Profile for Bandera 50k

Running Bandera started off my year of racing. It’s always a little hard for me to get back into the racing mindset. I love to push myself, but am usually not to concerned with my place. My hope is to enjoy the day and have a satisfying experience.

I started Bandera off fast to see how my legs could handle a quick start for future races. I was most definitely out of shape and the run hurt, especially once I started cramping 20 miles into it.  The Texas clay gripped to my shoes and added some good weight training throughout the day. It was quite comical to witness people continue to stop and knock it off only to have a few more lbs added the next step. I also found it interesting when one layer would fall off one shoe but remained caked to the other, leaving you 2 inches raised on one side with the additional bonus of one weighted down foot. The clay combined with a multitude of loose rock allowed me plenty of variation to focus on as the day slipped away and the finish approached.

The roadrunner and myself kicking it after the race.

I was trying to run the race pretty minimal with calories and water to get use to the struggles that await in future races. Maybe a little to minimal as about an hour into the race I was starting to get a little hungry. I thought back to my prep in the morning and realized I forgot to eat breakfast. Oops. I never bonked through the race, but road the line between fat burning and in-need of some food. Good thing my friend Darrel was there at the finish with some delicious wine, bacon and other goodies to enjoy the day and refuel the body.

All in all I had a great time at Bandera, got my butt out of hibernation, came away with a w and realized I have some work to do as I aim for my goal races over the year. I am right where I want to be. Out of shape and hungry to amp up the training and see what 2013 has in-store.

A HUGE thank you to Joe & Joyce Prusaitis for putting on such a great event! I have really enjoyed my time in Texas these last couple years. The whole Texas community is so warm and friendly with many smiling faces to talk with before, during and after the event. Wonderful to meet you all, especially all the fast kids who were there to cheer me in at the finish!

I better watch out for these fast kids in a few years 😉

Picture: Olga King