HURT Too Bad

The HURT 100 served up the knarliest trail I've ever run/hiked. Although through a beautiful tropical jungle, bamboo forests and windswept ridges, it was just too much for me. I stopped after 73+ miles at 5:00 am at the Nu'uanu Aid Station. DNF - Did Nothing Fatal. This is not a course to take excessive risks on. I was in eighth place at the time having had almost no problems the entire race. My stomach just wouldn't calm down and process food, and I had the early stages of hypothermia. I rested for over an hour, with three blankets and a loaned jacket, ate hot soup, and drank hot cocoa and hot water, but just couldn't get my body temperature up to set back out into the jungle. The wind up on the ridge was furious, and I knew it wouldn't be smart to get stuck out there on the trail. When I reluctantly told the aid station captain I would have to drop, they graciously told me I would get credit for 100k (62.2 miles).

It was brutal, but Sarah and I had a great adventure. The course is unimaginatively beautiful but all the same absolutely unrelenting. At the end I didn't think I would ever go back and submit my mind and body to this kind of pleasure and punishment. Having slept a night, I know I'll be back. With a better understanding of the challenge, I'll be better prepared and ready to finish the 100 mile race. I'll write up a full race report later in the week, when I'm better rested and have sorted my thoughts.

A big thank you to Pete Hazarian and my wife, Sarah, who posted here during the race. It warms my heart to see the pictures taken, their posts, and the comments from friends and family. Even my feet feel better.

For another view of the race, its difficulty, and his unexpected dissolution, check out Rob Bien's DNF post on his blog. He was running second most of the race and, like me, the roots, rain and mud just got the better of him.