Disclaimer: As usual, I write what I see, feel and experience. At times, I try to clean things up but it won't be possible here in order for me to accurately tell my story. At times, it may seem like I'm upset at people who let me down in some way or another. Let me clear that up, that that is NOT the case here. I'm not upset at anyone nor with anyone. I'm gonna write things as things went down without harboring any malice to anyone. Those who helped, I'm in your debt...
I've toyed with the idea of doing the Sky Dive Ultra 200 Mile race for a while now. Sanity has kept me from acting on it. Then 2017-2018 came along and we went through a lot. I don't really feel like going through it again. If you know me, know what's going on or have read previous race reports then you know. I'll just say "we" (the Hirsch family) has gone through a lot. Why is this an important detail? You'll see...
One day, I was running with my crew and I mentioned this race and Hammad immediatly pledged his assistance. If I do this race, then he will be there for me in Florida and help. Wow!!! That really hit me. Thought about it some more. As things occured, I thought of it more and more. I finally decided to probably do it but wasn't sure how to talk to family about it. I started "seeding" the conversation. Slowly dropping the number 200 miles in conversations so it wasn't such a foreign thing. I have a devious mind.
Summer of 2018 came. Elizabeth's dad wasn't doing well. Talks were had. Plans were made. Core Hirsch family discussions were had trying to deal with certain realities. November of 2018 came and it kinda sucked. Jeremy asked if we mind, if he goes away with Min during Thanksgiving. We gave the OK. Then Elizabeth's dad said something like, why don't you come say goodbye. Elizabeth wasn't sure what to do. I not only gave her my blessing, I threw her out of the house so she would go. She spent the time there. It was good for her. She needed it. I get it. Jessie and I were alone... Chinese food baby... Then things that were moving fast slowed down. Nothing progressed. December of 2018 rolled around and it was really hard. Usually the wife and kids go during the Christmas vacation to Florida and I stay with the dog. It's a very hard period for me every year. Still, this December was different. Elizabeth was there 2 other times. I would venture to say that she was in Florida more than New York. She was there and would come home and then a few days later would go again. At one point, she came back, stayed for 3 or 4 days and then she and the kids went. It sucked. I get it tho. Fully supporting. No ill will. I then decided to go for it. I told the family that I signed up. My plan was to go to Florida and either say my final goodbye or be there to comfort my mother in law as well as do the race.
It was rough. Her mom needed help and support but was overwhelmed with Elizabeth and her brother and his family. She threw everyone out. I get it. January 1st, I was running when her mom called me. I immediatly picked up. She was crying hysterically that she needs help. I got home and Elizabeth and her brother made plans to help. Her brother went down early. She was supposed to go down there, January 5th (Saturday morning) as opposed to Friday night. I dropped her at the airport and went running. When I got home, I got a call that her father died a little earlier and they purposly didn't let us know that because they didn't want to ruin her flight. Personally, I don't agree with that. For me (and I think elizabeth), I would have liked to know. I get it tho.
Elizabeth stayed there for a few days and then came back but stayed in NJ at her brother's home with her mom. Shiva was there. I get it. Not going into details here but eventually the Hirsch's were reunited in Bellerose. All of us. It was good. My plan was to go to Florida, spend some time with mother in law, do the race, return to mother in law and then come home to take Jessie to a Doctor. Crazy weekend but whatever. I needed it to clear my mind. There's a saying that I will massacre here. It goes something like: If you want to talk to God, then run a Marathon. If you want to see God, then run an Ultra Marathon. Hm...
That's pretty much the reason for the race and some of the pre stuff. But... There's more.
So to do this race, you have to qualify and I wasn't sure whether I do or don't. I emailed Eric and the whole conversation is here since it's kinda funny what went on... Make sure to start at the bottom when you read it! He also included this little tidbit which I did NOT share with the wife nor do I advise anyone doing it but it is funny so, I'm sharing it.
Tomsky was going to Florida as well the same weekend and suddenly my support system was sort of in place. My plan was to go to Florida on the Wednesday. Spend the day at in-laws. The next day pick up the rental and drive the hour to Clewiston (what the hell is Clewiston anyway and where the hell is it?). Get there around 1pm and then start the race at 3pm. Tomsky would be flying down Thursday and would meet up with me on Thursday night for a lap or too before leaving. The Miami Marathon was on Sunday so he would then rest up. I would have to be by myself Thursday from 3pm to the next morning. Tomsky would be with me a little during the night. Van and howard would show up Friday after work which I assumed probably around 6pm. That was the plan. Not everything works out the way you plan it tho...
Small Tangent: I decided to pay extra for a full size car because I figured the drive there and more importantly the drive home would suck in a tiny car. The stupid rental agency gave me a tiny car. I was upset. I had the paperwork. They didn't care. Had to get over it tho real quick...
The drive to Clewiston was mostly ok. I knew there were storms and apparently cyclones (tornadoes) were threatened over there. At 1 point as I was driving there, the sky in front of me was completly black and dark while my rear view mirror showed light blue skies. And then it started storming. Wasn't happy about it but what you gonna do?
I met the other 3 people doing the race. Can't really say I remember their names even tho I could look them up. We had a guy from PA who eventually would win the race and set a new course record. Eric said he was talking to him about future races and the guy told him he's going to 3 days at the fair to do the 10 day race. When Eric asked his mileage goal, the dude responded with the record. Eric didn't know what to do with that? Was he planning on beating it? Anyway, guy ran the 200 mile like he was doing a nice and easy 5K. Crazy.
I met Sally. Only female to have completed the 200. Her husband was there in the RV and I think that was instrumental for her to finish last year and this year. I also met a dude who was using this to train for a last man standing race. That's a race where you have a fixed time to do something like 4ish miles. So assuming you have an hour to do it, you can do it as fast or slow as you want as long as you're ready 60 minutes later to start again. This would continue until there would only be 1 person standing. It could take days... The story goes that Lazuras Lake of "The Barkley Marathons" set this up and now it's being copied. Anyway, after a few days, I think 3, there were only 2 racers and one had to stop to go back home for work. The other one didn't want to win because the other guy left instead of not making it, so he stopped too. Laz was more than happy to DQ both of them as there wasn't a single person out there. Crazy stuff.
Anyway, the only one who had support was Sally.
Due to the weather, the only one who was supposed to skydive (me!), wasn't allowed to skydive. Oh well.
We started. The 5K guy took off and left. Left us in the dust as it was. Sally, last man and I were together. I should mention that I mentioned this race to Michael Ortiz as he did the 50M last year so I was hoping he would come for the 100M. He immediatly jumped on it and also got Chris (double IM) and Billy Richards to come. Cool. I stayed with Sally for a while and the guys were joking that I was running with Sally too much and that I should "make my move". Yeah, right....
Last man guy had his plan and stuck to his breaks and all. Sally would stop at the RV along the way every time. I had to go off course to the aid station to get food and such. Sally usually wouldn't wait so I would catch up to her. That's ok tho.
At one point, we saw a car with 2 guys and a couple of dogs on the course. The dogs were set loose and started running at us. We got worried but they managed to call the dogs back. Sally told me that they were probably hunting for warthogs. Seriously??? We also saw some snake skin that was sloughed. Crazy stuff.
I was really looking forward to Tomsky showing up but he didn't. The night continued sucking. Eventually I heard from him. Not his fault. Not getting into politics here too too too much but basically the TSA shut Laguardia airport. Why is that important? He was gonna fly out of Farmingdale airport on a cheapy airline. As soon as he got on the plane, he went to the restroom where he saw that the flusher handle was broken. They then announced for everyone to deplane for a few minutes. He read the tea leaves and went to stand on line for another flight. He was 2nd in line when they cancelled the flight. He got diverted to LGA. Then the TSA closed it. Then they re-opened it and re-scheduled the flight. He eventually got on a plane and landed in FL at 5 or 6 in the morning. He got his rental car and drove to me. He finally showed up 9am Friday morning. Sucks but I was glad to have him for a loop.
The weather was on/off warm and cold. At least for me. Other people were warm. Not me. Long sleeves and rolling sleeves up and down constantly. The night sucked but when he showed up for a loop, it was awesome. He eventually left and I continued on.
Small Tangent: I love wildlife sighting. I do... At one point, in the middle of the night, crossing over the water to get to the highway thingie, I saw a 9 foot aligator in the water sleeping. I was only 3 feet away. Wow... Later, I would see yellow points of light in the water that would sometimes disappear. Freaky... I didn't take a picture. Very sad. I was worried about dropping my phone. Oh well...
Anyway, mood better since I had company. My company that is. Around mile 80, middle of the night, Last man standing quit. I was shocked. He sat there in under his awning and sat there and sat there and then he and the awning weren't there anymore... Tomsky and I talked. He told me all the craziness that has happened in his "Planes Trains and Automobiles" saga. Loop ended too quick. I was hoping he would stay another but it was a bit much to ask after all that he endured. I get it.
I was looking toward Van and Howards arrival. I was nervous about meeting them. Online they were awesome but would we get along? They were really awesome online so they should be equally or greater awesome but I was a little anxious. Still, all I knew was they were about an hour away and that they would come after work. I "ass-umed" not before 6pm but somewhere it turned into a "wish" and then into an "expectation". Then Eric came and dashed my world. OK - Not fair. That wasn't his fault. Van/Howard called and let him know to tell me that their ETA is 8pm. SAD very sad but also very happy to hear that it wasn't just some cruel joke and they were actually coming. I cannot stress enough how much I couldn't wait.
It was almost 8pm and I was on the course. Plans kinda didn't go as well as I wanted. Usually for a hundo, I plan on the first 50 mile to be plus/minus 30 minutes for the first 50 miles. After that, you have time. I was hoping to be at 100 + 1 loop by the time I got there. That wasn't gonna happen. I think I anticpated a long time so I slowed down too much. The first 50 was ok but since I actually took care of the blisters and the anticpation of long day, I lost time. At almost 8pm, as I finished a loop, I was actually 1 short of a hundred - 29 hours.
Eric on/off was at the finish line singing and screaming and cheering but no one was there. I can't explain (again) the emotions I was going through when I saw that. I should take a second here tho. I don't know how to explain the emotional roller coaster a hundred miler is. It's crazy. I usually handle it better tho. Jump to the present and no one was there! Tears never came out but I won't argue with eyes welling up. This is as I was approaching the finish line. Here I was expecting 2 people whom I never met. I wouldn't know how to recognize them anyway. But I was looking for 2 people damn it. My salvation. My "I don't need to think anymore" solution. I know I sound over dramatic here but actually I'm not. Go do a hundo and we can revisit this...
Anyway, round the curve and I see the damn line and it's dark and there's a person there. Maybe there is. Yes - there is. Like 2 strangers at a blind date we were... Van? Elik? A smile from her. A huge falling into her hug refusing to let go. Again, NOT being a drama queen. We left for a loop while Howard was still setting up. I didn't know what he was doing. I wouldn't be able to recognize him anyway. All I knew was that she said "GO!" and I did.
So, not sure how many times I mentioned so far or how many more time I will, but Van/Howard are damn good people. So, I'll just do it again here. My RR so Deal With It! Van and I quickly clicked together. We talked like we were siblings that haven't seen each other in a while. She told me who she was, is and her future plans. It just worked. I showed her the loop. It was done. Even tho, I knew they were good and I was anxious till I met Van, I was still anxious about meeting Howard. I met him and he gave me a spicy chicken sandwich from Wendys which my first bite could only be equated to as just about an orgasm. It just melted in my mouth while I tried my best to savor it. He led me to their area and he took my shoes off and dealt with "that" disaster. I can't put in words what Van did for me on the course multiple times and a few times by Howard but by far what he did for me outside the loops was even more. No one should have to take a look at someone's feet during a race. His only thing was that he didn't want to "see balls". That's ok as I wasn't planning on sharing those but my feet he had no issues with.
I can't accurately describe the state my feet were in. You will be able to see some pictures later but they don't do justice to what Howard endured. I'm not even talking about the smell that must have been wafting from me and my feet.
The imploded blood blister: Well, it didn't get better as there was no way for that junk to come out. Instead, it imploded further so the entire bottom of my foot was black and blue and tender and more swollen then usual.
The lanced blister: Still not happy.
The un-lanced blister: Still very not happy.
Howard is by the way a teacher but at one point in his time (previous marriage) went to study in Gianna and had to learn how to do first aid Medic style. He had a kit. Dude was organized. He decided on that cream they put on babies for diaper rash. Can't think of the name right now. The gorilla socks didn't help things as I am ticklish and everything was swollen and there was duct tape all over. He lubed everything and took care of stuff. He worked for a long time. He then also used the stick to roll my legs as they got stiff. I took a 40ish minute nap through all this. God bless him for what he did - truly.
And without any cartliage in his knees, he also went on a loop or 2 (I can't remember anymore) with me.
So, I'm not sure when this next thing happened anymore and whether it was before or after their arrival but I'll mention anyway. I think it may have been before they got there. I was alone and wanted company. One of the Volunteers told me she's there to pace at one point so I asked her for some company. Unfortunatly, the weather suddenly got better and she was about to go up to skydive. But!!! Her son could go with me. I gotta say that as a NYer, I thought it was crazy that she was willing to send her kid with me, a stranger, but I wasn't going to say no. Unfortunatly he decided to take the 2 dogs. Still, it went well until one of the dogs kept getting splinters and that cost time. Still, I was happy for the company even tho young kid. Still, this kid seemed very independent and was used to taking care of himself. I saw him during the day fishing and exploring. During our loop, he told me that at 1 point, he was standing on a rock and a rattlesnake (or was it a water moccasion) came out from underneath. I don't think the kid was making that up. I heard him tell his mom about it later and she seemed to believe him so I'm gonna assume that he did really see it.
Wildlife sighting again: He and I saw a beaver and he told me that they are NOT friendly usually and very nasty. I was just excited seeing it... I've seen beavers during a race before but never the 4 legged kind. Sorry... Couldn't resist.
By the way, at 1 point the 150 and the 100 and all the other distances did start and on/off you passed or were passed by different people.
TMI moment: Had plenty of those and here's one coming at you right now. I will try to keep it as clean as I can. My stomach handled things mostly well I have to admit. But I was eating and eventually space needs to be made. I set a new PR. I used the port-a-bush 3 times during the race and the port-a-pottie 3 or 4 times. In terms of the liquid release, I just went on the course. One of the times I had to use the port-a-bush was with the kid and it was embarassing as hell but clearly the kid has grown up with ultra-runners or just plain runners in his life because he didn't bat an eye at that. I told him to go on ahead a little and I found a little nook to use and it was heavenly.
Back to Van/Howard: They got annoyed at my little bottle which I agreed to take with me with water. Gave me Skratch to drink in a seperate bottle besides my water. This was because my hands were swelling up quite nicely and I was peeing constantly but it seemed I wasn't absorbing the electrolytes so it was constantly drink this and the expectation was that I would finish the Skratch bottle every loop.
At one point, Howard was taking care of my legs and Van asked if I liked pineapple. YES! So, she took out a whole pineapple, a cutting board and a knife and started cutting. Oh My God!!! Crazy but freaking delicious.
Another instance was when she asked if I like guacamole. I said yes so she cut up I don't know how many avocados and made Guac. I was scooping it up with chips and I was going to slow for her so she started putting in chips there already so I can scoop and at one point she actually fed me. This is while my legs are getting taken care of. Unbelievable. Too bad later I would disapoint even tho they said I didn't.
So, Van and I are together at 1 point and I needed to pee. At this point, I was just turning and peeing away. Unfortunatly, some women from a small distance were approaching but I needed to pee badly. Van told me to go pee near this thing and I was going to pee on it but she was like "not there!!! Go beyond it" so I did and of course the 2 women got closer. They understood. In fact, one yelled to me "the benefits of being a guy" to which I immediatly mid stream moved a little to my right as I looked back at her and yelled back that "there's room right here next to me". We all laughed but they didn't take me up on my offer. I was happy and relieved nonetheless.
By the way, at one point Howard was with me and texting and almost went into a water filled ditch which is something you really don't want to do over there with the Gators and who knows what else.
I went some loops by myself during the day so she can rest and be with me at night.
At one point, I finally ran into Michael Ortiz. He was sleepwalking and I got upto him and walked next to him until he finally saw me. I woke him up. I stayed with him. I helped. He and Chris came together and unfortunatly he had to get back to NYC so while Chris would ultimatly finish, he didn't think he would. Well, he ended up changing their flight plans and he finished. I wish there was some way for me to have known that later when I got in trouble. I could have used that good Karma thing that I gave. Sad. But happy for him. Second time I have helped him finish so not sure where that Karma thing went. Stupid universe. Never counted on it or expected but it sure would have been nice once in a while.
I saw a woman doing this on crutches. On crutches!!! She was commited to 1 loop but was thinking about 2 loops. I cannot imagine how she would deal with the sand section.
And now we get to the point where things start to go wrong. I am NOT blaming anyone especially Van and Howard so please don't think that I am. I am merely reporting...
I was alone during the day so Van/Howard can rest. I was really hoping to have someone at night. It got to be night time and I was tired and I asked for help and while Howard rolled me, I slept for 10 minutes. I woke up to an argument.
V: I'll go. H: No you're injured and have a race in 2 weeks. I'll go. V: You have no cartilage. I'll go. H: No you won't. V: I will if you expect to have sex at any point.And then I woke up to the realization that I am the cause of this. I told them I was good and fine and awake and ran out. I won't be the cause of strife to these 2 wonderful individuals who took time from their own life for me. I went out there again. I survived. Time was not smiling at me I think even tho they re-assured me that I was fine. It would be close.
I came back and they had wings for me. I don't eat wings. They thought I was refusing food. I wasn't. This was my mistake not telling them still I got another chicken sandwich out of it. I went out and forgot to take a headlamp and realized it too late. Not good dumb ass. I would never make it back in time. Luckily I ran into Billy Richards. I was hoping for some good cheer from him or any support post race but that wasn't forthcoming. Still, he gave me his backup headlamp which was awesome. He then took off. I then ran into a guy without a headlamp and it was already dark. I took him under my wing (Karma where are thou?) and I told him to stay with me. Van/Howard realized my folly and met me at the 3 mile mark with a headlamp. Again - love those guys. Dude was hurting and with no headlamp would have been lost. We stayed together. It was his first Marathon and because of the 7.25 mile loop, in reality it was his first Ultra or in this case his last loop. Talked him through it. He was amazed and shocked that I would do that. His first foray into the ultra community. Hopefully he pays it forward someday and helps someone out later in life.
I went out and without shame stopped at someones tent and asked for some food. They had a huge group of people in there supporting her quest for her first 100. I got a packet of pop tarts. Not my particular flavor but it was good. Another loop done. I went again and this time I was asking anyone who was around if they would go a loop with me. All these people on Facebook were saying they would be available to help so why not ask. One dude actually said yes. I don't remember his name anymore. Apparently he was a Secret Service agent supporting his sister. He had just come back from a loop with her. This was the girl whose tent I got a pop tarts from. Nice... We went out and it was good. We talked but I was really tired and falling asleep kinda. I had a hard time listening and focusing and felt like I was locomoting very drunk like. I would NOT have passed a sobriety test at that time even without the alcohol. We got to the road crossing at the 3 mile mark and I told him I need a nap and can he just watch over me. He said yes. I laid down on the ground and asked him to wake me up in 10 minutes. I was completly awake at that point (damn it) and didn't think I would be able to sleep. Still, I did my usual deep breathing thing and next second he was telling me to wake up. I jumped up all scared. I thought I was sleeping for a long time. Turns out he thought I wouldn't wake up so instead of the full 10 minutes, he woke me up after 9 minutes and 30 seconds. He completly didn't expect me to jump up. I felt good. I felt wonderful. We continueed. I was hoping he would go again but he was done. Dude - I thank you...
I went again and things got very bad. Van and Howard were sleeping and I wasn't going to wake them. Things were bad. I didn't have my phone (sucks) and I was hallucinating. Music would have helped. Talking to someone would have helped. I was not sure what I was seeing and if it was real. I thought someone was behind me (I saw a light and heard voices) but when I called them out, they never ansered and the light even tho was moving, never got close. Other things were there and not there. I continueed on.
Finally Sally and her husband caught up (the light I saw it turns out was real even tho other things weren't). It was helpful. He texted Eric and the timer asking for help for me. The timer responded that everyone was sleeping and no one was avail. Cool. I continueed on with them. Sally was a lap or 2 ahead of me. Sucks to be me...
It started raining. I was hallucinating even tho I was them. I kept ducking my head to get under the tent canopy to get away from the rain even tho we were in the middle of nowhere and there was no canopy. I was aware of what I was doing but couldn't help it. I was activly have lucid halucinations.
Time was tight but doable. All I needed was anyone. Van and howard were out. I knew Billy was either finished or wasn't going to stay and help. Michael and Chris I'm sure were already out and on their way. Chris kept offering me initially but they had to leave. Sucks.
I was still going. Then the monsoon hit. It's funny that my eyes are welling up right now as that was the end of me and for me.
We had temps in the 30s and 26 MPH winds and the rain... The rain came down in sheets sideways. I was soaked. I was drenched. I was beyond shovering. Besides the whole Reynauld's thing, I was exchausted and oh well. I was well past the first stage of hypothermia and perhaps the middle of the second stage. I had some lucidity in me (and somewhat proud of that but also ashamed) to make the decision. I'm not 18 AND I have a family AND responsibilties and I had to stop.
We saw a crew guy running against us to try to find his runner. I wish...
We came out of the grass area and onto the road. It sucked. Got to the finish line and crossed the mat and went to look for Van and Howard. Sally's husband went ahead and found out that the building was still closed at the aid station. I found and woke up Van and Howard and told them that I'm quitting. (QUIITER). I got in the car and I was telling them we need to return the chip. They wanted me to change clothes there and I was trying to tell them that the building was closed but they thought I meant that the aid station was closed. They thought I was worse than I am. I can't blame them as I was shivering pretty bad. Imagine a seizure without the seizure. I didn't want to change clothese there. I was cold. I just wanted to stay in the car. They forced me out which was the right thing to do - did I mention lately that I love these people?
We got out and 10 people descended on me to help. I was shoved into a chair by the heater and 2 hot chocolates came. They thought that it was boiling. I downed them like a man in a dessert. People helped me change clothes and I was then helped up and into the car. I got in the backseat and just fell on my side and was out. I only slept about a minute before Van woke me up. What now?
In that 1 little minute a few things happened:
Van helped me into their house and onto the most comfortable air mattress I have ever been on and I HATE air mattresses. Again, I only slept about a minute before waking up. That 1 minute only lasted 5 hours. During that time, Van washed all my clothes. I can't believe these people... And there's more...
They heard me when I went to the bathroom which was good because I didn't want to wake them up.
Anyway, they woke up and still the freaking awesome people they were, made me breakfast. It was many eggs and fruit and if there's such a thing as waking up in a palace this was it even tho I knew it had to end. Tho in many ways it had already ended in failure for me.
I took a bath and then my very own Paramedic gave me yet one more treatment for my feet. I should mention that they were disasterous. I have some pictures and trust me when I say that they don't do the damage true justice. Even if you have a foot fetish, I'm sure they may revolt you.
Eventually I packed up and left toward the car rental agency and dinner with my mother in law. I wanted to take these guys out but they needed to get back to their life so I didn't push. I just wish one day I will be able to repay the favor. Perhaps one day they will come for TGNY.
I had dinner with my mother in law, went to sleep and woke up early for my flight back home. NYC was cold and I had a long walk on bad feet in the airport until I could find a taxi. Got home and locomoted my stupid 1 mile after walking the dog. I then took Jessie to the Doctor.
I continuued my 1 mile streak like an idiot and eventually went back to the pool. Swimming really helps me and the chlorine actually helps things heal as it dries out the skin. Every time I swam, it seemed like more and more skin would slough off me barely hanging on. I lanced a blister and that felt good. About a week later, I was cutting more dead skin off me. I was especially working on my little toe on the right foot as that one had a blister so swollen as to completly swallow the toe. As I cut dead skin off, I suddenly realized that my toenail went with it. Oh well. You are not missed.
I eventually reached out to my people to find out what they thought were my mistakes. They mentioned food and drink as being the most important but also my toe socks being an issue. Oh and they thought that 2 pairs of shoes just weren't enough. That's actually 1 pair more than I ever bring... Food was on the money. I should have told them more of my likings but I didn't want to inconvenience. Still, I don't like wings. The drink was an issue too and had made me think. My fingers were swelling up and I was peeing but I wasn't absorbing the electrolytes which is why they forced me to drink all that Skratch.
They did give me a compliment or 2 but that's not for here. Still number 1 failure...
In any case, I lasted about 175ish miles in about 66ish hours and in about 80 hours only slept 1 hour 7 minutes and 30 seconds which is awesome.
I think I'm done for now. Yes - I'm still upset but whatever.
Next, I will upload the results and pictures...
By the way, Michael did change his and Chris' flight and he did continue to finish.