G gets to talk smack

We headed to Bandera this past weekend for a 100K race for Ryan and a 1 mile race for G. My parents and sister met us there for the festivities. Garrett was so geared up for this run, and if you recall from a previous post, I assured him that it would be a flat, cactus-free course. Well, I was half-right. The course was way hilly. Thanks, Joe. Also, Ryan had to hold Garrett's hand almost the whole time, because the footing was so tricky with all the big rocks. Garrett took a couple of diggers, with only one resulting in major scrapes and pleading to "go see Mommy." Ryan assured him that he would get to Mommy quicker if he kept going forward, since they were more than half-done by that time. Garrett finished in 19 minutes, was the youngest entrant, and was not last-place. Everyone was cheering Garrett's name as he came in for the home-stretch, and Joyce Prusaitis, Joe's wife and the organizer of the kids' race, presented G with his medal. He was really proud of it, though possibly not as much as his scraped knee. He asked me to please "take a picture of my blood." The other ultra-runners were really sweet to G all weekend, telling him what a great runner he is. His only disappointment was expressed when he asked me, "Why doesn't my medal have the number 100 on it?" Only 99 more times, and it will, baby. So, he completed his first endurance trail run!

Pre-race photo

And, they're off!

Passing the time, petting one of the horses they use for rescuing injured runners


The home stretch

Receiving his medal

The blood

And that brings us to Ryan's race. We knew he was going to have some issues, because his knee was bothering him. He felt great when he came in at 50K (31 miles), but the knee blew up about 2 miles out of the aid station. He sat on the course for a little while massaging it and trying to decide what to do. He finally came limping back in. Though he could walk, there was no way he could get up and down the hills, for which this course is known. Joe sat with him a bit talking and finally ended with, "Hey. I guess your son gets to talk some smack, since he finished his race, and you didn't!" Unfortunately, the opportunity is wasted on G, who doesn't quite get the concept. Maybe when he's a teenager, I can remind him of it at an opportune time!

Coming into an aid station

Feeling good at the half-way mark

It was a really fun weekend, and we enjoyed hanging out with the ultra gang. They're a lot of fun and a really good group. Scout mostly enjoyed playing with everyone's dogs that they brought with them. We also enjoyed time with family. My uncle and cousin drove in from San Antonio to hang out for the afternoon. We enjoyed the house where we stayed and the river. Garrett is still saying, "I want to go back to the Banderhouse!" He also wants to run that race again, so I guess we'll be back there next year.

Enjoying the Banderhouse

Fun at the river

The cousins

Walking on the rocks