Cowtown Marathon 2011 Race Report

The Cowtown Marathon was a tough race for me. I suffered strep throat 3 weeks leading up to the race. Being sick trashed all plans of proper training the 3 weeks prior. My wife Carla and I had prepared over the last few months and were looking forward to running this one together and mostly beating both our previous times from last years Marathon at Whiterock. Deep down we did not feel ready, but were determined to run our race and have as much fun as possible.

Our good friend Michelle ran her first 31 mile Ultra that day. So proud of her.

The course was great as it offered many historical sights and major landmarks around FT Worth. The first 10 miles included the stockyards, Sundance Square, The Ft Worth Zoo and more. The support was ample as aid stations were placed every 1.5 miles or so, distributing water, Powerade, and sometimes GU Gels.

I would say the weather cooperated nicely by offering us cloudy and breezy conditions in the 50's and 60's. I have learned to appreciate running in cooler and even very cold weather more than I ever thought I would.

Carla and I broke the starting line together. I was worried from the get-go about having to stop during the race at multiple porta-potties, therefore I drank water heavily 2 days prior, but not much the morning of the race. This proved not to be a wise choice the second half of the race.

The first 5 miles warmed us up and I realized I felt better than expected after being sick and not running for over 3 weeks. I began imagining myself shooting for a sub-4 hour finish. I was holding an 8:45 pace and ended up leaving Carla behind to chase my spur-of-the-moment decision of a 4 hour finish. By mile 12, I was hanging tight to my pace and had not had the urge to pee once. This encouraged me to push harder to see what I could make of a new PR. Things continued to go well until mile 17 when my fingers grew very tight, feeling swollen. This was the first sign of dehydration. Soon after heavy cramps developed in my lower quads, hams, and calves. With nervous desperation, I called my good friend and running mentor, Dave Carder. Dave always seems to have the answers I need, and the words of encouragement to give me a second wind. Dave suggested I reserve some immediate energy by walking through each aid station, and using that opportunity to hit the fluids heavily. Slowing down, taking on fluids, and a little stretching could allow me to grind out the last 5 miles. Despite following his good advice, I found myself on the curb multiple times trying to rub out multiple cramps so I could continue down the course. It got to a point at mile 21 where I questioned how I could stay in the race as the cramps were very severe, and a painful blister developed on the bottom of my foot. I limped to the nearest light pole on the curb and wondered how could I possibly go another step. I reminded myself that no amount of pain would keep me from the finish line so I begin putting one foot in front of the other once again.  At this moment I hear a faint whistle from behind me and see my wife Carla had almost caught up to me. I instantly knew that together we would go on and see our kids at the finish. It was a grueling walk/jog/limp scenario the last 3 miles, but we managed to run across the finish line together and get our medals.  

 I wasn't proud of our times on this day, but I was never more proud to complete a race. Whenever you face great challenges that require deep amounts of will and courage to conquer through... you grow as a person. Your boundaries expand.

Thanks to my wife Carla for supporting my training, and for inspiring me with her own drive and accomplishments. She is a tough-as-nails chick, and I am blessed to have her in my life. Everyday I strive to be better, but in the end only half the person she is. Now we are training for our next race as well as our first ultra trail event. 

2011 North Texas Spring Running Camp w/ Lisa Smith-Batchen

North Texas Spring Running Camp Weekend: April 15-17 2011

When: Friday, April 15 at 12:00pm - April 17 at 3:00pm

Where: Collin County Adventure Camp

This camp is designed for beginner to advanced runners. Participants will be divided into groups based on ability during training sessions with the camp tailored and designed so that each runner can meet their personal needs and goals.

Taking place on the 427 acres of the Collin County Adventure Camp just 30 minutes from Plano, TX, the camp will be hosted by one of North America’s greatest women’s running and fitness instructors and coach, Lisa Smith-Batchen. She is also one of the most recognized ultra-marathoners and top endurance athletes in the world and for years has successfully facilitated running and training camps in the Teton Mountains and other locations around the world.

A “sampling” of Lisa Smith Batchen’s professional accomplishments includes:

• Two 1st place finished in the Badwater Ultra marathon (competed in 9)
• First and only American female to win Marathon des Sables Ultra marathon.
• 1st person to ever run from Las Vegas to Mt. Whitney (306 miles)
• Hawaiian Ironman Championships
• Created the Dreamchasers Foundation – Dreamchasers is dedicated to raising funds to help needy women and children around the world to survive and succeed.
• Created the Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club - A personal trainer since 1982, the club now hosts multiple running camps, organized race events, fitness classes, training and coaching.
• “Running Hope Through America” – in 2010 completed a 2,500 mile run in two months raising over $700,000 so far for orphans.

Weekend Overview/What’s Included: $349 includes all food and lodging

• Bunkhouse lodging and all meals.
• Aid station-style support for all running sessions.
• Swag bag including a technical running shirt and other related goodies.
• 2 daily coach-led running sessions
• Gait analysis and Natural Running Form instruction by guest coach Patton Gleason.
• Injury prevention/biomechanics session with other technical experts.
• Nutritional and hydration counseling.
• Yoga and other core fitness sessions specific for runners.
• Night trail running session. Bring headlamps and a handheld flashlight!
• Training plan consultation.
• Loads of fun and camaraderie with other inspired running friends!

There will be a drawing on Sat. night for a pair of NEWTON trail shoes! $140.00 value.
The first 10 registrants get $25 off the camp and an extra entry for the drawing.

Registration/Questions Contact: Dave Carder 469-667-7025 davecarder@gmail.com

MetroPCS 2010 Whiterock Marathon Race Report:

38 degree morning with early wind gusts before dawn greeted us at the fairgrounds as we made our walk of chilly anticipation from the car to the starting line area. It was still dark outside but immediately took notice of the energy level and excitement of the other fellow racers who seemed to be aimlessly walking around the dark trying to figure out where to be and how to get warm until race time.

Thoughts of training and the months of preparation raced through my head. Did I do enough? Was I going to finish today? Could I have done more? What did I forget?  I came to grip with the fact that there’s no time for “could’ve-should’ves” and all that mattered were focusing on the task today. Today is my time to shine, my time to redeem all the miles and work put in this year, leading up to this very moment.  The best part was having Carla by my side to share this experience with as we push our own boundaries yet again. Time to change our lives forever this day.

My race prep included hydration using Advocare’s Re-Hydrate product on the drive down, then moments before the race I used Advocare’s Muscle Fuel, O2 Gold, and Catalyst for muscle endurance and blood oxygen.

With 22,000 runners, the starting line was released in waves to safely get everyone off the line.  We had to wait nearly 40 mins in the cold before the gun went off for us.  I expected to see the majority making a mad rush off the line to engage their race, but I think most had the same idea of keep a moderate steady pace to leave some juice for the second half of the race. We averaged about a 10:30 pace the first 10 miles, but unfortunately I had to stop twice at random porta potties. Kind of regret drinking so much before the race, but I would rather be OVER hydrated than to be DE hydrated. The first 10 miles slipped by fairly effortlessly. The views were incredible as we coursed through the arts district, McKinney Ave, and Turtle Creek. There was a band playing at every turn and the crowd cheering kept energy levels high. By mile 5 I was peeling off my gloves and hat and trying not to trip over all the other’s shed clothing piled along the course. I learned later that the clothing items were collected off the course and donated to the homeless.

At mile 12 the course delivered us to the SW banks of  Whiterock Lake to begin a 10 mile path around it before heading back towards the finish.  As I took inventory of my energy levels and distance to go, I was glad I went easy early on. I felt great at mile 14 and turned up the pace a bit and was re-energized by the idea that I was confident I could make it the whole way without walking. Mile 17 I pulled a cliff bar from my belt and nibbled on it slowly to not disrupt my stomach during this kind of effort.  Mile 20 my quads and knees were yelling at me, but it was overshadowed by the emotions of the fact that I had already exceeded my longest training run for distance. Again, the events and challenges of this past year were rushing through my head reminding me of my journey and how hard I have worked to get to this point. I was overwhelmed and had to re-focus on my breathing to keep my pace going again. My emotions were still running high as I looked up and could see the skyline of Dallas on the horizon and knew I was only 6 miles to the biggest victory yet. At that moment I thought, I don’t care if my leg breaks, I WILL finish this race and beat the time I was shooting for.  As the pain grew through mile 25 I could only grin as the approaching finish line was only feeding me pure adrenaline. Finally, I entered the gates of Fair Park and the crowd was enormous and the finish line was all mine.  No medal has ever felt so good hanging on my neck! PRIDE!!! Now time to plan the next race….

Reflections:

• I was glad I stuck to my plan of nutrition and pace, although hind-sight tells me I should have pushed a little harder on my pace earlier on as my body never ran out of fuel.
• I had some last minute remorse on the morning of the race about which shoes to wear, but my Newtons performed beyond my expectations and I highly recommend them to anyone who runs and wants to be EFFICIENT in their stride and foot strike.
• Well planned and trained running form and improved foot strike allowed me to avoid any ankle, shin, and/or calve soreness during and after the race.
• If you need to pee during the race, better to wait until you see a place with no line. I burned at least 8 minutes in various bathroom lines.
• At the finish line, I had the Baylor Medical tent strap bags of ice to my knees. This may have been the smartest thing I did that day. As far as recovery goes, I have applied ice 3-4 x’s per day to the knees, Aleev, and lots of water. It’s been 3 days now and I am ready to hit the trail again, no prob.
• This year's theme for me has been to push my boundaries and to constantly exlpore my limits. I have no regrets and can't wait to go beyond in 2011. Next goal: shave 45 mins off my next marathon, and to compete in a 50K.

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