Scott Ahnberg, 46, San Antonio, TX
“Enjoy every minute”
Six-stage racer
Family status: Two amazing kids from previous marriage and amazing supportive girlfriend.
Occupation: IT Manager at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
Have you been to Big Bend before? I have been to Big Bend National Park many times over my lifetime and have been to Big Bend Ranch State Park several times over the past few years. I now visit BBRSP a few times a year because it is so remote and removed from everything we consider everyday normal. No bright lights at night, no cell phone service, no crowds of people, no sounds of the city…it is still just a huge vast and natural area.
What’s your personal history in ultra-running? My ultra-running started with my dad talking me into my first road marathon in 2009 when I realized how out of shape I was. I finished that race and continued signing up for races and volunteering. At some point I transitioned into trail running since it had everything I liked about running and nothing that I disliked about road running. Before I knew it I was signing up for my first 50k in Big Bend National Park. I have run ultras in Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Ultra running takes me to places that most people can’t get to and haven’t seen except in pictures.
How did you hear about TPU? I found TPU when looking for stage races and searching for something beyond the typical ultra. I volunteered at Grand to Grand a few years ago and volunteered at TPU last year.
What are your goals for TPU? Finish, while enjoying every minute.
How has your training been going? Training has not gone as well as I would have liked from what I put on paper. Between work and family, it is difficult to stick to my training plan. I volunteered to be the head coach for a 100k off-road training group in San Antonio this summer. Goal race for that training group, El Taco Loco 100k, is the week before our TPU race. This helped me put in some training miles.
Is your gear all prepared? Not really, but is getting there. I have tried many different gear options over the summer and have tried many different options for food, plus tons of YouTube videos that I pulled ideas from for gear and food. The downside to watching all of those videos is now I want to start doing through hikes on some of the major trails in the US.
What has been the most helpful thing you’ve done in your prep for TPU? I guess I won’t know until I finish, but I would say volunteering the year before was my best prep. I tend to over think and over plan every detail so taking the journey as a volunteer really helped.
Do you know anyone else who has done TPU in the past. or is doing it this
year? I have met a few folks from Texas while running the Capt’n Karl’s summer night race series. I met Doug last year when I volunteered.
What do you love to do when you’re not running? I love to do so many things, it is difficult to even list.
I’m looking forward to covering all these trails in the park on foot.
