TrailHonky

I started running at LaFortune Park this week after deciding I should look for other trails in the midtown area. The Riverside trail is nice, but it can be a bit monotonous. LaFortune is a nice 3-mile loop of mostly small gravel with a few asphalt sections (one 1/10 mile section through the side of a parking lot). Compared to Riverside, it seems a lot more crowded, which is nice to keep it interesting.

With the crowds, though, come the road runners. Nothing against them, but it’s just you’re more likely to run into the ones who are hell-bent on getting in their workouts and will not let slower runners get in there way.

On Tuesday of this week, I had my first notable encounter. I had not even gone a quarter-mile when I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming of being in Spain. At first I thought it might be the running of the bulls but then I realized it was just someone trodding very heavily. Not only that, but as he went around me, I wasn’t sure whether to 1) get out of the way, 2) offer him directions to the nearest Catholic church, or 3) point him in the direction of the St. Francis Hospital emergency room. Common sense said just move, but with the amount of “Oh God” I was hearing, I really expected to see him carrying a set of rosary beads. Then again, with the labored breathing and flailing of the arms, I thought he might actually need help. As he stepped over into the parking lot and quickly calmed down, I was comforted in the fact that he was actually just adding a little extra drama to his routine.

The following day, another encounter almost topped the first. I was approaching the section on the north side near where the trail curves back to go behind a baseball field when I heard an interesting mix between a cough, a raspy voice whispering “Help!”, and an asthmatic wheeze (no offense to those with asthma). I quickly realized that this was yet again another runner who was more interested in hitting some goal time than avoiding steamrolling other walkers and joggers in his path. I mean, seriously…on a path barely wide enough for 2 runners to pass comfortably, don’t expect me to utilize the eyes in the back of my head that don’t exist to first notice your dominance of the sport and then to sacrifice myself against a tall chain link fence just so you can get around. Seriously.

Anyhow, I actually enjoyed two great comfortable runs. The course does have a few uphill sections that get the blood pumping. With an abundance of parking and easy accessibility from I-44, I will likely start making this my more frequent route for short distances.

Highlights

• 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!

Finishing up the first loop

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.

Finishing up the race

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!

Highlights

• Exquisitely planned route with aid stations every 2 miles or so (no need even for a hand bottle)
• Trail markers every quarter-mile!
• Mostly single track, occasional jaunt through a field, a little bit of asphalt–almost entirely runnable

Opportunities for improvement

• Start time was pushed back 30 minutes but I had no idea until I arrived on race morning–a bit annoying but I assume there was a good reason for it
• Confusing to navigate at major intersections (coming out of north loop, where to go after coming into start/finish after finishing north loop)
• Better beverages – only Gatorade as electrolyte replacement and unfortunately no soda :-(
• Directions to the race, particularly getting through Stillwater, weren’t that great

Heading back out for the south loop

The weather was absolutely perfect. Unfortunately, earlier in the week the weather was anything but perfect–tornado warnings, heavy rains, and continuous thunderstorms for days. That resulted in high water at the lake and only a mile into the run, I encountered water up to my knees at a creek crossing and then water over the ankles along the road. Oh, but there was more to come … a lot more. Shortly after the first aid station, I was noticing that the trail seemed to be going directly into the lake. Then it took a left turn but there was still a lot of water right in front of me. There was a reason for that. Upon closer inspection, I could spot wooden stakes with orange ribbons tied to them. I eased down into the water and proceed to cross about 30 yards of mid-thigh-high water. Oh yes, and did I mention that it was in the 40s at race start?! Truly, if I’d had a bike I could have made this a triathlon because this water was deep and wide enough to get in a swim.

But the water crossings turned out to be a good thing. I’ve really not had to deal with them in a major way before. Save for the standing water in McAllister Park in San Antonio at Prickly Pear, I have definitely never encountered the type of water crossing where you might feel more comfortable with a rope to hold onto. But I made it through, of course not without another crossing on the south loop.

Endurance wise I did very well through even the 10-mile mark. I was power walking the uphills and really never stopping except to get a quick sip of Gatorade and a piece of dried pineapple at the aid station. I did a good job of not taking any more time than was necessary at the aid stops, too. After I went through the aid station on the south loop (and met the TATURs crew for the first time), I started feeling like my energy was running out. I throttled back the pace to try and keep going as much as I could. Along a long inlet, the trail was rather runnable on both sides so I tried to take advantage of that. The constant quarter-mile markers were really helpful in staying motivated to keep going because at this point I could tell I would finish without having to do much more walking.

The last 1.5 miles could have gone a little better and I was definitely having to push it to maintain a decent pace. I started leapfrogging with a few guys who were trying to manage their amount of walking, too. They probably started 30 minutes after me and were hauling it a lot harder than me. But I was content just doing my own thing (I didn’t even have a watch on and was truly out there enjoying my time on the trail).

After a staircase style finish (reminded me of the Rockledge Rumble, particularly with the lake backdrop), I bagged my first finish since Lean Horse and collected the famous set of coasters as a finisher’s award. All in all, this was one of my favorite trails and ranks right up there with Palo Duro in terms of enjoyment.

I wanted to get in another 6-8 miles this afternoon to help prepare for this Saturday’s 25K at Lake McMurty but I ended up just logging 4 miles. I’m having a bit of a seam issue with the Under Armor tights I’m wearing underneath my shorts. So about half way through the run, I realized I should probably just go for 4, turned around, and attempted a negative split.

I definitely sped up over the second half of the run but didn’t quite hit the pace target of 10:00/m I wanted. I’m guessing that I went slightly long on the mileage. No worries though, as I came in just a few seconds per mile off pace.

The new shoes are working well but I wonder what the cushioning will feel like after 15+ miles. They feel stiff on my feet and I have decided against this model in the past. So far so good though so I’ll be evaluating them closely this coming weekend.

Yesterday’s weather was near ideal so I took advantage of it to get in some longer miles. With a 25K just over a week away, I wanted to get at least 10 miles in and I did just that. I made it 8 without any sort of stop but around there my energy started to suffer. I spaced in about 4 stretches of walking but still never completely stopped for recovery.

I didn’t carry my hand bottle with me but the water fountains along the Riverpark trail were mostly turned on. They are mostly spaced well, particularly down closer to Jenks, so I might rely on them until it gets really hot.

My lower back is still giving me problems. Just above my waist and to the right I get an isolated pain that comes and goes but is usually just barely there. It never really got unbearable so I didn’t worry about it. If it gets worse, I’ll have to look into it.

It was nice to see more people out on the trail walking, running, and riding bikes. I also saw about a dozen small planes, many of them old war style and even one bi-plane, coming in for landing at Riverside airport.