Most people think you are crazy if you run a 26 mile marathon even more odd should you tell your friends you just finished running a 100 mile race in the hot Arizona desert! I can deal with it--hey I've finished running the Badwater 135 mile Death Valley ultra marathon  5 times now.
Well I happen to be one of those "extreme runners" as you well know from reading my articles on my web page. Recently I just finished the Javelina 100 miles ultra marathon. It took place on October  15th and16th in the beautiful McDowell Mountain Regional Park South East of Scottsdale, Arizona. I am drawn back for  my second year running the Javelina 100. Why? As you read my story I can shed more light on that question. It is a rather flat 100 with some mild elevation gain on a 15 mile loop on the Pemberton trail. Runners have 30 hours to complete this race which is easier said than done. The race begins at 6:00 a.m. when it is still dark. Soon dawn breaks and we are treated to a beautiful patented Arizona sunrise. Tall magical Saguaro cactus spread their arms along the race course and beautiful rocky mountains to our north make their presence known. You know you are running in Arizona.
By battle plan is to run a smart race, pace steadily, stay hydrated as we are told it would be warm during the day.  Like a soldier being prepared for battle, a ultra marathoner must be also prepared  for the situations that arise.Things happen in a race as any runner will tell you, a 26 mile marathon things can occur, cramps, blisters, nausea etc. 50 miles the same thing, but you have a longer amount of time to suffer and deal with it. Running 100 miles is a whole new realm. The body  does go through many barriers, you have fatigue mental and physical, you are pushing your body to run 4 marathons. You are burning thousands of calories and depleting salts and minerals from the body. Your emotions go up and down the scale. Having run over 140 ultra marathons (at least) I prepare, I train, I study the course and carry with me my experience which is to say the least invaluable, however it does not guarantee you  that things won't happen out there and you will fly through the race unscathed. Not quite. It does not mean you have to suffer and almost die out there either if you run smart and use you best weapon, your mind. If that weakens or fails on you-you're done. Finished. Next race. Mental toughness is key in running 100 miles along with good productive training. Knowing how the mind works is a big asset for me since I have studied L. Ron Hubbard's works on the field of the mind, Dianetics which is the science of the mind. I am happy to share it with runners. It has given me better understanding of myself and what makes me tick and do the things I do. Running is a mental game. The better grasp you have on that concept the better you perform not only as ultra runner but in the game of life..
Javelina is challenging. You want to blast on the course since it is not steep. This where you use good judgment and to run your own race. Javelina draws many elite trail runners who want to break "the sound barrier" few do as the majority of the runners want to finish and aim for  their personal goals.
For me I have a purpose on my run. I am raising fund raising for Katrina Relief Hurricane  relief through The Way to Happiness Foundation where I work in Glendale, California. Many runners know my work with them and The Way to Happiness shirts I've worn in many of my ultras over the years. It is my purpose to help this group. The cause I support is the fuel I need to keep pushing on. You are only valuable as you can help others is my motto. I set my goals and targets. I expect to finish if I follow them.
At 15 miles I began chaffing, very unusual to chafe this early, it becomes very unbearable at 22 miles. I stop at check point and apply ointment and runners pass their own remedies over to me which some quite were useful.
Tempertures reached over 90 degrees during the day. That is quite hot for a 100 mile race. Heat can be a big factor.
30 miles: I seem to be hanging together. I am getting my body in a groove now.
50 miles: Runners were treated to a beautiful Arizona sunset and now an all most full moon to run with. I use an LED light, hand-held which helps on the rocky sections on the course. I use the "moonlight" as much as I can. Coyotes howling to each other, the giant Saguaros look giant robots towering along the trail at night. This is pure Arizona running at it's best. No Javelinas in sight this time. Usually you smell them first by their their "musky" oder. Usually shy of people but not always if they smell food. Javelinas are member of the peccary family native to this area.
65 miles: Heel blisters slow me down, despite wearing running gaiters, good socks, the coarse Arizona sand penetrate into my shoes. I notice I am favoring my feet and this changes my body mechanics which can lead to other injuries such as a knee or ankle and hip.  Blisters can ruin your race like a fly in your soup. You must to handle them right away if you want to finish.
75 miles: I am still running a steady pace, not as fast as I began but steady. Blisters in check but I feel them twinge now and to remind me they are still there. In ultra running pacing counts. Keep moving and avoid wasting time at aid stations. You know you are closing in on the finish. My good friend "Scout" who crewed for me at the Badwater double crossing, runs a bit with me in her "Guardian Angel" wings and all costume. Scout is always very upbeat and helpful and contributes to many ultras and is planning to run the Western States 100 mile Endurance race in June. Many of us are glad she is there for us.
85 Miles: Another beautiful sunrise. One more loop to go to the finish. The field seem thinner now. The heat may have been a factor says another runner. Some runners like to chat, usually at this point you see many tired runners pushing on with great determinism, you actually see some very heroic efforts by the ultra runners.  Quite amazing. Each runner has fought their own battle out there. So many things can happen in a 100 mile endurance run. Some are really dragging on now but you know they will finish. For me it is inspiring to be on the course with these ultra marathoners, many are friends from previous races and you make new ones. We are like this "club", we have our following of races we do.
The last 9 miles are a nice gentle downhill run with some mild climbs near the end. I pretty much alone now on this stretch, though I pass some runners and check on them if they are okay. We cheer each other on. You have that special camrardie from other fellow ultra runners that I find very unique. Now it begins to hit me that I am finishing another 100 mile endurance race. It humbles me, I think of the cause I am running for and thank my creator for allowing me to have this ability to run these distances and experience the beauty of nature and help good causes along the way. Never do I take for granted each ultra marathon I finish. They are all special and unique.
The Finish:  The race director Geri Kilgariff and her race staff do an excellent job for the runners. The volunteers were fantastic. You receive a nice ovation when you cross the finish line. Our laps were counted electronically by wearing an ankle bracelet.  Your exact time and distance is officially recorded. My body is exhausted but yet I am able to cheer on the finishers behind me coming in. Geri is there to personally congratulate you and you do receive an "official Arizona Rattlesnake" as your finishing trophy! (No, not a real one but a  very real looking rubber rattle snake) all part of the fun and spirit of running the Javelina Jundred (100) Mile endurance run. Actually the course is 101.5 miles we're told. I come in at 26 hours and 35 minutes. The heat did cause a higher than average drop out rate with the runners.
I take time to eat and replenish lost calories. Thinking to myself it it's been a long day and night. A nice shower would feel great right now and a bed! Guess I earned it. Hey, another 100 miler, DONE!

J.R.