What A Dumb Idea

I got Lit 🔥

Habanero Hundred - third time was NOT a charm

Ultramarathon #106 | D.N.F. #004

I awoke painfully from my very light nap and started screaming immediately. My left calf was seized and contracted fully causing immense pain. I yelled out to my wife to come help me out of bed and help me force my body weight to counter the muscle action in order to relax the calf. What seemed like a full minute (which was in reality was only probably 15 seconds or so) what excruciating. As Katie came over to assist me [...eventually...], I had already got most of my weight onto my leg to start to relieve the contraction of my calf. How did this happen? Why was my leg seizing when I was just lying here? Why on Earth did I attempt to run Habanero Hundred again and put myself into this situation? As I muttered to myself and my self-proclaimed worst pain in the world. Katie was super humbling and reminded she had given birth to our five children [without any pain medication].

Okay back up - why was Iaying in my bed resting on Sunday morning when I was still supposed to be out on course completing my 100 Miles. This was not ideal. Obviously, my race plan had not been executed. Here I was cramping hours after my run had come to an end, but my recovery and rehydration was still just beginning. These are the no so glamourous insights into attempting Texas' Hottest Race and the reality of my stupidity of taking on Habanero for a third year in a row. 

11:00 a,m. on Saturday August 12, 2023 (*my birthday) I was standing there in line to get my bib number at the pickup. The line was congested and wrapped around the red barn at 7IL ranch due to hundreds of other runners, whether it be the shorter distances or the many numbers of relay runners there to participate and attempt this event. The ambient temperature outside was already in the low 90s and creeping up. Feel-like temperatures were 100f+ for sure inside where the crowd was gathered and outside who knows how stupid hot it actually was. I finally got my bib with about 25 minutes before the start and got my final gear on and put my chair in place neat the loop start finish arch. I was lucky enough to meet up with some new friends. I met Kelly Swanson and her friend/crew/pacer Victoria whom were kind enough to tell me to pull my chair under their popup tent. Also my former TROT teammate Casey Timmie and her husband placed their chairs in the tent by invitation as well. A few exchanges of words and stories and soon we were lined up in the chute under the beating Texas sun and the feel-like temperatures of ~110f to start off.

lined up at the start line at high noon on 7IL Ranch in Cat Spring, TX. Feel-like temperatures were around 110f at this point of the day. They eventually creeped up to around 115-116f at the high point in the afternoon. My gear in picture: rabbit bucket hat, Oakley sunglasses, rabbit ICE RAD-ana, rabbit UPF deflector 2.0 trail, Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

The record setting stretches of 100f+ days in a row for the Houston area gave me the clue it was going to be particularly challenging going into Habanero Hundred this year. I did not pretend to hide this fact, nor was I taking this race for granted even having prior finished 33 other 100 Mi(+) events. There is a real reason Habanero has a finish rate of less than 30% over 7 years up until this point. 

Starting off as slow as possible, but still jogging I made my way around the first loop finding myself running beside my new tent friend Kelly Swanson. She made some good conversation as we chatted and I filled her in on my thoughts of this race and strategy since I had run and finished it the prior 2 years. I also recall telling her we were going to fast for this first loop even though it did not feel like it. I was aiming for a 80-minute first loop which would be hopefully mostly slow jogging.

A sign that Habanero is no joke was flashed in front of my eyes at mile 5, less than an hour into the run. Recall this course is a 6.1 Mi (10 km) loop. Anyway, we were most of the way back and nearing the main ranch road crossing and we came around one corner to the EMS medic ATV light flashing. A [relay] runner passed out on the side of the trail, apparently from heat exhaustion. Jerrimiah the TROT assistant race director/race photographer was there first on the scene with the medic crew. As Kelly and I came up on them I asked if they needed help loaded the downed runner onto the ATV as it appeared they could use the extra hands. They took us up on the request and we got the runner, who was lightly going in and out of conscious, onto the back of the ATV using a portable outdoor backboard carrier. Once he was loaded up I took off my rabbit ICE RAD-ana which had a little ice left over in it and provided it to the medics to help cool off the downed runner. I sacrificed my new piece of rabbit gear in order to help out someone else in more need of it than me at that instant (I have a second one back in my bag so I could grab it between loops).

Kelly and I continued on as the realization of the heat of the day now smacking us directly in the face with this situation that had presented itself. I recall commenting to her that this would not be the only one today, but it was early to see that type of situation. The first loop finished up in just under my target of 80 minutes. I took my time getting my new ICE RAD-dana filling it with ice, getting ice water into my 2 handhelds, and downing a little bit of coke the aid station had set out for us. I don't recall if I had a shot of Pickle Juice this first time, but that is also a staple for me in these hot races as it is known to help alleviate the perception of muscle cramping. 

Loop 2 and 3 the was the crux of the heat on day 1 and thus as noted before reaching feel like temperatures around 115f or so. I did a lot more walking/hiking keeping my pace slower than I probably would have preferred. I thought it was enough. Flash forward spoiler - it was not, I could have gone slower and it probably may have helped! The third loop all of a sudden I could feel my back and my legs getting tight - but why? I was drinking 20oz of water & 20oz of Gatorade mix between every aid station, so every 3 Mi. I did not fully understand this as I did not "feel" like I was dehydrated, nor did I have any other signs of dehydration yet. I knew this meant my pace and my overall race was in jeopardy. I drank all i could at the "Hot Talamas" aid station before topping everything off on my way out. I slowed to a normal paced walk in order to give my legs (calf muscles) a needed break. I was hoping for a reset by the time I finished up my third loop by simply slowing down. Things got worse. I slowed down, I got thirsty and drank all my fluids before even reaching the water only drop at the road crossing, which signaled 0.75MI back to finish up. I filled up again and trudged slowly through the remaining scorching sand and uneven ranch grassland back to the arch. 

3 loops done and I was spent. My body was already giving out. I got some new ice and then just slumped down in my chair. I was wrecked and simply was sitting there trying to formulate a game plan to make it through until sunset, but this was even proving a small feat. I sipped my fluids and then closed my eyes opting for a short nap as I gave my body time. Never in all my prior 100s have I purposefully taken a nap before in a 100 Mi event, so this was a new tactic on-the-fly. I was now starting to reach and grasp at anything that would help me and here we are only like 6 hours into a 30-hr 100 Mi event. Habanero is truly a soul-sucking event due to this nature of the Texas heat combined with the feet shredding sand. There are no easy miles out there on the ranch and I was feeling the full effect of that this day.

I continued onto loop 4 after my short nap and braved the heat with the "hope" of renewed confidence in my ability to get through 100 Mi races. I just needed to get to sunset when the night would ideally provide a big relief to my body and its core temperature being able to function properly. I took 2 gels with me for the loop now, consuming more than just liquid calories. My goal was to eat and drink my way back into this. Onward I trudged but my muscles still would not allow me to run, I was still forced to a walk. Almost instantly back on my feet I could feel my body temperature rise and remain back where it was before I surcome to the chair in the first place - this is not good - I thought to myself. I walked the entire loop 4. just begging for that sunset Time was not on my side this loop. It was slow. My body was even more tired, but the sun was down now. The chair called my name again. I got more ice placing my RAD-ana around my neck and slumped back into my chair for a 30-minute nap, a last-ditch effort to reset my body and get my core temperature down while I could. 

"Shit".......... nothing was working. I got some food and tried consuming more calories before heading out for my 5th loop. Potatoes were magic and felt great on my stomach. I also add some ramen noodles as well (those were good too, but proved not to be later on down the trail). My legs did not feel great, my mind (usually resilient) was not starting to put doubt into my own thoughts. This was spiraling out of control fairly  quickly. I knew things needed to change. I willed myself out onto the trail and starting my 6th loop. Surely the "cooler" night temperatures (only feel-like of 90s or so) should help....right?.... right? I death marched the entire loop again attempting but failing to run over and over. Time was now not only not on my side it was literally punching me in the face. My mind was now full on turned against me. I was fighting. At the midpoint aid station I stopped and sat down there getting in some more potatoes and drank a bunch of coke. Still nothing was working. I finally got up and made it my mission to get back the loop done. Of course it was my slowest loop yet and the spiral continued down. I had been fighting thoughts in my head then entire way back into the start/finish and ultimately I walked across the line and pressed my lap button on my Garmin, and told the volunteers I needed time.

I opted for a cot this time in the medical area of the TROT setup. It was past midnight now, and very few people were around except the awesome volunteers and the few hardy crew supporters and the relay runners still awaiting their respective turns. I laid down with the quiet white noise of the generators contrasted with the music from the stereo at the arch. I managed to find a somewhat comfortable position where my legs did not cramp and seize on me. I closed my eyes and just lay there. It was restless and very light sleep but I did not set an alaram, I was just seeing what my body needed and how I would feel when I awoke. Sadly, not much changed and I felt horrible. My legs felt heavy and still twinging with pain upon any slight movement. How the hell was I going to continue? I had only finished 6 loops (60 km) and still had 10 (100 km) to go. I was just over 14 hours into the 30 hour cutoff. Technically there is no cutoff until the final loop, but I was behind.

I sat there on that cot and saw the infamous Victor Valenzuela (another former TROT teammate) come in from one of his loops. He came over and chatted with me for a bit. This man is awesome running this event every year since the inception and now has completed it 6 times in the 8 editions (hats off to Vic - LEGEND!). After sitting there awkwardly for a few minutes I had decided to call it quits and my D.N.F. (Did Not Finish). I stumbled over to the start/finish and let them know I was not continuing on.

I slowly gathered all my crap and got into my car and managed not to cramp as I got in my car and made the hour-ish drive home. I walked in the door like at 04:00 on Sunday morning now and got into the bath with some salts and oils to try and help my muscles. The entire time I have been downing fluids trying to get my body to process water still and be able to pee. I had just come to think of it I don't think I had peed the entire event or at least near the start. After getting clean and scrubbing the remaining sand out between my toes I finally got into bed with my legs propped up and attempted to sleep. Here is where we found ourselves at the beginning of the story. I slept for 30 minutes or so at a time and then as I was dosing off my muscles would twitch and I would cramp in agony. IT was a vicious cycle that repeated a few time before I actually got an hour or two of sound sleep.

So what did I learn? Not much apparently because I came back this year for a third year of torture in the heat, humidity, and sand knowing full well what I was getting into to. Add on top of that it was sandwiched between two 200 milers I was just asking for trouble. Pure grit can only get you so far, and with Habanero you need everything to fall in line in order to get a finish. Any bad fortune out there and it compounds very quickly. I was a little disappointed to have to give in, especially since this was in my #12-in-12 project, but ultimately, I needed to take care of myself and just face the fact that yes I do D.N.F. once in a while too. My 106th ultramarathon left me with only my 4th D.N.F. but that does not mean it does not sting. I still take pride in the fact my completion rate is up there at 96.23%. Onwards I go.

Congrats to all the 22 brave soul whom were able to finish Habanero Hundred this year in the immense heat conditions. It truly was a tough year and once again we are all reminded why a simple 100 miler on flat ranch in Texas is by no means an easy race to complete.

Never again....Habanero....never again!

Habanero theme I picture in my head coupled with "Let The Bodies Hit the Floor" by Drowning Pool playing loudly.

2023 Habanero stats:

• UltraSignUp Results
• 78 starters | 22 finishers = 28.21% finish rate (*6 runners were sub-24) | 56 D.N.F. = 71.79% DNF rate
• My STRAVA activity

My Gear Used:

• rabbit bucket hat
• rabbit ICE RAD-ana
• sunglasses: Oakly
• rabbit UPF deflector 2.0 LS (x2)
• shorts: rabbit 3" FKT 2.0
• shoes: lululemon trail runners
• socks: injinji socks (x2)
• lighting: kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp) & Nathan Sports Halo Fire (headlamp)
• hydration: NATHAN insolated 18oz handhelds (x2)
• Anti-Friction lube: Trail Toes
• gear bags: Victory Sportdesign
• watch: Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

My prior HH100 race reports (in case you need more alpha):

• 2022: Twice As Spicy
• 2021: Habanero Sucks!

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Thanks for following along.

Next Up: The Divide 200 (2023-Sep-11)

Twice As Spicy

Habanero Hundred: The Return | Ultramarathon #091

…I can feel my left heel starting to get annoyed. I recall to myself that this happens when I have begun to have heel blisters issues in the past. Normally I don’t get a lot of blisters, but heel blisters have happened on occasion (usually due to extended downhills, or when excess sand/pebbles accumulate in my shoes). I talk it over to myself in my mind as I trot along the pasture surrounded by the onlooking cows who don’t seem to care about my presence. 

“Maybe I should stop now and empty my shoe”

“The next loop I will address this, not long and I can change my socks and clean my shoes out again.”

“It is only a small annoyance. I can probably just run through this pain for a while”

Isn’t ultrarunning a stupid sport. Here I am less than 4 hours into this ultramarathon and I am arguing with myself, trying to persuade myself that ‘it is fine’. Perhaps this was the beginning of my downfall in attempting to repeat a sub-24hr performance at the hottest race in Texas.

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Let me step back for a minute. Why was I even here again? I swore to myself I would never let myself be found running this race again after completing it last year. How did this happen? Well I somehow let the thought of another buckle creep into my mind. As you may know by reading my blog I am a buckle chaser and love the 100 Mi distance. With this race nice and close to our home I somehow had the thought of well maybe I could do it again. Clearly, I had forgotten all the pain and suffering my poor feet went through last year to get the run done (see 2021 Habanero race report).

Wednesday of race week I had not entered my name into the registrants list yet, but I reached out to TROT (Trail Racing Over Texas) and asked if they needed help on Friday to setup for the race still. In fact they did so I was going to give myself some volunteer hours opposed to running the event. But something changed somewhere between then and Thursday. I don’t even know what changed or what exactly happened. It was like I had blanked out and the next thing I know it is now Thursday evening and I am sitting there staring at my screen with the UltraSignUp confirmation number just eyeing me back. 40 hours till race start…

Friday morning it was pouring race in the Houston area and so I was a few minutes late getting to the ranch to help Cal, TROT’s newest fulltime RD, with the race setup. Arriving safely getting through the storm it was a nice day after all, not super-hot just yet, still cool-ish from the passing morning storms. I got set up with the course flags and set off around the infamous Yellow Loop at 7IL Ranch and began flagging the course. I spent a good 2.5 hours on my feet simply hiking the loop planting the flags as I went clipping the odd reflectors into the adjacent tree limbs for some night time visibility as well. I got back to the main barn and met with the packet pick-up crew where Cal had arranged some pizza delivered for us for lunch. A quick bite to eat and then I spent another 2 hours or so setting up the main start-finish aid station with a couple others. The weather had cleared now and few clouds remained. The humidity returned and I was dripping by the end of my volunteer shift. An hour commute back home to the family for our traditional Friday family movie night where I’d kick my feet up and pack my things. 

Race Day arrived and my Victory Sportdesign Grizzley backpack was ready to go with all my essentials and my few spares things I may need depending on the day. Since the race is a “high noon” start, just to maximize the heat of the day, it was an easy going morning overall. I had my coffee, ate an omelet my amazing wife made for me, and then at down to play a game with my 2nd oldest daughter not too long before my departure. 

Race ready. Taken not long before my car
troubles started. Photo: Katie Meding.

Said my goodbyes to my wife and kids and then headed out the door. Had everything packed into my car and was ready to go. “click, click, click…..” and then….silence. My stupid car was not starting! What, not now I thought to myself. Why? I reset the ignition and tried again with no luck. Frustrated I went back into the house got my wife’s van keys and dug out our boosters cables from the garage. Luckily I have long cables so I inched the van right behind the car and was able to reach battery to battery that way. With the cables attached I was still unable to get my car started yet. “Shit”. I was now very frustrated and of course time was ticking down towards the start of the race. I was now sweating and getting my heart rate elevated just in preparation of trying to get to the race. My calmness was slowly escaping me. Again no luck with the engine turnover. Eventually I was able to get my car to at least turn on enough to where I could shift it into neutral and I rolled my car a little further down the driveway. This enable me to be able to sneak the van out (by driving on the grass) between the car and the house. My wife gave me the blessing of just taking the van and going. I left for the race with about 75 minutes till the start. The drive is 80 minutes from my house. Between all the antics and burst of swears I did send Cal a message explaining I’d be a bit late and asked if I could start, fully acknowledging my time would start when the race started. He was gracious enough to respond as I am sure he was busy at the race with pre-race RD things. I was now one of those people bugging him mere moments before the start of the event. Pulling into 7IL Ranch driving up the road I saw the hundreds of people lined up in the shoot. I was stopped by a volunteer and told to wait as the race was literally starting. I sat there in the van, watched the gun fire into the air and all the runners take off in front of me. I was then waved on in to the parking field where I proceeded to get ready. Application of my Trail Toes and filling of my water bottles was essentially the only things I had left to do as I had prepared everything else to be ready otherwise. I walked up to the RD table and told Cal I was here and now ready. I recall him saying good luck and to take my time. And with that I started by myself underneath the TROT start arch and onto the Yellow Loop a full 7 minutes behind the gun start.

Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

Back to the race on loop 6 now I was wondering if the sunset was ever going to come. The sweet relief of the sun setting at Habanero is a big draw even though the ambient temperatures do not drop super significantly. I still had one more loop I figured until I needed to break out the lights. Cresting the final corner on loop 6 and heading back to the arch I had promised myself a sock change. I figured I had earned it as this point being more than a third done now. I was slowing down and also hoped for a mind reset with this quick break. Passing over the timing mat, I made my way to my parked van not far away and propped open the truck setting up my chair and a small tub of water. I got my shoes off and literally poured the sand out on the ground. “Man this sucks” I thought to myself. Peeling off my socks from my sweated soaked wrinkled feet revealed another layer of hidden ever finer sand. I shook my socks off, flinging sand around me and tossed this pair into the laundry bag I had set aside. Now I soaked my feet into my Tupperware tub to get off the remaining sand particles which required a bit of scrubbing – but that is why I brought this foot tub. A quick bath and my feet looked somewhat refreshed again, beside the wrinkles from being trapped in sweat-soaked shoes for hours now – these would persist until about a day after the race once I was able to air dry my feet out. A shade over 15 minutes of cleaning my feet and getting in some much-needed calories I was back up and on to my next loop: number 7.

Loop 7 = puke loop.

Feeling fresh (new dry socks, new dry shirt) with my waist lights at the ready I figured that the impending sunset would help bring back my pace back down. Heading off for loop 7 I was again filled with a bit of optimism on my interloop reset. …it did not last long. The seventh loop turned out to be the puke loop. After getting through the heat of the day, my stomach know decided to rebel against me. Why now? My stomach simply had other ideas. I resided to my slowest loop of the entire event death marching most of it with a few abrupt intrusions of emptying my stomach on the side of the trail. I did not let this deter me and just stay focused on continuing to consume as much fluids as I could to ensure I did not get dehydrated, even in the cooler temps. This is where the experience in ultramarathons kicks in, even though you don’t necessary feel great, I was able to mitigate any further deterioration of the effects and keep fluids going in despite this puke loop.

The night loops seemed to slow down and time was going very slow. I knew that moving efficiently during the night hours is key during Habanero, but my pace seemed agonizing. The more of the race you can get done at night and out of the sunlight, the less you have left to get done after the sun rises again the following day. This seems simple but it truly is strategic to think about this during this race and at least attempt to incorporate this.

Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

The Yellow loop is alive and bustling with all sorts of runners when the race begins on the first day. There is all the 100 Mi and 100 km solo runners, as well as many relay teams taking on the challenge. Then of course you have the short distance of 10 km, 20 km, 30 km, & 50 km runner that seem to just fly by relatively speaking of course. As the night moon creeps up from the East horizon and the sun disappears to the West the number of runners dwindles significantly too. This event is known for its low finishing rate (due to the heat, humidity, sand/foot issues) so inevitability you come across less and less people as the loops go on. The sun comes up on day 2 of Habanero and the Yellow Loop can seem like a very lonely place for the 3 Miles between the aid stations: just you and the unrelenting South Texas August heat. The only relief is the brief moments of ice sponge baths, Gatorade slushies, and cold water from the amazing volunteers.

I saw my sub-24 hour time goal slip away and knew it is was all about simply grinding out a finish now. I had seen maybe 4 other runners in the last 2 loops, either we were all going the same pace now, or I was one of the last few out there still running – neither was exactly true. Fueling on a heavy fill of Coca-Cola, Water, mashed potatoes, and the occasional Base Performance gel I was trudging forward as a now steady pace. Tree by tree and fence by fence I would use the landmarks to tick away my progress on the loop. Crossing the ranch road back on the inward direction meant only about 1 Mile to go. I had done it, preserving through the pain of my feet and the non-stop salty sweating of nearly 27 hours. 

The last 0.25 Mi of the Yellow Loop pours onto the ranch road which usually filled with tents, crews, exhausted runners, and spectators alike all sitting cheering and enjoying ay piece of shade they can. Now it was void of everything except a couple abandoned spots that seemed lifeless as the owner was probably resting in their vehicles, and maybe 3 people clapping as I very slowly shuffled towards the TROT arch. Cal announced my name over the loud speaker as I can in and I mustered up my best smile and took in another buckle finish, my 29th 100 Mi(or more) completion. A quick photo grab with Cal and my new piece of hardware was required before I quickly resided to my van and grabbed my chair to remove my shoes and socks.

Finish Time: 26:47:17. With TROT's newest Race Director Cal Neff. Photo: Jerimiah Justis

I will let you in on a very often neglected secret of Habanero. The very best part of this race is the fact that the 7IL Ranch has public showers available for everyone. This is such an amazing feeling to just stand under the water and let the finishing feeling overtake your thoughts drowning out the pain messages that your muscles nerves are trying to invade you brain with. A nice 5 minute shower post race is by far the best part of Habanero!

DATA

• STRAVA Activity: Habanero Hundred (18th overall), 7IL Ranch, Cat Spring, TX | Run | Strava
• 18th overall (M17)
• 28 total finishers (42.4%)
• 38 DNFs (57.6%)
• 2022 Habanero Hundred 100 Miler - Results (ultrasignup.com)
• My 91st ultramarathon I have started. I have finished 88 of these (96.70% completion rate).
• My 29th 100 Mi(or more) finish in a total of 32 attempts.
• I have now run a total of 778.15 Mi out at the 7IL Ranch in Cat Spring, TX. No idea the number of Yellow Loops I have done, but it is a lot at this point over the past 5 years.

snapshot from my STRAVA activity.

GEAR USED

LS Shirt(s): rabbit UPF 30 Protector, rabbit  UPF 30 Deflector

Shirt(s): rabbit rabbitELITEtrail team kit singlet

Shorts: rabbit 3" FKT

Other: Nathan Sports ice buff

Shoes: Altra Olypmpus 4.0

Socks: Dry Max, rnnr, FITSOK

Headwear: rabbit (BOCO) rabbitELITEtrail cap, Trail Racing Over Texas bucket hat

Sunglasses: goodr (TROT edition)

Watch: Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition

Lighting: kogalla RA Adventure Light (waistlamp)

Hydration:  Nathan Sports x2 20oz Nathan soft flasks, Trail Racing Over Texas collapsible cup

Anti Friction lube: Trail Toes

Foot Tape: Trail Toes

Gear Bags: Victory Sportdesign (Grizzly Backpack, Kodiak, Coyote II)

NEXT UP

My next goal race is Barkley Fall Classic (BFC) in Wartburg, TN. I am heading back to the lore of Frozen Head State Park (FHSP) to attempt one of the hardest races I have ever done (mile for mile). Last year this "50 km" felt like a 100 km effort.

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Thank you for following along.

#ultrarunningdad

Habanero Sucks!

Where the Beach Meets the Ranch

#HH100 | Ultramarathon #077

The Hottest Race in Texas

Attempting to stay cool. Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

I've lived in Lone Star state now for just over 4 years. After moving here in late 2017 and experiencing the South Texas heat & humidity for multiple summers I swore I'd never run this race as it scares the hell out of me. As well since being in Texas I've been running with Trail Racing Over Texas and Team TROT now for the past 5 seasons (2017 as ambassador & 2018-2021 on the elite team), I have run out at 7IL ranch a quite few times -- Jackalope Jam, Blazing 7s Trail Run, The Remix, Jalapeno Hundred. Therefore I can't blame ignorance on the fact that I actually did subject to myself of signing up for this years 6th edition of the Habanero Hundred: The Hottest Race in Texas.

Summer Training

For me coming into this race I did something very unusual. I actually focused on training and building up my mileage specifically for this race to kick off my fall racing season. Ever since Cocodona 250 in May (see prior 2 blog posts) I have been not racing any events. This is not my typical race schedule as I enjoy racing many times throughout the year often even a couple ultras within a month. But this time I took a large reset and enjoyed some downtime post Cocodona before getting back to serious training.  As someone who does not typically follow structured training  I even took the approach this time around at systematic mileage buildup. I started off around 45 miles per week at the very end of May and then slowly adding mileage all the way before peaking in July at around ~75 miles per week. My rolling 7-day average mileage  at this time was peaking right around 100 miles per week briefly, which I think to me is my biggest training block I have ever had in terms of a consistent sense. July was also full of a lot of vertical gain as I was working remotely in California and running the mountains and hilly streets of Santa Barbara. This got my legs ready as well as some prep for later fall mountain racing.

Weekly stats snapshot from my STRAVA.
All my data is public if you wish to view.

We arrived back in Texas from my stint in Cali at the very beginning of August. This gave me the final 12 days per race to retune my body to the August heat and more importantly the humidity. I did not do a lot of long effort runs, but simply got outside in the heat of the day and did some movement or even yardwork at peak times. This was essentially my taper phase as I backed off the volume but kept the intensity the same, but much shorter in duration combined with the heat of the peak times of the afternoon. My body was as ready as it was going to be and my mind was willing. As race day drew closer I felt the nerves and anxiety of not knowing if I could pull this race off. I have run a lot of 100 mile (and more) races now, but the heat factor combined with the sandy terrain of the venue for sure put a wave of doubt in my mind. I have total and upmost respect for this event, which is part of the reason I said I would never run it.

The Ranch

Pre-race setup at my half tent & coolers

With a noon start I was able to get a good sleep in my own  bed, get up with the family and have breakfast with my kids prior to driving out to 7IL Ranch, which is about an hour commute for me. I arrived and got to my small little area with my half tent, chair, and cooler not too far down from the timing mat I'd be crossing each loop. Sitting there in my chair I was sweating already. I hunched back in my tent utilizing every bit of shade I could as I got my final gear prepared.

The usual pre-race briefing by Race Director Rob Goyen was shouted out with 15 minutes to go. I laced up my shoes and was now stepping up to the starting line. There was quite a few people there as the 100Mi, 100km, and relay teams were all starting at noon. The countdown commenced and off we went down the well known gravel packed road leading to the gate at the fence were the pasture trails started, the sand was not far away. 

Pre-race brief by TROT RD: Rob Goyen
Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

The first 2 laps out there I did not feel overly hot yet, which was weird, as that was close to the hottest portion of the day. This may have been part of the reason those first laps were a little quicker pace than I had wanted. Soon the heat caught up to me and half way through the 3rd lap I started to feel like my heartrate was spiking. I did not look down at my Garmin and my wrist based number, but just by my feel and the toll the heat was now doing to me I just knew I needed to slow down. I slowed drastically and put in some walk breaks even before getting to the half way aid station only 25km into my race. I got to the aid and happily accepted a cup of coke complete with ice in it. I downed one immediately and then took another and sat down for a few minutes in the shade of the pop-up canopy. I sipped my cold drink and just tried to relax and get my heart rate down. Onward I pressed and trudged through the next 5 km finishing up my third loop, only 13 more to go - agggh! Again I took some cold drinks from the main aid station and went to sit in my own chair setup. I sat down. I spent a full 15 minutes here after loop 3 in my chair. It was a needed break again.

Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

This day was going to be a full on struggle to get through to the night, as already my plan was falling apart. One thing I knew going into this race is there was no way I could press and I would just have to take what the day would give me in the unrelenting Texas heat.  Temperatures at the ranch were reported to have hit feel-like highs of 114f that afternoon. My firs goal foremost was to survive and complete the race. Getting through the first 8 hours until sunset without imploding was crucial. This was my focus and near term goal of simply  getting to where that yellow death ball in the sky would finally go down beyond the horizon.

Coming into the finish of one of my loops. Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

Another aspect of this race is the sandy conditions of the trails out at 7IL Ranch. People who have never been out there hear tales of how it is basically a beach and non-stop miles of sand...but that is simply not true (although it feels like that after many laps). In my opinion there is maybe 15% of the loop that is pure sand, but this is also soft beach-like sand. Running through these sections is not recommended. Here you come up to these sections and simply walk through them trying not to kick up sand as you go - again a futile attempt as you will always kick sand up and into your shoes & socks, even with gators on. The sand is best described as beach sand because of the fact these trails are well-used by horses the sand remains soft and loose. It also retains and reflects the Texas sun and heat very well creating a further warming effect when you cross these sections. Due to the fact that you are sweating and drenched some putting ice and water on yourself to stay cool combined with the grit of sand, feet issues are another big killer of the race out here at Habanero. In order to be proactive and preventative I tried to change my socks as soon as I felt any sort of grinding from sand in my socks/shoes. I think the first time I changed my socks was after the 4th loop. My feet were already wrinkled and pune-like from being wet at this point. As I took off my socks I shook them and the fine beach like sand tumbled out in front of me. I wiped off my feet and dried them out, which felt great to do. Slipped into dry socks felt so nice each time, but they'd only remain dry for maybe 3/4 of a loop before they were soaked again from the combination of sweat and the water dripping my from ice bandana melting and dripping over my body, as well as the occasional  sponge bath (but I would try and avoid getting my feet wet during this). I went through a total of 6 pairs of socks and 2 pairs of insoles, and a whole bunch of Trail Toes cream during this event, but it only mitigated my issues it did not prevent them, as the sand always got in and my feet were wet for at least 90% of the time.

Now that the sunset had come I could feel the relief in my core slowly enjoying the fact the ambient temperature was decreasing to a much tolerable level. My stomach was feeling quite bloated at this point from the non-stop drip and consumption of fluids, mostly BASE Performance mix, and water. I thought getting in some more solid food would help so after loop 8 I remember getting a nice big cup of mash potatoes. I also took some added salt and poured it over top as I though this would help kick start some fluid intake. This was a mistake. After heading out on the next lap I got a surprise. My stomach turned on me and instantly emptied. Loop 8 became a puke-and-rally as I had just lost a bunch of calories and fluid due to this. Later I got to thinking that the excess salt I put on my potatoes may have been the cause of this, since I went on to eat many many more cups of potatoes throughout the night and remainder of the race.

The majority of the night loops were great after this as my pace increased as the temperature decreased. A storm front was visible in the southern sky and it appeared to be creeping closer with the threat of rain and thunder storm pending. It made for a great night light show with the sky lighting up as well as this added benefit of a slightly cooler temperatures, although the humidity was way up there. It was ideal for this race and really we got lucky with this. The storms never did come close to the ranch but remained just beyond reach teasing us throughout the night. I thought I was moving quite well and found my consistent pace. Running the same loop 16 times you seem to find landmarks and specific spots where you walk every time or start back running. I would break my loops up this way as not to get too far ahead of myself. 

Very early in the morning I had about 5 loops left and my TeamTROT colleague, Matt Zmolek, came up behind me rolling at a great pace. We chatted for a bit and I hung on with him for about the next 1/4 lap before he continued on. This did not overly surprise me, but his casual pace and consistent 100 mile splits never ceases to amaze me. With about 50 km to go he was now lapping me, which meant he was a full 6 miles ahead of me. Matt is one of the king's of Habanero for sure and went on this year to finish for the 3rd time while also establishing a new course record (congratulations to his great race!).

The race starting at noon is unique in terms of timeline since by the time the middle of the night comes around you have only been running for about 12 hours, not your typical 18 with a normal 6am start time. This was an advantage I thought because I avoided my usual 4-5am low point being just a little bit fresher at this point. The sunrise came without going through a bout of the sleepies and I just tried to keep on truckin' as close to even loops as I could. I was also trying to bang out all the loops I could before the heat of the new day started to take hold. It turns out I would have 13 loops done and 3 left by the time the sun was fully up.

My feet were mashed up and I had popped some blisters earlier in the night to try and provide some relief. It worked again as only a mitigation technique only holding off the damage my feet were taking inevitability with each trip around the sandy ranch trails. I stopped after loop 13 and ditched my night lights, changed socks for my final time (it would be), and grabbed my sunglasses and a new rabbit shirt. Loop 14 felt good as the new dry socks gave me a good feeling for a little while, plus now the end was somewhat in sight as I was counting down the miles to go.

My last 2 loops out there were a couple of my slower ones as the sun was high in the morning sky and beginning to bake the landscape again. I utilized ice stops twice per loop and just kept everything the same trying to run as much as I could, and take my usual walk breaks. The pace was slower but I just kept focused on the end goal of finishing try to ignore the constant pain signals my feet were sending up to my brain. There was very few people left out on the trails which made those early morning loops oddly tranquil in the South Texas heat.

The Finish

Photo: Trail Racing Over Texas | JJustis Photography

My primary goal was to finish and I now knew that was a guarantee. But my secondary goal of breaking 24 hours was now also in reach and I had a nice little cushion of about 15-20 minutes heading into the last loop. A short final break interloop and then I was off for the final trip around the infamous yellow loop of Habanero Hundred 2021. Loop 16 was my second slowest lap as I knew I had the time and also the heat was getting stupid hot again at this point. But I pushed on and unknowingly passed 5th place on that final loop. This led me to crossing the finish line in 4th overall with a sub-24 time. I was done...and man did my feet hurt.

Photo with RD & TeamTROT Manager: Rob Goyen.
Habanero Hundred - one & done! I don't think I need to run this race again.

My Results

77th ultramarathon run | 23rd completion of 100 Mi (or more)

• 98.09 Mi (157.86 km)
• 23:39:41
• 4,396 ft+ (1,340 m)
• 4th overall (M3)
• STRAVA activity: https://www.strava.com/activities/5799156303
• UltraSignUp results: https://ultrasignup.com/results_event.aspx?did=81215

My data analysis of the 16 loops.

Habanero Data Analysis

Habanero has been deemed The Hottest Race in Texas for a very good reason. It starts at high noon in mid-August on a exposed ranch with a guarantee of high humidity and very little shade on course.

• 5 sub-24 hr finishers this year. [only been done 11 times total now by 9 different people]
• 34.29% finisher rate for 2021 (24 runners). [historical average of 28.08%]
• 114f - this was the feel-like heat index temperatures at the ranch at the start of the race

Historical stats of HH100 (based on UltraSignUp data)

Gear Used

• Gear Bags: Victory Sportdesign Grizzly backpack (in my crew/family van), and 3 Victory piglet bags utilized as laundry bags
• Shirts: rabbit (deflector UPF 30,  sensePRO vert shirt)
• Shorts: rabbit 5" FKT
• Shoes: Altra Torin 3.5 (also x2 pairs of insoles)
• Socks: Drymax (6 pairs)
• Headwear: rabbit (BOCO) straw hat, rabbit (BOCO) rabbitELITEtrail cap
• Sunglasses: goodr (couple different pairs)
• Watch: Garmin fēnix® 6X - Pro Solar Edition (went from 99% > 54% battery life)
• Waistlamp: kogalla RA Adventure Light
• Backup Headlamp: Nathan Sports Halo Fire
• Hydration: x2 20oz Nathan soft flasks
• Anti Friction lube: Trail Toes
• Ice Bandana: Nathan, Victory Sportdesign (prototype version)
• Chair: Magellan Outdoors Oversize Anti-Gravity Lounger
• Cooler(s): & small Coleman & x1 YETI (full of some refreshing Athletic Brewing Co. beers)

Final Thoughts

The trifecta of the heat, humidity, and sand make this race a beast to content with. It is no joke. Anyone who goes into it will thoughts otherwise gets humbled very quickly as evident of the extremely low 28% average finisher rate over the 6 years of the race.

DO NOT underestimate this course as it is a flat 100 miler yes, but the conditions are what is the immense challenge here. Every year Rob begs the TROT trail community and everyone not to sign up for this race, but year after year there is hundreds of runner that take to the ranch at varying distances to see if they can survive the heat of mid-summer Texas. There is a reason that #HabaneroSucks start trending each summer around this time of year. Rob even put this slogan on the race shirt of this years edition.

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Next Up: Night Moves Trail Run (2021-Aug-28)

Alamo City Ultra 50 km (2021-Sep-11)

The Barkley Fall Classic (2021-Sep-18)