Three Days of Syllamo Mini-Race Report

Due to an extremely severe ice storm in February a lot of the trail system was damaged (the number of downed trees is just unbelievable). The race director worked hard to provide chalenging and rugged terrain with much less trail available to him than in the past. He did a great job and the race was still awesome!

Day One: 26 miles in 4:55. Got lost for about ten minutes. Rest of run was great! About 20 miles of single track, 6 miles of hilly, steep jeep roads.

Day Two: 50 miles in 10:06. Last 10 miles were tough! At mile 5 we had to cross a COLD, waist-deep creek, twice. On the second trip I slipped and put my hands and arms plus my chest in the water, up to my shoulders. BRRR! Except for that I did not fall and I did not throw up! :) 38 minute PR for 50 miles. About 30 miles of single track, 20 miles of hilly, steep jeep roads.

Day Three: 20k in 2:12. At miles 5 and 7 we crossed the same waist-deep creek. Managed to stay on my feet this time but the route I took got me in water up to my belly button! Lots of mud on the trails today, sloshing and splashing. Almost lost a shoe twice. Overall a great day to be on the trails and alive. 11.4 miles of single track, 1 mile of hilly jeep road/highway shoulder.

Overall: 88.4 miles in 17:13 (unofficially). After day two I was 19th out of 39 stage runners. We'll see where I end up.

I'll follow-up with a more detailed race report once I get my head around the weekend and get pictures developed. Thanks for reading!

Latest Update on Three Days of Syllamo

Received from the Race Director today:

Once again Mother Nature showed us who is in charge and just how really fierce she can be; she always wins!

 

As you may have heard we were hit with a major ice storm in early February causing total damage to the trails in the area. Since then a group of dedicated trail runners and mountain bikers have logged over 150 man hours working on the trail. The forest service has also logged many hours of trailwork, although the trails have not been their main priority. A lot of the trails are still closed due to safety issues. So with that in mind I must tell you that we do not the abundance of trails for our use.

 

At Three Days of Syllamo we change the courses every year. I always try to design courses without loops, overlaps or any significant sections on forest roads. This year we will be forced to primarily use the Sylamore Trail and forest roads as our courses for each days run. Do not be discouraged; the Sylamore trail is a world class trail that meanders along Sylamore Creek, over mountain tops crossing many streams. Along with the Sylamore trail we will utilize forest roads to get the distance needed. As always the runs will be fun and take you too many beautiful locations. The 50 mile course for Saturday will be somewhat short; mid forty’s, therefore we will be starting a little later.

 

Stage runners, there be could be a surprise! You should come prepared for any condition including water crossings and darkness; look close at Syllamo Man! “It’s dark down in them there hollers”.

Not sure what to expect this year, but I'm sure it will be fun!

Next Race: Three Days of Syllamo

Next Friday I will start my next race, Three Days of Syllamo.  This is my absolutely favorite race I've ever done.  I've completed it twice before and can't wait for next weekend to come.

The format is three days of racing:  50k on Friday, 50 Miles on Saturday and 20k on Sunday.  All races start and end at the Blanchard Springs campgrounds in Northern Arkansas, about three hours North of Little Rock.  The terrain is mountainous and challenging.  The Race Director does everything he can to incorporate lots of climbs and tough trail into the races.  For course maps and elevation profiles, go here.

I walked this race in 2005 (when it was 20k/60k/40k) and in 2007 (when it was also 50k/50 mile/20k).  Both races were awesome and I had a wonderful time.  My 2005 race report is very detailed and has lots of pictures so if you are interested in learning more about the race go here.

I don't expect this to be a fast race - I've got to save myself for the later days.  When all is said and done I will have raced 93.49 miles in three days.  Here is exactly what will happen:  Wake up, run, soak in either the ice cold river or an ice bath, eat pizza, sleep, repeat.  I expect these to be some very slow races, but I also expect to finish all three and have a great time doing it!

On the fundraising side things are looking good but I could still use your help.  I'm only $700 dollars from my goal!  That means that with your help I've raised $3,692, which is 84% of my goal.  So just a few more donations will get us over the top.  If you know anyone who has been affected by prostate cancer please feel free to pass on my website!  I'm not picky - I'll take money from anyone.

Thanks as always to all my donors and all my supporters.  This whole experience has been much more meaningful thanks to your generosity and encouragement.  Let's keep on going!

Update on Dad

We got great news today.  Dad's PSA test (PSA is the hormone marker that indicates the presence of prostate cancer cells) showed that his PSA level was undectable, meaning there is no sign of disease at this time!  The doctor wants to be aggressive with some hormone therapy and radiation, which we weren't expecting and was a little upsetting at first.  But at this point it's better safe than sorry.  I'm just so glad the test results were so good.

Thanks to everyone for asking about Dad and checking on his results.  It's so good to have great friends.

Pictures from Cross Timbers

My good friend and running buddy Dave took a couple of pics as I took off for my last five miles of the race yesterday.  In the first one you can see the crazed look in my eyes!  In the second one you can see how sweaty my back is - I took off my running vest before heading out.  Even though it was in the 40s most of the day I still sweat a lot.

Race Report #4: Cross Timbers Trail Run 50 Mile

Saturday, February 21 I toed the line at 6:30 AM for the start of the Cross Timbers 50 Mile Trail Run.  If you've read my blog recently you know that I DNFd at Cross Timbers two years ago.  The course is really tough (it's called "The Toughest Little Trail in Texas" for good reasons) and I really wanted to finish the race more than anything.

I drove up to Whitesboro Friday night with Megan and Bryan, two friends who were doing their first trail runs (the half marathon).  We went to the pre-race dinner and briefing, tried to find something to do in Whitesboro on a Friday night (and found out the only thing to do was go to the Friday night scrap-a-thon at the scrapbooking store), and then headed to bed.  I slept pretty poorly, especially as it got closer to the time I needed to wake up (5:00).  I woke before my alarm went off, took a quick shower, banged on everyone's door to get them up and running and we were off to the start by 5:30 so I could make my 6:00 AM check-in.

After checking in we hung out in the car for a little while.  It was cold and windy; I like this weather when running but not when standing around in shorts and a technical shirt.  Finally it was time to start and I grabbed my race vest and headed to the start.  We had to start with flashlights because it was still dark.  The RD yelled GO and we took off.  I got to the top of the first hill (almost 0.10 miles) and realized I had forgotten my water bottle!!!  I ran as fast as I could to the car, grabbed my bottle, then huffed it back up the hill, running instead of walking.  I wanted to catch the back of the pack because I didn't want to get lost on the trails in the beginning.  I finally caught a few people and started the process of passing groups when it was safe.  

The Cross Timbers course is a long 20 mile out and back, then a short 5 mile out and back, repeated twice.  I always thought of the 20 mile out and back as easy and the five mile out and back as hard.  In reality the first five miles of the 20 mile out and back (and the last five miles) is pretty tough, rocky, rugged trail with lots of climbing.  It is much harder on the way out than it is on the way back.  I fell in with a group of three runners and we hung together for a while.  One of them, Andrew, I ran with off and on for most of the first half.

We climbed the "Golden Steps," a steep and rocky climb, and then a few minutes later hit the first aid station.  The four of us left together and ran a bit more, then Andrew took off and the others went their separate ways for bathroom breaks in the woods.  I ran my own pace for a while and then hooked back up with Andrew for the second half of the outbound trail which is very runnable and a real joy to run.  We passed through another aid station manned by some people I know from the North Texas Trail Runners - this aid station was on the lake and it was so windy that they had to move the aid station and abandon the tent they had been using.  Any time we ran near the lake the winds were incredibly strong, and there were large waves with white caps on the lake.

We ran the last bit to the farthest aid station, then joked around with the volunteers at the aid station and fueled up, then turned around for the return to the start/finish area.  Lots more nice running on this return trip, and I was feeling strong.  My Garmin was telling me I was running fast, plus it was measuring the distances short, which means I was running even faster then it said.  I was getting worried that I was running too fast, but it felt good and everything was working well so I decided to hold it as long as I could.

The return to the start was uneventful, Andrew and I ran almost the entire thing together, taking turns leading or following.  We were both really happy to see the road leading to the start and let out a few whoops.  Ran into the start area, more water, more food, and then headed out for the ugly, brutal, challenging 2.5 mile trail to Juniper Point.  This section has some nice runnable sections, but it has gut-busting climbs and some trail that is impossible to run and difficult to walk - you have to pick your steps carefully on the downhills.  

I was still feeling good and probably ran this section a little faster than I should have.  About halfway in I ran into Megan who was having a great time and running strong.  She was almost finished with her half marathon.  A few minutes later I saw Bryan, also almost finished and looking good.  Then I climbed the final hill (called SOB Hill) and hit the aid station.  Water, boiled potatoes, coke, then the return trip to the start-finish and the halfway point.

As I was running back I was on a pretty smooth, flat bit of trail around mile 24 when my foot caught something and I went down hard!  I landed on my hands and knees but kept falling forward and landed on my right side, mashing my arm up against my ribs!  This is exactly what happened at Bandera.  Both of my knees were bloody, one of my hands was bloody,  and my ribs felt bad.  I was worried that I might have refractured my rib but I don't think that any more - I'm not having any pain in that area now.

Nothing to do but keep going so I jumped up, dusted off and started running.  After not too much longer I left the Juniper Point section of the trail and made the short run to the start/finish.  Bryan and Megan were both there eating burgers and relaxing - that looked like a good thing to do.  My time was 5:10 - much,  much better than I ever expected.  I did not establish a specific time goal for this race but I was thinking 12-13 hours; instead I was on a 10:20 pace (which of course I couldn't hold, but still!).

At the start area I changed socks and filed down a toenail that was rubbing my shoe and irritating me.  I felt like I might be getting some blisters but that was not the case and I finished the day with no blisters.

I had hoped to see my friend Dave at the start because he was volunteering but he wasn't there yet.  So I refilled my bottle, grabbed more potato and headed out.  Halfway there.

I was having some strange stomach feelings but I pulled off the trail, did what bears do in the woods and then was good to go.  I purposefully slowed down a bit, especially on the harder first part, but was still feeling good and running everything I considered runnable.  Made it through the first aid station without incident and headed to the next one.  At that aid station (manned by my NTTR friends) they asked me if I was taking electrolytes.  I had not been up to that point but had hoped to get them from the food.  They couldn't believe how much salt I had on my face and neck (and my hair was stiff) so they recommended I take some.  I took two then and carried some with me.  That gave me a little boost and my running became easier.  

After this point I started seeing a couple of the 50 milers who were ahead of me running back to the start/finish, so I started counting runners to pass the time.  When I got to the turnaround aid station I had only counted three runners!  I couldn't believe it and I asked them if I was in 4th place.  They said no, 5th (I guess I had miscounted someone).  I still couldn't believe it!  I normally finish 5th from last, so to be in 5th place was just a shock.  I started visualizing a 5th place finish!  I talked some trash with the aid station volunteers, told them they should thank me for giving them the opportunity to be out in the great outdoors on this cold, windy day, then started the run back.  I ran a little ways and then felt like I should throw up a little and clear my stomach.  It wasn't much, but once I did it I felt better.

Again at the NTTR aid station I confirmed I was in 5th place, talked to the awesome volunteers for a minute, took another electrolyte, then took off.  Still feeling good but struggling more to keep a good pace, running most of the runnable sections but taking more walk breaks.  Passed quickly through the next aid station and headed toward the start/finish for the last brutal 5 miles to/from Juniper Point.  I finally hit the road and ran strong into the start area.  I saw Bryan there who asked if I needed anything and was really encouraging.  As I was refilling my bottles my buddy Dave ran up and said, "Dude, you are an ANIMAL! I saw your time on the first loop and I thought it was a mistake!"  Dave had predicted I would finish in under 11 hours, which I had told him was insanity.  He told me I had 1:35 to make it a reality.  Unfortunately at this aid station I didn't eat anything - I thought with 5 miles left I wouldn't need anything.  Man, was I wrong.

I headed into the Juniper Point section and after a few minutes I lost ALL energy.  I was moving so slowly, and there was no running.  On most of the uphills I had to stop one or more times to rest.  I was even dizzy and staggering a bit, grabbing onto the trees.  I really didn't want to do this for five miles!  I started dreaming of sugar!  All I wanted was something sweet to eat.  Most of the aid stations had these valentine candy corns, and right now that sounded so good!  I struggled up the uphills, staggered down the downhills, and then finally made it up SOB Hill and into the aid station.

I immediately found the candy corn and shoved a huge handfull into my mouth.  I had no manners - I was eating with my mouth open, too full, just so happy to have some sugar.  Then I had a glass of pepsi, then some more candy corns, then some gumdrops, then another pepsi.  While I was gorging myself I heard a noise behind me and Andrew came bounding into the aid station like he was running a 5k - long strides, strong legs and pace.  It was awesome!  I told him that he was going to pass me and end up in 5th place.  Then I took off (while Andrew had a beer) and started my stagger back to the start.  Only 2.5 miles to go.

What happened next was like what you would see in a movie.  I slowly, gradually but definitely got my groove back.  First I could walk faster, then I could jog, then I could run the downhills, then I could run the flats.  The sugar had done exactly what I needed it to do and it did it quickly.  It wasn't enough to keep me ahead of Andrew who passed me not long after I left the aid station.  But it was enough to get me back up to a decent pace, to hold onto 6th place, and to finish in 10:44, WAY faster than I thought I would ever run this race!  I was able to run strong into the finish and jump across the finish line where Megan and Bryan were waiting.  Then I headed straight to the nearest picnic table to sit down and put my head down.  I had nothing left - I had literally left it all on the trail.  I was too tired to even lift my head.  I collected my finishers award (a cross-section of a cedar tree with the race logo burned into it, very cool) and a finishers sweat shirt, and then just lay there in a coma.  Bryan got me a veggie burger and some water but nothing really tasted good.  Megan and Bryan went back to the scrapbooking store and made me a handmade "Congratulations!" card.  It was awesome!  I was getting cold and just wanted to curl up in a blanket in the car.  I congratulated Andrew on his great finish, hugged a few of my friends from NTTR, then climbed into the backseat of my car while Megan acted as my ultra Designated Driver and got us back to Dallas.  I fell asleep after about 15 minutes and slept about an hour.  We dropped off Bryan, I dropped off Megan, then I drove home and got right in a hot bath.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading!  I appreciate all of the comments and support I receive from all the friends and strangers who read my blog or follow my Facebook updates.

This was a milestone week for another reason - I crossed $3,500 in my fundraising, which is 80% of my goal.  That is because of you guys and your generosity.  So thank you for making my goal a reality and contributing in the fight against Prostate Cancer.  That's what makes the miles, the throwing up, the bloody knees and the blisters worthwhile, to think that we can someday soon wipe out cancer.  THANK YOU!

Next Race: Cross Timbers 50 Mile

Next weekend is my fourth race in the Racing Against Prostate Cancer series:  Cross Timbers 50 Mile.  Cross Timbers and I have a history:  two years ago it was my first DNF (did not finish).  I made it to mile 45 and was exhausted and didn't think I would have time to finish.  So I have some unfinished business to take care of.  To read the race report from my DNF go here.

This is a tough course, mostly because of the hilly, rugged 5 mile out-and-back section to Juniper Point that is run twice, after each 20 mile out-and-back section.  So the hardest part of the course is at mile 20 and mile 45.  I remember most of the course being runnable and not too tough, maybe a few tough climbs.  It's the Juniper Point section that really gives Cross Timbers it's reputation as the "toughest little trail in Texas."

I've done lots of hill training and lots of back-to-back runs so I feel pretty good about my training for this race.  But I don't plan to take anything for granted.  I'll start out slow and stay slow throughout, and I'll really take it easy on the hard uphills.

On the family front, Dad has an important PSA test tomorrow.  If the test results come back clean then he will be considered cancer free!  So we should know more in a few days.  This is what we've all been waiting for and I can't wait to hear the good news.

On the fundraising front, you guys have been awesome!  With your help I've raised $2,984.  That's 68% of my goal.  So fundraising is going well but I still have a ways to go.  Don't be afraid to visit my fundraising page and make an additional donation!  Remember that everything you give goes toward ending Prostate Cancer and saving lives.

Keep your eye on my blog for some raffles I will be doing to raise funds.  You could win a cool prize.

I'll post an update as soon as I can next Saturday, and I may update Facebook and Twitter during the race if I've got the time.  Thanks to everyone for your words of encouragement and support.  You guys help keep me motivated!