Rocky Raccoon 50 Recap

Two days ago I completed my second 50 mile ultra trail run. An ultra is defined as any distance beyond the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Most of these types of races are run on unpaved trails through the woods. I have been a distance runner since 2006, but running ultras is something that's relatively new to me. 

They say everyone experiences these races​ in four phases.

1. The Physical - Your body is cranking like a well-oiled machine and you feel unstoppable.
2. The Mental - You're fighting physical discomfort and perhaps even pain, but your mind is keeping you moving.
3. The Emotional - You're physically and mentally exhausted, but the fire in your belly gives you strength to push onward.
4. The Spiritual - You're praying for the strength and fortitude to get to the finish line in one piece.

I experienced all of the above this past weekend. My run was going well and I was feeling on top of the world. That is, until a gnarly root caught my foot on a downhill causing me to sprain my left ankle at mile 20. I knew it wasn't just a slight tweak because putting any weight on it caused instant pain. I had to stop to brace myself against a tree. I hobbled gingerly on it just to move forward, taking extra care as a navigated over the roots and rocks. I slowly managed to make it to the next aid station where I asked for ibuprofen from a friend. I thought I could manage the pain so I pushed on. The pain subsided enough for me to run as long as I didn't bend my ankle too much. That worked until another misstep turned that same ankle again, flooding my leg with pain signals. I was back to hobbling. At mile 33, my friends grabbed the medic and rushed to my aid. The race doctor taped up my ankle and berated me for taking ibuprofen, explaining that my kidneys were already under too much duress from the race as it is. I thanked her for all her care and promised to take her advice.

I had paced well for the first two loops, but since I was about five hours from sunset and running on a gimpy ankle, I expected the last loop to be completed well after dark. A friend volunteered to run with me for the final 17 miles in case things got bad. I greatly appreciated the company.

With his encouragement, I finished the race in 10:55:26. I had bested my time from last year by an hour and a half. I couldn't believe it. I know it would not have been possible without all the support and care I received from so many that day. I was overwhelmed with such gratitude and joy.

When I tell people about this hobby of mine, they always ask "why?" Why go out and torture myself for so many miles? Why don't I just relax at home and watch TV?

I tell them this. I do it because I want to challenge myself. I do it because I get to see the good in people. I do it because I want to move with purpose.

2014 Chevron Houston Marathon Recap

This was my seventh Chevron Houston Marathon and I had some high expectations. Having come off a solid season of training and an early season marathon PR of 4:03, I thought this was the perfect year for me to crack that 4:00 barrier. Conditions were looking ripe for a great race and there wasn't a drop of rain in the forecast. My race strategy was to pace for a 3:50 marathon finish with the expectation that I would eat up some of that buffer in the late miles. I had hoped that the 10 minute padding would give me enough wiggle room if things got a little shaky. Temperatures were nearly ideal with a starting temperate in the upper 40s. It was cold but not cold enough where I felt I had to wear multiple layers. I even decided to wear a running singlet. I figured as the day warmed up, I didn't want to be caught with too much on.

In the weeks and days leading up to marathon weekend, my biggest concerns where about my left foot, which had started giving me some problems in the last month of training. That was around the same time I had tried a few training runs with a new pair of Brooks Pure series shoes. I can't say for certain if that's what started the issues, but I've decided that the Pure series just doesn't work for me. So my options for a race day shoe was between my trusty Asics HyperSpeed racing flats or the Saucony Hurricanes which I had some success earlier this season with. I was worried about foot fatigue in the racing flats in the later miles so I opted to race in the premium cushioning of the Hurricanes. I don't regret my decision because for the entirety of the race, my feet were never a problem. Cramps, however, were. I started feeling some early twinges in my calves quite early in the race, which I was shocked and very concerned with. I felt the first one around the 14 mile mark. I made a point to focus on staying on schedule with my nutrition hoping that would address the cramps. What I learned was that it wasn't enough. I was completely on top of my energy gels and I didn't feel overly dehydrated, but the cramps started to get the best of me after mile 22. I was feeling it in my quads, hamstrings and calves. In some ways it was reminiscent of my first marathon in 2008. I wasn't sure what had gone wrong this time. Was my first half pace too aggressive? Was something off in my nutrition? Was it the ever so slightly warmer weather? I kept running the numbers in my head and kept watching as my time padding steadily shrank as I slogged through my last few miles. This is where I had to adjust from my plan A to my plan B then eventually to my plan C. Plan A was to break the 4:00 mark. Plan B was to break my PR of 4:03. Plan C was to break my course PR of 4:10. I just barely manage to meet my plan C with a finish of 4:08:50, but a relatively healthy finish is a good finish in my opinion. I didn't meet my initial goal, but I came away with some new lessons learned. I'm thinking I should integrate electrolyte capsules into my training and race days. I've got to solve the late mile cramps. I'm getting stronger, but I know there is still room for growth and improvement.

As a side note, the new course was beautiful. I loved going down Congress which kept us in downtown longer through the start. The stretches through Kirby and into Rice University were picturesque. Well done, Houston.

Also, my wife achieved a new 5K PR the day before having to support me during my race!!

2013 Fall Race Recap Notes

2013 Dad's Day 5K  (0:21:49 @ 7:01 min/mile) - Hot, humid, and a new PR. 

2013 Alaina Dixon 5 Miler - This was the inaugural race named after a fellow RHC club member who collapsed during the Chevron Marathon a few years ago. The race benefited the medical team that saved her life. The club had a large presence for this one. 

2013 Chosen Marathon (4:03:18 @ 9:09 min/mile) - This was a beautiful hilly run in central Texas. It has special significance for me because its mission is to raise funds and awareness for the 165 million orphans worldwide. I would be lying if I said I didn't get emotional during this race. I was choked up and teary eyed in the final stretch as thoughts of my adoptive daughter in waiting on my mind.

I hadn't planned to shoot for any time goals this time. The course had plenty of elevation and it was early in the race season, but with the help of new friend I was pacing for a PR.

 ---- 1st Half ----                   ---- 2nd Half ----                  Chip 
Rnk     Time         Pace        Rnk Time  Pace        Time             Pace   
57 1:59:51 9:09/M 38 2:03:27  9:25/M 4:03:18.872   9:17/M

2013 Houston Half Marathon - The day after running the Chosen Marathon, I had committed to running this half marathon with a friend, who was running her very first half marathon. It's always great fun and a real privilege to be there with someone as they discover the beauty of the sport for the first time.

2013 HMSA 25K (2:13:51 @ 8:36 min/mile) - The second race of the Warm-Up series, I felt strong throughout this looped course along the Allen Parkway and Memorial. Running on tired legs didn't bother me either.

2013 FLS 30K (2:41:16 @ 8:39 min/mile) - This was the final race of the Warm-Up series. The weather was ideal if not a bit nippy if you weren't running. My final two miles weren't quite as strong as I had hoped. I need to improve my late race speed.