Arbuckle 100

Ultramarathon #114 | A little trip North of Dallas

Another month, another weekend, and another 100 Mi event. 

Let's Go!

A quick trip straight up from the Houston area took me through Dallas and across the North Texas border into Oklahoma. Not too far into the state was the race Location (Cross Bar Ranch Offroad Park) just outside of the small town Davis. I arrived in the dark on Friday night I think it was around 22:00 or so which meant I had plenty of time to get settled in my passenger seat and snuggle in for some Zzzz's for the night. The race started at 06:00 so that meant I had to get up just after 05:00 to get checked in and set my chair and drop bag up near the start-finish area.

Texas travel staple #1 = Buc'ees stop.

Texas travel staple #2 = WhatABurger.

The morning was not cool, but not super warm either. It was really perfect running weather to start off. Looking around there was only about 30 people total running the 100 km & 100 Mi event that was about to start. It was a very low key first year event, which is always a neat thing to participate in. The RD counted down and then lead us out of the parking lot down the trail for the first quarter mile before stepping aside and letting the runners go. Into the darkness of the ATV trails we continued. A couple people took off at a very quick clip, which I assumed were some of the 100 km'ers but still...too fast for my liking so early. I kept to my own pace trying to limit my effort and not go out too fast myself - which is something I always have an internal battle with, even after all this 100Mi experience. A short hour into the race climbing up rocky slopes and dodging some dark puddles in the middle of the trails the sun started to shed some light onto the course. The intensity of the first two thirds of the loop had become more apparent in the light. The rocks and the technicality were right in front of us now. Every now and then there would be a nice stretch of flat non-rutted out trail but then that false sense of comfort was usually quickly squashed only a few hundred meters later.  Eventually did "soften up" in terms of the technical footing and overall condition of the trail nearing the 2nd aid station on the 20 Mi loop. The meant that the last one third of the loop was the easy portion of this course, much flatter and only a few ruts from the ATV compared to the first portion of the loop. I knew that time was going to be able to made up on this portion, as long as the legs would hold up.

Heading out for the second loop was nice day out with sun shining and the heat of the day slowly creeping up, A few clouds but overall it was great. The wind was picking up however and slowly clouds started to roll in. The threat of weather was not even really a thought I had considering it was like a 10% chance of precipitation the weather app has said at the beginning of the day. due to the wind I did take my rabbit elements vest with me as an extra layer since I thought the wind might cool it down enough to warrant it. 

running through/around the creek beds. As you can see, not a super runner friendly course.

lots of rocky technical footing was out here. Not a lot of smooth trails.

There was a lot of small water crossings. Very easy to get through (before the thunderstorms). The ATV riders definitely enjoyed these more than the runners.

They weren't kidding, lots of ATV usage in this Offroad park. Clearly this is a popular destination for all offroader's as there were all sorts of group rides, tons of day campers, and lots of people for the weekend fun in the park. Pictured here is the tail end of an ATV convoy after I let them pass by. Luckily the wind kept dust moving quickly and was not a big deal.

Passing the windmills each loop meant the climbing was essentially down. Only a flat-ish 10 km (6 Mi) remained on the back third of the loop. These were definitely placed in a good spot as it was always windy on this portion of the course.

I did not have my phone on me so did not receive this real time.

Evening was coming around now. I had managed to get though the tougher first potion of the loop as the wind continued to whip and the clouds grew greyer and more numerous. After passing the last aid station at mile 13.8 it was only a short 10 km back to the start-finish. Then I heard it.... rumbling in the distance. Through the ever-darkening sky I could see brief flashes on the horizon. The chance of thunderstorms was now a lot more than the 10% forecasted as it appeared to be on a collision course for us. I quickened my pace and was aiming just to finish off this loop before the course got over the park, at least that was my new mini goal. I didn't have a rain jacket with me, only my vest which again I took for wind chill more than anything. I ran briskly but the clouds were gliding across the sky towards us faster than my legs would propel me to the end off the loop. The rain drops started with only a few kilometers to go bac to the start finish area. I played it smart and got out my rabbit elements vest and placed it on as it was better than nothing. I also placed on my NATHAN headtorch at this point to help light the way. It was not cold rain, but it sure did come down hard once it started to open up. Lots of flashes of lightning (mostly sheet up in the clouds) followed by the inviable loud claps of thunder. 

Arriving back at the start finish a little soaked I was looking forward to getting an actual rain jacket (my rabbit Treeline) and a dry shirt while I was at it. I crossed under the arch and instantly got angry at myself since my chair and Victory Sportdesign gear bag were simply sitting out in the open exposed to the rain. My gear had been getting rained on the past 30 minutes or whatever it was now. I threw out some cuss words in frustration, but then grabbed my stuff and brought it under one of the race pop-up tents. I took my time to get changed and into dry(ish) gear. Luckily the rain had not fully saturated the bag...yet. After getting my rain gear and my kogalla waistlight situated I thanked the volunteers for the food and then headed back out into the rainy darkness knowing the challenge was now just beginning. 

The next 2 loops proved to beat me down, along with all the other runner participants remaining out there. I knew just how hard it was going to be when I left on my 3rd loop climbing up the very start embankment to the trail I started sliding right back down almost right away due to the fact that all the sand out here was the type which turned into super slick because it swells and not really absorbs the moisture. I instantly had flashbacks of 3 weeks prior (Mudlands not Grasslands....agh!). This entire park had the same soil composition so this course was now a slip and slide, except where the rocks were which provided the grip needed to propel forward. 

The rain continued. I don't even remember how long it lasted, but it might have been the entirely of my 3rd loop which took many hours.  All of the inclines were like a game of snakes and ladders. 4 steps up....2 steps sliding back down. The rocky terrain really was an addition in many spots because the rocks made it so you could grip and not slide as much. The grind was real, my pace slowed significantly, I kept moving forward. Eventually I got through the night and finished my 4th loops (80 Mi). The rain had dissipated now but the saturation of the course remained, the puddles were deeper, the soil was slippery, and our spirits were broken. The difficulty was punctuated by the fact here was very little flat surfaces on the course. Since it was on an ATV park the ruts were big and every little surface seemed to be crowned quite a bit, so no matter where you placed your footing you slid a little. All the little muscles in my legs would be activated just to stay upright and in balance.

Before starting off for my final loop I was informed I was only one of a handful of runners left out of all the 100 km and 100 Mi hopefuls. The morning light was the only thing I was looking forward to now even though I knew it would not dry the ground conditions out fast enough. I had to grasp onto something. The morning air had a slight chill and so I continued to wear my rain jacket more as warmth at this point. The sun finally came out as I passed over the 25 hour mark. I still had a good portion of my final loop to go. A finish was within grasp but my legs and feet were so beat up from the conditions that my pace was still very slow. I trudged on and kept run-walking best I could. It was a lonely Sunday morning out there in this park as all the recreation ATVer's seemed to have packed up and went home, there was no other runners in sight. In fact, I had not seen another runner for about a full loop and a bit now. It felt like I was out there on a solo mission which in a sense I was.

Receiving my buckle and finishers medal, and a surprise bonus cheque from RD William Kent.
Thanks Texas Outlaw Running Company. Photo: Briston Rains

Coming down the final 1 mile on the park road back to the start-finish was such a gratifying journey. I had gutted it out. This was up there in terms of my higher 100 Mi finish times but the course had really taken it to me with mother nature not letting it be easy this weekend. I crossed under the finish arch greeted by the RD (William Kent) and Texas Outlaw Running Company owner (Briston Rains) and one other volunteer left helping out. I received my hard earned buckle and sat down and chatted for a few minutes. The park manager came out to greet us and thanked the race for coming to their park for the event. Another 100 Mile finish was complete - my 39th - what a grind!

Time to recover and rest up.

39th. Buckle Up!
#ChasingBuckles #12in12 #100Mi

Results

• 29:16:42 | 1st overall, course record. I happened to be the only finisher of the 10 starters for this inaugural year (DNFr = 90%).
• My 39th 100Mi or more completed & my 114th ultramarathon run overall.
• My 4th ultramarathon of 2024
• STRAVA: Arbuckle 100 (1st overall, CR), Davis OK | Run | Strava
• UltraSignup Results: 2024 Arbuckle 100 100 Mile - Results (ultrasignup.com) 

Gear Used

• Jackets - rabbit Low Light Swish 2.0 & rabbit elements vest
• Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
• Shirts - rabbit SS (x2), LS rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Shorts - rabbit 3" FKT 2.0, & rabbit 5" shredders 2-in-1 trail
• Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Shoes - Altra Olyumpus 4.0 (paired with Altra/Trail Racing Over Texas gaiters)
• Socks - rnnr (x1), Drymax (x1)
• Hydration - NATHAN Pinnacle 12L race pack with (x2) 20oz soft flasks
• Anti-Friction Lube - Trail Toes
• Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition
• Gear Bag: Victory Sportdesign (Grizzly Backpack)

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Thanks for checking out my race report of this tough (& inaugural) year of the race.

Next: Hellbender 100 (2024-May-10)

Upcoming: Angeles Crest Endurance Run 100 Mi (2024-Aug-03)