THE HUMAN SPIRIT (MY EXPERIENCE AS A SWEEPER AT HARDCORE HUNDRED MILES)

 

I might as well get this out of the way.

I have been meaning to write a post about my experience as a sweeper for the first time during H1. The race took place last May 18, 2023. Initially, I was requested to pace a runner but she decided to postpone her first take on the race. She was not confident. I understand. Truth be told, I actually trained as a pacer since there was still a good 60 or so kilometres until the Finish line. That is not something to sneer at especially in a mountain race like H1.

We used to joke that a pacer should "pace" his runner and not the runner pacing the pacer :) Besides, it would be a shame to appear weaker than your runner since he or she needs to feed off from your strong and fresh energy or vibe. So that the pacer should train as well as his runner doing everything to make sure his runner crosses the Finish line within the cut-off time or time barrier as they say in Europe.

H1 for short or Hardcore Hundred Miles Trail Ultramarathon is the culminating race of the KOTM series up in North of the Philippines. One of the toughest races on this side of the planet and I had the "crazy" pleasure of doing it 3 in a row in 2013 (1st edition), 2014 and 2015 to get in the Hall of Fame. My first race report you can find it here and just search for the other articles using H1 as key.

After hearing the news that my runner decided not to go, I volunteered to be a sweeper instead. Something new to me. Besides, I did not want my training to go to waste but doing the entire 100 miles was not option. Firstly, I did not train specifically for it and lastly, I do not want to ruin my record of 3-in-a-row accomplishment. It would be a tragedy to DNF this race. Not now.

So, I got in touch with RD Jonel to allow me to sweep. I was given the duty for this section, Babadak-Cabayo-Banao-Castillo during nighttime or roughly 40 kilometres stretch. Not bad. Better than nothing to do with all the training. I had no idea what to do so I researched a bit. In our conversation, I jokingly said it would seem I would act as a "babysitter" for the last runner or group of runners, and he said that to listen to them "whine" - a common occurrence amongst ultrarunners especially when the going gets tough. Well, believe me there was more to it than whining that I had personally witnessed and how the human spirit can be a very powerful aid to successfully finish this race or any ultra for that matter. More on this later.

Here are some pictures:

Getting ready for the last runner to come by.

There was a drizzle but it was raining bad up in Mt. Pulag so they said. More rain later.

The organizers and some runners on duty.

Race briefing.

Start of sweeping duty.

I was happy to sweep but sad as well for what transpired. What I am about to write does not intend to cast aspersion on any of the runners I swept nor to belittle anyone. I am writing this article with all due respect to them and will not mention any names here. Better that way.

From Babadak aid station, I was following a group of last runners in varying degree of, let us say, troubles. One had hip problem which seemed really bad and the others I could tell that they were "physically" okay. There was a cut-off at the next aid station from Babadak and looking at my watch, I knew they could still make it. So, there was enough time if they would just move at a good pace.

Anyway, I told myself that my duty was merely to sweep and not to pace the runners so they could make it in time from one aid station to another. I refused to relegate myself only to that duty. I also wanted the runners to finish out of empathy because I had done this race before and I know what it felt like and what was at stake.

Then it started to rain. In a tough race like this, rain is an aggravating factor. It multiplies the hardship. Mud, slippery trail, cold temperature, blisters and visibility are some of the issues. You tend to move slowly. Taxing also on the body because it has to warm itself properly.

Then the night came and the rain was not letting up. On my way to the next aid station, I chanced upon a group of runners taking shelter on the balcony of a house. It appeared that no one was inside. They huddled together and wearing jackets and ponchos. Rain was bad. The runners I was sweeping went ahead. They could still make it in time. I knew it. I could tell from their eyes and demeanour. 

It was very cold and wet now. The only part of me that is dry were my head and torso because of my jacket. The rest was soaking wet. Good thing I "3M ductaped" (I know this is not in any dictionary and just made it up) my feet. Otherwise, my feet would have been macerated - a perfect recipe for blisters.

I stopped by and took shelter as well since technically, these runners were now my last runners to sweep. I wanted to carry on and get going (I still could) since stopping would decrease your core temp drastically and even make you feel colder) but my duty was to sweep. So, I had to wait for them.

From their look, the eyes and all, I could tell they had already "resigned". Making up some excuses about this and that and I knew they were not going anywhere. The fighting spirit was gone. Honestly, I felt a mixture of emotions of pity, sadness, and indignation as well. Sadness that they had called it quits and indignation since I knew they could still put up a fight. If they would just fight. They looked okay actually. No visible injury, pain, etc. Just cold and wet but what the heck. We all were. No exception.

I have said before that in any race as long and tough like H1, you always focus on things you can control. The weather, rain or sun, fuck it. Let it be. Do not allow it to control you. Focus on yourself and how to keep going even how difficult and annoying it is. 

I was once asked what the key is to finish a tough ultra race. My answer: Your mind, your spirit. 

You have done your training and that covers the physical aspect of your preparation. Your mind, however, is equally or even more important than the physical preparation. You should come in a race, mentally prepared too. In our own lingo - "Buo ang loob mo!" No doubt. Nada, zero, zilch. You better swear you will finish no matter what. Nervousness, hell that is natural but doubt is a bitch. You come in a race with any lingering doubt, it will destroy you later in the race because it will be amplified by hundred fold by time, difficulty, soreness, fatigue, weather, fuel and hydration issues, pain, discomfort, etc. which are all inherent in ultra races. And the only thing to fight these with is your indomitable spirit.

You might be curious to ask, how to train your mind or spirit. Easy. Train alone when doing long distances or runs (I used to train alone in Miyamit for a good 30kms, 40kms or so kilometres in a day. You go up there at the peak, you better make sure you come down since no one will most likely help you. No ride, no 711. You are on your own just like in a race. You are the only one who can bring yourself to the finish line and no one else. That mentally preps you a lot. You get the idea). A group of friends to train with from time to time is all right to break the monotony. It should, however, be an exception than the general rule. Train mostly alone. I am sure others have other ideas too. This reminds me of my all-time favorite quote:

“Out of sufferings have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” (Kahlil Gibran)

Let us go back. When I saw that the weather was improving, I encouraged the runners to keep going to the next station where they said to wait it out until the next morning which meant they had decided to quit. Damn. I was sad.

It must have been around 10PM when we reached Banao aid station (was it Banao?) or something where there was a school. Some of the crew said there were other runners inside the school "sleeping" = DNF. I was sad again.

They asked me whether I was staying for the night and told them no. I better keep moving and hopefully, catch the last runner. That was my duty to begin with. Besides, I did not think I could sleep well there with all the runners anyway even though I was tired. Not physically though. A different kind tiredness, you know.

So, I set out alone after getting some supplies. I did not give a shit about the weather. I carried on for a good 6 hours, more or less, to Castillo where my duty would be over. Hiking now, I was hoping to catch a runner or two to accompany them following exactly the trail markers along the race route. I did not take a shortcut. What for? There was unfortunately (perhaps, the better word is fortunately) no one. I did not see a single soul even the locals. I was deep in the mountain and for some reasons, I was not scared at all. Just peace and quiet. I figured they all must have been inside sleeping what with the nasty weather and all. As for the runners, they must have been flying to catch the time in the next aid station. That was good.  

 

At the Castillo aid station, the crew were waiting for me before they dismantled everything. It must have been around 4AM. Meaning, no more runner to wait for whether within or outside the cut-off time. I was glad I continued on. Otherwise, they could be waiting needlessly.

Would I sweep again? Maybe not. My experience was not totally, uhm, "rewarding." You know. More likely, pace someone to make sure my runner would get to the finish line in time and then celebrate what we call the human spirit.

Until the next blog post. Cheers!

2014 Hardcore 100 Race Report

 

My 2nd shot of the 2 editions of the Hardcore 100 Miles Trail Ultramarathon Philippines held a few days ago, 21-22 February 2014. I have decided this soon to put in writing the experience while the details are still fresh, vivid and to a certain extent ... painful :) Previous race report here.

 

I had no grand plan coming into this race unlike last year when I was really psyched up and excited to race it despite the inclement weather. That fire was not burning inside last weekend and in fact, even before the race (training phase). I don't know why. Methinks that is very important when one has to do great in a race. You should be on fire, driven and greatly motivated to accomplish what you have set out to do. Absent that, the discomfort and all those incessant pains and whatnot during the later stage of the race would slow you down considerably. Of course, I am no authority on this. 

 

Race results here.

 

WEATHER

 

The mountains gave us good weather all throughout the race. Drizzles in the night and at dawn which further lowered the temperature but overall it was good. I heard it was around 11'C up in the mountains and perhaps colder with chilly wind. Well I can attest to that. Even a few minutes of stopping drastically lowered our core temperature and gave us some chills especially on exposed parts of the course. So we had no choice but to pick it up again and keep moving.

 

BIGHORN 100 Race Report



 

 

Better late than never. I finally came around to draft and post the report before the details get relegated to the dust bin of my memories.  

 

So the race was held last 14 June in Wyoming, USA. 100 miles in 34 hours in its 21st annual holding (http://www.bighorntrailrun.com/). So what is there to report other than I have finished it? Hmm, good question. Will just post random thoughts and tidbits here and there. My lack of verbosity for this report will be replaced by pictures instead :)

 

 

 Billings airport

Pictures from Hardcore 100

Pictures from H1 courtesy of my good friend Simon Sandoval who is running the Tarawera 100k in New Zealand this weekend, 16 March 2013. Go Simon and thanks! To Jose Devera running the 60K, go man!

 

Cheers,

Jon (missing mountain running)

WS100 RACE REPORT

There are events in our lives that blow us away. This is one of them.

Rick Gaston (real name is Enrique Gaston :) did a good job of narrating what actually happened during the race . . . pacer’s point of view at http://365ultra.blogspot.com/2012/06/western-states-100_28.html. So I will not go into details he has eloquently spoken of. It took me this long to finally realize I must write down my experience. The risk however is there is no easy way to do it because it will necessarily entail reliving what actually transpired. Even before beginning this report, I was already uneasy (certainly NOT traumatized!).  For the most part, I will delve into anything and everything at the risk of being incoherent and incongruous. No worries; everything was hazy anyway during the race :)

100-MILE RACE

It is exactly 11AM here at Sydney and Don I just woke up just in time for our travel. The race venue is around 200kms from where we are. We were told that we have to allot at least 2 hours and 15 minutes for it. That is like going to Pangasinan I reckon. All I know Baguio is around 250kms.

Since we arrived here, we had been touring the city and surrounding area. This is sort of violating the rule that we must have time off our feet days before the race. We figured the sightseeing is a good replacement for light running.

GNW100 race will start at 6AM local time here but we have to be there on or before 4:30AM on Saturday. My good friends here have reserved a room in a nearby hotel so that will help us a lot. We will be leaving in a few hours. In the meantime, I have to drop by in a supermarket to purchase my race fuel which is primarily Snickers. My regret is that I failed to buy my stock in the Philippines before we left. It is pretty expensive here.

Right now, Don and I have been feeling the jitters and rightly so. The actual distance is 173KMS and no matter how we break it down by checkpoints, the race is still overwhelming. The cut-off is merely 36 hours. 

I have asked people very close to me to send in their prayers both for me and Don. Thanks to BR, Isko and others who have wished us luck. I have been sick worried how my right ankle will behave during the race since I had an unfortunate minor sprain last Monday at my office.   

We realized that another Filipino will be sharing our agony come this weekend and it will be Pacquio. His victory is ours as well. Our success during the race will be a victory for the Filipino running community. Don and I are the only Filipinos/Asian running this race.

Please send in your prayers for a successful race. Despite the several 100KM races in the past and no matter how we look at it, this race is probably us biting more than we can chew.

Cheers,

Jon (nervous that he is not nervous)