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Race Site Quote: " A nasty rugged trail run: No Whiners, Wimps, or Wusses
We give Bonus Points for Blood,  Cuts, Scrapes, & Puke"

I have had a couple of weeks to reflect on a very difficult and hilly 50 mile run in Hill Country State Natural Area located in Bandera, TX. The race started at 5AM on October 31, 2009 and the temperature was in the upper 30's, so the runners had to start with headlamps until 7AM when the sun came up. The first 15 miles, while very hilly were not bad, when considering the next 10 miles where I faced "Three Sisters", "Sky Island", " Boyles Bump" and "Cairn's Climb" and then to the start in preparation for the second loop run in the opposite direction. I finished loop one in 6:59:00 for 25 miles which is not bad considering a total assent of 1824 feet and descent of 1835 feet.

The second 25 mile loop for me began at 12 NOON and the temperature had risen to the upper 70's with clear skies and sun. I faced an immediate climb up "Cairn's Climb", "Boyles Bump", "Sky Island", and "Three Sisters" and then on to some relatively flat running until mile 38 where I climber "Ice Cream Hill" and then more flat running until mile 49 when I reached "Lucky Peak" which seemed immense and the to finish in 16:41:56. I ended up walking most of the second loop as my legs were beat and the temperature had dropped to the low 40's. I received a very nice finisher's medal.