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Angeles Crest 100 2001 Report(CA): Howard Cohen

This was my second 100 mile race and I still have much to learn.  My finish
time this year was almost 3 hours slower than last year.  But as I have
come to learn even though I have run this course before, conditions change
and it is a whole new ballgame.

So I started out strong despite a poor night's sleep and felt good on the
climb up Acorn Trail.  Watching the sunrise glow over the desert reminded
me of last year's race but unlike last year when I could share this with a
fellow runner I was all alone.  This was to be the order of the day.  Into
the first aid station and the Ridgecrest bunch cheered me on. I was feeling
good.  The climb up Baden Powell was steady as I watched the other runners
behind me.  Jennifer Johnson, the first place women's finisher was right
behind me and she helped push me to the top. The run off of Baden Powell
felt great.  I breezed through the technical sections and managed some long
stride running in the smooth sections.  In retrospect I think I hammered
this too hard.  More on that later.  My only official crew member, George,
met me up on the ridge and he took some photos and offered me
encouragement.  As a long time climbing, biking, hiking partner I was glad
to have George on my team this day.

As I was running down toward Islip Saddle, I was startled by a flash of
light... no this was not a hallucination (too early in the race) but Larry
Gassan (Mr. Trail Safety) taking a picture with a flash camera.  I shared a
few words with Larry and moved on.  I weighed in at Islip and found I was 7
pounds under.  No Way!  Stan Jensen (Run100s.com) asked if I had done the
race before and encouraged me to drink up.  I did both and replied my base
weight on my wrist band was totally wrong and I never weighed that much.
Stan also commented on my race number (#69) as many others did during the
race (great number...try wearing this upside down...). As I ran past the
aid station volunteers I shouted: #69 OUT.

On to the Mt. Williamson climb.  This was one hot climb and the beginning
of the long hot middle section of the race.  I started the climb and Jenny
was behind me.  I asked her if she wanted to pass but she declined.  It was
only a matter of time.  As we reached the top, I stopped to tighten up the
shoes for the downhill.  I finished this section alone and got my mind
ready for the even hotter Cooper Canyon.  At Eagles Roost, George helped
with the water bottles and Rick and Barb Miller cooled me down with a ice
spray bottle.  I wonder if Rick used this during his finish of the Badwater
Race this year.  It worked for me.  Rick is part of the Ridgecrest OTHTC
(Over the Hill Track Club) and along with his other running buddies a great
bunch of people that I met at the Coyote Four Play.  That's one of the
reasons I am drawn to the sport and what keeps me coming back. #69 OUT

I was doing well through Cloudburst Summit at mile 37 despite the very warm
conditions in Cooper Canyon.  Over 1/2 hour faster than the previous year.
This next section of the race I started to have some stomach problems.  By
the time I reached 3 Points I was pale and looked tired.  Not a good sign
especially with the long and hot Sulphur Springs Road coming up.  I tanked
up with 3 bottles and was on my way.  I ran with Howie Stern from Mammoth
for a while as we had met on a previous trail run and chatted during the
briefing.  I slowed down at the road and took a breather.  The climb up to
Mt. Hillyer was long and hot with an occasional gust of wind.

As I arrived at Chilao, I weighed in again and was 7 pounds under.  I
changed socks here only to find a blister brewing.  The aid station
volunteer taped me up.  Once again I had to tank up on fluids and food.  I
was fine until that ice cold drink of water.  This shocked my stomach and
caused me to reverse the eating process until I was on empty, really
empty!  The two medical check people were great. Also Chris Rios and his
friends from the OTHTC were extremely supportive.  I downed some Tums and
tried to replace the lost nutrition.  This was the first time I considered
dropping.  George was encouraging yet concerned as he has never been to a
race like this in the past. I am not sure how much time I spent at the aid
station but it was time put up or shut up.  It was only 6 1/2 miles to
Shortcut.  Time to suck it up and move on: I shouted: #69 OUT  that was
followed by a round of applause and well wishes.

I started out slow with the chills and flashlight in hand.  The downhills
in this section were catching up with me as my quads started burning.  My
legs felt good going uphill as I topped out at Shortcut.  I pulled up a
chair next to Hal Winton the race director and chatted for a while. I
mentioned to Hal that I would not PR in this race this time.  He
replied "Every race can't be a PR but you can still finish and accomplish
your goals".  Hal was having a good time and he even broke out in song...
stick to running Hal..  This was the point that my crew, George, would
leave me.  He was to pick up my pacer John at the finish line and take him
to Chantry Flats.  George was visibly concerned for my well being.  It was
a long way to Chantry (15.25 miles) and about 40 miles until the finish
line. I too was considering whether I should do this or not.  I decided
that I could make it to Chantry but the downhills would be the challenge.
So George walked me to the trail head, I thanked him for his fine crewing
skills and friendship and off I went.  #69 OUT

On the road to Newcomb Saddle I tried hanging with other runners and could
not keep the pace for any period of time.  This was another lonely part of
the course for me. I watched the ribbon of lights below me as I weaved down
the fire road.  The climb up to Newcomb Saddle was longer than I remembered
from last year but worth the trip as the aid station at Newcomb Saddle had
the best Teriyaki chicken.  This hit the spot along with the chicken soup.
I felt much better as I left for Chantry.  #69 OUT

I took this section slow due to the unsure footing and blown quads.  As I
approached the bottom of the canyon I heard the welcome yet faint sound of
my pacer's "woop woop" sound:
(http://home1.gte.net/gravityh/woopwoop.htm).  I wooped back and we met up
on the trail about a mile out of Chantry.  John had already been briefed of
my condition.
At Chantry we powered down soup, potatoes, and bananas.  I was tired.  I
fell asleep in my chair.  The aid station volunteer said "we have cots over
there if you want to get some rest".  This was the third time I considered
dropping.   She continued, "you should start moving if you want to get out
of here".  I had heard of many runners dropping at Chantry.  This hit home
and got me up and ready to move on.  John was ready to lead the death march
up Mt. Wilson.  #69 OUT

As we headed up the trail I felt very sleepy and was tripping over rocks.
I took a short 10 minute cat nap and was revitalized.  It was 4AM when I
woke up.  The climb up Mt. Wilson was steady but slower than last year.  As
we topped out on the ridge we looked down on Los Angeles sleeping.  I
thought of the millions of people in their beds and the fact that I have
decided to spend my time doing something different, something that makes me
feel alive, something that extends the limits and does not come with a
guaranteed outcome..
As we ran/walked down to Idle Hour we were passed by a few guys.  This
motivated me to keep pace with them.  As it turned out the pacer was the
husband of a co-worker.  Small world it is.  We talked about his
introduction to the sport and his passion of physical challenges. On to Sam
Merrill.  #69 OUT.
I started to get my strength back on the climb up Sam Merrill.  The sun
came out and baked us on the last switchbacks. We were nice and toasty for
the aid station. More chicken soup and bananas.  Less than 11 miles to go.
#69 OUT
We picked up the pace coming down Echo Mountain chasing Duke, Catra, and
Mike. They were led by a pacer we ran into earlier that was looking for a
runner.  He was entertaining and motivating.  I am sure he has a military
background.  We all ran/ hiked together through the Sunset Trail (AKA "The
Oven").   By the time we got to Millard we passed some people but still had
to chase down a few runners. On to the exposed fire road in the noon time
sun.  The heat and humidity continued to be oppressive as the storm clouds
started building over the mountains. We cut off into the Prieto Trail and
got the last bit of shade in the race as the trail rolled in and out of the
oak canopy.  The last mile and a half follows a dirt road that turns into
pavement.
As we past through the JPL parking lot I met up with the two aid station
medical check personnel that helped me out in Chilao.  They greeted me with
smiles and congrats.  They said they were wondering if I recovered from my
troubles higher up in the mountains.  They were as glad to see me as I was
to see them.  We all hugged with mutual admiration and my pacer and I moved
on to the finish line.  Running through the finish line was a deliverance
of mental and physical challenges.  I displayed my American Flag attached
to my water bottle for the finishers picture in memory of those who went
through much greater adversity than this race could ever dish out.  After
picking up my finishers tee-shirt, thanking Race Directors Hal, Ken and
others for a great race, I went to the Mess Tent and sat with my head under
the cold water spigot.  I poured cold water over my body for a quick cool
down.  AHHHHH.
This was the toughest race I had experienced to date.  Were it not for the
encouragement, talent of aid station crews and friendships the sport has
given me, I would have had a tougher time finishing this race, if I would
have finished at all.
As with every race I learned something.  Here is a short list of things to
do differently:
-spend more time training for long downhill runs
-take more electrolytes on a defined schedule
-don't drink cold water after eating at an aid station
-beware of the gag reflex
-treat blisters early
-eat more gel
-enter more ultras to prepare for your next one.


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Fight Gravity in all you do...
Howard Cohen
Gravityh@gte.net
http://home1.gte.net/gravityh/index.htm