Previously, I ran Capt'N Karl's Muleshoe Bend 60k and Colorado Bend 60k. I only did 3 or 4-mile runs between the latter and Habanero, focusing on rest and longevity.
Before the race, I listened to the TROT podcast with Rob Goyen and Augustine Negrete on Habanero. They offered advice that really helped me: long sleeve shirt, never skip ice, let the race come to you. They also said, even if you trained in the heat, you won't be prepared for the type of heat at Habanero, with the sand baking at 120 and radiating up towards your face. I had done heat training and this was true!
I had a pleasant drive west to Cat Springs, passing through the countryside and small towns. In Hempstead, there was a road race going on with a lot of Army people, which motivated me.
I somehow forgot my gaiters and bandana and bought some at the TROT store.
The Course
Habanero is a 10k loop at 7il Ranch, all sand and grass. The good thing is except for about ten yards of singletrack, it's all wide trails so I could use my regular headphones and people could go around.
The Race
Loops 1-3:
The heat was brutal. I was doing 12-minute miles at first, then started hiking more in the third loop. I just told myself to make it until the sun went down.
Loops 4-5:
I bounced back a bit. It cooled off some around 5-6 o'clock. I started listening to music. I remember when I finished Loop 4 Johnny River's "Rockin' Pneumonia" was playing and I was rocking! I first told to save it up until I had a 60k left, a Capt'N Karl's, then save it till 50k. Mostly hiking, scattered running. I made a lot of 16-minute miles hiking, which I thought was good.
Loops 6-8:
Sleep deprivation hit in loop 6. Wanting to save a couple of bucks, I did not put fresh batteries in my headlamp since I had only used them once at Colorado Bend. The headlamp shone but that little bit of less power, plus I think the angle I had it pointed, made the trail darker and induced sleepiness. I switched out the batteries when I got to my dropbag and that helped. Plus I started drinking Coke and took some caffeine pills. I ate some food, quesadillas, and it got better.
I was hiking nearly everything. At this point, the suffering was intense and I did not want to suffer more. In the end, I don't know if solely hiking reduced the suffering, as it was just one long, endless slog. Maybe running would have made me feel like I was competing more and lifted my spirits. I did focus on moving fast, doing 16-18 minute miles mostly. I stopped playing music to clear my head.
I had thought there was something in my left shoe and tried to clear it out, but it turned out there was a blister developing from the sand. It started to hurt enough to make me seek help at medical at the end of the 8th loop, and I never go to medical! A kind volunteer taped it up. This cost over 20 minutes. My head was so messed up I had to ask if I had crossed the line to get credit for the loop.
Loop 9:
50 some-odd miles in, I hit a profound low. Despair. I thought, "How can I run Arkansas 100 if this feels this bad?" I am nearly incapable of crying, but came close to tears. Didn't cry though. I remember thinking I would need therapy after this race!
I probably looked in shock at the end of the loop. But there was nothing to be done but head out for the final loop. I wasn't going to quit after 56 miles.
Loop 10:
I rebounded on Loop 10. Putting on music, I found I could run and knocked off the 3 miles to the midway aid station before I knew it. I passed some people; who knows it they were running the 100k or 100 mile. I put in a couple walk breaks and ran it in.
Normally I'm reserved, but said to the lady keeping time at the finish, "Jesus Christ, that was tough!"
Reflections
I finished in 18:38, 16th out of 44 finishers (top 36%) and 61 starters (top 26%). Also, the ultrasignup percentage, based on my time versus the winner's time, will be about 74%. This is good because mine is usually in the 60s.
I had DNFed my first attempt at Habanero with 2 loops in 2018. That day I was sick with a cold and suffering from my back injury. It feels good to come back and finish a race I had DNFed.
I've come to realize I have no way of knowing where I am in the field. Apart from the last loop, I barely passed anyone on the trail. Since it was a multiple loop course, it would seem I would be passing people. I think I do a lot of passing at the aid stations because I try to be quick there.
After the race, I could barely walk because of my blister. I had to crawl out of my bed at one point. Terri brought me a medicated blister band-aid which really helped. I ordered two large pizzas with extra cheese and pepperoni and hot wings.
When I was in my low points, I thought there was no way I would run Arkansas 100. How could I do a longer race when this one was so bad? But:
1. Arkansas will be cool. It was the heat that was the worst and put me in a bad mindset.
2. I ran 100k at Jackalope Jam and 50 miles at the Green Ultra this year and neither were misery. I could run a good first 100k at Arkansas then figure out the rest.
3. I got in a bad mindset. The mind is controllable.
4. I averaged under 18 minutes a mile, which is fast enough to finish, even with intentionally going slow and losing time to injury. I can finish Arkansas.
5. I don't want to give up on my dreams.
6. Even if I suffer, it would be a day and it would be worth it.
So I'll run Arkansas. I've got in my 100k, so I've got my base training. I'll just try to keep it under 18-minute miles and keep going. I finished at 6:38 am...I'll only need to make it to noon the next day.
Thanks to Rob Goyen, Trail Racing Over Texas, and the volunteers for putting on a great race!
