This was my third shot at the Hurt 100, and I got to run this on their 20th anniversary. After falling short last year, I wanted one more try.
I landed in Hawaii a week out from the hurt 100. The purpose to acclimate and check out the trails prior to the race.
I had a 3 hour session on the Saturday and a 4 hour session on the Sunday, which I’d decided to take up to the trails both days but different parts of the course. The first day I ran from the hotel to the nature centre heading up hogs back to Moana cliff trail. The course had taken a beating from the weather in the lead up and trails more closely resembled rivers. There was a tree down across the turn off to the cliff and I just couldn’t get past. I continued to the flats and hung a right to take an alternative route to get there. On the way back to the nature centre there was another massive tree down just after the bamboo forest. There was no way around, so I went over. The tree was slippery and I lost my grip a banged my head hard. I gathered my thoughts and finished the run back to the hotel.
My first thoughts on the course was that it was way harder than last year.
The second day was much worse, I ran from the hotel to Moana falls then off to nu’uanu. Again, the course more closely resembled a series of small rivers that an actual track. I was shaking my head all the way to nu’uanu. When I got to the river crossing, it was white water rafting worthy. I crossed the river and almost got washed down stream. There was a homeless gentleman (with no teeth) on the other side who with a kind heart extended his hand to drag me out of the river. We exchanged a laugh and continued on. I had every intention of running back via the trails, but I’d seen enough. The Pali Highway was my alternate route back to the hotel.
My brother and his wife (Grant and Leslie) landed mid week. They were here for a holiday and to help crew and pace for the event. Straight off the plane he wanted to get a run in. We selected diamond head as an alternative location (at the Hurt trail was soaked). On the way back down, we ran into seasoned veteran ultra runner, Kuni Yamagata. Kuni yelled out to us and we had a chat about the race before we continued. On the way down we also collected some tourists who wanted to run with us.
We had a light jog scheduled for the next day, where we were fortunately able to be joined by Anna Albrecht. Anna was also competing in the race, but had broken her arm in the lead up to the event. Note: Anna came 3rd last year but ended up taking line honours this year. Such an amazing person and very generous with her time.
Friday morning was trail marking day and I dropped Grant up to the trails then went for a quick jog.
The afternoon was the race briefing and bib collection. I went up – it was great to reconnect with the community. I paid my respects to John and PJ. I also had a quick chat with Ken who I’d asked to pace me on lap 5 (the final lap). This event is not only one of the hardest races in the world, it’s also one of the hardest races to get into. Even if you do satisfy all the criteria, it’s a lottery. There is always 500-600 applications for 125 spots. So in short, just because you want to get in doesn’t mean you will. Ken has been selected and participated in the race for the last 10 years. This year the lottery system didn’t fall in his favour. Without a doubt he’d rather be running, but switched his focus to helping others. I was honoured to have his help.
There was a new sign to kiss and the course was not amazing, added to that the section from Moana falls (Paradise park) car park to the waterfall was noted to be like ‘peanut butter’. They had been doing maintenance works and had just laid a fresh layer of top soil to ‘assist’.
That night I surprisingly got a good night sleep but felt lethargic in the morning. We arrived a 5am for a 6am kickoff.
It was hot as balls out there……..the locals were wearing jackets.
I’d decided to try to stick with a liquid diet for as long as I could, with pre loaded Vitatgo, protein shakes and Pocari Sweat available in my drop bags.
I had a conversation with Coach Tim Ballintine (Koa Bespoke coaching) a couple of nights before to go over the race plan. Don’t go out too hard and stay out of the aid stations was the call. Reality was the the work had been done and it was up to me to deal with the challenges ahead. I had aimed to stay mid pack.
Lap 1
As I lined up, I found myself slightly pushed towards the front. We all held hands on the bridge, shared some thoughts for people that had passed. Then the race started.
I normally try to find a local athlete to follow through the course as they usually know the right lines. As we headed up hogs back, I started following someone and it seem they were taking a difficult route. I asked her where she was from – Costa rica….. I had find a new first lap buddy.
I found one, Bree Brown says pass ‘if you want I’m a climber not fast on the down hills’. I responded the her pace was perfect and I was happy to stay where I was. I stayed behind Bree for most of the first lap. We spoke about triathlons, my coach Tim. We also shared some memories about my cousin Craig Percival. Craig was an amazing iron man who unfortunately passed away after knee surgery post completion 8 iron man events in 8 days.
From then on I known to Bree as Melbourne. Oh, Melbourne doesn’t want to pass. He’s happy to follow, she would tell others.
True to what was stated Moana falls was like peanut butter to run through. This also made rocks extra slippery due to the mud on your feet. As an obstacle racer, it reminded me of the mud mile. I also know that with so much mud, cramping would be a factor.
I was in and out of Moana falls in less than 30 seconds. Even stopping to give Jacqueline a hug. She was volunteering at the aid station and later pacing for Kana Yamamoto (my favourite runner out on the course). I knew her from previous Hurt appearances.
I was off to nu’uanu to grab my hiking poles. Again, a quick turnaround and the volunteers were brilliant.
I was doing well on the hills (surprisingly). When I reached the pipes, I was glad I had the poles. More for stability than anything else. I flew down that section. I have a love hate relationship with the pipes. Joking at times that it should be concreted over (I’m not joking).
I came in in just over 5 hours. At least 30 faster than previous years, but felt easier.
I could feel some calf cramps coming on. I knew it would. I took some apple cider vinegar to calm things down. Leslie was taking care of all things crew related and she was bloody brilliant. She has crewed for my brother an I on many occasions before and it was a pleasure to have her steering the ship on this one.
Lap 2
On lap two all was going well until I took 2 nasty falls coming down the switch backs whilst heading to the aid station. The second snapped one of my poles clean in half as I fell hard on my knee and hip.
Judy was on hurt patrol and I showed her what was left of the pole. She said that it was lucky it wasn’t my leg.
Right near the waterfall I ran into some legacy runners which included PJ, who I gave a fist bump and some kind words before continuing. So good to see the legacy crew out on the field. True legendary efforts.
I now had a problem. I had I hiking pole and I was banged up on my right side. I left the broken pole with Leslie and continued to complete lap 2.
The rest of the lap was uneventful, but by using the pole on one side I could feel my previous back pain kicking in due to twisting on one side.
Lap time: 6 hours 36 minutes
Starting lap 3 before dark was a new concept. Grant had been discussing my broken equipment with Jacki who very kindly offered to lend me her spare. I ran behind Jacki in my very first attempt at the HURT100 in 2018. Jacki finished the race that year and continues to volunteer and race direct HURT events. One hell of an awesome person as well.
Lap 3
It was lap 3, I had 2 poles, a pacer (Grant) and a headlamp. Cramps were still an issue, so I smashed down some mustard to assist.
The pressure was on Grant as my lap 3 last year was 8 hours 20 minutes under his watch. We moved quickly until the Moana falls switch backs were I was still gun shy from my previous fall.
Bree was coming up as I was descending. ‘Melbourne’ is that you she yelled. Yep, I responded. Keep going, you’re doing well she said.
I had a blister coming on my right foot which Grant took great pleasure dealing with my feet. As we left Grant grabbed a cheeseburger to fuel his trip.
All went well down to nu’uanu, but on the way up Grant hit some stomach issues. I took the lead while he got himself right. At the top of 5 minute hill he was on hands and knees praying to the gods.
Grant struggled through the rest of the lap, but I was able to pace him back to the nature centre to have a breather.
Sure enough, he did the job though with a lap time of 7 hours 30 minutes.
Lap 4
This lap really was going to test me out both mentally and physically.
Grant couldn’t continue, surprise – no pacer. Jacki convinced me that as I was moving well, a pacer wasn’t essential. I grabbed some more batteries and fuel and headed up hogs back.
On my way up to the road I crossed paths with May who was struggling. I told May to stay with me and we’d make it to the road together. At the road crossing (middle of the night mind up) May and I encountered a pick up truck with 6 guys / 6 dogs that were hunting wild boars. The drove down the road then turned around and drove next to us asking all kin’s of questions about the race. Weird….. I really don’t think I was in a position to say as what I was doing isn’t exactly normal. May and I ran together until the top of Moana fall switch backs. At this point I politely declined to run down then with May. She thanked me a continued her journey.
My knee was killing me from the earlier fall and I was just trying to get through the section to reunite with Grant to round off lap 4. When I arrived at the aid station I was informed that Grant still wasn’t ready and that they’d found a replacement pacer. I was absolutely gutted and all the wind had come out of my sails. Jeff asked if I wanted some company but I was still trying to figure out what was going on. Grant said he needed a little more time and would drop in next. Jeff asked what I needed and I responded ‘just walking’. Self pitty was high, my knee was killing me and Jeff paced way differently to Grant which mentality was not helping me. We made it down to nu’uanu and I was at my low point. Grant switched in and as we left the aid station I undertook a power vomit of epic proportions.
We passed Kuni Yamagata who told us he fell 75 feet off a cliff and landed in a tree – fracturing ribs, collar bone and a chip out of his hip. I asked him what he was still doing out here and he said just trying to get back to the road.
I was moving but extremely slowly. Any hours that I’d banked from earlier laps had been chewed up. More and more runners were passing me. On the way back to the top of nu’uanu I passed Duane who was pacing someone for the final lap. Duane had finished the HURT100 last year and was well known in the ultra community. Top class bloke to boot. He slapped me in the back and told me to go get it.
On the Moana cliff trail we ran into the boar hunters with their dogs. Grant tried his best but mentally the race was getting to me. My knee was quite bad a this point and I reflected on my cousin Craig and his passing , how bad was the damage, could I be making it worse. So many questions with no answers. I was also crunching numbers. ‘There’s no way I can do another loop and make the cut off times’ I thought. I can’t even run or shuffle. As I was coming down pipes is where it all started. I can’t do it, I’m going have to pull out. Grant said, let’s just get you in before the cut off time. The cut off time to start the last lap was 11am. I was still 20 minutes ahead of that.
Just then Grant yelled ’runners’. I turned to see Duane with his runner Brian – wrapping up their 5th lap.
Moments in time can make all the difference. Duane stopped, hugged me and said ‘you’ve got this, get the fuck back up hogs back. What if he was right, was there still enough time.
I still wasn’t sure. Meanwhile Grant had been messaging down to Leslie discussing my impending drop out. As I came in I looked a Ken and said sorry. Ken said ‘I know, here’s what we are going to do’.
They pushed me far enough away from the seating so I couldn’t sit. We can make it happen but we need to work quickly, said Ken. The crew worked together giving me food, water and gels. I wasn’t getting a lot of options here.
Jacki came over and said ‘I want to see you finish the fucking thing’. She was right, if not now, when?. I reflected on all my training partners that had help me get here, the work had been done, the sacrifices that my family had made and all the effort everyone had made during the event. I would regret it if I didn’t at least empty the tank. I didn’t know if I had anything left but I was going to give it a red hot go.
Lap time: 9 hours 15 minutes
Lap 5
Time to get it done – Tear’s were shed as I set out on lap 5. My family, community, my friends had all banded together to make my dream a reality.
Having Ken on the last lap was an absolutely brilliant move. He’s such a good person to run with both physically and mentally. He was ready to talk, but additionally I now had made a choice to listen.
As we left, Ken said ‘ this is going to suck, but we can do it’. He stepped me through the process of exactly what we needed to do and how we would do it from hydration, to nutrition.
Coming up hogs back Ken asked if I’d like to be introduced to Mike. Naturally, I said yes. He told me the Mike finishes this race every year, but you don’t want to be behind Mike. Gotcha, Mike was now my benchmark (coincidentally Mike finished the race with seconds to spare).
From then on whatever Ken asked of me I tried to do. He was checking off sections of the course that we’d never need to return to. The trail up to the Moana waterfall was riddled with tourists and surprise a tree had fallen over night creating another obstacle. I made it to Moana falls aid station in my second fastest leg time of the race. I was focused on crossing off the checklist that Ken put in front of me. Then, something magical happened. I started passing people that had previously been at least 8 miles a head of me. I was a massive confidence boost.
When I passed my favourite runner Kana Yamamoto at the top of five minute hill on the was to nu’uanu, I knew things were back on track. We hit nu’uanu, we were in an out quickly. I took a fall in the river which was actually quite refreshing.
I was climbing very well and passed several more people on the way up. Ultimately, finishing position means very little, but was a great confidence boost. I passed Kana one last time we bumped fists and she said ‘see you at the finish line’.
Ken even tried to make me run up five minute hill. My legs started to blow up immediately. So we strategised back to a hike. At the top of nu’uanu we took a moment a Jays bench and I enjoyed some history and sounds. Every hiker we passed Ken would let them know what mile we were up to and the cheered and applauded.
We hit the pipes and Ken lead me through, I’d started to speed up I almost ran into the back of Ken. ‘You’re slowing me down’ I said. Great, take the lead was the response. As we approached the nature centre, I’d caught up to Bree. ‘What’s going on here, is it a race to not come in last’ she said. We laughed ‘no, Mike’s behind us’ Ken responded, and kept with the momentum. I ran it all the way in. The feeling of the finish was truly incredible. Emotions were high and I celebrated with the team.
I’m sure I’ll never be able to fully repay the selfless acts by everyone that helped make the dream come true, but I’m forever grateful for there energy and efforts.
Leslie and Grant crewed amazingly and went above and beyond whenever needed. Truth be known, they probably worked harder than I did and it was amazing having family there to share this accomplishment.
Additionally, the manner that Ken got me around the course was nothing short of phenomenal and I actually learned a few things about hydration and downhill running in the process. My hat is off to Ken, he did a good thing and I’ll cherish those times on the course together.
I’d finished, but now I was interested in seeing Kana wrap up her journey. Seeing her finish was one the most inspirational things I’ve seen in quite some time. She was so emotional and on wobbly legs. I’m so glad to share the journey with her.
A moment in time can make all the difference, all it takes is one moment.
I ended up winning the “Run, Sue Lohr, Run” award for being the last person to start the fifth lap and still make the cutoffs.
Lap Breakdown
Probably not the best strategy, but I’m sure it happened like this for a reason. Out of the 3 times I have run this course, this time was by far the most gruelling.
Lap 1 – 5:03:23
Lap 2 – 6:36:13
Lap 3 – 7:43:24
Lap 4 – 9:15:32
Lap 5 – 6:44:58
Average – 7:04:42
