120 hr update(5.5 days to go) For the firs time in the entire race,we have gone 12 hours without a drop. Well, maybe that’s not entirely true.We did have two make the call overnight…But they got some rest and re-considered! The weather is finally exhibiting some mercy.Most of the course Read more
108 hr update(6 days to go) Something special. Ultrarunners are unique amongst humans.They want to push themselves.They train their bodies and minds to be able to endure.They savor the accomplishment of finishing what they set out to do. HOTS runners are unique amongst ultrarunners.They want a challenge that is undefined.They Read more
96 hr update(6.5 days to go) Digging deep. Over and over,these runners have felt their lower lip quiver.Over and over,they have let the tears flow. and yet, over and over,they have taken another step. Well past 100 (or 200!) miles,everyone is hurt.After 4 days on the road,there is not a Read more
84 hr update(a week to go) Apologies for the short update, the long meatwagon drive meant I couldn’t visit with any of the runners still on the course. The beatings will continue until morale improves. Journey racing in the summertime can be a merciless pursuit.Runner after runner has cried uncle.The Read more
72 hr update(7.5 days to go) No (wo)man’s land. When all is said and done,when the blisters have healed,when the nightmares about getting up to move have abated.When they’ve come back from being so deep within themselves on the open road… The HOTS runners will think backto the turning point Read more
(8 days to go) Beat the Heat. “We’re gonna try to BEAT THE HEAT.”“Ummm, I don’t think that means….what you think it means.” Two runners were commiserating early this morning.One was pretty sure he was gonna make the call for a ride (DROP)The other was looking for a way to Read more
(8.5 days to go) Sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. After a day of high consequence,the HOTS field is reeling. The sparse services and higher than usual temperaturesconspired to send a gut punch through the fieldover the first 48 hours of the race.(and they have to hang on Read more
High Consequence. One of the fundamental tenets of the HOTS is that you alone are responsible for yourself. That doesn’t mean you can’t accept help, from either road angels, or your fellow competitors… But it does mean that when push comes to shove, you are on your own to make Read more