When you're doing a self-supported race or a long training run, you need to pack bags for sustenance. We offer tips for what and how to pack, as well as reminiscing about self-supported races. Also, Paz has some Breaking News about Cactus Rose. (Don't get too excited, but she will be out there in the middle of the night on Saturday.) If you have other tips, send 'em my way.

If you have done Brazos Bend or Habenero Hundred, you may have seen Steven Monté out there dragging a 22-pound tire with his name on it or wearing a weighted vest. Crazy? Yes. But that isn't the point. Monté has reinvented himself in the last few years and has landed upon a certain freedom that lets him live out his dreams. Very inspirational.

In other matters, I talk about regaining that ultra mindset and have the joy of making like-minded friends. It has changed things for me. Plus, mentions of the B-52s, Joe Jackson, the Monkees and (surprise) Orville Peck. lol

Since I moved from the Rio Grande Valley to San Antonio four years ago, I have had limited success in finding a running group where I truly felt comfortable. It's more to do with me and my insecurities about not being fast enough. When I lived in the Valley, my group was supportive of runners of all speeds and I started a rule where no runner was left behind.

I have made some friends within various groups and occasionally meet up with them. But, a lot of the time I hang back from joining because I feel like I'm slowing everyone down.

This past weekend, I think I found a group. We're all stubborn tortoises and we walk occasionally but it felt so good to actually hold a pace for more than a mile. I felt right at home with them and enjoyed getting to know them. I plan to do my weekend runs with them whenever I can. This is kind of a breakthrough and makes me pretty happy.

Photo: From back to front: Maria, Karen, Becky, me (in a rare instance of leading). Photo courtesy of Vivian Montalvo.

Have you ever run a race and wondered how long it took for organizers to mark the course? For the Capt'n Karl's race last weekend at Reveille Peak Ranch, it took two solid days. I joined the crew last Wednesday and hung little flags from branches and other spots to guide runners. I'm hoping no one got lost. Other duties involved driving stakes into the ground and tying caution tape to them, to keep runners from going where they shouldn't. It was a lot of fun and gave me another bit of experience in my role as a volunteer.

The title says it all.

Even though I like to drift through a lot of things, adapting to whatever is thrown my way, having a training plan is a good idea. Sometimes, they're too rigid, sometimes too flexible and every now and then, they're just right. The big component is your willingness to stick to it to get the desired results. Sure, you could probably gut it out, but it might be nicer to work with a plan. My thoughts and experiences.

Here is my favorite 50K training plan. Probably going to dust it off for Rocky Raccoon 50K.

Also, take the poll!

OK, this episode is light on the running thing but more on the philosophy/mental game of running: you have to accept who you are and respect that. Just because other folx do 100-milers doesn't mean you should.

Nonetheless, thank you, OP, for helping me reach a moment of clarity about life and running. :)

Two of the Biggest Sweaters in Texas offer advice about hydration, what to take, what implements to use and more!

It's funny, but I recorded one version of this earlier but deleted it because my dang allergies made me sound sinusy.

In between, a friend who offered to coach me for the Brazos Bend 50-miler emailed me and admitted that it would be too complicated to successfully see me through. It was then that I realized I've been succumbing to pressure (my own) to keep pushing the limits when I really don't want to go any further. There are other things I'd like to do or accomplish in the future. I love trail running but I think my ultra days are becoming fewer. I want to learn how to kayak, get better at shorter-distance running and just have more of a personal life.

This isn't to say that other people's goals are wrong, but I am finally leveling with myself that I don't have to live up to other people's goals.

This week marks the third anniversary of The Stubborn Tortoise. What started as me reading previous blog posts have evolved into something more: my experiences, hearing the experiences of master's runners, how the community coped with the pandemic to advice episodes with my buddy, Hundo. I share a handful of clips from previous episodes. Here's to evolution!