Bandera 2009 25K Race Report

January 2009 by Tim

This race really started the night before...at midnight.  Which is the time that I finally got to sleep. I can recall a time when I had to be in bed by 9 the night before a race.  I had to eat exactly the right food..or else.  And yet here I am several years into my trail running pursuits(after many more of road running) going to bed at midnight after having burgers, fries, cookies, pop, all of it.  Well I'm glad I've grown.  I awoke even before the alarm at around 4:20 am.  Walked into the kitchen where I had my usual pre-race meal of a bagel with peanut butter, coffee, banana...and whatever else I could find that wasn't dairy or eggs.   The weather was still on the warm side at this point (probably 65 and humid).  Everyone else began to stir and eventually we were out the door around 5:40.  

As we walked outside we were stunned by the abrupt drop in temperature.  It was probably 40 and windy.  Into the truck and off for the hour ride to Bandera.  We had one newbie, one 2 time Bandera, one 3 time Bandera and one 4 time Bandera with us.  Those of us that had run it before kept trying to spook the newbie.  Of course she was having nothing to do with it.

Upon arrival I was amazed at how much this race has grown.  The last time I ran Bandera was 2005 and it's "huge" compared to then.  The great race volunteers quickly had us parked.  And we hopped out of the truck for check-in to a stiff strong breeze that was COLD!  Luckily this is the weather I run in most of the time in San Francisco; so, I was prepared.  Packet pickup went without a hitch.  There was a separate process for runner "check-in" I wish I had done that at the time of packet pickup. (Instead of waiting until the race start.)  We headed back to the truck to get race ready.  For me that means putting my number on my belt, plenty of vaseline on all the essential areas, a double check of gu, etc.  Then a little dancing at the truck with no warm-up.  Race time was quickly approaching so I went to check-in while I waited for Trey.  It was a 5 minute walk to the starting "line".

At the start line I heard someone say "go" and that was it.  Very little fanfare or production compared to road races.  I love it!  The two young ones took off to have great races and I waited for Trey. Trey walked up and we decided to start.  I love the relaxed environment.  It was a pretty bunched up group for the first 2 - 3 miles but we had fun.  Trey does all the talking and I just listen (which is fine by both of us).  There was a pretty rough hill in the first mile or so and I'm glad I've adopted the trail running method of walking hills.  Trey kept telling me we'd have to run it again at the end...but I didn't believe him because that's not how the "old" course was.  Boy was I wrong.  Next came a long series of up and down with plenty of really rocky terrain.  At some point along here I saw Robert H (a fellow Hill Country Trailrunner) and he provided wonderful words of encouragement.  We were keeping a good pace at this point and I felt strong.  Finally we started a very long meandering downhill but were bunched behind some runners.  Trey was in front of me and I goaded him to get us past.  As soon as I had a clear lane I went into downhill mode.  My favorite!  It felt so good to stretch out and get some speed.  But it also took a lot out of me.  Trey and I hung together until about mile 9 and then I started losing steam quite significantly.  By mile 11 I was reduced to a walk.  My left leg hurt pretty bad but I wasn't cramping which is a good thing.  And, while this did turn out to be my worst time ever in a 25K; I did finish with the best attitude and feeling that I have yet.  I really made myself enjoy the walk/shuffle those last 4.5 miles (a very difficult thing because my ego wants me to RUN).  I crossed the finish line around 3:40 and had walked next to an Aggie for the last bit.  It was good to see that he too was enjoying his first trail race.

My lessons learned are that I need to have WEEKLY mileage that is longer than my race distance. (For the 2 months prior to this race I was only running about 15 miles a week.)  And need to find some way to keep my ankles strong for rocky terrain.  The Bay Areas trails are "groomed" by comparison to Texas trails.  Something I did different this year was I didn't use any of the aid stations (except for some regular water at the very first one).  That is very unusual for me.  I attribute my reduced use to the absolutely ideal weather conditions (Sunny, 50s, very windy)

Thanks to Joe, Joyce, Robert, Henry and all of the amazing volunteers that put on such a good race that brings individuals and families together in such a great environment!

I look forward to many more races that help me meet wonderful people, share amazing times, learn a little about myself and enjoy the outdoors.