Triple-Digit Texas Triple.  Folks, it was sizzlin’.  H-O-T hot 🔥

Memorial Day’s generally a lock/schedule set-in-stone on my race calendar.  Trail run Saturday, Wyoming Marathon Sunday, our local Bolder Boulder 10K Monday morning.  Last December however, signed up for this challenge to support my run-friend Angela, who RDs event in her hometown.  Funds raised donated to Multiple Sclerosis.  Y’all know I’m not a hot weather runner — but sometimes, it’s bigger than 26.2 miles.  Sooo… ya pack a good attitude & take it one day at a time.

8 laps ’round Bachman Lake, aside Dallas’ Love Field.  Saturday-Sunday-Monday.  3 days, 3 marathons but only one state — Texas.  Place where I’ve marathon’d the most, outside of Colorado.  Relatively close, inexpensive & so many race options.  More races here than any other in the U.S.  But folks, it’s warm.  One of my 100-mile blocks: heat training — and boy, I’m gonna find that here.  H-O-T hot !!

Southwest flight to Dallas-Love, ride-share to Embassy Suites, packet pickup race morning.  Couldn’t be easier.  Well organized, lotta race support from our Mainly family.  Texas/Florida/Mexico runners heavily represented.  For us cold-weather albinos… there’s always sunblock.  LOL>

Mile+ walk from my hotel (no car rental required).  PLUS* Angela created a last-minute 5am early start… to help folks get in miles before the sun was high.  90, 96, 98 — our weekend temps.  One day at a time.  Pushed harder/ran faster as the weekend progressed.  Each day’s time bettered day prior.

High humidity all weekend.  Rain/hail on Day 2.  Tornado held off ’til Tuesday — no joke!  Flew home couple hours after Day 3 finish.  Showered, heat exhausted, crashed early.  Didn’t know ’til I read the news.  Yikes!  Don’t know how they do it.  Texans are TOUGH!  Inspired to train harder.

But first… packin’ up the Ford.  Ro & I are driving cross-country for Summer.  Family, friends & East Coast ultras 🙂

Texas Triple — Dallas TX

Day 5.  Columbus-Belmont State Park.  Mighty green.  Sure was HILLY.

Hour-half drive from hotel in Cape Girardeau.  Honestly notta lotta lodging options near Columbus Kentucky.  Bridge-crossed both Mississippi & Ohio rivers before 430am.

Wildlife ticker started at the Kentucky border.  Possum momma & babies.  Raccoon. Raccoon.  Owl I thought dead in the road, rose HUGE as I neared with the rental.  GPS necessary for this Civil War Park — Mainly’s hilliest course of all 50 states.

Morning announcements.  Long loop ’round parking, UP UP first big climb & I ran. Headlamp flickered then BAM… it was dark (failed to recharge night before).  Howdy Kim from Wichita.  I’m gonna run close ’cause I’ve got no light.  Sub 9-minute pace; gal killed it for her 5K.  Quick goodbyes & UP UP the biggest climb again.  Push, push, push — fast on the downhill.  Arms windmilling to help with balance I never fully regained from chemo.

Saw Chey/Guinness Mom, my half-marathon pacer, for second hour.  I dropped a 7:40 minute/mile & we parted two laps ’til I’d catch her on another climb.  Remember, she’s doing this with a stroller & baby-in-tow.  Strong athlete 💪

My first sub-2 Half in years.  Took in electrolytes, walked ’til base of incline & pushed UP again.  Instead of holding back, I just kept hitting it.  I’ll walk tomorrow.  Kinda fun being that guy for a day.  Think it the mix of rolling hills/use of different muscles or maybe the 25-degree drop in temperature.  First past 26 miles.  50K winner this day.

Hung ’round, cheered on my run tribe & thanked the RDs for finally turning on the air conditioning 🙂  #Colorado boy

Video Disclaimer:  Song I was humming: Blue Moon of Kentucky.  Also NOT the fastest 50K of my life… I was young once 🙂

Columbus-Belmont State Park, KY

Second stay in 2 weeks @ Motel 6.

Both posted glowing reviews of recent renovations.  Truth.  Rooms were clean, furniture new, was freshly painted.  Truth.  Chain must cater more to late-night folks than ultra runners.  Even with ear plugs, you’re not gonna sleep here.  Mariachi FIESTA.  Room AND parking lot thumping past 1am. Mistake made; not again.  Alarm rang @ 4 — gonna be a tough one in Tennessee.

Another state park.  Each day one-upping BEAUTY of the park before.  Dolly Parton land.

Lush green forest — deep in the ‘holler.  New day, same HIGH HUMIDITY theme.  Rain forecast overnight, thermometer expected to drop 15-20 degrees by tomorrow 🙌

Day 4.  Less laps, more hills.  Head not plugged in/lack of sleep excuse.  Ran half-marathon with the Guinness Mom then pedestrian-only day.  GREAT walk (fast pace) & conversation with Texan gal, Angela.  Jogged-in last 2 miles after my friend’s marathon finish.  8 hours+ but not the caboose.

Millington to Memphis (TN), West Memphis to Blytheville (AR), hour-half more to Cape Girardeau (MO).  Unpacked/fully cleaned out the rental.  3-night stay.  Whoop whoop! 🙂

Shower, dinner, lights out 8pm — tomorrow: the hills of Kentucky!

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, TN