Sunday, January 19, 2014

Bandera: 1st 100K & 1st Race Report

11 Jan 2014

Bandera was chosen as my first 100K because the race description is "A trail of rugged and brutal beauty where everything cuts, stings, or bites." That sounded perfect to me. It is in Texas Hill Country about an hour northwest of San Antonio. I had DNF'd my last Ultra in September, the 50M at Hawk, and I just needed to FINISH this one.


Bandera Babes at the Start

Erin, Erica, and Sophia had run it the year before and would be doing the 100K again, Todd from Alaska who had met the Babes in Utah was also doing the 100K, and Terri and Janee' were talked into doing the 25K.

Start (0) to Nachos (5.6)
- Didn’t eat for the first hour


The brisk breeze at the start of the race was refreshing once the sun was up above the hills. It was going to be a beautiful day with friends and trails. I stayed with Erin, Sophia, and Todd through the first hills and kept telling myself to hold back and stay conservative. “Stay with these people, they know what they’re doing.”


There were many people that came through our group, much small talk, and quiet hikes up the hills. The distant hills were hazy and the views spectacular.

My phone received signal for the first time that day while I was on top of a hill. It buzzed about 20 times, but I ignored it. I would save those messages for later. I might need them later.


Nachos (5.6) to Chapas (11)
- PB&J, orange slices, water
- Started taking 1 S-Cap every 30 minutes

I slowly pulled away from Erin, Sophia, and Todd and focused on staying relaxed. The conversations around me didn't draw me in like they sometimes do. It felt like an introverted day.


Chapas (11) to Xroads-in (17)
- Got rid of the layers
- PB&J, orange slices, Pringles, water


I caught up to Mark and was immediately scolded for doing so. Mark was helping me run a smart race and take it easy at the start. “I know Sophia wants me to tell you that you shouldn’t be passing me this early.” I agreed and sat in to his pace and got to know him a little better.


On the airplane on Thursday, I realized that I had left the bladder for my hydration pack at home. Instead of buying another one in San Antonio, Erin asked her friend, Mark, if he could bring one for me to borrow since he was driving to the race on Friday. So my new friend, Mark, played many roles in this race for me. He let me borrow his bladder, kept me accountable for my pace early in the race, and he was a motivator at the end of the race (I’ll get to that later).


Xroads-in (17) to Xroads-out (21)
- PB&J, orange slices, Pringles, water


I didn’t notice that I passed Mark while at this aid station. I didn’t spend much time there and left him behind me. His lesson was already in my brain, and I knew not to push it in the hot part of the day. I focused on how warm I was and slowed down if I felt hot.


Mark caught up to me again and I assured him that I really wasn't trying to pass him.


Xroads-out (21) to Last Chance (26)
- Lubed up all of my blisters and put on new socks
- Quesadilla, orange slices, water


Mark was fast through this aid station so he went on without me I sat down to do a sock change and lube my blisters and hotspots; they looked worse than they felt but this was the only time that I payed them any attention. Erin caught up to me a left the aid station ahead of me.


It took a lot of restraint to not speed up to catch up to her. It was definitely too warm to be forcing my pace. I had to be comfortable knowing that I would eventually catch up to her.


When I did catch Erin, we ran a few miles together. I was happy to take hike breaks on the hills in the sun because she needed to be nice to her previously injured calf. We came into Last Chance and saw a familiar face - Olga - 1st place female at FreeState 100K last year.  We collected high-fives and left.

 The photographer refused to take a picture of us running together - so use your imagination.

Last Chance (26) to Lodge (31)
- Ice in my pack, hat, and bra
- PB&J, orange slices, water, Kind bar


There are two notable climbs in the last 5 miles of the loop. First there’s Cairns Climb and the Boyle’s Bump. There is a runnable plateau at the top of each of them, but the downhills are loose rock and steep. I left Erin at some point and pushed to the Lodge.


For the first time in the race I let my tank get too empty. I was hungry. Too hungry. And hot. I ate some food I had with me and I was really wanting the Lodge to get there, and fast. My legs were feeling heavy when I got hungry. I had to keep that at bay.

I tried to text Matt an update on my progress when I had signal at the top of a hill. I read a few messages and got choked up by the overwhelming support that has given me. My legs felt like brand new again. This would be the first time out of many that I used an emotional trigger to silence the feelings in my legs.



Lodge (31) to Nachos (36.6)
- Ice in my hat and bra
- PB&J, orange slices, water, ice


It was a relief to make it to the Lodge and the halfway point. There was a middle school aged girl cutting up the PB&J. I gave her a sticky high-five.

Terri and Janee’ were there as well as Mark’s wife Bea. She put a towel soaked in ice water around my neck as I ate and filled up water. I rifled through my dropbag and failed to grab a headlamp. Oh well.

I left the aid station at exactly 2:30pm. 7 hours for the first 50K. This was the first time I started thinking about pace and finish time and my anal-retentive spreadsheet of projected splits that was in my right pocket. If I ran the next loop in 8 hours, that would be right on my goal time. I cleared my head because I knew my body would finish whether I over-thought splits or not.

I was alone and that’s where I wanted to be. The first loop went by quickly because of the back-and-forth I played with my friends, but now I was approaching the cooler part of the day and I needed mental clarity.

This was my pre-race checklist that I shared with my friends at dinner the night before the race:
  • Take it easy
  • Give all the volunteers high-fives
  • Dance party
  • Sing at the top of my lungs
  • It’s a wonderful day to be alive
  • Don’t take myself seriously
  • Just 12 legs in the race. Take them one at a time.
  • No one can take me out of this race.
  • The physical path of my journey is defined for me. The emotional and mental journey is why I’m here; this is where I learn about who I really am.
It was saved on my phone and I had been looking at it and adding to it all week. The second lap is where I might need the reminder of what my priorities are.


Nachos (36.6) to Chapas (42) 
- PB&J, orange slices, water


My Garmin died, but I didn’t care. I was only watching my heart rate in the heat to help judge my exertion level. I switched to my Timex that I’d had with me for my 30-minute S-Cap alarm (picked that up from pacing Danny at OT100).


I was alone and at peace. The cooler temperatures were much nicer and I stopped and took a picture of the sunset. This is the only picture that I took during the race. I somewhat regret not documenting the experience a little more, but the emotional state I was in was much stronger than a picture could record. It was a wonderful day to be alive.




Chapas (42) to Xroads-in (48)
- Dropped off Garmin and heart rate monitor
- Ramen, orange slices, water


I ditched my Garmin and heart rate monitor in my drop bag and picked a small flashlight in case the sun set before I got to my headlamp at Crossroads.

An aid station volunteer said to me and another runner that we're 2/3 of the way finished; only 20 miles to go. To that I exclaimed that this is now my longest run EVER. I think every volunteer and crew member within earshot gave me a great round of applause. I left that aid station feeling a little choked up about running into the unknown of 40+ miles. My tears of joy/elation/accomplishment propelled me forward and I picked up speed. I felt invincible; the happier I felt, they fresher my legs were.


I passed a guy on the dirt road that we take around a field as we come into Crossroads.  My speed of running made his running seem stationary. As I approach, I say “Good evening.” He says, “Wow, you’re hauling. I’m so jealous.” I smile to myself and respond with “It’s a wonderful day to be alive.” He hesitated, it sunk in, he responded, “Yes, it IS a wonderful day to be alive!” That gave me chills.


Xroads-in (48) to Xroads-out (53) Duration 1:11
- Picked up a headlamp & spare batteries
- Ramen, mashed potatoes, water, PB&J to-go


Terri & Janee had Erica with them...I wasn't happy to see that Erica didn't finish the race. They helped me grab my dropbag, collect refills, and I threw a long sleeve around my waist for later. I left Terri with a checklist of warm things to grab out of my dropbag for my return to Crossroads in 5 miles.

At this point, I was completely satisfied with how the race was going. I wanted nothing more than to finish, and at this point I knew I would. Even if I hiked the last 15 miles, I would still be happy with my time and performance. I even said to Mark before leaving Crossroads, “It's just a 15 mile hike and we’re finished!” My mind was content and I didn’t know if I could run more or if I even wanted to.


I had a small twinge in my left calf that pushed me to take 1 Advil. I wanted to be able to ignore the spot, but still know that it was there. In the back of my mind, I was "saving" something for the last 5 miles where there were 2 notable hills.


I got to a flat area and started running before I even thought about it. A few minutes passed before I realized i was running. It was comfortable and right. I did a double-take because I could have sworn I was walking. This was my first out-of-body experience. I was outside of my body, looking down at my body running along; alone and in the dark. More tears of joy, more energy to run.


Xroads-out (53) to Last Chance (57) Duration 1:00
- Ramen (burned my tongue), mashed potatoes, 1 Advil, water, PB&J to-go

I didn't need those warm clothes that I had Terri grab. Stuffed the gloves in my waistband anyway because you never know. I told Terri that I was running ahead of schedule and that they should expect me at the finish between 10 and 10:30pm. But probably closer to 10.

I caught up to Mark and then finally changed into the warm BreathThermo long sleeve that I had been carrying for 10 miles. I wanted to run and I had energy to spare, so I moved on. I said bye, thanked him for letting me borrow the bladder, and said I'd see him at the finish line.

I ran more than I hiked. I started passing people. Lots of people. I would leave each of them with "It's a wonderful day to be alive." I'm sure that my positivity shocked many of them and I hope that it helped them. The more I said it, the more it helped me. My legs felt great and so did my mind. I had an iPod with me for the entire race and I never got it out.

Hallucinations were creeping in for my entertainment. There was an black and white striped octopus - turned out to be a stick. There was a tarantula - nope, just a leaf. There was a shadow of a man - just my eyes tricking me. There was a guy covered in reflective tape dancing - just a runner ahead of me and the course marking reflectors blowing in the wind. There was a red cooler sitting on the side of the trail - no explanation for that one, just wishful thinking I guess.


Last Chance (57) to Lodge (62) Duration 1:08
-Sotol Cactus Tequila shot, instant mashed potatoes made with salty broth, water, 3 gingersnaps to-go, water

At Last Chance I asked them jokingly what they had for a sore calf (looking at the full selection of liquor in front of me). Without hesitation, a shot of Sotol Cactus tequila was poured for me. Very fitting after being scratched by Sotol all day.


This makes very tasty tequila.

This section of trail was mentally tough for me during the first loop, so I expected a challenge on the second loop. Maybe it was the tequila or maybe the cooler temperature or the imminent finish, but I swear there was only 1 hill this time. I made it up Cairns Climb and kept running. Boyle's bump never came. Where was it? I know the last mile is all downhill and I was running downhill. I could faintly hear cheers of the finish line. Or was my mind playing tricks on me? I had been running long enough that I should be close to the finish, but I KNEW there would be another hill!

The second hill disappeared. I'm convinced of it. I picked up the pace toward the finish. I was sprinting it in like I always do at the finish of races. I had way too much energy and my legs felt fresh, so why not. It was 9:57pm, I could finish by 10:00pm. I crossed the finish line at 14:30:00 (10pm on the nose) and slammed on the brakes to not hit the crowd of people gathered just past the line. Don't they know that people are trying to run here?

Joe the RD handed me a belt buckle. I looked around. I recognized no one. I felt nothing. The feelings of accomplishment and that had me in tears on the trail escaped me now at was supposed to be a joyous moment. 

I just wanted to keep running.