Gut Check: Techniques to Keep Your Gut From Ending Your Race Early

By Jason Koop, CTS Premier Coach and 7-time 100-mile Ultramarathon Finisher

From the Carmichael Training Blog

‘This race will take all of the grit, guts and determination you have’. I can remember these words being belting out over the loudspeakers by Leadville Trail 100 race director Ken Chlouber in front of a packed gymnasium of nervous ultra runners. While Ken was most likely referring to one’s character, the ‘guts’ part of his speech can now take on a more literal meaning thanks to Dr. Martin Hoffman, who has recently published a study on ultramarathoners in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance. And although the study specifically examines ultramarathoners, the findings are relevant to runners training for shorter distances as well.

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From the H.U.R.T. Hawaii blog

The HURT Hawaii blog is a great source of info about the ultra running world here in Hawaii with occasional articles about ultra running elsewhere. Check it out. http://www.hurthawaii.com/

Stage run on the roof of Africa

For those of you looking for the adventure of a lifetime, check this out:  http://www.nomadicexperience.com/assets/trips/running/SENE%20Stage%20Run%202011.pdf

Tanzanian ultra-runner, Simon Mtuy, is organizing a staged trail run around the perimeter of Mount Kilimanjaro in October.  The course will be (roughly) 185 miles, over 8 days, and will traverse the perimeter of Mount Kilimanjaro at approximately 6,000 above sea level.  And yes, there are LOTS of hills.   Cristina and I had the privilege of scouting the course with Simon and Tim Leibach (who works with Simon) this past October.  It was absolutely amazing.  You can check out a brief  (4 minute) clip of our adventure here:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wVN_zEPLiw

In addition to being a world class athlete, Simon also owns and operates Summit Expeditions & Nomadic Experience (adventure packages), and has summited Kilimanjaro over 300 times.  He also holds the world record for the fastest unassisted ascent and descent of Kilimanjaro (19,340 ft) in 6 hours up, and 2 hours 27 minutes down.  Simon and I have been close friends for about 7 years, and I can say that he is one of the friendliest, most outgoing and interesting individuals that you will ever meet.  I know that some other HURT runners have met Simon at Western States and I’m sure all will agree that Simon is an awesome guy.  Space is extremely limited.  Last time I spoke to Simon he said that it may be a maximum of 18 people.  If your schedule (and credit card) permits it, my suggestion is to go for a month.  Do the stage run, then climb Kili, then go for an animal safari at Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti for 5 days, and finish the trip off with a few days in Zanzibar.  Simon can actually set all this up for you in advance.  You won’t regret it.  I promise!

--Steve V. 

The Final "Peacock 54" Ultra Run 2010 Results

From the H.U.R.T. Hawaii website:

Aloha Athletes,

 (Wily Woo Photo)
RD Gordon kicked off the 2010 Peacock 54 with the announcement that it was the last and final Peacock 54. At first there were some stunned (maybe even disappointed) looks on people's faces. Gordon quickly changed all of that by continuing with the announcement that going forward, the Peacock would be lengthened to full 100k distance. Wow, and that is how the day started. It only got better from there. 

With a full moon setting over the ocean, runners were off at 6:00 a.m. up Kealia trail. The morning was actually cool in the pre-dawn hours but that quickly changed as runners headed up the hill. 

There can be many things said about the Peacock 54 but easy isn't one of them. This race keeps up the HURT tradition of tough races. 

Fifty-one runners started the race, however far fewer finished the full 54 miles. 

Some notes from John Salmonson:

• About a 50% finishing rate, but about 90% among the women.
• Scott chased Hannah and Julie all day and finally passed Hannah with a couple of miles to go.
• Don’t remember ever having two women in the top three and so close to winning!
• Many thanks to Gordon and all the volunteers, this race is hard on everyone!

Mahalo to Don and Gordon as Race Directors. Special thanks to Rob Lahoe for the up top aid station. Also thanks to Ernest, Fish, Cheryl, Kat, Freddie, Vernon, Doug and all the other volunteers. 

There are a lot of stories that will be told about this race and hopefully a lot of lessons learned. Hannah Roberts and Julie Doheney were racing and leading for much of the day. Apparently it wasn't until the last few miles that Scott was able to take the lead into the finish. 

For those racers entered into the 2011 HURT 100, lick your wounds, rest your legs, take the lessons from this race and apply that to your training as you prepare for the HURT 100. 

Get out there and run!

Aloha, Bob

Click here to see some photos from the finish that Doug Baker took. Thanks Doug!

Congratulations to all the finishers. Here are the results.

Place	Name	Time
1	Scott Kuwaye	11:58
2	Hannah Roberts	12:02
3	Julie Doheney	12:09
4	Jeff Fong	13:23
5	Larry Inouye	13:25
6	John Robb	14:08
7	Doug Long	14:20
8	Sue Lohr	14:24
9	Ben Wunderlich	14:54
10	Randy Flores	14:54
11	Gordon Lau	15:05
12	Wily Woo	15:17
13	Jesse Story	15:18
14	Tom Craven	15:21
15	Julie Ng	15:28
16	Alex Garcia	15:32
17	Deanna Clements	16:15
18	Mike Muench	16:30
19	Marian Yasuda	16:37
20	Jan McGriff	16:39
21	Kiley Momohara	16:39