Trail Review: Stairway to Hell

Location: 4920 Riverplace Boulevard Austin, Texas (see map for parking/etc)

Trail Type: Single Track/Stairs

Mileage: ~5.81 Miles if you do all the trails

Surface: Dirt with hundreds of wooden steps. Some very small rocks near the bottom of the trail near the creek.

Map

Elevation: ~620-680ft total climbing and decent in one O&B loop.

Technical Level (1-5): 3 / Moderately technical due to the amount of stairs involved. The footing is not all the tricky other than the stairs. Hence the trail name the "Stairway to Hell".

Ammenities: I couldn't find any restrooms other than what mother nature provides! At the bottom of the trail (or the lower trailhead), there is a pond with a sitting area/map/etc. I did not see any water fountains so be sure to bring plenty of your own!

Fee: No fee to run the trail.

Hours: There are no gates on the trail, but I'd advise only running from sun up to sun down ;)

Other: PEDESTRIANS ONLY. No mountain bikes allowed due to the amount of stairs/etc. The trail does have mile markers every half mile which was VERY convenient!

Review: Wow. What a little gem of a trail. For what this trail lacks in total distance it more than makes up for in pure lung busting climbing. I had the privilege to run this trail with Steven Moore and he showed me what was up. We started at the top and decided to run down first, then back up for around 680ft of total climbing.

What first caught my attention here was the sheer number of stairs and the attention to detail. This trail was no doubt professionally built. There had to be 400+ logs used for stairs.

The trail winds it's way downhill quickly dropping 300-400 ft in the few mile or two. Around 2 miles we bottomed out at a creek, and meandered along that all the way to the bottom where we were dumped out at a pond with a nice little seating area/boardwalk.

After chatting for a few minutes we turned around and began pounding back up this thing. The trail to hell was easily holding up to it's name. About a half mile back into the trail there is a small turn off to the right that adds on an extra half mile or so and a little more climbing. We took that as you can see in the map and again turned around once at the top of that little section. Once back down we took a right back onto the main trail and began climbing.

I couldn't help but notice the beautiful bench cut along the creek here. It was absolutely beautiful, even the day after Christmas in Texas. We continued climbing and about halfway up I was finally broken. I began power-hiking the stairs and was struggling to keep up with the gazelle like Steven.

Finally I could see the end, but it was still around 150ft above us. I dug deep and held onto Stevens heels for dear life. We dashed past some walkers with their dogs and were soon at the top, albeit, huffing and puffing like I was a chain smoker.

If you want a tough, fairly technical, lung busting, kick your A** trail run, look no further than the "Trail from Hell".

A few sidenotes: The trail is in a residential area and I can only assume owned/maintained by them. I couldn't find any specific information anywhere in regards to groups that help maintain/manage the trail. I can only advise being respectful of the trail and the other people on it. There were a lot of people out walking with their pets, along with kids just playing along the trail.

The trail itself is absolutely beautiful, but tougher than rocks. Be prepared for a tough run.

As always, if you have any specific questions about a trail feel free to email me.

All photo credit to: Joe Prusatis of Tejas Trails.

_Jacob_

Don't start what you can't finish...

I wouldn't have entered the Plain 100 if I didn't plan on finishing the race.

Are the odds against me that I'll be able to finish this race?? YES! Do I plan on properly preparing for it and giving it my all? Most definitely. Heck, I think the fact this race doesn't have any aid stations means I'm more likely to keep going. There's no where to drop out... (Reference to Lynn B. and Joe P. sitting on a log under a tree during a 100 where Lynn was trying to drop out in the middle of nowhere)

If I'm going to drop out of Plain it's gonna be at the only aid point and that's around mile 55-60. I'm not really sure what mile that's at, but I'll figure it out.

So, why do I bring this up?

Because lately I think 100s or ultras across the country have been inundated with runners that enter these races and really have no business doing so. Sometimes these runners have no intention of actually finishing the race. (this statement is purely my opinion and has no research to back it up)

So I'm here to say, if you enter a race (whether it be a 50K or 100M), train for the race to finish. Put all your chips in the basket. Plan things around the race, but don't enter races you don't plan on finishing.

This brings me to the fact that if you find out leading up to the race that you're unable to do it, don't forget to email the RD (Race Director) and let them know you're not doing it. Often times races will have wait lists and someone else can now run now that you're not.

So, now that I'm done venting a little bit, let me bring up another point.

DNFs in ultras.

I started running ultras back in early 2009 after getting fed up with the triathlete world and just wanting something more challenging and unpredictable.

When I came into ultras I noticed that a DNF is far more accepted in the ultra community than it is in the triathlete/road runner community.

I can't help but wonder is this because ultras are so much more difficult, or because people are taking the easy way out when it get's tough.

Let me tell you, there have been times out there on the trail when it got TOUGH. Times when I was ready to walk back to my car. (and sometimes DID!)

Me hating life at Zane Grey. Here I'm saying, "YOU CALL THIS A TRAIL?!"

This is me post Jemez 50. Completely. Blown. 

Me and the wife post Where's Waldo 100K. My 2nd ultra. Too blown to smile. 

At the finish line of a 100 mile mtn bike race in 100+ degree heat. ONLY finisher.

Now before you guys go all, "Jacob, you don't know what it's like to quit. You've never quit a race, you're faster than me..." blah blah blah. Let me bring up the El Scorcho 50K 2010. My first ultra DNF.

I hate to even call that race a "DNF"... cause I didn't even try to finish. I quit. It's the easiest ultra course I've ever run and I quit. Made it 23-24 miles and walked back to the finish line throwing up the whole way. 

I know what it is to suffer, and I know what it is to quit a race. I will claim that DNF till the day I die. 

Now with that said, let me continue to my next point. 

IF you DNF a race, please take responsibility for that DNF. Don't say, "I missed the cut-off and got pulled from the race" so it's technically not a DNF. I'm sorry, but you "did not finish" the race that you set out to finish. 

If you hurt yourself and are unable to finish, you DNF'd. Anything other than finishing the race, is a DNF. 

If you're stupid delirious at mile 65 of Western States and get pulled by the medical staff because you're a danger to yourself, you DNFd. 

If you start a 100 mile race and quit halfway and get credit for a 50M race, you STILL DNFd the 100. 

It's OK! A DNF is not the end of the world, and it's not something to be ashamed of. 

I say this not to anger you, but to motivate you. If you start something, finish it! And if you don't finish it, take credit for that, then get to work fixing what went wrong!! The ultra running community is a beautiful thing, because ultra runners are some of the most honest people you'll ever meet. Ultra runners will tell you how it is. The end. 

So if something is going wrong in your races and you can't figure out what it is, ask a more experienced runner. For example last summer, I finally admitted that I was having some serious nutritional issues. I emailed three of my closest/most experienced ultra running friends and they all three replied with some invaluable advice. This advice completely changed the way I looked at my nutrition and I feel led to my successful completion of my first 100 miler. 

So, now that I've probably thoroughly pissed everyone off, let me say this. 

I write this post because it's been on my mind for awhile. I want to motivate you to finish what you start. Don't ever assume you're going to not finish a race. Whatever you do, train your very best for what you're about to do and plan on finishing! 

Every once in awhile a DNF may come around, but if you put everything you had into finishing that race, and still DNFd than that's something to be proud of. But if you don't train properly and DNF, there's only one person to blame, and that's yourself. 

If you take responsibility when things go wrong in anything you do, you'll always come out stronger in the looong run. Literarily and figuratively :) 

much runnin love,

_Jacob_

An oldie but a goody. It's titled "Think long" by Mates of State... I like to think it's titled, "Think long distance running". But whatever :)

No CC100, so PLAIN 100 it is...

I've always liked challenges. I've always been drawn to the unknown... and the fear of failure.

The Plain 100 instills fear in me. So, of course, when I didn't get into the Cascade Crest 100, I immediately registered for Plain.

Back on February 1st, I signed up for the Cascade Crest 100 (CC100) lottery. Yesterday they posted the results of the lottery and I ended up 82nd on the wait list of around 103. That pretty much sealed my fate. Plain it would be.

I'm happy with the result, because I either wanted to get into CC, or be so far down the wait list I would know I had no chance of getting in. I guess I'll have to keep trying at the CC100. Maybe some day.

Earlier in the week, I'd done a lot of research on Plain and while I was scared beyond belief, I was unbelievably intrigued. Plain is just as the name infers. It's plain. There are no course markings, no aid stations, no race t-shirt, no belt buckle, a $95 entry fee, a 36 hour cutoff, ~21,000ft of climbing and decent, and it's more like ~106 miles... but whose counting right? The only thing I'm counting is the fact that it's a HR100 qualifier and it's just plain tough.

Like I said, I like challenges, and the Plain 100 will be just that. Most likely the biggest challenge I've ever faced. My research has already begun and by the time I get to Plain I will know that course forwards and backwards, not to mention every stream where I can find water.

As my training progresses, I'll update with new developments, etc.

I guess it's time to start training with a pack.

_Jacob_

I'm back.

After only running once in 41 days I am back.

I had my first run on Monday and it was pain free. Praise the Lord, because I don't know how much more I could ride the bike to nowhere.

I promise I'm going to take it easy and keep the mileage around 35mpw (miles per week) for two weeks or so, then begin ramping up the mileage again for the Leona Divide 50 miler out in Cali.

Lacing up my shoes again felt so normal and natural. It was like I hadn't taken a day off. As soon as my feet hit the dirt at the trailhead I was back. I was back to what I love to do more than almost anything. I was back in the trees... on the dirt...

I was like a kid running through the woods with reckless abandon... then I brought it back a bit just to make sure I didn't do anything stupid. I remembered what it felt like to not be able to do what I was doing, and didn't want to take any chances on that coming back.

On Tuesday I went back out and again, the legs just ran away from me... I couldn't help but let them loose and I just went with it floating along the trail.

I also finally got the chance to run in my beautiful new pair of NB MT110s that performed oh so well. I did both runs sockless with no issues at all.

This morning I'm going to get back out the my trail running group I started a few months ago called the "WMTR" or Wednesday Morning Trail Run. I can't wait to get back out there with my friends and enjoy the early morning trails.

I don't think I ever took running for granted... but now that I have it back again, I love it more than ever. I could care less if I ever get to race again... as long as I have a solid piece of single track in front of me I'm one happy trail runner.

Go get some. Cause I'm on my way to the trailhead.

_Jacob_

DamNation Volunteer Report...

Unfortunately I will never be running the Rocky Raccoon ever again.

Why?

Because I'm gonna be volunteering at the DamNation aid station from here until the Rocky Raccoon stops doing what Rocky Raccoons do. 

This past weekend was so many things. It was tiring. It was invigorating. It was satisfying. It was inspiring... and it was hard. 

I've run 100 miles before... and let me tell you this. It's A LOT easier to stay awake while running, than it is to stay awake at 4AM when people are trickling through Damnation in the cold darkness... but I'm getting way ahead of myself. Let me jump back to Friday and try to do this a bit better... and hopefully much shorter than all my other reports. 

Friday, February 3rd 2012:

Lynn B. and John M. (a stud of an ultra runner) picked me up at my place around 0800. We talked our way through DFW traffic as we worked our way down to Huntsville State Park for the ever popular Rocky Raccoon 50/100 Mile Endurance Run. 

Sam says, "Welcome to TEXAS!"

We arrived into Huntsville around 1215 and had a nice little lunch with all our or NTTR (North Texas Trail Runners) friends at the local Subway, then we all headed out to the park so we could start setting up the aid station. 

Around 1630 we were done setting up and headed back into town to have a few brews/hamburgers at the local pub before heading back to the park to pick up all the drop bags for the 100 mile runners. After loading the trucks up we made the trek back to Damnation and began sorting 250-400 bags. I had been assigned the duty of keeping up with/tracking/organizing the drop bags. I knew it was a big task, but was ready to take it on and give it my best. 

Finally the bags were set and all that was left was me, Lynn, and John. We were the only ones camping over night at the aid station. Everyone else went back to town. 

I looked over the bags one  more time to make sure they were where I wanted them and it all looked good. We of course had to award the "Best Drop Bag" and "Smallest Drop Bag" awards before retiring into the dark aid station tent to chat ultras and life. It was a beautiful thing being in the woods in the dark just getting to chat about the things we love. In a way, it almost felt like the calm before the storm. 

We retired to our tents around 2300. There had been light sprinkles all night and flashes of lightning every 2-3 minutes without thunder. Once I was in my tent all tucked in, I head the first boom of thunder  following the lightning. I knew the storms were moving closer, but didn't know how long it would be. 

Saturday, February 4th, 2012:

I slept on and off all night, then woke up for good around 0445. I started getting dressed and then around 0455 the skies opened and the storm began. The rain was pounding down and the lightning was constant. I looked at my watch again. It was now 0500 and the early starters were in this mess now. I waited for the rain to slow a bit and finally got out of the tent around 0515. My rain jacket was finally paying off. 

I'm gonna try to keep this short like I said earlier, but it's difficult because it was such a long weekend. Runners started showing up around 0540. Runners didn't stop coming till Sunday around 0800. Like I said earlier I was in charge of drop bags. So I just stood near the drop bags the entire weekend to make sure they didn't get mixed up, to grab a bag for someone that needed, to help that person with their bag if they needed it, etc. 

The rain continued till around 0800, then stopped for a few hours, and then we had one more quick rain around what I felt like was 1000-1100. After that the rain was done, but the damage was done. Everyone said the course was nice and muddy out there. 

When that morning started I didn't really know any of the names on those drop bags. As people started coming through I was putting names with bags, bags with faces, etc. I started to know the people that went along with the bags. 

I started meeting people that I was friends with on FB, but hadn't yet met in person. What a way to meet!! 

I did have one REALLY personal investment in that 100 mile race though. That was my great friend Malea. Not only is Malea a great friend, but she was my 6th grade English teacher. Yes... she was my teacher 15 years ago in the small town of Midlothian. Back when I was a chubby little 12 year old middle schooler.

Malea, while not fast, is one of the great examples of an ultra/trail runner. She's as stubborn as a mule, but as sweet as you'll ever meet. When she told me she was going to go for the full 100, I told her I'd be there. 

I kept an eye out for her the entire race. Unfortunately, Malea made it 60 miles and was falling behind the cut-off and did not continue. Each and everytime (6 times total) that Malea came through Damnation it was a true honor and a privilege to serve her.  In my heart, she will also be a 100 miler. 

As the day progressed I saw so many friends and soon to be friends coming into and out of Damnation. There was Jeremy "Gnarly Feet" Day, Brian Jones and Buddy out there pacing the incredible Matt Crownover (getting sub 20!), Nick Polito finishing his first 100 sub 24!, Jeff Miller finishing the Tejas 300, Jennifer Kimble, Ben Martinez and his crew!, David Zuniga, Tom, Neal Lucas (you'll get it next time Neal!), Lalo and his amazing wife Amanda!, Jennifer Fehmel, Clive, The amazing Larry!, Josh Bart, Daniel Ford, Scott "flying" Rabb, plus all of my incredible volunteer buddies... then of course the aid station captain himself Lynn Ballard. Lynn by far slept the least out of all of us (Then drove us home!) and was on fire the whole time.

Lynn "Blister Poppin" Ballard!!

Jeremy "hey look at my feet!" Day!!

Another story that I got to watch unfold was the race for Larry West, or "Laz" as many of you know him. The only way I knew him before the race this weekend was just by following any random posts I saw in Tejas Trails. (The group on Facebook) I wasn't even friends with Laz on FB. 

After hearing about Lazs training and possible illness leading up to the race I had my doubts that he'd be able to finish the race, but from the first time I saw him at the aid station, I made it my personal responsibility to get him to the finish line and the proud owner of a RR100 finisher buckle. 

Over the next 24-30 hours or so I kept an eye out for him coming into the aid station. Every time he'd come in, I'd offer him anything I could get him to eat/drink, and pushed him out of the aid station to make sure he didn't stay too long. A few times I even walked a 100 yards or so with him. 

When darkness set in he had his pacers coming in with him as well. I also kept an eye on them and made sure they weren't letting him get away with anything. I'd hand him some potato soup, and tell his pacer to make sure he ate it all! They did an incredible job and helped secure his success. 

He finally came through Damnation again before sun up and I knew it was getting really close to the cut offs. He seemed tired and a little "out of it", so I grabbed the trusty mix of hot chocolate and coffee with ramen noodles and pushed him right out of the aid station. 

I knew our cutoff was 0800 for people heading back in. I felt that he needed to be back in by 0730 to almost guarantee a finish. Around 0645 I walked out on the course to pick up any possible trash and kept an eye out for Laz. I finally saw him and his pacer walking it in. I looked at my watch and knew it was close, but didn't let him know it. I just told him to focus on that buckle. 

I walked with them back to the aid station and again handed him calories and walked them out. All I wanted to see at this point was him finish this race. 

Sunday, February 5th, 2012:

Our cutoff came at 0800 on Sunday morning and we started tearing everything down. After around 1.5-2 hours everything was down and we were loading up the final drop bags to take back to the start/finish. 

We made it back to the start/finish around 1130. Just 30 minutes before the final cutoff. 

I jumped out of the truck and immediately started looking at the finishers sitting around. I'd seen all these faces out at Damnation and they were all proudly holding their belt buckles. 

Then I looked up closer to the finish line and I saw Laz with his daughter, wife, and friends. He'd done it. 

I was overwhelmed with such joy at this point. Seeing all these people and knowing that I was somehow able to help them get to this point. I know it probably wasn't much, but I was now somehow attached to all of these people. 

I pretty much ran over to Laz and gave him a big huge hug and congratulated him for what he'd accomplished. There were so many times I was afraid that he wasn't going to make a cut off, or that I wouldn't see him again because he'd stopped at the start/finish. Sure enough he hadn't and displayed incredible perseverance. Seeing him at the finish with his family was a beautiful thing.

Congrats my friend

After all things were said and done, I can say that watching all my friends come through Damnation and then finish or try their very best to finish, gave me such a fulfilled feeling. I absolutely cannot wait to come back to Damnation and do it all again. This was easily as satisfying as running 100 miles myself.

If you're interested in seeing the rest of my photos from the weekend you can check them out HERE. 

To all of you that finished or tried to finish Rocky, I want to congratulate you on something awesome. You all showed us that anything is possible. 

A few side points from the weekend:

-I slept 45 minutes in around 48 hours

-Damnation sees around 10,000 athletes per race

-The race winner unfortunately had his car towed for illegal parking

-I have a new found respect for BOPers (Back of the Packers)

-I've never been so tired in my entire life

-I feel like I ran a tough 50K (My legs and feet are SO sore!)

If you've never volunteered at an ultra let me encourage you to do so. It's an experience you will never forget and is just as good as racing. 

Rocky Raccooners.... I'll see you next year. 

_Jacob_