Cat Spring Texas, Trifecta Weekend 3/8, 3/9
- Tom Shankapotomous
- Mar 10
- 10 min read
Updated: Mar 12
Overview
The more you explore our country, the more you realize just how big it really is. It's not just about the size; it's also about the different landscapes, climates, cool geological stuff, and the rich history of the people who live here. Take Cat Spring, Texas, for example the venue for this years Houston Trifectda weekend. It's about 100 miles west of Houston and has its own special geology, both ancient and modern historical significance, and a mix of climates that set it apart from other areas in this big state. This makes the Houston Trifecta weekend an event you might want to check out next year, and it gives you a taste of what to expect as you move through the 2025 season.
Quick Links
It Aint Just Dirt
Trifecta Houston was held at the 7 iL Ranch, and whether you tackled the Beast, the Super Sprint, or all three, you probably noticed the sandy soil that left many of us with tired, sore legs. The trails were occasionally packed firm but mostly loose, similar to running on the beach. This sandy soil, known as sandy loam, not only challenged our running but also significantly contributes to the agriculture and economy of the area and our nation. The whole of 7 iL Ranch consists of loamy sand, sandy clay loam, and sandy clay, but where did all of this originate? Well ...
Back in the Cretaceous period, (145–66 million years ago), Texas, including Cat Spring, was under the Great Interior Seaway. As the sea receded into the Gulf, it left behind tons of sediment mainly made up of limestone and shale. Over millions of years, wind and erosion broke down this bedrock into sand, silt, and clay, forming the sandy loam we have today. This soil mix is great for drainage because of the sand, while the clay and silt keep moisture and nutrients, making it perfect for plants (Collins, 2005). That's why this area is so different from other tough ecosystems; the soil is rich in nutrients. The balance of sand, silt, and clay is great for agriculture and gardening, allowing roots to penetrate and aerate while retaining moisture and nutrients. This fertile soil supports diverse plant life, making Cat Spring a thriving ecosystem. (Sellards, et al, 1932).
History of the Region
In 1836, the Texas Revolution marked a pivotal moment for the region, initiating significant transformations that would influence Texas for the future. Texan settlers aimed to gain independence from Mexican authority, which had replaced Spanish control in the early 1800s. The Mexican government, under President Antonio López de Santa Anna, began to impose stricter regulations and sought to centralize power.
It all came to a head at the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, where Texan forces, led by General Sam Houston, beat Santa Anna's army in just 18 minutes. This victory led to the Treaties of Velasco, securing Texas's independence. With Texas now independent, word spread fast, drawing in settlers from the U.S. and beyond, all eager to grab land and start fresh in this growing territory.
Central Texas, including the little community of Cat Spring, became a hotspot for new settlers. After gaining independence, many, especially German immigrants, were attracted by the promise of cheap land and new opportunities. The 1830s and 1840s saw a big wave of German settlers who brought their rich culture and farming know-how. They founded Cat Spring in the 1840s, turning it into a key farming hub that became crucial for the region's agriculture. (Wikipedia, 2024).
These German newcomers really changed Texas's cultural scene. They introduced advanced farming and ranching techniques that made the most of the region's sandy loam soil, perfect for growing crops like corn, wheat, and veggies. Their methods boosted agricultural productivity and diversified the local economy, setting up markets and trade routes that linked the community with bigger cities ( Jordan, 1966).
The influence of these German settlers continues to thrive today in the names of towns, landmarks, and local festivals that honor their heritage. Brenham, where I stayed for this race, exemplifies this impact with its blend of historic architecture, its name, and its agriculturaltraditions.. The town is famous for its connection to Blue Bell Creameries, reflecting the dairy farming brought by the Germans (Biesele, 1930)
Travel, Logistics, Daylilght Savings Time, Parking
Flying into Houston is pretty straightforward. There are lots of connections, and George Bush International is a medium-sized airport. Even though there's a rental car shuttle bus, it's not a big deal, and there's no monorail or bus to move between terminals. The race site is about an hour to 90 minutes away, depending on traffic. I stayed in Brenham, Texas, which is a small town about 25 minutes from the race site, with several hotels and plenty of places to eat. Like last year, I hit up HEB, a local supermarket, on Friday night to grab some food for the hotel. HEB has premade meals and bulk foods that were cheap and lasted until I left on Sunday night. I bought chicken, homemade tortillas, and some veggies that were easy on the wallet. There are plenty of other great options, including a bunch of BBQ spots in Brenham, one of which is connected to the HEB. While in Brenham, I got a two-day pass at Brenham Fitness, a local gym, where I did some rolling and stretching on both Friday and Saturday, which was crucial for race recovery.
Daylight Saving Time started on Sunday morning, resulting in us losing an hour of sleep before the early start times for the Super. This posed a problem for some participants in the early Sprint Heats, as they underestimated the time needed for parking, registration, and reaching the starting line. I always arrive at least 90 minutes early, so it wasn't a problem for me. Parking was convenient, with a spacious open field in front of registration, making the walk to check-in brief.t.
Addressing the Controversy
Before my race, I chatted with a Spartan employee who mentioned a problem that would come up later. They were short-staffed because six people called in sick. This caused issues during the Sprint after the Beast on Saturday. A sign got misplaced, leading Sprint racers onto the Beast course. Around 200 runners, thinking they were doing a 5k, ended up doing 5 miles. I’m not sure how they fixed it, but it was definitely a mess. I asked my contact on Sunday, and they didn’t have much info about what happened with the "lost" racers. It’s easy for us old timers to think, "well, that's how we used to roll," but for a newbie, a 5k turning into a 5-miler is a big deal. So anyone out there who got caught up in this mess, file it away for a great story for the future.
Postive On Course Changes
This season, they've started handing out an electrolyte drink at most of the water stops. I
thought it tasted pretty good, but not everyone will be excited since there was only one flavor. I think it was lime-lemon, but honestly, it could've been anything. Saturday was crazy hot, so this was a great addition. They also had bananas on the Beast course at mile 10. Seems like the days of grabbing Protein Waffles and GU gels on the course are gone, with bananas now being the main fuel later in the Beast. So, bring your own snacks, folks.
Beast Course
When I write these reviews, I try to consider the different parts of the course. This is usually straightforward for most courses because we do a variety of running. However, this course primarily consists of sand on flat ground, so it all feels quite similar. I wouldn't call it a boring course, but the running surfaces felt consistent mile after mile. If you're looking for a calf workout, this race is perfect. For locals, the landscape might not be remarkable, but as someone who didn't grow up in this region, I find it awe-inspiring. You can look for miles in any direction without seeing buildings, construction, or cell towers. It feels like we're running in wilderness, but this is a working cattle ranch with cow patties everywhere as a reminder.
The entire experience felt like running on a beach, with some sections passing through tall shrubs. There weren't any significant hills, and it wasn't muddy, though a few stream crossings were somewhat mucky, but nothing too extreme. On Saturday, the temperature was in the high 70s with high humidity. The sun was intense, and with limited tree cover, it was challenging to stay hydrated during the race.
Super and Sprint Course
TThe Sunday Super and Sprint courses felt like an entirely different setting. The temperature fell to the high 40s, and age group racers and early open wave participants could be seen wearing compression gear, hats, and gloves. The sun took a break (probably exhausted from Saturday) and was replaced by cloudy skies and wind. In short, it was a pleasant change and allowed us to really push ourselves after Saturday's heat. The Super removed a large loop from the Beast, while the Sprint cut over and eliminated most of the Super course. Sunday's Sprint was well-organized after Saturday's chaos; however, those of us who ran the Sprint remained on high alert. Moving forward, I absolutely recommend reviewing the course map just to be sure.
Obstacles
From what I observed, the obstacles were evenly spread across the course. There wasn't a heavy concentration at either the start or the finish, ensuring fairness. However, there were noticeable differences between the early season obstacles and those in this race. As indicated on the map, the Beast loops had fewer obstacles, which has been typical in recent seasons to accommodate a Trifecta weekend.
The Slip Wall ropes have reverted to their typical length. It appears that shorter ropes are specifically used for the Championship Series, so be ready for them when they show up in Charlotte and other places this season, especially in West Virginia. The Green Sand Bags have become a regular component as a second sandbag for Beast Races. Be careful, as selecting the incorrect one might result in disqualification in age group competitions. Make sure to pick a sturdy one before moving forward, as they tend to fall apart easily, which could be an issue in age group heats.
There were two lengthy barbed wire crawls for the Beast. The first was an uphill crawl, located in the same sunny spot as last year, and it was quite challenging. The second crawl was for all three races, right before Rolling Mud and Dunk Wall. On Saturday, these obstacles felt like a refreshing spa treatment after the sun-drenched 12 miles, but on Sunday, they provided a solid cold therapy treatment. They were positioned a mile from the finish line, allowing us to dry out before tackling the Rope Climb, Plate Drag, and Sandbag Carry leading to the end. The highlight was the final obstacle, the Inverted Wall. I don't recall seeing this before, and it was fantastic because you couldn't see the festival until you climbed over the wall. I love this obstacle, and it was a unique way to conclude the race.
Festival Area
The festival vibe totally changed over the two days because of the weather. On the first day, it was all about lounging in chairs, chilling under beach umbrellas, and that familiar smell of suntan lotion everywhere. There was this tent with cold plunge therapy that everyone was
into. My buddy Justin was DJ'ing and absolutely crushed it, making the whole scene lively and fun. But by Sunday, it got cooler and windy. Umbrellas and hats were flying everywhere, and people were all bundled up. The cold plunge tent was empty, and a bunch of first-time Sprint racers had that excited look I always admire. They had just completed their first Spartan race.
I met a vendor at the festival whose prodcut I tried and really liked Frog Fuel is kind of like GU gels, but I think it's better. I stopped using GU gels a while back because they sugar bombed my stomach, which is the last thing you need during a run. I got some samples at their tent and stuffed them in my water belt before the race. Breaking a cardinal rule of Shank Gym (starvation is the greatest motivator), I took them during the race, but they went down easy. I'm definitely buying some for my next race. No gut-bomb and they have a solid nutrtion profile.
Multi-Trifecta Medals
Since this was the second Trifecta weekend of the year, it was the first time you could get multi-trifecta medals. The design is really cool and way different from past seasons. I chatted with a Spartan staff member who said they’ve fixed last year’s shortage problem, but we’ll have to wait and see. I know tons of people are aiming for the spear at the championship in West Virginia.
Summary
I love racing in Texas. The place is huge, with all sorts of cool landscapes and crazy weather, and since there aren't many trees, the views are amazing. But it's easy to forget how much you need to hydrate and fuel up while you're on the road. Make sure to pack extra hydration tablets, lots of water, and some extra snacks. Spartan definitely messed up with the Saturday Sprint, but now everyone who was there has a story to tell. At the end of the day, Spartan's just like any other company, dealing with people and their quirks. Overall, I had an awesome time, got my calves burning, and we're ready to race another day. Atlanta, here we come!
References
Barnes, V.E. (1982). Geological Atlas of Texas.
Biesele, Rudolph L. (1930). The History of the German Settlements in Texas, 1831-1861. Press of Von Boeckmann-Jones Co.
Collins, M.E. (2005). Texas Rocks and Minerals: An Amateur’s Guide. Austin: University of Texas Press.
Ewing, T.E. (2016). Texas Through Time: Geophysics, Geology, and the Changing Earth. Austin: Bureau of Economic Geology.
Jordan, Terry G. (1966). German Seed in Texas Soil: Immigrant Farmers in Nineteenth-Century Texas. University of Texas Press.
Sellards, E.H., Adkins, W.S., & Plummer, F.B. (1932). The Geology of Texas. University of Texas Bulletin.
Spearing, D. (1991). Roadside Geology of Texas. Missoula, MT: Mountain Press Publishing.
Wikipedia (2024) History of Texas
Hi Tom, Gret Review of the course and the race weekend. Great to meet you on the Beast course. I spotted your tank top which led to ask if you were that Tom lol. I now need to acquire a Shank gym tank top. Hope to see you in Atlanta!