If navigating the pandemic has been hard for you and thinking that it has to be hard on my running 50 marathons in 50 States in 50 weeks to celebrate … MORE
If navigating the pandemic has been hard for you and thinking that it has to be hard on my running 50 marathons in 50 States in 50 weeks to celebrate my 50th Birthday Year, you right. And if any race was to be a poster race for this year, it would definitely be this one.
I’m experienced at running and reading trails without the aid of technology but the terrain alone. This came in handy as navigating the trail with two other “newbie” trail runners became my task at hand. I often tell people who move into large cities like Houston Texas, USA that the best way to learn how to get around is to get lost. And lost we got — not so much me but the guys I was with on the run.
I knew that the best way for them to experience the trail was to let them experience not only the beauty but the beast. The trail, due to lack of volunteers this year because of Covid, didn’t get marked as well as it should have. Add to this the fact that markers from the prior races had not been picked up further complicating the course. This presented us with a very unique challenge.
Although the youngest one of us had decided to lead the pack and ended up making a wrong turn and doubling back towards the start while having ran about 7 miles, he had yet to come in to the finish line area when the cut-off time had approached. As a matter of fact, there stood about 35 runners for the full marathon who hadn’t yet made their way back into the finish area. But no need to worry, calls began going out and the volunteers began going out to get those who couldn’t complete the course before dark.
It sounds a lot worse then it was actually. There were many local people on the course to help people navigate. And although the curse was challenging, you had people who registered to run the half but completed the full distance of 26.2 plus miles because of being lost. Unless you’ve experienced trail running, especially on a very technical course, you probably think I’m insane. Okay, I’m insane, but that has nothing to do with the truth of how awesome it is to experience such a thrill of total exhaustion and endurance of the human spirit.
I plan to volunteer to mark the course next year. Seriously, I dream about this course, it’s beauty and the people out there for the race or the relaxation. By the way, if your friends come to support, tell them to bring their mountain bikes and full protection gear. These trails are stunning but deadly if you fall the wrong way.
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Which Way Should We Go?
If navigating the pandemic has been hard for you and thinking that it has to be hard on my running 50 marathons in 50 States in 50 weeks to celebrate … MORE
If navigating the pandemic has been hard for you and thinking that it has to be hard on my running 50 marathons in 50 States in 50 weeks to celebrate my 50th Birthday Year, you right. And if any race was to be a poster race for this year, it would definitely be this one.
I’m experienced at running and reading trails without the aid of technology but the terrain alone. This came in handy as navigating the trail with two other “newbie” trail runners became my task at hand. I often tell people who move into large cities like Houston Texas, USA that the best way to learn how to get around is to get lost. And lost we got — not so much me but the guys I was with on the run.
I knew that the best way for them to experience the trail was to let them experience not only the beauty but the beast. The trail, due to lack of volunteers this year because of Covid, didn’t get marked as well as it should have. Add to this the fact that markers from the prior races had not been picked up further complicating the course. This presented us with a very unique challenge.
Although the youngest one of us had decided to lead the pack and ended up making a wrong turn and doubling back towards the start while having ran about 7 miles, he had yet to come in to the finish line area when the cut-off time had approached. As a matter of fact, there stood about 35 runners for the full marathon who hadn’t yet made their way back into the finish area. But no need to worry, calls began going out and the volunteers began going out to get those who couldn’t complete the course before dark.
It sounds a lot worse then it was actually. There were many local people on the course to help people navigate. And although the curse was challenging, you had people who registered to run the half but completed the full distance of 26.2 plus miles because of being lost. Unless you’ve experienced trail running, especially on a very technical course, you probably think I’m insane. Okay, I’m insane, but that has nothing to do with the truth of how awesome it is to experience such a thrill of total exhaustion and endurance of the human spirit.
I plan to volunteer to mark the course next year. Seriously, I dream about this course, it’s beauty and the people out there for the race or the relaxation. By the way, if your friends come to support, tell them to bring their mountain bikes and full protection gear. These trails are stunning but deadly if you fall the wrong way.
A race with a small town feel.
Not being from the area, it was a little hard to find. Only one sign on the main road that we passed. However, once we parked , and there was … MORE
Not being from the area, it was a little hard to find. Only one sign on the main road that we passed. However, once we parked , and there was plenty of room for parking , things went wonderfully. All the volunteers and the hosts went out of their way tending to the runners wants and needs. All runners, not just a select few! Friendly and outgoing volunteers! Beautiful scenery on the trail. Lots of rocks, roots and ups and downs. It can be a bit challenging if you are new to trails. Definitely worth doing!!
The Mindgames Race
This race ate me for lunch! I have done a couple of "trail marathons" and one 50 mile trail race before. This one was B-R-U-T-A-L! First off - the website … MORE
This race ate me for lunch! I have done a couple of “trail marathons” and one 50 mile trail race before. This one was B-R-U-T-A-L!
First off – the website says the race is “longer than a marathon.” It typically is between 27-30 miles. That was ok with me (I ran this for my state so as long as it was 26.2 or longer, I was fine with it.)
After 20 miles or so, my legs were shot! You run on everything from dirt trail to very technical trails to climbing up and over mounds of boulders (mountains!) and a very short section on a paved road through a campground. The race is 100% trail and through the state park. The course is marked with pink marking flags and there were several times where I didn’t see a flag for a concerning amount of time. I was alone for the last 15-18 miles and literally had to call my mother to have someone to talk to because I was beginning to question my sanity. At the checkin points, I kept asking how many miles were left. (NOTE the aid stations/check in points were about 4 miles apart.) The last 4 check in points ALL told me “It’s about 6 miles away.” When my watch hit 28 miles it started to rain (HARD!). When my watch hit 30 miles, I was concerned I had gone the wrong way. Then a group of bikers came passed me and I asked them if they had seen other runners with bibs. They said yes.
The finish finally “appeared” like Heaven at mile 33!
The best part: I love small trail races!
The worst part: Not knowing when (or where) the finish is! This race is a total Mental game! If I can survive this-I can survive anything!