pace yourself and watch the others. I was middle of the group. Oh good. I wont be last. Last, what was I saying, I wasn't going to finish the marathon anyway.

Okay, again, do as they do. Ahhh, even the youngsters are walking up the hills and on the difficult boulders, I can handle that. We topped a hill, I just had to open my arms, lift them to the sky and inhale the beauty! It was warming up. 2 miles later was the water stop, I left my hat, removed my gloves and 2 guys passed me... older guys! I thought 'don't loose them! They know where they are going and have done this trail running before!'.

I followed, lost the guy a few times in the trees and curves and hills. Man, look at that guy take the down hills! All those rocks, how does he do that!? I followed, but not too close. Up rocky hills, then smooth trails, through trees, fields, atop big hills with wonderful views, cool breezes, back down gullies with some small streams to cross. What an adventure! And I'm running! Others are running. We passed a few hikers who probably wondered what the heck we were doing.

I got too close to the guy ahead, he stopped and said, "here, you can pass", I said, "no, you are my saviour. I'm new to this and following you and don't want to get lost out here". We stayed together and he even waited for me after the first lap. We all removed layers and got drinks, I mixed my Sustained Energy drink, we chatted. He even waited for me to use the bathroom in the park facilities.

Off to the second lap. The guy, named Joe, was non-stop talk!!! It was fun. We laughed, we talked about trail running, focused, wondered who was in front and who was behind us. Again, he'd take the down hills so fast! He thought we had 4 loops to do, so when he found out it was only, yes, only 3 loops, he felt much better. We finished loop 2 in a flash, okay, so it still took 1 1/2 hours, but it went by so fast.

Last loop. I was feeling a tad tired, I told him I didn't want to hold him back and that I had no intention of running all 3 loops anyway. He said no, we can do this. Again, it felt great. I followed him again. I commented on his fast downhills. He agreed, he is good at that. I took the lead with a few miles to go. Oh, no, a rocky downhill coming, he is behind me... okay, I can do this.... tippy toe, light feet, choose a spot to step, another, fast, quick, WOW! I did it! I cheered, he cheered. I took all the downhills from then on with speed and grace. No broken or sprained ankles either! It really takes skill out there too.

I looked at my watch and told him I'd love to finish under 5 hours. We picked it up some, but then my heart rate got too high and I really wasn't sure where we were, there are no mile markers. I backed off. He said he didn't think we would make it.

We neared the park and some kids on a tour cheered us on. So fun! I thought it was the end. I picked it up and passed some other runners (a female masters runner) and got to the finish and stopped, they said "NO! you aren't done! you have to run on the road!". I cursed and took off. Remember, I missed the meeting.

My sweet buddy Mark who finished 3rd OVERALL!!!! wanted to run with me. I thought the finish was just a few hundred yards so I really kicked. He was too tired and stiff to run with me. Sorry Mark! Well, hell, where is the finish. I yelled at some runners passing the other way..."where do I go!?", they said "you repeat the same 8/10 of mile we did at the beginning", oh bummer! I slowed down. I was already ahead of that lady and wasn't going to make my 5 hours, so I just enjoyed the finish. I felt guilty leaving my buddy Joe.

WOW! I did a marathon. A rocky, hilly, potentially dangerous (ankle braking) marathon.

:-) :-) :-)

Yes, I'm happy, proud, and ready to train for my Ironman Canada!!!!!!!!

I did NOT feel any aches and pains and not really very sore afterwards. 3 days later I hiked in California on a 10 mile out and back (up and down) trail, the top was a view of the coast and Malibu. Trail running, I'm hooked!!!

Layne

Technical/nutritional notes:
Ran out of water first loop, 20 oz. Used Hammer gel, about 3 1/2 servings. 1:42 minutes
Sustained Energy for 2nd loop, 3 scoops, + 1 oz. Hammer Gel for taste, needed more. 1:30 minutes. Okay waterwise, used 24 oz. bottle.
3rd loop, had SE left, so just diluted rest with water, ate pretzels. If I had picked up pace I would have needed more SE. Ate 1/4 peanut butter and jellie sandwich at 2 mile rest stop. Water was okay. I drank extra at 2 mile rest stop.
Only 2 water stops. Could have used on around mile 5 instead of mile 2.