Subject: HURT II and Novice Ultrarunners Experiences (LONG but please read) From: "William Webb" Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2002 15:42:13 -1000 Anyone and Everyone, This is super long but it took me awhile to figure it all out. I am hooked like an addiction. Now that I am trying not to run I am strangely being drawn back to the trails. I can't wait to get back out there. Well here is my story from start to finish. I love writing. Talk story later, William BIRTH OF AN ULTRARUNNER BY WILLIAM D. WEBB My story of HURT II begins back in early last year well after HURT I. I had read about the HURT 100 mile endurance run in a local race publication. I called akabill he invited me out to run. After a 1 1/2 month journey to Thailand I was back and began to "train" with HURT. Previously only doing a 13 mile run (my longest at that point) that hurt me more than anything (roads) I came out on the trails and did a HURT loop for the first time. I thought I was going to die. akabill and Jeff Huff took me under their wings and guided me toward the light and a future with ultrarunning. Every Sunday a few Saturdays I ran a HURT loop. I began to meet lots of wonderful people the whole HURT family became my family and I became a part of something stronger than a running club, I became a part of an outstanding team not for competition but for guidance and strength. I ran my first ultra distance with akabill we did a HURT loop with an out and back to Waahila ridge. That was my best time running. I ran my first marathon in July, Kilauea Volcano Wilderness Marathon, and screwed things up a bit finishing in 5:47:07 but finishing none the less. I felt great after and running then became an adventure and I wanted more. My first ultra was the Tantalus Triple Trek 50k on Sept. 1. I ran a good training race and finished in 6:16:06. That was also the first time my wife attempted crewing and did a great job. My last race for the season (if there is one for me) was the Honolulu Marathon I trained through and did it in 4:09:00 and the Friday night before I did a 17 mile night run with Phil Mislinski. I felt wonderful and ready to conquer Tantalus and HURT II in January. I went on vacation with no running at all. It was just too cold for my blood. I came back on 4 January and went on the course 6 January and got there late spending the whole time trying to catch akabill, we did a HURT loop. That was the last time I ran on the trails before HURT. On the 13 we hung ribbons. On the 15 January I took my pacer Jim Masterson on a night hike up from Jackass Ginger to the intersection with Paua Flats trail. He had never been on the trail and he was going to pace me at night. I did no running from then on. My mom and my step dad flew in from California for the race and to help crew for me. The pre-race briefing was excellent and I got my blood drawn for the study. I was seeing all these new faces yet they weren't new because I have seen their pictures. I met a few people and then went to Outback Steakhouse for a pre-race dinner with my mom, Sam (step-dad), Jim (pacer), his wife Chisato, and my wife Amy. We ate dinner and headed for the car so I could get an early nights rest (living near the north shore you have to give yourself an extra 30 minutes to make it to the trailhead on time). Anyway, I got in and started the car and heard a loud thump come from the hood of the car. Turns out you have to keep putting water in the battery or hydrogen will build up causing an explosion but don't worry there were no casualties. We called back my excellent friend Jim and he gave us a jump after putting water in the battery. We got to K-Mart and Jim, Sam, and myself changed the battery in the parking lot in the pouring rain and wind. Thank you so much Sam I couldn't have done it without you. Seriously. I got home and crashed at about 10:30 pm. Woke up at 3:30 am and left the house at 4:15am headed for the start. The start: We got out of the car and it started to pour. I checked in and had a few pictures taken. I found Paul Lindauer and moved over and onto the bridge. I wanted to get ahead of most of the people because I knew my way exactly around the course. I had a couple people following me as I followed Catra Corbett to the top of Roots and Rocks. At the top I took my jacket off and tied it around my waist. I remember that we got to the top about 3 minutes sooner than wanted to. I continued to lead the way talking and telling about the course and where to watch yourself at night. We continued on to Paradise Park. On my way down I was surprised to see that my mom was taking pictures on the trail and Sam was cheering people on. I also remember Phil was taking pictures. I was feeling great I thought before hand what I needed before I got to the aid station. Paul went ahead of me being his favorite runnable part of the course. I did a self-assessment and found no aches or pains and figured I just needed fluids and food. Hans-Dieter and I played cat and mouse until the aid station. He is an extraordinary individual. At the aid station I had a turkey sandwich, Red Bull, and a Gatorade energy bar, peanut butter flavored. I got lots of help from my crew and a friendly guy which I never caught his name but I know was crew for someone else. Giving kisses to my wife and mom saying goodbye. A few pictures. Time check 7:53 AM. 38 OUT. As I walked out of Paradise Park I ate an energy bar. That is the moment that I knew I was doing it, all the year I had been telling people about the run and trying to describe what a rush it is just to be on the trails. They can't understand until they have seen the trails and the views. Easy going I caught up to Paul Lindauer, Mike, and Clem on their way up the switchbacks. I knew I was going too fast but my heart rate was fine and I felt great. Paul and I continued on together power walking until akabill's breakpoint. He then took off ahead and headed up Nuuanu Trail. What a guy. If you got the energy use it. I had the energy but was too afraid to use it. Clem met up with me and we ran together to the aid station. Going down into Nuuanu Valley is always a blast. Babysteps are key at that point for me. Once you hit the Enchanted Forest though it is just coasting all the way in to the aid station. As Clem and I were climbing down to head into the bamboo right before the stream crossing Monica Scholz was leading an expeditionary group out consisting of Catra, ?, ?, and Paul. Clem and I crossed the stream and headed the little up to the aid station. What wonderful volunteers and my crew nowhere in sight. I found out later that I was ahead of schedule and they missed me by minutes. I ate some energy bar, PBJ, and Coke. Heading out after Clem I had a GU (Vanilla Bean Flavored). Time check 9:28 AM. 38 OUT. As I headed toward the stream I didn't see Clem then I heard a rustle in the bushes and Clem was standing there looking at the stream trying to remember how he had gotten across the first time. I yelled for him and he got back on trail. We had a few laughs but now was time to climb out of the valley and that is what we did. We got a few pictures taken on our way out by Tesh. And non-stop just powered it on our way out. We got to the top and I did my usual break to replenish and get rid of fluids. Clem went ahead and I was pretty much alone all the way back to the Nature Center and ready for a second loop. I got down to the Nature Center and was in need of a little fuel to burn so I ate quite a bit as everyone told me to eat more. I began to think to myself, "You have never done a double HURT." Well no better time than now. I felt wonderfully refreshed. I said my goodbyes and told my crew that I would see them at Paradise Park. What a wonderful crew, they followed me everywhere. They also helped out with a lot of other runners. Time check 11:20 AM. 38 OUT. With a mouth full of food I ran from the aid station and came across the bridge to discover a camera in front of my face. Snap. Picture taken keep on running. I ran past the log and turn right to walk up the stairs and there is Phil. Snap. Snap. We talked for a minute and he said he saw Paul looking good going up roots and rocks about 15 minutes ahead of me. I didn't want to try to catch him though. I had to run my own race. I got halfway up Roots and Rocks and I heard a voice say look up. I looked up and trip over a root. Not falling I caught my balance and laughed it off. It is Tesh Teshima taking more pictures. I have never had so many pictures taken of me in a span of 10 minutes. I kept moving up and down, up and down. Pretty uneventful the rest of the way back over to Paradise Park. I passed a couple of people coming back up from Manoa. I slowed quite a bit on the second loop. I was trying to run an even first and second loop but I came out about 30 -45 minutes slower on the second loop. I got down to Paradise Park and still felt wonderful. I got down as much food as possible and saw my wife and family. Saying goodbye I glance at my watch 1:44 PM. 38 OUT. Heading back out of Manoa with a mouth full of food and drinking as much fluids as possible I began my journey up to the top of Aihulama. I passed Peyton Robinson and another runner on the way back out. I showed them Benikes Bench and warned them to beware during the dark. Peyton and I talked until about halfway up and then he took off ahead. I got onto Nuuanu Trail and ran up the grassy ridge. I felt great running up the ridge. Baby stepping down the ridge and Vernon's Butt Slide I got hit by torrential rain and strong winds. I was all alone and so exposed. I was freezing. Taking the switchback to start the way down I ran into Paul and akabill coming up. I told them how I was feeling really high and then really low when I would get drenched. They suggested that I get some of the awesome soup at the aid station. Wishing me well they were headed off. On they way down to the aid station I had about 3 other runners telling me to try the soup, so when I got to the aid station Greg asked me what I wanted so I said, "well word's on the trail that the soup is delicious!!" Sure enough that was some good soup. Anyway, enough about the soup. I told my crew that I need Jim my pacer to meet me at the Nature Center by the time I got there. They said he would be there. I was off and feeling much better. Time check 6:23PM. 38 OUT. Thanks for the soup Greg!!!! I was pretty much alone all the way to the Nature Center and it happened to be uneventful except for the fact that it just kept on pouring rain. By then my feet were so soaked that I didn't care. I had decided that I was going to change shoes at the Nature Center anyways. I felt like I was fighting the sunlight. I went pretty quick up Nuuanu and back out onto Manoa Cliffs Trail. Somewhere during that time though I think I didn't use my calves enough and overused my hamstrings to power upward. I still made it back to the Nature Center pretty quickly and I beat the sunset. Whew!! I ran it on in and sat down to a foot rub with Bag Balm (Thank you PJ? for giving us some) my pacer Jim had been waiting for me. Jim and Sam rushed to get my feet done while others were feeding and giving me drink and encouragement. I threw on my long sleeve shirt and long pants. The toughest part of the run was coming up. Was I ready? I was already exhausted the darkness helped none. Screw it. Some time. 38 OUT. The night was a key influence on my exhaustion. As most of you (ultra runners) know the nighttime is bad, but then add the increasing torrential downpours and wind speeds that would knock you down if you weren't paying attention. My pacer and I started up Roots and Rocks for my third loop and his first complete HURT loop. The trails were horrible. We moved slowly up Roots and Rocks. When we got to top I had to break and try to stretch my hamstring out. We continued on. With little running we made it to the road crossing in about 55 minutes so we were only ten minutes behind schedule. At the road crossing we had to stop because going uphill was really hurting so I got down on the ground in the pouring rain and Jim, my pacer, got down and massaged the tightness that was growing inside the back of my leg. It hurt but helped 10x. The trail was horrible up at this point. We ran quite a bit leading across the Pali then walked up the switchbacks to the map. Jim pointed out that we were doing good on time. We took it easy, but not too easy down to Manoa Falls. We saw few runners coming back out. We got to Paradise Park and I was dead, my leg was hurting and I was just really tired. I had two cups of the best soup of my life (I won't try to pronounce it though). I had lots to eat and drink. The soup there was delicious and I wish I could remember the name of it. Receiving quite a bit of inspiration from the two guys working the aid station (sorry can't remember names at that point) we headed out and ventured away from the lights, the warmth and the music to wake the soul. We began our trek over the mountain. Time check 10:25PM. 38 OUT. Heading back up Manoa Falls Trail I began to feel very tired even though I had had a Red Bull. It was like the Red Bull had the opposite effect on me. Jim kept telling me that we were doing good and that this is what I wanted. We were following my plan, which was to run as much as I could the first day and then recover at night so I could run the last two loops before the time. I just kept saying that I hurt too much and that at that point I was focused on the 100k option. He kept telling me that I had planned on 100 miles and he was going to try to help me get there. On the way up I had to stop a couple of times and asked Jim to let me sit down. He said no. I told him he wasn't my boss and sat down because I was hurting and getting sloppy steps from being tired. Sorry Jim. On the way up two women were coming down. They asked how I was doing and I said not good and Jim told them I was fine. One of them said to me that to get to the top of Manoa or any top for that matter that all I had to do was keep moving and count 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10 all the way to 20 and start over. That helped and is probably the best piece of advice for a runner that is exhausted. Thank you to whoever that was you helped me so much. Jim had promised me a 3 minute nap when I got to the top. We got up there and I laid down in the pouring rain and wind. The sound of loud bamboo clacking together. I didn't sleep but after a massage from my masseuse I felt pretty good. We got to the top of Nuuanu and descended down the rope at Vernon's Butt Slide like we were rangers on an elite mission. That was when I began to hear the conch shells blowing in the wind. I was freaked out until Jim said, "It's nothing keep going." Okay Jim. That was fun and exciting. On the way down to the Enchanted Forest Jay Hodde was coming up and he asked how things were going I told him the usual stuff and he said that a lot of people have opted for the 100 k and said that he was also. I told him good luck and we were off. We got through the Enchanted Forest and encountered Jim's wife waiting for us in the woods to walk with us in they thought I may have gotten hurt because I had taken so long. We crossed the stream and arrive at the aid station with the intention on getting better for the steep climb out. I don't remember much from this aid station except for a brief visit with Jeff Huff and my saying that I am going to lay down now. So I laid down after eating some soup and drinking. They gave me some pain medicine (Tylenol or something.) Jim massaged my leg for a couple minutes. I don't know how long I lay there for but when I got back up I felt pretty good. Greg talked to me a little and told me that I have trained well and that I could finish this 100 miles but if my leg is hurting then take the 100k. Thanks for the inspiration and I will be running with you next year Greg. Everyone did a wonderful job at the aid station. My family supported me well. My wife did not freak out and my pacer (a.k.a "the pacer Nazi") helped me out of the slump and onto the course. Time check 2:41 AM. 38 OUT. As we climbed out of Nuuanu we saw no one. Nobody came down and nobody passed. I began to think that we were the last ones. A sense of urgency passed over me to hurry and get to the finish. But by the time we got to the top the rain had stopped and we both sat down for a minute I know that I began to close my eyes and then it came in one big shower, THE RAIN. It was really bad especially on top of the ridge. We saw Stephanie Ehret heading down to Nuuanu on her fourth lap. What a tough woman. We picked up the pace a little and even though it hurt I kept up an ultrarunning shuffle. We climbed up to the map and I thought about the fact that we didn't have much further to go until the next climb until the downhill until the road crossing. I kept the image of the slight uphill to the sign that reads Manoa Rd. 0.4 miles ahead. Every time we came around a corner it was never there. I began to think weird things like maybe we took a wrong turn, but there are no wrong turns on this trail besides back at the map. I know these trails and it should be coming up soon. We then came upon the sign and we climbed up and then down to the road crossing. Crossing the street we climbed up and down through the bamboo forest and then along the cliff. Up the switchbacks and then down the stairs. We shuffled all the way down center trail and came into the aid station still shuffling. I didn't fill anything up I just said "Hi" to everyone and looked at my watch. I realized that I would have to run a sub 5 hour 4th loop to make the cut-off so my decision to opt for the 100k was based on a few things and not just the want to quit. I told PJ of my decision I headed up roots and rock with a Coke and PBJ in each hand. By the time we got to the top the sun was up and Greg was right. My energy rose to a sky rocketing level. I felt renewed. We ran as fast as I could all the way to center trail. If I had been thinking clearly we would have probably tried to go to Paradise Park. Thank God we didn't!!! So we shuffle down center trail and ran it into the finish in 25:38. 20 minutes prior Ian Torrence finished the 100m. So within 20 minutes of each other two people finished individually difficult events even if his was 38 miles longer! Time check 7:38 AM. 38 IN. For anyone who hasn't been to Hawaii and wants a great adventure, family atmosphere, and a killer post race dinner venture out here and run on our trails. The shirts are amazing as well! I would like to say thanks to all the members of H.U.R.T. my family and I had a wonderful time. Everything was outstanding. A special thanks to my pacer Jim and his wife and my wife Amy, my mom, and Sam. Thanks to the Sunday Runners. Thanks to Paul and akabill. Thanks to everyone you all helped me one way or another become what I have become. An Ultrarunner. See you next year. To the trails: see you soon once my hamstring heals!