Hennepin 100
I picked an easy race to do last month. It is flat and much easier than Kettle 100. But I haven’t trained much for over the past few months since June because of work.
We started off the first mile walking. They had the 50 milers starting the same time. So I was walking with a lot of 50 milers. I did not know it at the time. I have done so many 100s where I was the last one and the course would be empty (like at Vermont 100). It was a different feel when there were everyone around me. I laughed and talked and made friends with them.
There was a guy, he ran at my pace and we were together till mile 30 ish before I took off. We talked a lot about different races. He just started running about a year ago and I think this was his first 50.
Time flew and soon I was at the first crew/spectator station. I looked for Caroline, though I did not give her direction to here. When I did not see her, I moved on. I knew she would be at mile 30. By noon, I reached the first food station, and I grabbed one of the best food I ever had — and I asked the volunteers what were they made of. They said just refried bean paste on tortillas. I have to try making that in my future races.
Around 2 pm I reached 50k mark. I was going at about 15-16 min pace. I was on pace. I was tired but moving. Caroline walked me out. She was not feeling well, so I told her don’t go to the 40/50 mile station, but remain here and I will be back at mile 70. I don’t know when, but likely at 3-4 am in the morning. The course is an out and back from mile 30 to mile 70.
It was pretty much peaceful as I started to focus on my running/walking. I passed a few people, some passed me. One lady told me she was going to drop at the next aid station. As usual I asked why and see if there anything I could offer to help. She said she would be fine. She had an injured hip, so she was moving very slowly.
At the next station, I actually set down, fixed my feet. It was about 4 pm and they had coffee out. I took it. I felt my energy was low and I was glad to have coffee so early before the evening arrived. They had good solid food. I took everything but the burgers. I had some broth. I think this was mile 38/39.
The next few stations were small ones. We passed an unofficial station, and I was glad they were there. I think those people live in a house nearby and they set up tables and played music for us. It was one of the most cheerful stations. They were still there later in the evening when I came back. They had fresh fruits like grapes, honeydew and cantaloupes and I took some of those, and moved on. They were refreshing.
Night came around 7 pm and I was near the turn around point. I passed the 50 mile finish line, but for the hundred milers we had an extra couple miles to go before the turn around. This was the part that confused me, I did not know where to go at the aid station. There was a three way turn. One to the 50 mile finish, one where we came from, and one to who know where. After confirming the right way to go I left. I guess it was in the race briefing, but I did not attend or remember.
I was asking within me how much further. It was far before the turnaround. Maybe we added 5 miles more. So it seemed like eternity. There was aid station there. Also probably was mentioned during the race briefing that we had to go about another 200-300 feet past the aid station to scan our bib. I missed that, but volunteers there told us to go. So I went.
The rest of the way was on the way back and was pretty uneventful. I could not run much and had a fast walk. I came back to all the aid stations I passed earlier.
At mile 62, 100k mark, I pulled into the aid station around 11 pm. I knew I was well on pace compared to Kettle. I was on 27-28 hour finishing time pace. I did not stay. I could not eat either. I took some candies like m&ms and headed back out. I saw many runners lying on the ground. Some quit but some intended to head back out. I knew it would be a struggle to reach mile 70.
A dozen people passed me by. I trudged on. Some asked if I was alright. I lost my composure at the time and retorted back, what do you think, mile 62 done how do you think I feel. I said I am moving and that all it matters. I passed him and his friend. I went on sulking to mile 70.
I got into the aid station and Caroline saw me from far away and came and took care of everything. I replenished my water, food, and a lot of stuff. I might have stayed for 10 minutes. It got cold and I sat by the fire/heater. I knew I had to get back out, so I got up and went while Caroline went to the car for something. Then she called saying she got it, I think her buff and handwarmers for me. I said I already left the station. She chased me down and then walked maybe a mile in the cool night. I remembered looking up looking at the stars and she recorded in a short video.
If I were struggling earlier, this was the real struggle. I could hardly moved. Legs were stiff. Eventually, sunrise. I told Caroline, I would arrive at the first ray at the next crew point. I did maybe an hour late. Around 7 ish I reached mile 80. And the finish is almost in the book. I sat about for another 10 or so minutes before wandering off.
By mile 90, Caroline was there too, It was about 10 am now. There were 9 miles left, but each was hard as I knew in the past. There were no reasons I could not finish. It was just slow going. I had a friend who was with me. I don’t know his name but he stayed with me for a good chunk of time. I told him to run his race and he took off. He did offer me one of his gels but I did not take it, since it was opened.
A lot people that I passed at night now passed me right back. I did not mind. One guy apologized for passing me after we finished. I did not mind. Everyone runs their own race. With about a mile left, Caroline showed up and walked me in. I was with the three brothers, two were pacing the brother at this 100 miler. Eventually, the finish line arrived. I could not be happier. I finished at 28:39. Not as fast as I intended, but a finish is a finish.
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At the last race with Onery Mule Racing, I was the last guy to finish. So this time, I said I am not a drama queen any more. But a little bit after finishing while sitting inside the pavillion, I felt asleep and felt on the floor. When I woke up, couple firefighters and EMT were on me asking me bunch of questions. I had no clue where I was or what was going on. They said I felt and hit my head. I had just the most wonderful sleep. Then I remember I was at a race and just finished. Everything came back to me. My head did not hurt and there was no need for me to go to the hospital so I signed a release form.
A kind lady and Caroline offered to carry me to the car. I did not need to but I leaned on their shoulders and Caroline brought the car closer.
We had a dinner/meeting with Caroline’s family near Chicago. And that was one of the reasons I signed up. I heard Caroline said, Hennepin is easy and just outside of Chicago. It was not outside of Chicago, it was like 3 hours away, alnost to the border of Iowa. I have not been to Chicago, so this was it to visit there. Actually, I did not get to visit downtown but only the immediate area near Midway Airport. It was enough, I love the hot dogs. I said I have to be back for their pizzas.
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One reason I think I felt/fainted at the end was I had been up past few days working through the night for work. I was working remotely at the hotel. I took days off but there were too much work to do, so I still logged in to work. So I did not have much sleep before the race.
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I got new state done. On my way to all 50 states, 28 states left.
