Nueces 2014 - A Tale of Two Loops

So…Nueces 2014. The place where I ran my first trail race last year. Last year I ran 25K , so one of my two goals was to beat that time (3:40ish) on my first loop this year. My second goal was to beat Bandera's time of 7:12. So this is a tale of two loops.

Loop 1

I started out with my buddy Kyle and we managed to stay up towards to front of the group because last year we were in the back of the pack and it took a lot of energy to get around people.  We were doing fine and then I felt like we should push the pace a little more, so I said let's go! Kyle, Judy, and I went for it. We were really moving fast over rocks, up the hills, and so forth. Then again, like last year, I waited for Kyle at the Wall aid station, and as soon as Kyle got the chance, he booked it on me! But that was ok, I did my job of pushing him. I think he finished 10 minutes in front of me. He was doing the 25K. I made it in 2:52ish…waaaaaaaay ahead of my goal, so I relubed my toes, rested a bit, ate, and proceeded to loop 2 right at the 3 hour mark. Kyle went with me the first 100 yards. I told him I could finish in 6:30ish. And then…

Loop 2

It hit me! As soon as I ascended the first section of hill, my quads totally deflated and ached. Oh no! Should I just turn around and call it quits? The sun was out and bearing down already, so I knew the next 14 miles would be tough. I decided to keep on going, but I walked a lot. After about 2 miles, I got back into a jog. Took forever to get to the first aid station, but now I had my bucket hat on, so I dumped ice water in it and on my head to keep cool. This worked at the other two aid stations, too. But the heat of the sun got to me and I was getting really fatigued out there after the big incline. As I approached the last aid station, about 1/4 a mile from it, Kyle showed up and helped me run in the last 1 1/2 mile to the finish. I stopped and walked quite a bit, but noticed that I just might beat my Bandera time, so I kept pushing as much as I could…Got it! just under 7 hours at 6:59:50. But this loop was a tough run in the heat and sun. Almost 4 hours.

Nueces was great this year. Ran my second 50K and got to enjoy it with many of our RGV trail running friends including our newest members, Che and Lorri.

What's next? I think a nice break from ultras until summertime. Then it's time to prepare for the next big adventure: Cactus Rose 50 mile run in October. For now, Kefah has made for me a running plan to increase my speed. Let's see how it goes.