After the RR100 milers took off some of the rest of us lined up for what seemed like a fun run compared to the 100 mile crowd. "Going Short" takes on a new meaning in this community. It was good fun. One of the things I liked best about the last 2 races I have done (Bandera and RR) is the start, and the FOOD but I digress. The ultra crowd who runs my pace just ease on out without much angst or hassle when it is go time. This is so much better than a Sunmart 50k start that gives me flashbacks of 5kville. We 50 milers wondered onto the trails and eased into our short day. After a couple miles I got settled into my pace and somehow fell in behind this guy who must have forgotten any kind of handkerchief or bandana. About every 3rd step he just blows Hhnnnnssttt, Hnnnnsssttt. It is almost like it is locked in his cadence. I am a bit of a germaphobe so back off and wait on this dude to cleanse his sinuses. I wait, and wait, and wait, and this dude is blowing. He is like a mutant cousin of a Las Vegas Slot Machine, except he is a snot machine. This is non stop for about 40 minutes. I want to pass this brother but he has the flem cone working around him and I can't find a moment when he stops blowing to get close enough to pass. Finally post Dam Road I find a wide enough place to get around. I swing wide, give it the gas, and whoa am gone. I see my buddy Meredith who is on her way to her first 100 mile finish and the morning begins to look up. I get to Far Side and stop to adjust my lace and I hear it, hnnssstttt, HHNNnssttt. Flem Daddy is ahead of me again. Forget the anxiety, I drop the hammer, blast through the flem cone and am gone. The aid station folks brought out the good stuff early on. My first stop at an aid station for refills was at the Dam Road aid station and those people were working it hard to get things done quickly and get people going. All day long folks were just hammering in the aid stations and I was stoked at the quality of support the Race Team had recruited. Job well done! Just at the bridges is see Robert Heynen cruising along. I ran with Robert some at Bandera and this was not the same charging the downhills, cactus blasting Bandera Bob, this was chillin Bob. Robert is taking it easy and looking great. I can't imagine what the 100 milers day is going to be like. Next I chat with Diana Heynen who is also just chillin. We were almost through the first lap and it looked like the Heynens had just stepped outta the car. Some kinda base these folks are carrying. I hit the Lodge and I get the value add service of a refill of water plus a kiss from my girlfriend who is working the aid station. Lap 1 turned out great!
Lap 2 I wind up behind a famous European 100 miler who seems to have this gig working of kissing the ladies on the course. Chick comes along, he gets a kiss, another chick, another kiss, and the chicks are diggin it. I thought I had something special with my kiss at the aid station but this guy is really working it. Then it hits me, he went through the aid station ahead of me, and my girlfriend was working the aid station, and if he kissed her, then I kissed her, it is kinda like I kissed him. Yuck, that got ugly for me in a hurry. I had to pass him and quit thinking about it. I was hoping she was not involved in that and wiped my lips off anyway. On this second loop I ended up hooking in with Bobby Keogh who was running the 100 miler. This guy has run 30+ 100 mile events. I am out there on a fun run 50 and this guy is the real deal. He says his wife came along and is running the 50 so she will have something to do instead of just waiting on him. I am thinking the RD hosts the 50 Miler for people pushing strollers, non-running spouses, etc...the ultra community is DEEP in talent. We chat and he will mention someone's name, and then have to explain that they are the person who won Leadville, or Western States, or some other super human feat. I am the failing ultra groupie out there trying to finish my second 50 having seen Scott Jurek one time and met Joe Prusaitis once. My ultra guru portfolio does not run too deep. Bobby was patient with me though, as were the rest of the 100 mile runners. While Bobby and I were coming back from Far Side Barbara Hitzfeld came through cracking jokes and having a good time, as she FLEW past. She was just silly fast as she cruised past us. Bobby knew her from previous races and commented that was her MO. Bobby and I had a nice chat through lap 2 and I was busy making sure Flem man was behind me. I can honestly say I have never ever raced anyone in an ultra before this day as I just run to finish and feel well, that is my MO. I raced that guy because I could not take his discharge. Meredith, if you wanna know how I went sub 9, there is your secret my fellow germaphobe.
Lap 3 was surreal. Somehow I had balanced a good strong effort with diet and sub 3 hour loops. I remember seeing Scott Eppelmen on this loop and said to myself "Scott is in the office." I don't know him other than pictures etc. I had seen him on the previous two loops and he was running but with a more relaxed look. On loop three, It looked like he had punched the 'race a 100 miler time card' and gone to work. My run went well and I was able to chill out and listen to the birds, enjoy the scenery, and think about how cool it was to get to run 50 miles in a day. What a Blessing. I commented about the fun run earlier, that is my own little thing on the 50 miler because the 100 mile runners were all way cool to me. No diminishing remarks were ever said to this guy who was going short. Several of the unknown 100 milers congratulated me as I passed them on my way in for the final lap encouraging me to go for a strong finish. I felt bad I got to sit down and go home long before they did, but I didn't feel I was ready to step up to their league and that was my destiny for the day. I finished the run and Meredith's husband Paul and my girlfriend Amy were hanging out to help me. There was Henry congratulating me as well. I went for the lake and stood around in there for a while to help heal the legs and then went back home. What a day. I went home, said my prayers for those still running, and called it a night, knowing the 100 milers were still going. I want to make that leap, but respect the chasm between the real going long, and my going long. Maybe next year. I gotta say though, not having to take that out back to the highway may keep me going short for quite some time. I love that 50 mile course.
Many thanks to all who worked the countless hours to make all this happen.
Bryan Trammell