Prickly Pear 50K my first 31 miler!

I was getting worried when I heard the forecast for Sat. in San Antonio. Temps in the mid 80's and wind 25 mph! All good for windsurfing but not for running! Ecspecialy not for running 31 miles!

My running buddy Donna and I took off on friday and drove up to San Antonio. We stayed with my friend Darrell who would be running the race with us on Saturday. He picked up our packets for us. Very nice White Technical shirt for the 50k and Donna got a Gray one for doing the 10 miler. Nice that they were womens shirts too. We met up with some other friends and had a great Pasta Dinner. Heading back to the casa early drank 1 Black Butte Porter and to bed.

Of course I did not sleep!

Sat morning up early. We were well organized and ready to roll. Donna commented that it was already warm out for a 31 miler......Thanks Donna!!!!! We got over to Mc Callister Park without a hitch following Darrell. Lots of people milling about. Plenty of restrooms water food etc. Tracked Down Charlie and he was already smiling and ready to Run! The 50k would start at 7am and the 10 miler at 8:30.


Listened to the lowdown from the race director on the course how it was marked etc and in no time we were lined up and off. The course was very well marked. Mostly small hills but there were a few big ones. Charlie had advised me to walk the big hills from the start and I took his advice. Actualy everyone that was around me was walking the big hills. So we were doing 3 10 mile loops and an extra section added to the frist 2 to make up the 1.6 miles. There were many rocky sections and places where the trail was a trench from (long ago) rains. Mostly shady but a few wide open spots. One part of the trail had us running on a levee straight into the wind for about 1/2 mile. This spot became brutal on the last loop as the wind had realy started blowing. We were blessed that it was cloudy. This helped but temps were 84 by the time I finished and even in the shade in the woods it was HOT! I saw lots of deer on the trail and at times it was like I was out there running alone. Scary wondering if I had taken a wrong turn until I would see a trail marker.

The aid stations were well stocked. Bananas, Peanut Butter and jelly sandwiches, Pretzels, Oranges, Animal cookies, and HEED (GROSS). The second loop they all had Potatoes too. Everything was going great the first loop. I gu'd I ate pretzels and tried to stay hydrated. 2nd loop I started eating potatoes and mixing more water with the HEED. The 3rd loop it just got to the point I could not drink anymore of the HEED. By mile 27 I was extremely nauseated. The heat was realy getting to me. Sometime around there I came to an Aid station and drank some Sprite and poured water over my head. This helped and I was able to keep on going. The last 3 miles were Brutal my legs were fine but I would run and feel sick then walk and feel better run and feel sick then walk and feel better. The last half mile I just wanted for it to be over so I just picked it up. As I came into the clearing and saw the finish line I could hear my friends cheering and Donna came running out and ran me in. When I crossed the finish line I had to hold my nose from the smell of the BBQ to keep from barfing on the little girl takeing off my timing chip. Then this guy handed me my medal a nice etched glass medal. That finalised it for me. I did it. It was over. The next thing I remember seeing is Charlie Smileing from ear to ear. I think the first thing he said to me was You did it and now you have to do SUNMART?????????? What are you kidding me!!!!! I almost started crying. I don't know if I was happy for it to be over or proud of myself for doing the 31 miles!

We hung out cheered for the runners still comeing in. Talked about what we learned. I Found out that Donna placed 2nd in her age Group for the 10 miler. Way to go Donna! My friend Shannon placed first in our age group 4:46:09 despite falling down 5 times that girl is a machine. I ended up with 6:20:27. Charlie in 6:15:42 and Darrell in 5:41:13

This is a remarkably well done race. Lots of Volunteers along the course and everyone was so nice. Tons of BBQ at the end. Beer from Alamo Brewing Co. Beautiful park nice trails that I wish were here in Corpus but it is in March and can be HOT! hmmmm maybe I should do Sunmart!!!