LBJ National Gasslands
The race was great this year. The weather was about the same, except maybe 6 or 7 degrees cooler, which was nice because it got very hot last year. I brought sunscreen this year too, which was also helpful. I was worried about my right knee acting up since I've been having a lot of problems with it this past month, but it never gave me any problems, so I was pumped about one less pain I would have to manage!
I enjoyed the course, which is like a cloverleaf, with four loops all starting and finishing in the same central area where the one drop bag is located. The first two loops went quickly, with the third loop being the most difficult. I changed shoes and headed out feeling great at the start of the third loop. I wasn't feeling nearly as good at that point last year. I remember thinking, "Damn, I'm only halfway done, with another 25 miles left to go!" This time, I just pushed it out of my mind and took off. I was tired and ready to be finished by the end of that loop. I had cold beer at two different aid stations on the loop, which was tasty but didn't exactly reinvigorate me. I discovered that I enjoy Pyramid Hefeweizen! I took off on my last loop and a couple miles into it my Ipod died! I had been running by myself for most of the course and there weren't a ton of other runners out, so I hit a mental low shortly after that and started giving in to more walk breaks. I walked the better part of the last five miles except for a couple guys (Rich and Kevin) who were also shuffling along. Their conversation sucked me into staying with them for the rest of the way in.
My friend and roommate Israel, who I convinced to finally run a marathon, completed it in 5:29. He was there at the finish to take some pictures of me crossing, as well as this one of the two of us with Suzie Cope, the race director. After that, we grabbed some BBQ sandwiches and jumped in the car to drive about 5hrs back to the house. We got back at midnight and were exhausted. All in all, it was a pretty good time!
