TROT MILEstones

For Anyone Wanting to Complete TROT 1000 in 2020

Background

Last couple years TROT was had the TROT10 or TROT13 series which was based on the number of races an individual would be able to run. It didn't matter the distance per say, it was about attending and participating in the event. Every year they do this extra bonus goal for people and provide an awesome swag giveaway if you achieve one of these.

2019

This year TROT decided to go into a slightly different direction of the challenge and make it about mileage and not necessarily the actual amount of runs a person was able to participate in. This year TROT (Trail Racing Over Texas) put out a new program to help give the goal oriented people something big to shoot for. This program is called their TROT MILEstones. (http://www.trailracingovertexas.com/2019-trot-milestones). As listed on their website TROT was recognizing those who hit specific mileage marks during the TROT race schedule over the entire 2019 season. These milestones were:

• TROT 250
• TROT 500 
• TROT 1000

So looking at these numbers all of the regular TROT people began to wonder what would be needed to actually hit and obtain that elusive TROT 1000 milestone. Is it possible? Can it be achieved? Must I run every single TROT event?

One thing for sure is that The Franklins 200 was "almost" a must for anyone wanting to go for the biggest milestone. I felt the TROT 250 & TROT 500 could be achieved by everyone who wanted it if they planned their year accordingly and signed up strategically for the proper distances as needed. The TROT 1000 this is a challenging stretch goal for anyone.

My Results

After a year running with Team TROT and getting a lot of the events in, I managed to come fairly close within reach of the TROT 100 milestone. My race distances are highlighted in the schedule and then listed on the right (converted into miles where needed and actual measured distances):

2019 SPRING SERIES

• Running the Rose (108 km, 54 km, 22 mi, 11 mi, 7 km) 66 mi
• The Franklins (200 mi, 200 km) 202 mi
• Lone Star 100 (100 mi, 100 km) did not run
• Jackalope Jam (72 hr, 48 hr, 24 hr, 12 hr, 6 hr) 100 mi
• Crazy Desert Trail Race (100 km, 50 km, 13.1 mi, 10 km, 5 km) 59 mi
• San Felipe Shootout (22.4 mi, 13.1 mi, 10 km, 5 km) did not run
• Brazos Bend 50 (100 km, 50 mi, 50 km, 25 km, 10 km, 5 km) did not run
• Coyote Run (50 mi, 50 km, 25 km, 8 mi, 4 mi) 50 mi
• Wildflower (50 km, 26.2 mi, 25 km, 13.1 mi, 7 mi, 10 km, 5 km) *race cancelled due to flooding
• Possums Revenge (69 mi, 52 mi, 56 km, 17 mi, 8 mi, 4 mi) 69 mi

2019 FALL SERIES

• Habanero Hundred (100 mi, 100 km, 50 km, 30 km, 20 km, 10 km) did not run
• Alamo City Ultra (50 km, 25 km, 10 km, 5 km *each available twice) did not run
• Colorado Crossing (50 mi, 50 km, 24 mi, 25 km, 8 mi, 4 mi) 45 mi
• Mission Tejas Trail Run (50 km, 25 km, 10 km, 5 km) 31 mi
• El Taco Loco (100 km, 50 km, 25 km, 10 km, 5 km) 65 mi
• Franklin Mountains Trail Run (50 km, 27 km, 13.1 mi, 10 km, 5 km, K/Q of Mtn) 35+6+4= 45 mi
• Brazos Bend 100 (100 mi, 50 mi, 26.2 mi, 13.1 mi) 100 mi

MY TOTAL = Spring (546 mi) + Fall (286 mi) =  832 miles

Admittedly TROT 1000 was not a goal that I was chasing at the beginning of the year, but rather I was focused on the TROT Cup (which somewhat parallels this). Looking back now I realized just how close I was. If I had just run a couple of the other race weekends I missed, mainly Habanero or Brazos (spring version), the 1,000 number would have been really obtainable. It is a fine margin if you want to achieve that 1000 MILEstone.

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I am posting this blog and my results for anyone wanting to chase and be that first to obtain the TROT 1000 next year in 2020. Plan now, train hard, and most of all be rested as it requires a lot of racing miles. My biggest piece of advice would be to plan for a large February volume of miles in order to achieve this goal (hint hint). The best part is you get to do it all with Trail Racing Over Texas and the amazing trail community it is. Over the course of the year, you get to experience and see some excellent parks and portions of Texas. No matter your goal, go out and hit the trails but most of all have fun.

There is no party like a TROTparty 🎉

I hope to see you on the trails soon!

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