BB100, again.

Brazos Bend [Again]

My 5th run around the Brazos Bend State Park

It has been a few years since I have been back here as the past couple years I have taken the opportunity to have run Loup Garou (2023, 2024) since these 2 races fall on the same first weekend in December every year. With a week to go I got myself onto the waitlist for 2025 and RD Cal was nice enough to send me an entry off the waitlist and so I registered with a "whole 48 hours to go" (plenty of time). I have run Brazos Bend 100 four times prior (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021) and so I was very familiar with the event, the park, and the course. TROT (Trail Racing Over Texas / Cal Neff) always puts on first class events and so there was no logistical worry.

Just 30 minutes from my door step I took off fairly early after sleeping in my own bed. I got to the park early enough to have a prime parking spot right across from the start/finish arch and so I simply had my gear bag ready and enjoyed my hot cup of coffee my amazing wife had pre-made for me all ready in my rabbit/YETI insulated cup. It was a nice crisp December morning in Texas (high 40s/low 50s if I recall) and so the starting loop was a little cooler before the sun would come out. I chose to wear my light rabbit Elements jacket to help keep my core temperature during that first 16.65Mi loop. It worked well and did its job - also served a second purpose of keeping me from running too fast by ensuring I did not heat up & sweat. 

BB100 - The Start. Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustisPhotography

Finishing up the fist loop of the State Park brought me back to all the familiar trails I had run many times over in my previous 4 attempts. I kept my pace up and finished that first loop and was war enough to ditch my jacket and my long sleeve shirt and just go with short sleeves now that the weather was warming up. (I did keep my running gloves for the second loop just because my hands get cold fast).

Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustisPhotography

Loops 2, 3, & 4 were very solid! No real issues, no problems, just steady consistent pacing with I kept under 3.5 hours (that was my internal goal per loop). Overall, I though this was too good to be true as my legs slowly began to ache with the mileage accumulating but it was very gradual decline in my pace on the later half of the fourth loop heading into the evening dark hours. 

My grit and determination were going to be need for the last third of the race, this much I knew for sure! My interloop break was a little longer but I was enjoying some warm soup and potatoes trying to get the calories in (my ultra staples!). I brought out my special trick I have been doing lately and played some podcasts while I was out on loop 5 to keep my mind distracted. The weather slowly cooled down but it was not as cold as the morning of the start of the race. I swapped into my running vest as well which helped keep my core slightly covered so I just stuck with my short sleeve rabbitELITEtrail shirt still - no need for the long sleeves just yet. 

After my fifth loop I can in and saw my good friend Victor whom was helping out volunteering at the finish aid station. He came over and we chatted it up for a good 15 minutes while I was downing some more warm mashed potatoes. I used the time to enjoy the sit and also as a slight excuse to just relax for a little longer. I gave myself a time limit to leave at the top of the hour - which would give me 4 hours to be back for a 22 hour finish - simple right? ...right? Well loop 6 was not exactly a victory lap as I slowed and had a lot more walk breaks than I wanted. My legs were just not cooperating with what I wanted them to do. I could feel the 22 hour time slowly slip away as the loop grinded on. I got a bit sleepy as well, with my headphones out of batteries I no longer had he distraction of my podcasts, so it was just me and the sparse population of runners out there. The long out & back section of the Bluestem/Riverview trails seemed endless. Somehow the more times you run it, it feels a just a little bit longer each time.

Leaving that final aid stop and knowing "only" 4 Mi-ish was left between me and another buckle is always a great feeling! I was able to run with the high of my thoughts on the finish. Not a lot of people were awake and around but I crossed the finish line and got a few golf claps from some volunteers and crew of other runners. 

I had done it, another buckle chased and captured! I'm closing in on 50....not my age, but that is coming soon too.

Results & Stats.

#ChasingBuckles #48 = a nice new Texas-sized sub-24 hr BB100 buckle to add to the collection.

• 22:27:26 | 100.55 Mi (161.82 km) | 1,010 ft+ (308 m+)
• 33rd overall | M27
• My 130th ultramarathon run total & my 9th of 2025.
• My 48th 100Mi(+) completed
• STRAVA:  Brazos Bend 100 (33rd overall), Needville, TX | Run | Strava
• Run Signup Results: Brazos Bend 100 Results

my own nerd data MS-Excel style for my loops.

Gear Used

• Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
• Shirts - rabbit SS & LS rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Shorts - rabbit speedsters rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Headwear - rabbit/BOCO rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Eyewear - TIFOSI
• Shoes - ASCIS GEL-Trabuco 11
• Socks - rabbit/rnnr
• Hydration - NATHAN 18oz insulated soft flasks (first 4 loops), & NATHAN VaporKrar 2.0 12L race vest with x2 20oz soft flasks (last 2 loops)
• Gloves- rabbit/BOCO
• Jacket- rabbit elements jacket (for the 1st loop only)
• Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition
• Anti-Friction Lube - Vasoline

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Thanks for reading my race recap. 

Make sure you join a TROT event soon if ever in Texas!

Next up: Fierce Dragon H9 (2026-Jan-13) -- I think, have not registered quite yet.

Why Is It So Hot In December?

Texas Heat.

Ultramarathon #084 | Running with Gators | BB100

Coming on my recent 13 day recovery-downtime-taper period I was now ready to run another 100 Miler, because well this is only 30 minute from my doorstep and how could I resist the biggest trail party in Texas? The simple answer is I can’t. I’ve run this event every year since we have moved to Texas:

• 2017 - 20:07 (16th place, race report, my 15th ultramarathon)
• 2018 - 20:19 (9th place, race report, my 33rd ultramarathon)
• 2019 - 19:23 (18th place, race report, my 49th ultramarathon)
• 2020 *was cancelled due to covid restrictions

Trail Racing Over Texas puts on a stellar event and welcomes everyone to the south in December to this great park to enjoy some flat faster miles. It is a great race whether you are here to go for your 100 Mile PR, just aiming to spot to see large alligators up close, or just having a great time with like minded trail friends out there circling Brazos Bend State Park.

The local Brazos Bend wildlife.

Getting ready in the morning it was super dense fog and quite humid sitting in the mid 60s – it was like we were inside a cloud on the ground in the State Park. I met up with my buddy Chad Laester that morning at my tent where I was setting up my base for the race and he was settled in beside with his chair set up as well. Chad was running as well aiming for a much faster time than I was, but it was great to see friends. I also met up met up with my Team TROT teammates Matt Zmolek, Shandra Moore, Robin Phelps, Vic Valenzuela and former teammate Meg Eckert. It was great seeing so many friends prior to even starting to run. Lining up just prior to the 06:00 start the fog still was creating the eerie atmosphere. Standing there looking out over the moss draped trees on the waters edge was like looking at a painting, but it was now go time. We headed off for the 6 loops around the gator country within Brazos Bend State Park as the couple hundred runners took off from under the Trail Racing Over Texas start/finish arch with the bobbing of headtorches lighting the way. I let myself fall back immediately into the middle of the pack before I settled into my pace, this was by design to help myself start out slower and delay the inedible pain and feeling of dead legs that would be coming later in the day. This is always a hard decision because it is nice to bank time early and run faster when you feel fresh and faster but starting slow means that in theory you should feel batter later on when the hours start to add up. I almost always do the first option due to running by feel on perceived effort. Maybe this time it would be different?

BB100 Loop 1 start. Photo: JJustis Photography | Trail Racing Over Texas.

Looping around the first time on the 16.6 Mi course as the sun was slowly peeking up. I maintained my mid pack position and held back from what felt like an easy effort considering the mileage I had built up on my legs in the past 25 days or so. The weather maintained stupid humid levels with near 100% humidity right from the early hours. It felt very hot for a Texas fall December even the locals. Today was going to be a battle for everyone. I did change my singlet to my lightest one I had after the first loop just to try and help with air flow and any evaporation that might occur (if at all in this humidity). 

Daughters greeting me after loop 2 completion.

On the second loop I tried to hold back my pace as the sun started to come out, along with the local wildlife as well. The full force of runners were now out on the trails as the shorter distances of 50k, 25k, and half marathon had all started up as well. This was the busiest period in terms of runners. After the long out and back on the Riverview trail I was heading back to the start/finish and the completion of my 2nd full loop. One third done now and my legs felt like they already had 75 miles worth of running on them…sigh! It was going to be a long day ahead of me to grind through with this thought circulating in my head. A super bonus was my family was there to greet me at the end of my 2nd loop. I stopped at the aid briefly filled my bottles and grabbed some food and headed over to hug all my daughters and kiss my wife. What a nice boost.

After just over 6 minutes break visiting with my little supporters and taking a quick break off my feet I headed back out on the trail knowing the heat of the day was now nearing closer. It was already in the mid 70s already and still combined with the high humidity making the feel-like temperatures even higher. Round I went again on the 16.6 Mi loop but his time more and more walk breaks crept in and I could feel my overall pace slowing. The heat was getting to me, just like everyone else. Running all summer in Texas I know how to deal with the heat, but usually after mid-October this is the cool weather running season so to me being this hot and humid so late in the season was unusual. Basically there is not a lot you can do to cope except keep hydrated and slow your pace down to control your overall effort and not get the heart rate up too much. I felt bad for a lot of the people who had come to run Brazos from the upper states where the temperatures were already quite low. I am sure they had an even harder time coping with this weekend high temperatures.

Slogging around the course having all the awesome volunteers helping keep my bottles full and ensuring I got what I needed I felt in control just very slow out there. Coming back around finishing off my third loop in the mid-afternoon heat I got to see my young daughters run to meet me as I crossed the timing mat. They briefly helped me forgot how heavy my legs felt at the moment since I was only half way there at this point – 50 done, 50 to go. After this loop I sat down for a good while – nearly 17 minutes! I got in a bunch of calories: potatoes, chips, oranges, some coca-cola, an Athletic Brewing Co. beer (Golden Dawn), and some pretzels. I also took this opportunity to change out my Drymax footwear just to get that fresh sock feeling. My kids were just hanging around basically asking me if they could eat my food. Before taking off we did have a group pretzel cheers to get that upbeat feeling going again as I got back on my feet. Kissed all my girls again and headed out for the remaining half of the race.

Doing a a group pretzel cheers with my 4 daughters. Photo: Katie Meding

I felt a little stiff after my longer break, but as I eased back into my pace it felt a little better as continued down the trail towards the first mini loop around Old Horseshoe Lake. The sun was still peaking out behind the clouds and making the 80s temperature feel even warmer. I passed a few different people cramping up during the late afternoon miles, again just to reiterate at how the weather was slowing everyone down this day. I just reminded myself to keep moving forward and I would get through the miles eventually. Loop 4 felt dreadfully slow, as my overall pace continued to deteriorate. More walks breaks kept creeping into my routine. Loop 4 came to a finish just as the sun was fully and the very last of the remaining day light no longer poked through the trees from the western direction. The last 2 loops would be full on night running.

To keep my motivation high, I grabbed my headphones and plugged in some podcasts to keep my mind occupied for the 5th loop. I was hoping that would be the trick to distract me as I pushed myself forward. I think it did help, but it did not help my pace as I moved at the same slow rate I had been trudging at. I began to play games with myself to pass the mileage. I would run once my heart rate dropped down to 125 or so and slow run at nice constant pace until my HR creeped back up and got to about 153, and then I would take a recovery walk break as my HR came back down. I repeated this pacing game with myself for a long time well into loop 6 as it kept my mind occupied and gave me something else to focus on. Eventually I started doing the math and realized I had to keep going consistency in order to finish under 22 hours and get that sub-22 buckle (to match my other 3 from the prior years).

The final stretch of the Riverview trail took forever as it always seems to be a little longer on that out and back every time we went down that trail (of course it was not). Running the same trail multiple times in a race you definitely get some weird thoughts about the loop as you progress on. On my 5th loop I recall telling myself “I only have to see this section once more” and then on the final loop I would comment that “I never have to run past here again today, that section is over now”. These little mind games just come up when I run it is not something I plan on, but I just go with it as it does distract me and keeps my mind engaged.

Looking down at my watch on the Riverview trail I knew I had a ton of time to make the sub-22 cutoff. It was a real nice feeling to know I was going to complete my goal even with the heat, insane humidity, and with my fatigued legs from the prior weeks. This was not my best time, but this was a great effort and just proved to myself again that I was able to grind it out. I was happy and remember thinking all of this as I pushed on towards the finish. It was just after 03:30 in the morning and so very few people were there at the finish as I crossed the timing mat and stopped my Garmin. In true ultrarunning fashion I received my buckle from the volunteer and then headed over to my chair to admire my accomplishment in my own terms.  I was proud to finish 100 miles. The only thought I had lingering in my mind was why was it so hot in December? Isn't it supposed to be nice cool fall weather?

A 4th sub-22 buckle earned at BB100. This one was a grind.

RESULTS

UltraSignup: 2021 Brazos Bend 100 100 Miler - Results (ultrasignup.com)

My 84th ultramarathon run -- completed 82/84 (97.62%)

My 28th 100 Mi(+) ultra -- completed 26/28 (92.86%)

My 14th ultra for the 2021 calendar year.

STRAVA Activity: Brazos Bend 100 (25th overall), Needville, TX | Run | Strava

my own data analysis.

GEAR USED

• kit (top): rabbit  (rabbitELITEtrail '21 team singlet), Trail Racing Over Texas (Team TROT singlet)
• kit (bottom): rabbit 3" FKT shorts
• hats: rabbit (BOCO gear)
• Gear bags: Victory Sportdesign (Kodiak)
• Lights: a NATHAN Halo Fire headlamp
• Flasks: NATHAN 20oz handheld (x2)
• Socks: Drymax (x2 pairs)
• Shoes: HOKA ONE ONE Challenger ATR 7 (test pair)
• Anti-Friction Body Lube: Trail Toes
• Watch: Garmin fēnix 6X Pro Solar
• Eyewear: goodr
• Coolers: x1 Coleman (with a bunch of goodies, snacks, and a couple refreshing Athletic Brewing Co. beers)

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Thank you for following along. 

Next Up:  Running The Rose 108km (Jan-22)

I Was Only Lapped Once

Ultra#049 | Brazos Bend 100

And Then There Was Three.

2017, 2018, 2019. My sub-22 hr BB100 buckle collection.

The annual Trail Racing Over Texas (TROT) big event every December has come and gone again for the 3rd year in a row for me, ever since we have moved to Texas. This year there was absolutely perfect. No bad weather and no rain for a while now in the area. Contrast that to last year when it rained 4-5" the night before (see 2018 race report here). Rob Goyen also managed to secure Brazos Bend to be the USATF 100 Mile Championships so this was a very big deal and also made the 100 mi entrants list a lot larger than the past years.

03:00
The alarm goes off and my wife and I start creeping out of our warm bed getting ready. This race is great for us as the state park is literally 30 minute drive from out door. That means I got to sleep in my own bed on race night. We gathered the snacks and remainder gear set out and got everything in the van. The kids were all placed in the car one at a time. Buckled up and we were off.

A staple fuel station stop in any travel within Texas.
Next time your in Texas make sure you stop in one.

04:08
Quick stop for coffee at the small Bucc-ee's located in Richmond, TX conveniently between our house and Brazos Bend State Park. Race day is always better with coffee to start!
04:46
Arrive at the park gate and wait in the line up which was only about 12 vehicles deep at this time. The park was on top of things and had 3 lanes open to accommodate the larger race volume of 100 milers which was the first race distance to start. Thank you to the Brazos Bend State Park officers and workers,, huge kudos to them!
04:58
Drove through the park and found a good parking spot, which is essential at this race in order to be close. For us this is important for my family since we had all 4 daughters there coming to support. The closer to park the better for my crew and the needs of the kids throughout the day. I had setup our mini day tent the day prior at packet pickup so we had a nice spot picked out right beside the trail near the start/finish aid station.
05:56
After gearing up in a long sleeve to start I kissed all 5 of my girls and walked down from our tent towards to arch. Lined up near the front and saw a bunch of my trail friends and a lot of my teammates (Team TROT & Team Victory). Gave Patrick Reagan a first bump and wished him luck (dude is super nice! I met him and hung out/ran with him for a bit at TransRockies Run earlier this summer. He is also my teammate with Victory Sportdesign).

06:00 (Loop #1- 02:13:55)

My mini crew members cheering me on passing the 10 km point.
(R) black Team TROT shirt - me
(L) blue Team TROT shirt - Luis Murillo
Photo: Katie Meding.

And we are off. I followed the front group off the bat and went out at decent pace. There was a clear separation of 4 people within 0.3 mi off the start and everyone let them go at that pace, and then there was a smaller group behind that where I settled in. I was following my fellow TROT teammate Jeff Ball whom is a very speedy runner. I knew I shouldn't hang with him too long, and I didn't. After the first aid
station I had lined up beside my other TROT mate Luis Murillo. From there we ended up running the entire loop together. He kept me at a great pace and I enjoyed the chit chat which makes the early miles tick by.

--interloop 00:01:40--
08:15 (Loop #2- 02:21:01)
Quick shirt change into short sleeves and said hi to my crew. The girls were all in good mood and happy. Was great to see them as always gives me a boost in my spirit. Loop #2 went by very solid again, as I kept the same perceived pace. I had not looked at the clock at all (nor my watch - it is covered by a buff during races) until I rolled in back to the start finish. Once I realized my first 2 loops time I had an Oh Shit moment as the realization of 50 km split PR during the start of a 100 mi event is not ideal pacing strategy.

My awesome crew! Check out this teamwork.
Photo: Texas YETI Runner (Dale Cougot).

--interloop 00:05:33--
10:42 (Loop #3- 02:51:41)
Purposely slowed down on this loop and aimed for a slower loop. I did not have a walk break until  65 km into the race, but I introduced a few in this loop to slow myself down. The weather was gorgeous and the day was warming up nicely.

--interloop 00:11:22--
13:45 (Loop #4- 03:27:08)
Weather was nearly 70f. The gators were sure to start coming out now I was thinking. I tried keeping a 3 hr loop time in my mind but My hip flexor started bugging me toward the middle of this loop. I blame my fast first 2 loops on this, but I worked through it and just kept moving. There was some gators spotted during this time as it was nearly the heat of the day. Always cool to see them in this park when you run by literally 10-20 feet from them. Just over half way around this loop I heard footsteps behind me gaining at a very significant pace. I knew exactly who it was. I moved over slightly and gave Patrick Reagan a quick word of encouragement as he flew by in he still blazing 7-something min/mi. Patrick was a full loop ahead of me meaning he was nearing 4.5 loops done at this point.

--interloop 00:11:28--
17:23 (Loop #5- 03:43:23)
I kept my stop to a minimum here again. Grabbed some nice warm potatoes and a Red Bull to revive me before heading back out. Marc Henn (Team TROT Ambassador) was there and we chatted a bit as I got my calories in. He was nice enough to help me out and collect my garbage from me. My hips were still a little stiff, but i kept running. I knew eventually they would loosen up, which they did. Finished off loop #5 running but was defiantly slowing down. It was also quite chilly now that the sun had set.

--interloop 00:12:03--
21:19 (Loop #6- 04:04:20)
For only the second time ever I had a pacer. My friend Chad Lasater was there awaiting me after loop #5. I layered up and ate all I could within my self imposed 10 minutes stop. I informed him of my stretch goal of 18 hours finish but I knew I didn't think i could run a 2h45m loop at this point. I instructed him 2 things: keep me motivated & don't break me. We headed out and started shuffling along. My walk breaks were creeping in at more regular intervals but having Chad there was a great way to distract me as we chatted about various things and catching up. The miles kept ticking by. My shuffles became tough as my knee would remind how many miles I had run, but as soon as I could we'd run half a mile or more and go until I had to walk again. My stretch time goal of 18 hours (midnight) was long gone, but I mentioned to Chad I was aiming for sub-19 next and if not sub-19:40 (my 100 PR). The last long out and back each loop in arguably the hardest mental part of the course. Once at the very end, which is Sawmill aid station you turn around and head ~4.5 mi back to the finish arch. I did have to stop here and wolf down some more potatoes, but they gave me a great little lift.

01:23 (Finish)

The glow of the arch was clearly visible in the dark of the night, and it was such a relief to see. Chad ran ahead slightly and to inform Katie and the girls I was coming in.

New 100 mi PR 19:23:39. Photo: Katie Meding

BB100 buckle with my 2nd & 4th daughters. Photo: Katie Meding

Finished with my pacer and friend Chad Lasater. Photo: Katie Meding

• Thank you to my family for coming out to this even and supporting me. My daughters give me a huge boost when I get to see their smiles on this long events. 
• Thanks to all my supporters (please check out the friends tab and give them some love).
• Thank you Chad Lasater for the pacing and company of loop #6. you kept me going towards that PR and made the time go by faster.

Gear Used
Gear Bags - Victory Sportdesign #GreatestGearBagEver
Jacket- rabbit elements
Shirts- Team TROT, rabbit
Shorts- rabbit elite FKT
Shoes- Altra Timp 1.5 (this pair now has over 700 mi on them - and still going)
Socks- Drymax
Headwear- Trail Racing Over Texas endurance cap, rabbit (BOCO gear)
Sunglasses- goodr (2019 TransRockies edition)
Watch- Garmin Fenix3 HR
Headlamp- Nathan Sports Halo Fire
Hydration- Nathan VaporKrar waist belt, Nathan Exodraw 18oz Handheld (x2)

Huge congratulations to Patrick Reagan as well for smashing his own PR and lowering the US trail record.

Patrick Reagan 100 mi USATF Champion 12:21:43.
Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas / JJustisPhotography

Congratulations to every runner who was out there running, whether it was the 100 mi or perhaps your first half tail marathon. Thank you to all of you for being part of the trail community and it is always great to see familiar and new faces on the trails. Come run with the gators at Brazos Bend with TROT in April or again next December as this is the biggest trail party in the state.

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Thank you for following along on my adventures. This was ultramarathon #049 for me.

Next up for me: Running the Rose 108 km