Bandera 50K race report

The first week back to school was an exhausting week. Come Friday, I had run 65 miles, given my first injection, and was feeling swamped with homework. Sarah and I both wanted a nice relaxing weekend, and the last thing I wanted to do was drive 4 1/2 hrs out to Bandera. I was a split second away from not going, but in the end, I made the drive from Houston to Bandera, which turned out to be an easy drive. I arrived right before midnight, but by the time I set up my tent and organized my special needs bag, it was 12:45. I got a good 5 hrs of sleep before I was awaken by the sound of hundreds of cars bringing runners from across the state to the Bandera 100k, 50k, 25k race. I climbed out of my tent to the sun just starting to break over the horizon, and I was instantly glad that I had come. I could tell it was going to be a good day. The 50k race start was about 1/2 a mile away from where I camped, so at 7:15 I made the hike over. My legs felt pretty good, since I had taken the previous day off, but I was still wondering how they would hold up towards the end of the race. The race start had a laid back feel, compared to a triathlon, as people were standing around taking last minute photos w/friends and family and wishing each other good luck. Out of no where we heard the countdown, 10, 9, 8 .. and we were off like cattle being released through an open gate. I tried to maneuver my way to the front while still taking it easy. The first ten miles were going to be the hardest w/the most climbing. We came up to the first climb and I just kept running, everyone else stopped and started walking up the hill, did they know something I didn't? After about 3 minutes into the climb I realized that the reason they walked up the hills is that unless you want to hit AT in the first mile of the race, you better walk the hills. As we crested the top of the hill, I was greeted with panoramic views of the valley below with the sun slowly creeping up over the treeline casting a deep red-orange tint over the entire park. It was an instant reminder of why this is the most beautiful area in Texas. Up and down over rocks, through razor sharp Cati's, and dusty horse trails, the race went on. I carried with me my own water and gels, but at every aid station there were tons of goodies to keep you going. I spent the day munching on oreos, MandM's, and some homemade banana bread. It's amazing how you reach a point where you really don't want to eat anymore, but with 2 hrs left in the race, I knew I had to keep eating and drinking if I was to make it to the finish. So, I kept fueling up. Overall, I was feeling real good and actual run myself into first place by mile 25 (although I didn't know I was in first at the time), but those last 5 miles really killed me. It just felt like there was nothing left in my legs. I could feel my hamstrings starting to tighten up, and I walked/jogged the last few miles in to cross the finish line in 4 hours and 15 minutes (4th place Overall). At half a mile left, there was the last aid station where I was offered a beer, I said why not and had some. Apparently, that was the final draw for my stomach and up came all the oreos, MandM's, and orange Gatorade that I had eaten throughout the day. After the race I went a laid down with my coke and banana bread in my tent and took a nap. The whole time I could just feel the muscle fibers twitching. With rain threatening I decided to pack it up and head back to Houston that night. Overall, it was an amazing race, and I have a new respect for these people who were out there doing the 100k.