Well, to start off with 1)too fast, 2)wrong intervals, 3)cramping, 4)water, 5)marathon bonk, 6)pain/energy management

1) i went out way to fast. 4 guys jumped immediately to the front and i pulled in the fifth spot. We ran the first 3.7 in about 30mins, so i didn't warm-up according to plan. I wasn't ready for such a quick pace, especially in windy single-track. I let them go after the first food stop. HR is kind of whacky at this point and it takes me another 15 minutes to settle down.

2) I decided before the race to try a 12min run 1min walk interval. Shouldn't have done this, should've stuck to a 5 or 6 to 1 ratio. This was okay for 1 lap, by the 2nd lap i lowered it down to 8/1, and halfway through the second lap i got paranoid and decided i was behind the rest curve and lowered it to a 5/1 ratio. This felt better for me. 3rd lap i went to a 3/1 ratio. At the end of the second lap my left groin muscle was starting to spas making it very hard to stride properly.

3)Cramping and 4)Water - I didn't realize that i wasn't drinking enough fluid. I didn't feel like i was sweating very much. I should have known better and kept my hip pack on me. I was just drinking at the food stations, so approx. every 4miles. The first two laps were overcast and cool, but by the 3rd, the sun was out and it was a warm 75f and HUMID. Not good since i hadn't been drinking enough. I was just slow to realize this. Left groin muscle is the one that starting bothering me. I would try to get into a stride rythym and then it would spas after 2or 3 minutes. I would almost fall down trying to stop the leg motion to stop the cramp. I would stretch a little and then resume running.

5)Marathon bonk - For me, this race was too soon after the Austin AT&T Marathon, which was just 2wks ago. After the 2nd lap, I just didn't feel any strength. I didn't have any aerobic issues, just no legs. My legs HURT during laps 3 and 4(that growing pain feeling), so i took advil.

6) Laps 3 and 4, but mainly 3, ended up being pain/energy management. I actually ran lap 4 faster than 3. A young lady finishing her 25k noticed i was cramping and gave me 4 ecaps, and i had taken some advils at the end of lap 3(i think). Don't know what worked or didn't work. Also, I was carrying a water bottle on lap 4, also 4 gels on 4 AND it was the final lap and I knew i just had to be consistently in motion.

1) follow my race plan. Don't start off too fast in wu, and keep intervals sane.
2) carry a water bottle, drink more water.
3) not run an ultra so soon after a mary.

Just laid down and played with my daughter while my Jess(wife) went to get my clean clothes and shower gear.


Overall, I would say this race was just too soon after the Austin ATT mary. I didn't have enough of a recovery.


This is one of my favorite courses. Mix of single-track, open trail, with a few ups/downs making for distinctive regions.