Hellgate – 0 for 2.

 

     I must say that I appreciate everyone coming up to me pre and post race telling me how they enjoy the articles I submit to Dr. Horton to post.  Before I started running ultras I would read these very articles myself hoping to catch a better glimpse of the ultra world.  I will make a better attempt this time for proper spelling.

 

     I love Hellgate even though I have never seen past the 22 mile marker.  Both years I have approached this race with a laid back, fat-ass race mentality – which I FEEL is key to succeeding in this race – even though I have failed miserably both times.  Last year was ice; this year was COLD.  I enjoy the cold weather but not so well at 2am in the morning.  I ended up dropping out at aid station 3 mainly for not wanting to be out there – or as Horton would state –“I’m a sissy!”  Hellgate is tough – plain and simple.  There are no other ways to explain it. 

 

     I came into Hellgate this year extremely fit (or so I thought) and race ready.  I felt like I have paid some dues – suffering many times on the 4+ hour runs on the weekends and numerous races, including my first ultra win at the Iron Mountain 51 Miler (which has led to my decline.)  I feel that the effort I used there used up all of my physical and mental reserves and I should have taken some time off and rebuild again.  I ended up dropping at Masochist and then Hellgate. I had decided way back in October that I would treat Hellgate as a training run for my base phase and enjoy it.  But, I could not enjoy it with the cold and sleep deprivation.  I just was not in the mood to suffer – I’m not a night owl at all, but I was just plain sleepy. 

 

     Last year, prior the start, I drank two cans of Star Bucks expresso – I feel this really assisted me in making to aid station #4 at Headformost Mountain.  But, it jacked me up so high on caffeine that I tore through the first 7.5 miles like a crazy man and paid the price dearly.  This year I stayed away from the caffeine and make it only to aid station #3.  Within 5 minutes of dropping out I was asleep in a nice, warm jeep of the aid station worker.  I dearly thank that young man for letting me get into his warm vehicle.  If you want to succeed at Hellgate you may want to look into caffeine tablets or some kind of RedBull style of drink.

 

     I will continue trying to finish Hellgate from years to come – even if I have to deal with my wife, her mother and father, my mother and father, my grandparents, and all of their constant complaints that I am a “nut” for trying this race in December.  I feel that is what makes Hellgate so special is that it is extremely difficult.  I am so glad Dr. Horton refused my entry into Hellgate because of no prior ultra running experience – he stated in an email that he would have let me in but he felt I would have a miserable experience and never run another ultra – he was right on the money!  Even though I dropped out – I don’t have a bad thing to say about the course – I love the mountains and hills and will finish up with my saying from last year’s Hellgate article – it’s the best race I’ve never finished


Nick Whited