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Most people have no idea where Warda, Texas is, so that's thee first comment is "Where?" or maybe it's my Texas and New Orleans accent that sounds like "water". Warda is on US-77 between LaGrange and Giddings, Texas, or about 3 hours from League City, Texas. I drove up on race morning for the "fun run" distance and it rained all the way there. The race is held on Bluff Creek Ranch which is a Mountain Bike place. The course is mostly single track biking trails with lot's of switchbacks and a nice bluff of 90 feet of drop per loop to run down and 7.5 miles loops.

The 25K started at 8AM with the temperature in the low 50's and drizzle. We had to hike .5 miles from the start to make to 15.5 mile distance with two loops. There was plenty of water and lots of ups and downs. The first 4 miles was on dry single - track with small rocks and small roots and lots of switch-backs and then to the first aid station. After this aid station there was a brief run through a field and then to the bluff, which was slippery with mostly clay, so more like skiing and then across a fast running creek of may two feet deep and 9 to 12 feet across, which was nice to was off all the mud on my shoes. Then a right turn around a field and back across the creek over a bridge and the upward climb up the muddy bluff, more trails and then to the start/stop for another repeat. My time was 4:00:47.

I missed one turn on the first loop, so I was able to do it twice on the second loop. No medals, but a nice purple tech shirt and grilled hamburgers, snacks and drinks at the finish. I would recommend this race, but longer distances may make you loopy as the 50 Mile option is (7 loops) and the 50K option is (4 loops). Joe and Joyce Prusaitus are the race directors and they always do wonderful races. In 2010 the race is being renamed "The Wild Hare".

I completed my second San Antonio Rock and Roll marathon this past weekend with a fun group of CLFC members. We had a fantastic pasta party the night before the race. Congrats and thanks to Christina, Maxine, Laura, et al for co-hosting a wonderful get together and very filling meal. For the ‘first-timers’ they saw how much fun it is to travel to a destination marathon with the club. We had a blast partying! The rest of the details are in our memories because what goes on in San Antonio - stays in San Antonio.

The morning of the race dawned with temps in the high 60s. Yuck !!! It was definitely going to be a training run since projected highs at the finish were approaching 80 degrees. There were the usual delays with bus transportation to the start of this point-to-point marathon. It took us a little over an hour to get to the starting line area. The only problems encountered at the start point were the very long lines at the porta-potties and the bag drops were lined up on the road with the starting corrals. I was in the 4th of 30 bag drop trucks and the 6th starting corral. The distance between the two was a very long way (26 drop trucks and 24 corrals) with 30,000 people crowded in between. I ended up missing my corral’s start and jumped in with the starters at around corral 15. It’s a chip-timed race so the main problem was dodging runners for the first 10 miles. I went out pretty quick for the temps and cruised through a half marathon in 1:56. It was a total battle from there on. As the temps increased, it turned into a fight against heat, cramps, and dehydration in the latter half of the race. I stuck to my diet of water and ThermoTabs (approx 15 total), supplemented it with 2 PowerBar gels (spaced evenly during the race), and mixed Cytomax (course drink) and water the last 5 miles. Even though I was not used to the gels and the Cytomax, my stomach was OK for the final portion of the race. I knew about the ramp finish at the stadium and was ready for it this year. It was a great feeling finishing the race though I missed Cathy and Vicki cheering at one of the final corners when I was ‘in the zone.’ It was amazing to note that I was able to ‘high step’ to a quick finish sprint even though I could barely pick up my feet a few miles back during the ‘thermal beat down.’ The finish time on my watch was 4:18 (chip 4:18:42). My goal was 4 hours flat or better but very unrealistic given the conditions.

As noted in a previous newsletter, when the heat is on, pick your speed and strategy for completing the race in the most intelligent manner. If the temps are in the 60s at start, it is a really good idea to forget about PRs – Just Finish! I enjoyed the weekend immensely. We had a great time with everyone there. The La Quinta near the Alamo Dome was a perfect hotel location again. The Riverwalk on Saturday night was really nice and not crowded since most of the runners were already tucked in for the evening. I will definitely do this race again but may run the half marathon next year so I can make it to the post-race get together at Chili’s much quicker. Thanks again to all of the CLFC members that made this such a fun weekend.

I just finished the 19th Annual Rocky Raccoon 50K (31 mile) Trail Run in Huntsville State Park on November 7, 2009. The race began at 6AM and the temperature was 50 degrees and a slight fog over Lake Raven. We started with headlamps and the sun came up just before 7AM. The trails were in excellent shape with much loose sand and numerous roots, except that I became "Superman" as my foot snagged a root and both hand carry water bottles flew off and fell down in the soft sand. I finished the first 25K loop in 3:15:00 which is good for me. The temperature warmed up to 80 degrees and my race became much more difficult. The second loop was much slower and a repeat of the first loop and I ended the race with a time of 7:35 and change. I recommend this race and trail shoes are not necessary. The finisher's awards for the 50K were quite nice this year, a 10 inch upright engraved marble trophy.

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.