2008

I hope to be back next year to defend my second from last place title!
Thanks, -Dan Hamilton

Thanks again for a great adventure!
Gunnar

Thanks so much for putting on another first-class event! You two rock! Joyce, thanks for asking me to pace Moogy. Getting him across the finish line was awesome, although he probably could have done it on his own.
Pete Mehok

Thank you Joe and Joyce for everything this weekend. Again another great event. I really appreciated all the support and concern about my well being. Had an awesome time! Speak with u soon. Cheers,
Brad Quinn

You put on a wonderful race this weekend. It was really good for me to meet the 100-milers (what a wonderful group of people) and get an outside sense for the race. I think with my patient and turtle-esque attitude, the 100 could be a good guy for me to attempt soon. Thanks to you and Joyce for all of your support for Josue!!! :)
Abi Stephens

I sure enjoyed helping and hanging with you guys. I love that place. See you in Jan. Thanks.
Fred Thompson

It WAS a great event. My son DID do well, thankyouverymuch. The Numero Uno, David, as I called him, ALASKA! was formidable. Mason (and I) were agog at his resilience. It was an unbelievable experience to witness. I was proud to be there as crew. It was an experience I will never forget.
Marianne Payne Parker (Mason's mom)

This was one heck of a race. Thanks to you and yours and everyone who helpedfor putting it all together. I happened to disrespect Hill Country SNA, went into the race with a wrong mindset, thinking I can smoke this course, and I paid for it. Too bad I forgot to bring a rock home with me as a reminder of my foolishness. I will be back! Thanks again!
Dmitry Rozinsky

Hell of a race, and thanks for everything!! I can't tell you how glad I am that I chose this race as my first.
Kevin Boudreaux

Wednesday: Morning, I headed out to the Hill Country State Natural Area near Bandera, Texas. For those of you whom have not been: make the time to go. The drive there is incredibly beautiful, and once you arrive it's even more so. Upon arrival, I met up with Joe, Robert & Henry and we got to work going out to put up signs, flags & various markers for parts of the course. Chris was already out doing lots of hard trail maintenance (whacking the weeds with a trimmer, and lopping branches) when I arrived. I went out with Joe, and we spent until around 6pm working on marking, and then we returned to clean up and have dinner in town. Some might call this work, but I was enjoying every moment of it. I can't think of anywhere I'd have rather been, or better folks to be around. I slept like a log that night (in my spiffy new tent, which I adore).

Thursday: I spent my entire day out with the weed whacker cutting back overgrowth from the trail. Again, some might call this work, but I enjoyed it, and I got to see and explore sections of the trail that I did not get to see the last time I was there. I just love this place, and getting to know it better was a great thing. Again, we all worked until 6pm, and then came in for supper.

Friday: I woke up SO incredibly sore. Guess who needs to get serious about some strength training? It didn't take long of getting up and moving around to allow that to pass. Again, i was out doing some sections of trail with the weed trimmer, and various other things that needed to be done. (mostly, I spent it cutting back overgrowth though) I was getting really into that. I think, as a trail runner, my disdain for overgrowth was what made this work so truly satisfying. (take THAT, jerk weeds & bramble vines!) That afternoon, of course, was when all of our runners & their families, friends & support came in. It was invigorating, to say the least, and the air was virtually crackling with energy from all of the excited and happy folks. We had lots more volunteers arrive as well. I went into town that evening alone for dinner, where I saw Melissa & Mike, both of whom I had seen earlier in the park, and they recognized me and very graciously offered for me to sit & dine with them. I had SUCH a lovely time visiting with them. (thanks, you guys!) Friday night, I didn't sleep very well. Then, right after I got to sleep, some car arrived, and drove all around with the lights brightly shining, and going back and forth, back and forth on the gravel/dirt road. (and near ALL of our tents!) About the time I was ready to bolt out and tell them they were going to need DRUGS to kill the pain if they didn't freaking stop, they did. (this was 1:30 am) I wasn't able to get back to sleep until 3:30am, and 30 minutes later, most everyone was up because the race started at 5am. I stayed in my tent and was able to catch about 2.5 hours of shut-eye, and then I couldn't stand to miss any more, so I got up.

Saturday: Race Day A classmate had planned to come down and we were going to run together, but I had no idea what time she was going to arrive. There are not tons of places where cell phones work well down around where we were staying (unless you want to stand in one spot for hours, and even then, signals drop a lot), so I had no way to check. I waited around for a bit, and I decided about 10:30 that I wanted to go out and do the loop I had planned because I know just how hot it can get on up on some of those climbs in the full-on sun. (lesson learned the last time I was there!) Brice and I went out and did a loop. I was a little worried about my feet since they had gotten so horribly blistered from my workboots (not the best thing for bandera trails, but better than running shoes for trail maintenance work). Luckily, the blister bandages I had brought worked perfectly, and I didn't feel even one moment of discomfort in my feet during the run. We saw a great big porcupine in the woods a little into our run, and we had to stop and gawk at it for a few moments. It was getting pretty warm about halfway through our run, and I had decided that if I was going to do a second loop, I was going to wait until later, most likely at night. I was pleased with the time we made on our first loop, and I felt great afterward. When I got back, there were some errands and things that needed to be done in town, so I did those. Later in the day, we had a runner who was turned around and hadn't signed in at the aid stations like she should have, so two of us started at opposite ends of the trail she was on to find her, and to be sure she was okay. This was a part of the course that I had never seen or been on, and it was gorgeous. I made pretty good time on this stretch of trail, and ran into quite a few folks I knew who were running and/or pacing. Everyone looked happy & strong, and it was inspiring and uplifting to see that. Luckily, our runner had reached the next aid station before I did, and they got her accounted for, and put back on track. It was the hottest part of the day when I did that stretch of trail, and there was a pretty hairy climb on it, so I felt like I was done for the day, and didn't really want to do a night run anymore, so I cleaned up and called it a day, running-wise. I spent the rest of the evening until around 3am at the lodge aid station visiting with the other volunteers, and offering any help that the runners/pacers might need that I was able to give. I finally could not stay awake anymore, so I went to crash in my tent. Had I known the timing mat was going to be so close to where I had originally put my tent, I'd have probably chosen a wiser place. Those of us who have crossed the timing mat know that it is NOT a subtle beep when one of them registers a chip. Needless to say, I think I got about 2 hours of sleep that evening with all of the beeping, BUT that was okay because, inside, I was glad to know yet another runner had completed yet another lap. For most, their final laps started during this time period.

Sunday: finishers finished, and those who did not were able to rest & all of them seemed to be in good spirits. The camp quickly shrunk in size, and by the end of the day, there were very few of us left there, aside from the award receivers and volunteers. This had been such a wonderful experience for me, and such a great time, that I was honestly sad to see it all come to an end, even though I was exhausted. This is interesting, too - On Friday evening, the volunteers were all hanging around in the lodge having beer, and we decided to do a little wager. Joe told us how many starters and finishers we had last year, and we were to guess at how many we thought would finish this year. I was optimistic, and thought we'd have a few more. Joe would not tell us what we would potentially win until all bets were placed. After we placed our bets, Joe told us that whoever won would get bib #1 & a comp entry in next year's Cactus Rose race, with one catch: we have to finish the race or pay the entry fee. As runners dropped for various reasons or didn't make their cut-offs, the number was whittled down to the number I guessed: 25. So, next year, I will attempt to face the dragon. Both of my coaches were there (Joe & Robert) for this, and they seemed to be very excited to rib me without mercy about this. I think Robert's exact words to Joe were "I can't wait to see this!" Then, of course, everyone told me how much I was going to have to raise the bar with my current training program. Of course, this has to be done in steps, but I'm going to try it. I can't say the desire to do a 100 mile race was there, but I was already considering 100k distances in the next year. So, I'm going to do this, or die trying to. I'm good at dying trying to do stuff! Even if I don't finish, I'll learn something valuable. (i.e. - never enter another 100 mile race; I hate Joe; genetically engineer a virus that kills Sotall; etc.) Now that I have the fine details out of the way, I'd like to offer some overall thoughts about this:

1. For those trail runners who have not volunteered: do so. It will give you wonderful insight into the careful planning, and preparation that goes into trail races. While I have always wanted to thank volunteers at the aid stations, etc, there is a LOT more that goes into it than that. I really appreciate all of the careful planning, thought and consideration that Joe & Co. put into every aspect of this race, and all of the work it takes to prepare the course. It's a wonderful way to get to know a park/trail/area much better, and it will also give you a much better understanding of the logic of how/where/why they put signs and makers in the places that they are.

2. I was so thrilled to finally get to meet and bond with many more of my fellow HCTR members. As a very new member of HCTR, I have not gotten to meet a majority of them, and I felt privileged and blessed to be able to. I am convinced we have the best running club EVAR

3. This was the first 100 mile race I have ever witnessed, and it was a truly amazing and life-changing experience for me. It's awesome what these runners are able to endure, and still keep a positive attitude. Even when things don't work out as expected, they are able to take bits of wisdom from their experience, and use that in their future events.

4. I think 100 mile races are a *great* exercise in learning to never operate on assumptions. There are very strong looking runners who you are just sure will outdo your expectataions of how they will do that were not able to pull through, and there are those who you are just SURE will not make it that stick through until the very end and finish strong. I try very hard not to work on assumptions whenever I can, and I think recalling times like this are prime examples of why assumptions are a dangerous and inaccurate human habit.

5. Some folks really stuck out in my mind that were doing this event, and I feel compelled to say something to each of them: Melissa - you were, to use Meredith's VERY accurate analogy, a beam of pure sunshine this entire time. There was not a single moment that I saw you that you didn't look just amazingly strong and SO positive and happy. I saw you on the course both times I was out there, and you had a smile from ear to ear and it made me feel so wonderful to see that. Many people made the same comment. Thank you, you were an amazing inspiration to me and to many others. It was a pleasure to see you do so well, and have such a great time doing it. David from Alaska, who I imagine will not see this, but he was the male counterpart of Melissa's beaming positivity. I saw him both times I was out on the course, and precisely the same things can be said about him. Josue - you are one bad@55 mofo. You inspired every single person who witnessed you burn up this course with times that street runners would dream of being able to do. You were SO close to your goal, and now you see it's just very fine tuning that will get you to the finish next time. There wasn't a soul there who was not simply amazed by you. Even more inspiring to me was your positivity even after things didn't work out like you planned. You were able to immediately take positive things from this experience and throw out the negative. You are one of my heroes, and you ROCK, my brother! Barbara - more echoing of how STRONG, happy & positive you remained through this entire race. Every time I saw you, you were peppy & happy and smiling. Your bouncy braids add to the effect tremendously. Moogy - way to overcome a rough spot and reach your goal!

6. It's not at all ironic that all of these people I mentioned did so well out there. I think it just goes to show that, just as my coach used to say, it's 75% mental and 25% physical.

7. Joe & Joyce- I feel truly blessed to know you two, and to have worked with you & the others on this event. I thoroughly look forward to working together on things in the future, and I am very excited to see what we can all achieve next! You would be hard-pressed to find any race directors & volunteers who cared more about the welfare and success of their participants & volunteers. Thank you a million times over. I am so glad that I was able to be a part of this wonderful experience, and I am incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive, positive and truly stellar community of people.
Jason Simmons

While I did not get to watch everyone's race play out over the course of the weekend, what I saw was inspiring!Joe and Joyce, first and foremost, puts on a race with an attitude that is seen NOWHERE else. Theirattitude is, "anything possible to get the runner's to the finishline." Their focus is ALL about the runners and everyone who helps holds onto this same instruction. There is never a moment when the single focus is not on the runners: their safety, their good mental state (as much as possible); and their finish. How many races can a runner go totally wrong and get to correct their mistake and continue on? It was just amazing with what ease Joe and team had everything flow and create such a wonderful environment for everyone to be in! (and all of this for an unsupported race??) This experience once again solidified my notion that ultra-running is so much about a person, and not so much about a runner...Yes, David (Alaska), Mason, Melissa, George, and Moogy (the runners I followed the most this weekend) all are incredible runners, but each had qualities that answers the question, "how to finish a 100-miler, ESPECIALLY in Bandera." It takes: A huge smile, great positive energy, heart, good humor, confidence, a little fear, and unbelievable determination.Mike and I helped David at some of the aid stations and he never stopped smiling and was so very gracious. He was having the time of his life on the trails this weekend and it showed. He took care of himself with such ease and everyone who spent moments with him could only talk about how his positive energy beamed from ear to ear. He wasted no time, stayed solid, and really was incredible. I hope everyone can take something away from watching him race...Melissa - Holy Cow...of course all of the above is so true about her, but as her friend to get to watch her have such a magical day was awesome! Mike was beaming almost as much as she was as her stick figures (see time books) floated through each station. Joyce at one point asked her if she was thinking of what to draw before she came into the aid stations. Who knows but just the thought that she had on-going creative thoughts, pretty incredible. She was so fun to watch, and made everyone's day brighter with the ray of sunshine she carried on the trail (I get it, totally cheesy, but actually true).Mason - from New York City with a crew of mom and sister. Mike and I spent more time chatting with his mom than him at first, but all of that changed when I got to pace him from mile 85-95. He was having some low moments, or what he called "feeling crushed." He had asked his mom to find him a pacer, and she asked me. Once I got Mike and Melissa all set I told him I would run with him, "as long as he didn't let Melissa get to far in front." I wanted to see Melissa finish, and if he slowed down too much that wouldn't have worked. Well apparently empty threats and fear work well for him. He ran really well, and we had a great time. He got caught up on his calories and caffiene, and lost the attitude of "if someone passes me and I am out of 3rd place I am going to take a nap." Yeah, I don't know that I would have given him that option. Then with 5 miles left as we left the aid station and I was leaving him to finish on his own, his sister mentioned that George was only about 15 minutes back. I told him that he had to move because George was super strong on the back end of a race. Who knew that this fear would drive him to fly through those last miles. Read Melissa's note about what he looked like on that last section. It's amazing how an attitude can change from wanting to get passed to running like mad to not get passed...ahhh fear :)George - incredible solid race with legs that were on the verge of cramping all day and night. He is so strong and solid. He can knock these races out with such ease, and is always so thankful of any amount of help anyone offers...even though he can do just fine without any help at all. The most memorable race to see was Moogy. To go from being so dehydrated at an absolute low, to looking so much better, to digging from the pit of the well to finish so incredible (Joyce's words at an aid station can be very supportive and strong and he got just that going out for loop 4). His level of strength and determination will not soon be forgotten in my book. I would love to say that when he left that aid station after his biggest low that I had the faith that he could do it, but I am so pleased to admit I was so wrong. He shows that you can turn it around, that you can slow down and take care of yourself out there, and that sometimes everything does actually end up your way. It was such a journey for him and you could see what it meant at the finish...so great! Everyone out there this weekend took a journey, I can't even put together in my head...4 ridiculous loops around Bandera. I know so many others had adventures and adjectives of their own, and I look forward to hearing their stories. But these 5 + Joe and team, reminded me about what I love about Ultra-running. They reminded me that when you peel off all the layers of a person out there, you can truly get the best of what people are about.Thank you for a wonderful weekend where I could escape to the beautiful fall colors of the hill country (yes, we actually have colorful trees in Texas). I feel so selfish for getting so much out of a race I didn't even run.
Meredith Terranova

I'm sure Kevin will report on his own race and I will report on my experience a little later on...but I wanted to thank everyone for such a great experience out at Cactus. I feel honored to be part of such a great club and mix of people. I'm sure I'm going to forget a few people here, but a few that I need to point out. If I miss you, I apologize - I'm blaming it on the lack of sleep :)
Fred - Thank you so much for everything. From feeding me to helping change a flat tire and letting me use your vehicle to go into town (and hurting yourself in the process) to waking me up at 10pm on Saturday to make sure I was ready to pace Kevin.
Lynn - Thank you for all of the support and stories. Thank you for being at equestrian in the middle of the night and helping get Kevin and I drinks and food, and providing Kevin an extra shirt and gloves for me.
Joe/Henry - Thank you for everything. For the encouraging words, support, willingness to help, etc. To all that I did not mention, did mention, and just met - THANK YOU!!!! Congrats to everyone for a great race! It was a wonderful experience!
Stacie Boudreaux

Thanks to all the volunteers who helped put this together and all those who helped at the aid stations. I could not have done it without you. Joe made a tough course tougher by adding trails where they did not exist before.
Tony Maldonado

What a great weekend, Joe and Joyce pulled of yet another wonderful, warm, memorable race. Thank you to all the voluteers - you guys were incredible and so knowledgeable, giving the runners just what they needed while still letting us feel self sufficient. I don't think Jason slept for about 3 days straight and STILL was smiling and unbelievably positive!
We eeked out a slightly higher finish rate than last year, I think the lack of water crossings and resulting dry feet helped a lot. Two REALLY great guys, one from Alaska and one from New York showed up for their first time in Hill Country State Park, smiled and laughed through the whole race, cheered up everyone they came across, and took the top two spots. I think they were just as excited for all the other finishers as they were for themselves! They weren't HCTR members, but easily could have been - they had the layed back, in it to have a great positive time and make memories, we're all here together, let's all go out and love what we're doing attitude that is at the heart of HCTR. When Mason came FLYING past me towards the end, leaping down Lucky's like he was running his first mile, he slammed on the brakes and didn't want to pass me. He deserved every once of what he was getting from digging so deep and we convinced him to fly on ahead, but his selfless and kind spirit at that moment is something I'll always remember. Such a special weekend!
Again, I can't thank everyone involved in organizing and volunteering enough. Thank you thank you thank you!
Melissa Heggen

Congratulations to everyone who ran Cactus Rose this weekend. It was, as usual, a particularly difficult 100 mile adventure with enough nasty suprises to bring down a mountain goat. Great race as always Joe and his cast of volunteers.
John Reynolds

The rose gave me an absolute old-fashioned butt-kicking. It is insane. The clostest thing in my experience is the Uwharrie national forest with no dirt or leaves, only rocks and stinging plants, no flats. It seems you go for miles without stepping on actual dirt. You run through one field, that is the only flat section. Joe and Joyce Prusaitis put on a first-class old-fashioned trial race. I'll be back next year for more punishment. A unique challenge. If you are not in the best shape this race will expose you, as it did me.
Mike Day

Thanks so much for letting me throw up last Saturday during your race. This was the first time I had to pay money to throw up. I'm looking forward to next year since I learned so much by not finishing. Next year I'll park my car at Equestrian so I can drive my self back and forth to the start/finish if I have to. I'll see you in January for Bandera or sooner in December if you are running Sunmart. Thanks,
Rick (Stupid) Cook

Since other than a numb left big toe I seem to be recovered from your "fun run", so I thought I'd shoot you an email. Just wanted to thank you and all involvedfor quite an experience during Cactus Rose. My first 100 was Umstead, a very good first 100 but in my opinion not a "trail" 100 or very high on the difficulty scale. Cactus Rose however is truly a trail run and very high on the difficulty scale. This is certainly not just my opinion, everyone I've talked to is humbled by this brutal, hilly, rock laden trail run. So, even though my time was slow and close to last, I can now say I have run a certified "BITCH" of a 100. I also want givea huge thank youto all those that worked the "unmanned" aid stations. These were better than some runs I've done that had supposed manned aid stations. The grilled cheese at Equestrian was a life saver again as it was for Bandera 100K. A1 job all the way around and I know it's a long way off, but I plan on doing it again next year...hopefully faster. Thanks,
Dan Hamilton