Stars Above Ultra Loop – Race Recap.

So it’s time for another race recap! And this race was indeed a special one for me. I love doing races with my trail family, the Dallas Dirt Runners, because the community is so warm and welcoming. No matter your pace, age, gender, race, or wherever you’re at in your running journey…they make you immediately feel like you are a part of their awesome tribe. I have done many races with them over the last couple of years (including my very first 100 miler last year!) and it is always an incredible experience.

This run/race was super cool because it just so happened to take place on my friend Mike’s ranch out in the country! I’ve actually been wanting to do this run for quite some time now. This is the 3rd year they’ve put on the race, and I’ve read about how awesome it was in Ultrarunner Magazine. So this year, I knew I needed to jump at the opportunity. Not only was this run FREE (it capped out at a small-ish number of runners) but it offered different distances to take part in. You could choose to run the loop for 2 hours, 4 hours, 6 hours OR LMS (Last Man Standing). That’s right…you literally run out there until you could run no more!! Crazy, right?! Well I knew because I am working on ramping up for the Brazos Bend 100 at the end of the year (as well as a marathon in the fall) that I needed the time on my feet. So, I chose the 6 hour run.

We made our way out there on Sunday morning for the early start. They had a few folks out there camping the night before (and running a beer mile, as the owner of the property, Mike, works for a local brewery) but we chose to do the quick trip the morning of. About an hour and some change later we were out in the sticks. Kind of in the middle of nowhere! But it was absolutely beautiful.

That is what I love the most about trail running in Texas – it allows you to discover some hidden gems so to speak that you didn’t know really existed. The course was mostly paved, with a few major climbs and then a loop that was all trail with a few rocks and roots. We did loops and then the aid station was back at the beginning. They were grilling up burgers, had tons of snacks and even kegs of beer if you wanted to partake during (!) or after the run. I saved my beverage for after, simply because it got so incredibly hot out there and I really was working on not being dehydrated or overheating.

Early morning we had a nice breeze and some cloud cover but that gave way to the BLAZING sun. Temps soared towards 100 degrees after lunchtime and it was just so brutal. You saw people literally slugging it out and walking up the climbs. I tried to preserve some energy in the beginning because I knew it was going to get super hot and also because I wanted to run and finish in 6 hours. I got about 10 loops in total then added on a bit to hit the 6 hour mark. Success! This race wasn’t really timed per se…no chip timers, no bibs…but it was based on kind of the honor system and you reporting how many loops you got in. So…with all of the hiking, running, trying not to die in the heat I managed to get in 27.36 miles total in the 6 hour duration. Tough day! But I felt good about getting in just over a marathon in those brutal conditions.

After the run we hit up a winery that we spotted on the way into the country called Pemberton Cellars! It was fun stopping in and trying their vino. And perfect way to end a fun day of running in the sunshine.

I am hoping Mike and his crew put this race on again next year! I really had an amazing time. It was so great getting to see all of my friends all throughout the run too and everyone was so encouraging! High fivin’ and just having fun with it.

Community…that is a huge part of what this journey of running is all about. A supportive community of people that looks out for one another and wants the best for each other. I am so thankful for this community and for the gift of running. It has truly impacted my life in so many ways.

What do you love about the running community? Do you have a trail tribe that you enjoy running with?