It’s a week post-race and I now not only question my life choices
First, I want to thank all of you who supported me, encouraged me, and followed me for 33 plus hours on the live tracking. My mantra going into the race was ‘I CAN do hard things’ and I hung onto this for the duration of my race. I knew going into this, HURT 100 was no joke. When my name was drawn from the lottery draw in the first few handfuls I knew that not only would I have to train hard, I also knew I had to have the mental grit to finish it. HURT 100 generally has a 37-46% average finishers rate yearly, and I being no quitter would have to work hard. Each loop has three checkpoints with one of them also being the start/finish line. After checking into each of these checkpoints/aid stations, there would be a steep climb out with an approx. 350-520m climb each time before hitting the next checkpoint. With each loop being 30 kms, and 1600m total I chose to break down each loop into sections from checkpoint to checkpoint so that my mind wouldn’t have to think of the monstrosity. Doing this would surely ease my mind as I plugged away at each section, one at a time.
Two days prior to the race, Darcy and I headed out to the start line where I wanted to run a 5 km loop beginning up Hogsback to scope out what I’d be in for. I’d paced my friend for three loops in 2020, but I really needed to go feel these roots out and refresh my mind as for what I’d really be in for. Darcy decided to hike an out and back so that by the time I was done the loop he’d be back down and we’d meet up at the finish. It didn’t take long for trail to get rooty and knarly, and I soon realized I was nuts for sending Darcy up Hogsback for his hike. What was I thinking? Haha, well he survived the 3k, and tbh, it was the best thing as he got a taste of what I’d be doing for 100 miles. Upon his return, he was clearly mind-boggled as for what I was about to get myself into.
5:30 am Saturday morning I picked up my race bib and my HURT bracelet at runner check-in. After dunking my bracelet into the bowl of magical Maleka Creek waters, the pre-race jitters kicked in and it made me teary. I’m so pathetic that talking to anyone at this point made me crumble with nervousness and so I chose to go line up early to avoid anyone seeing my vulnerable state. I was about to attempt one of the toughest races out there. Am I nuts, haha!?
As the race unfolded early Saturday morning, I chose to race the first two loops conservatively and consistently to conserve energy for the latter loops. Throughout these first two loops I questioned myself whether I perhaps went out too conservatively but I decided to trust the process Erik and I had discussed, as the ultimate goal was to save enough energy to get me to the finish eventually. At each of the checkpoints I’d quickly stock up on banana and orange pieces, refill my fluids, thank the wonderful volunteers and get back out. My goal was to stick to light, easily digestible foods to not aggravate GI issues. With the dry weather in Oahu the week prior to the race, the water levels at the creek crossings were low and as a result our feet stayed dry! Big bonus, as I wouldn’t have to spend time doing foot care each loop.
My first loop was a consistent pace of 5.5 hrs, as was the second despite the afternoon heat. Boy, did it get hot by mid-morning. Clearly, HURT 100 is a well-oiled machine of 22 years, and so the checkpoints were ready for us beat-up racers with Ziploc baggies of ice. I popped one down my bra, another into my pack’s upper pocket, and another into the side pouch. Doing this at each point was the bomb… and it kept me going. The volunteers were amazing as they somehow remembered exactly what you’d need and what your MO would be. They’d have my drop bag ready before I even came in, help fill my pack, take my garbage, tell me to drink up, eat up, reminded me to get rid of the headlamp, wiped my face with the most coldest wet cloth which felt so amazing, offered me soups and other wonderful things before sending me on my way. The soups were the ticket and I continued to stick to my fueling strategy of light foods and so I’d fill my pouch with banana and orange pieces for my next climb to avoid any stomach upsetting especially as the day was getting very warm. Passing other racers on the out and back sections was fun as you could tell who was in the lead, who you were chasing, and who was on your butt. It was fun encouraging others and to hear them tell you the same.
After finishing the second loop, I questioned my two 500ml-flask hydration strategy and wondered if I should switch to my 2L hydration bladder instead. The heat of the day surely dehydrated me more than I’d hoped and I was feeling it.But stubborn me, I decided to stick it out for loop three. It was just so nice to not have anything weighing me down on my back and causing potential chafing. I’d frontloaded fluids each time at the aid station to stay ahead of my fluid intake. The soups and fruit were key to getting through the next climb out, every single time. Erik quickly slid me a slice of hot, greasy bacon and suggested to eat up as I’d need it for sustenance. Aaah, it was so good!! Again, more ice packs went everywhere on me. It felt so great!
At 5:25 Saturday night, my pacer Erik was now allowed to join me for the third loop, my km 62. I was excited to have a pacer. Erik would lead me on the climbs and into the night. He’d trained with me enough over time where he knew I’d be pushing forward and upward in silence. Not much chatter would take place over the next three loops. It was all business and the chit chat we did have was mostly how we’d execute the next section. We’d planned it that way, and I was content with it. I still felt a tad overheated as it had been a hot day! The night temps cooled slightly and it felt nice knowing that we’d finished the hottest part of the race.
On the third loop the roots appeared so much more prominent, the climbs would feel longer, and the descents into the aid station would feel so, so long. The jungle suddenly felt so mysterious, and I decided to trudge along keeping my eyes on the trail so as not to succumb to the cliffs beside me. The only plus would be that there would be no hundreds of tourists making their way to Manoa Falls, at least not during the night. At this point, the only noticeable issue was my personal electrolyte mix I’d measured out was too strong for the flasks and it made me super burpy. It got to the point that by 11pm my tummy wasn’t happy and it would become super critical to focus on slow, steady climbs, and to make the most of the runnable sections. This seemed to work and shortly after midnight I’d finally get my ass to the end of the 3rd loop. I’d definitely slowed down and my lofty goal of finishing sub 30hrs seemed like a dashed dream. However, I chose not to stress over it, and focused on the present. As I ran into Maikiki, aka the start/finish line, Darcy would once again crew me before heading back to the hotel for a rest. He muchly deserved this, and I was ok with it. I quickly refilled my pack, switched to my 2L hydration bladder with ice and filled one flask with Coke. Both Erik and Darcy assisted me with a quick sock adjustment to help rid a hot spot while I tried hard not to get emotional. It’s just so easy to cry when you allow yourself to. I’d told Darcy before the race to get me in and get me out, and to not let me get comfy. Well, this he did, and I was off faster than my body wanted. I so wanted to just sit and have Darcy feel sorry for me. I’m so pathetic. Erik reminded me to grab some fruit on the way out, and we were off into what would become the toughest loop.
Going into the fourth loop, km 93, I could tell my hydration strategy along with the ice added was the bomb. My tummy seemed to settle a tad and I felt it was a game-changer. The thick of the night felt dark and quiet, while the soft drizzle was a beautiful welcome to the coolness of the night. Not much would be spoken and as Erik led me along I worked hard to keep up. The pace was perfect and although the climbs were tough, we were getting it done. Hogsback each time out was such a b*tch. Despite my slowed pace, I was digging deep and I reminded myself to be mindful; mindful of the present, mindful of the importance of continuous fueling, and mindful how we would finish this race no matter what. We chatted briefly about adjusting our sails, how lofty goals are easy to make, but that executing it in real life is a totally different beast. I realized on this loop just how important it is to respect the trail, and to respect the complexities that can take place. I’d mentioned to Erik how it will now be to ‘just finish this race’ and he kindly but firmly reminded me that I am going to finish, not ‘just finish’. True, so true. Ugh, loop 4 was so tough. At one point, we passed a racer who was dry-hurling and the poor guy, I felt so bad. As we passed him, and headed up the next switchback it would now be my turn. My tummy turned a million summersaults. Ugh, the demons of the night were rearing their ugly head. I felt angry, frustrated, and so tired. My legs were so exhausted, and my feet were so battered from the roots; so bruised feeling. My right shoe was causing another pressure point that literally sent pain through my entire body. I felt at an all-time low and knew I’d have to dig deep. I decided at this point it was best to become friends with the pain, talk to it, and push it aside as it wasn’t going anywhere. The demons had officially chewed me up and spat me out. It all felt so relentless and quitting wasn’t an option. The aid station volunteers were so encouraging. The smoothies and soups they offered were magical and would get me through the final climb up Nu’uanu and into Maikiki where Darcy would be awaiting my arrival. The early morning sun gave me renewed strength and the reset felt I’d survive but wow, did it hurt. Everything HURT.
Around 8am, km 126, we began loop 5 aka the victory lap! Thankfully it was a cooler day and we didn’t have to face the brutal heat like the day before. Off we went … up Hogsback one last time, into Manoa past all the million tourists one last time, and back out. Through painful Panoa Flats where you aren’t allowed to use the boardwalk but the roots beside instead. (You can’t cheat as there’s someone sitting at the junction the entire race, you can be disqualified if caught.)Down to Nu’uanu, and back up the worst, unforgiving 5-Minute Hill climb one last time, along the most beautiful ridge, Panoa Flats AGAIN for the umpteenth time, through the two pig gates, and down the alright-descent to the junction where you repeat the final Maikiki Valley Trail for a painful 10th time, and finally down Pipeline to the finish. The HURT was real. My feet felt so bruised and exhausted, my knees wanted to buckle, my quads were fried, and my soul had surrendered but we continued forward. Erik reminded me to go hard, to finish strong. Why leave anything in the tank when you can leave it all out there! I’d never worked so hard. Running into the finish 33hrs and 28mins later, I never felt so emotional. I’d given it my all and finished the HURT 100 miler! (157 kms, 7999m of accumulated vert.)
With 56 finishers, and 300 volunteers I legit had an average of 6 volunteers looking after just me the final 4-5 loops. HURT 100 is truly one special event. What makes people go back to HURT again and again? In my opinion, it’s the people… the HURT 100 Ohana. There’s something to say about the level of care each one provides. It’s a next-level organized event, amazing food, and fun atmosphere. I love their race motto: “No profit, no assholes”. Everyone respects one another despite the toughness of the laps. With a tight 36-hr cutoff, the technicalities of the trail system, the heat of the day, and a million complexities that can take place, HURT 100 is not for the faint of heart. I am truly thankful to have finished and am very pleased with my results. I could not have done this without the volunteers, Darcy, and Erik.
I placed 9th female out of 40 who toed the line. (9th out of 13 females who finished.) Overall, I placed 31 out of 130 who toed the line. (31st OA/56 that finished.) At the 36th hr cutoff 44% had finished. (That’s 56/130 OA.)
Much thanks to my hubby Darcy, for believing in me, your patience, and top notch crewing ability. I love you!
To Erik for taking the time to train with me, and to come to Hawaii to pace my butt around a big-ass loop 3x and getting me to the finish line for which I will be forever grateful! For being positive throughout while listening to my millions of moans and groans, while being strategic every chance we had. Excellent work! And most importantly, to my HURT 100 Ohana… you are all truly one of a kind. Respect to all. Mahalo.
Mmm, I guess I did end up writing a story book.
Thanks for following along!