M...I...S...S...I...

Mississippi 100 | Ultramarathon #122

Just A Little Prep Run for SS200

Ah crap! Southern States is in like 3 weeks, I just realized as I was staring at my calander for some unrelated work scheduling issues. So how do I train for a 200 Miler? Well guess I better look for a "long run" this weekend. And so....I jump on UltraSignup and bam! There sits Mississippi 100 calling my name. Without much hesitation I hop into the race less than 48 hours till the start. Just a couple states over, coupled with a Friday start (meaning I'd have to arrange for a Friday day off as well) and I was on my way.

My finish line parking // car trunk // crew station -- all-in-one.

I travelled down the forestry roads just outside of small-town Laurel and arrived at the Log Leaf Horse Trails, which served as the homebase for the run. A warm welcome from the grassroots setup was there at the small campground at the trailhead. I was able to park super close to the aid station setup, which meant I could self crew out of my car literally steps down from the loop finish. 

A noon start kicked off the event with 3 people heading on a blistering pace. So that meant that of course I'd follow them and try and keep the lead in my sight instead of being smart and running my own race - that would be boring. The 1st "large" (12.5 Mi) loop we completed in super quick sub 2 hour timeframe. I knew this was unattainable for me so I dialed it back a little but still completed loop 2 decently fast. The trail itself was flatish, fast and mostly fallen pine covered double wide horse trails with a few sections of singlestrack mixed in. As the afternoon wore on, I got slightly better with my pace and slowed down to where I probably should of started out with. Loop 4 & 5 my walk breaks were becoming ever longer.... ahhhhh. Loop 6 & 7 were a slight battle in the wee hours of the night to get moving and keep the momentum. Completed the 7th "large" loop was a notable point as I got to switch to the "smaller" (6.2 Mi) trail for the last 2 loops. Loop 8 was the first time I'd had new scenery since the start of the race (yesterday, at that point). There was a few more standing puddles left in the doublewide horse trails here, but overall it was a cruisy loop. Now that I was circling the clock and 21+ hours into the run the heat of Saturday was now starting to creep up as the sun rose above the trees. My 9th and final loop seemed to go by as I played a run-walk game with myself to keep my forward momentum going, as I got closer to that finish. Crossing the finish line was a successful adventure to complete another 100 miler, achieve a solid sub-24 hour time (sub-23 in fact), and build my confidence for my upcoming A-race (#SS200).

Photo: Bennett Ferguson Photography.

The race itself was a nice small town feel. The RD, the fellow racers and people and volunteers were awesome the entire time! The race team even handed out extra t-shirts, hoodies, or hats at check-in if you wanted extra ones. They were super nice about it and just giving them away - not entirely sure if they were old stock or what, but always nice and gracious for people into the race swag. Once you completed the run not only did you receive a nice belt buckle (as customary), but a finisher sweatshirt was given out as well (I took a women's small to take home for my oldest daughter). The 100 Mile distance has only been held for 3 years now, but it is a great course for a faster "easier" 100 for someone looking for a time goal or perhaps just a friendlier looped style course.

Results & Stats.

• 22:52:43 | 98.07 Mi (157.83 km) | 5,118 ft+ (1,560 m+)
• 8th overall | M6
• My 122nd ultramarathon run total & 1st of 2025.
• My 44th 100Mi(+) completed
• STRAVA:  Mississippi Trail Run (8th overall), Laurel, MS | Run | Strava
• UltraSignup Results:  2025 Mississippi Trail 50 Mississippi 100 - Results

Gear Used

• Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
• Shirts - Buc'ees shirt, rabbit LS rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Shorts - rabbit 3" FKT 2.0
• Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Eyewear - goodr
• Shoes - Altra Timp 1.5
• Socks - injinji
• Hydration - NATHAN VaporKrar 4L race vest with x2 20oz soft flasks.
• Jacket- rabbit Treeline rain jacket (carried in pack - did not use)
• Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

My 200 Mile [No-Plan] Training Plan.

So yes, I am not a conventional ultra runner!  But heh, who is? We are all a little crazy in the ultrarunning world right?! I literally am always training and been a #RunStreak keeper for few years now. With the 100 Mile distance being my favorite I am almost always willing to jump into one, and it is not uncommon at all to pitch the idea to my wife the week before, or in this case, even the week of the run. This was the perfect timed race for me to use it literally as a training run for my Southern States run upcoming. I don't do many long runs in training per say, and so the Mississippi 100 provided a great opportunity for me to test out my pack loaded up, self-crew on a easy to do looped course, and knock out some time on feet leading up to SS200. In summary my mind said it was a no brainer. No time for a little rest and taper down into my final weeks here before March 19th start of Southern States.

Feel free to follow me for further non-traditional approaches that I would certainly not recommend to other runners as I continue to chase 100 Mile [plus] distances into my mid 40s. Time to send it! Love to all.

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Thanks for reading my race recap. 

Next up Southern States 200 | Live Broadcast SS200 2025 (Mar-19th)

Cajun Time (My Third)

My Favorite Grassroots Cajun Run

Loup Garou | Ultramarathon #121

Last year I managed to pull off the Dino Valley - Loup Garou double which are separated by only 13 days. After finishing off Dinosaur Valley again I took a few days to clear my head and then the goal of hopping into another 100 Miler consumed me - I signed back up for Loup Garou - my third attempt at this local race. I really enjoy this course as it is a full ~20Mi loop and provides some awesome volunteers that support the race. 

I arrived in Villa Platte, Louisiana late on Friday night and found a nice parking spot to settle into for the night. A cooler than expected night spent car camping was not the most restful way to prep for a 100 Miler, but if you have been following my blog of race reports, you may notice this is not unusual. I awoke and drove out to Chicot State Park which is only 5-ish Miles outside of the town itself. Not only was it colder than I thought, but the grey clouds were also starting to spit some rain drops in the dark morning. The chilly morning was trying to put a damper on my run spirits but I was not going to let that happen.

STRAVA route map of the Loup Garou Trail Run
around Chicot State Park near town of Ville Platte.

Being a small grassroots race, we literally lined up at the cones beside the start/end of the loop near the parking lot and pavilion and an informal countdown by RD Edie Couvillon and we were off. At this time the rain drops had stopped and it was not just cloudy and chilly but no precipitation. I was bundled up for my first loop, just in case it actually decided to rain on us. Round we went through the trees chasing the trail around Chicot State Park.

The trail itself is super easy to follow and is a simple loop around the lake with the only offshoots being to a primitive camping spot or an exit to the nearby road(s). There is beauty in a simple point-to-point, or in this case a large loop for a course. Sure there is some repetition involved but being a larger 20 Mile loop is just about right to not be "bored" out there on the trail. 

The Louisiana trails are unique and great trough the pines and the swap-like area of the lake. I think the best part of this terrain is the numerous bridges and raised platforms to run across the low-lying areas.

Round and round we went chasing that goal of completing 5 eventual loops of the lake. Slowly I grinded my way there and managed to keep my body moving well enough through some sleep deprivation to manage myself a sub 24-hour finish. Overall this course is fairly fast if you have the leg speed. The only tricks to the Loup Garou is to watch out for all the roots and rocks. Secondly would be just to know that there is little elevation, however it does come in short punchy up and downs like a non-stop roller coaster. There is about 1,500-1,600 ft+ per loop (which is closer to 19.5 Mi by the way) so overall it is not flat, but not hilly either. 

I recommend taking your run to Louisiana while you still can, because rumors are that after the 10 year anniversary the RD may be retiring the race, so who knows how long it will be around. Come on out next December and support Edie and the team out southern Cajun volunteers that make this grassroots run a great one to put on your running resume. 

Results & Stats.

• 23:41:38 | 95.75 Mi (154.09 km) | 7,812 ft+ (2,381 m+)
• 3rd overall
• My 121st ultramarathon run and my 11th ultramarathon YTD in 2024.
• My 43rd 100Mi(+) completed
• STRAVA: Loup Garou Trail Run (3rd overall), Ville Platte, LA | Run | Strava
• UltraSignup Results: 2024 Loup Garou Trail Run 100 Miler - Results

Gear Used

• Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
• Shirts - rabbit SS rabbitELITEtrail team kit, LS high country flannel
• Shorts - rabbit 3" FKT 2.0
• Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Eyewear - goodr
• Shoes - ASICS GEL-Trabuco 11
• Socks - injinji
• Hydration - NATHAN VaporKrar 2.0 12L race vest with x2 20oz soft flasks.
• Jacket- rabbit Treeline rain jacket
• Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

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Thanks for reading my race recap.

Cheers to another year upcoming in 2025...

Dino Tracks

Dino Tracks 2024

Ultramarathon #120

It has felt like forever since my last Hundred even though in reality it has only been just shy of three short months. I guess my personal disappointment at the Big Tex Backyard Ultra probably contributed to that as well. Anyway, here were back in Glen Rose Texas for a familiar race out at Dinosaur Valley State Park.  This November was to be my fourth running of Dino Valley (my third time at the 100 Mile distance and once prior of the 100 km). As part of my #UltraRunningDad life I was not able to leave work early on Friday and so I had to make the 4-ish hour trip to Glen Rose late evening. Yet another dirt bag sleeping arrangement in my car provided a few hours of sleep that night. Saturday race morning was a brisk high 40s as I bundled up to keep warm. Driving into the race parking I got there just in time to make the first wave of parking shuttle buses. It was already getting busy with the parking area, as I loaded up on the shuttle even though there was still 1.5 hours until the start time. I arrived at the start area and found my way over to the HATR (Houston Area Trail Runners) group tent right by the starting arch. I chatted and caught up with some local running friends as I got my chair and gear set out in a corner of our large group area and bundled up to stay warm. Soon enough the sun began to peak above the horizon which meant the start of the run was near. 

Pre-race with the HATRs group. Photo: Carmen Law

The first 2 loops were hot out of the gate as I took off faster but controlled in order to stay warm in the chill of the morning. My effort felt easy but I knew that it was too fast and it would catch up to me. I was also chasing a lead pack and following my co-HATR friend Regina Massinggill. I don't blame her for the fast-ish pace - but I could in retrospect. Any who the time flew by on those first 20 Miles as I think we were on something stupid like 16.5 hour pace, which is clearly not sustainable for me. I consciously took off the gas the next couple laps as the sun came out and the heat of the day started turning up the heat (...in November??? really?). By the time I was done lap 4 I was digging out my rabbit ice RAD-dana cause yeah it was warm. I was downing multiple bottles of fluid now per hour and still felt like it was not enough.

Photo: Morgan Reed | Let's Wander Photography

Eventually the sun was setting and as I grinded myself to the half way point of my run. Now to head into the darkness and coolness of the night and chase down the last half of my run. Due to the nature of the course there was really no way of knowing where position wise I was in terms of chasing people down or maintain "said" position. My goal out there was simply to achieve a sub 24 hour 100 Miler and hopefully be able to place myself for a podium spot. However, I knew the latter goal was out of reach after my late afternoon struggles on the day. 

I tried to simply keep a 24 hour baseline pace (14:24 Mi/hr), but even that was seemingly difficult as the night hours continued on. My legs felt increasingly heavy and tired. It was a battle between my mind and my body to keep moving forward at the required pace. Sadly, my legs were slowly winning the battle on this run. My pace dwindled as the sun was now threatening to rise back up as the 24 hour mark came and gone! i still had my 10th loop left which was the shortened 5 Mile version of the loop to cap off the mileage of the course. I was renewed with a sense of chasing the finish line at this point and ran most of that last tenth loop. Plus it is always nice to see new trails after doing the same loop 9 times in a row. I ran in and crossed the finish line just after sunrise on Sunday just over 25 hours into my run. I managed to sneak in an top 10 overall placement although my other goals were not achieved. Most importantly I got the finish and achieved my 42nd overall 100 Mi(+) completion. 

Time for some rest!

Results & Stats.

• 25:20:52 | 101.69 Mi (163.65 km) | 9,741 ft+ (2,969 m+)
• 9th overall (M6) | 1st in 40-49 age group.
• My 120th ultramarathon run and my 10th ultramarathon YTD in 2024.
• My 42nd 100Mi(+) completed
• 2026 WSER qualifier completed. (the first possible one in the calander for the cycle).
• STRAVA: Dinosaur Valley 100 Mi Endurance Run (9th overall), Glen Rose, TX | Run | Strava
• Results: 2024 Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run - Race Timer & Chip Timing Dallas-Austin-Houston
• UltraSignup Results: 2024 Dinosaur Valley Endurance Run 100 Miler - Results

2024 provided a brand new buckle design. Was cool to get a new one for my collection.

Gear Used

• Lighting setup - kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
• Shirts - rabbit LS rabbitELITEtrail team kit, SS high country
• Shorts - rabbit 3" FKT 2.0
• Headwear - rabbit (rnnr) rabbitELITEtrail team kit
• Eyewear - goodr (Sorry, Not Sorry (But Actually Sorry) version)
• Shoes - Altra Timp 1.5
• Socks - injinji
• Hydration - first couple loops: NATHAN soft flasks x2 18oz handhelds. last few loops: NATHAN 4L race pack with x2 20oz soft flasks.
• Watch - Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition
• Gear Bag - Victory Sportdesign (Grizzley backpack)

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Thanks for reading my race recap.

Next up: Loup Garou Trail Run 100 Mi (2024-Dec-07).