HABANERO HUNDRED

WARNING: THIS RACE STARTS AT NOON IN AUGUST IN TEXAS WITH AVERAGE TEMPERATURES ABOVE 100 (REAL FEEL) IN HIGH HUMIDITY ON A VERY, VERY, SANDY COURSE.

Pre-Race Heat Training Advice, Tips, and Medical Plan

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We take safety very seriously at all TROT races, but especially Habanero, to ensure that all our runners are safe. The Race Director and Medical Staff have the ultimate decision on runners being able to start or continue based on their observations. Emergency medical professionals will be on location Saturday during the day and local EMS on call for the remainder of the weekend.

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In the event of an emergency, you should dial 911, alert other runners/race staff, and alert the race director to provide further instruction and communication with emergency services. If you dial 911 you must notify the race director as soon as possible. Take note of your location on the course, there will be kilometer markers 1-9, and note the bib number of the participant (at minimum).

All aid stations, day and night, will have water, electrolytes, salt tabs, ice, ice buckets, shade, and the normal buffet of food that we always have including hot (night) and cold foods. In addition to what we provide, you may bring drop bags to be placed at the Hot Tamales aid station and setup your own area around the Start/Finish.

The course is small on purpose so that you are never more than 3.0 miles away from aid. This means if you are walking, you are just an hour from aid. You can ice up at each aid station and keep as cool as possible. The 7IL Ranch has showers within 100 feet of the start so that you can fully cool off if you want to. And while starting at noon seems really mean, it is meant to get you in the sun while you are fresh. We don't want you to have spent all day in the sun and be a zombie walking at night. You should be looking forward to really moving your best when the sun is setting. 

We have some AMAZING ultra-running volunteers that will be at the aid stations, guys and gals that have run tons of ultras, 100 miler races, and beyond. They want to help you. And these amazing volunteers might just be your best friend when the race is over.

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Short Distance Solo and Relay Runners - Yes you, running 10k loops, we have seen year after year that a majority of our medical issues come not from the ultra runners, but from the shorter distance runners and relay runners who simply “go out too hot”. The heat you generate, internal temperature, and exertion level are higher amongst these runners so an extra word of caution for those runners to pace themselves. This is not the race to be a hero.

You as a runner will have everything at your fingertips to help you get to the finish line. When you sign up for a race (ANY race) you should know your limitations and the risks that are involved in a race. The Habanero Hundred is quite different in a few ways and you should prepare accordingly, here are some tips from over the years:

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• Heat Training: Do not show up to this event if you have not adequately prepared not only to complete the distance, but with the addition of heat preparation. We have some links below for information. Most runners live in the area and have a summer of naturally being exposed to the high heat and humidity. If not, there are techniques like overdressing and sauna, steam room, or hot baths that can be added to your training (even if you are normally in the heat) that will increase your ability to safely manage the heat.

 

• Gear: A buff, a bandana, and arm sleeves can all help you stay cool. A buff dipped in water will help to keep the blood cool around your neck. You can put ice into a bandana and wrap it around your neck or head. Arm sleeves can also be stuffed with ice to keep the blood vessels in your wrists cool. You MUST carry at least one form of hydration carrying device and leave each station on full. We do not provide cups at our aid stations.

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• Clothing: Cotton shirts will help to keep moisture against your skin instead of away from it. While most people think cotton is the devil because it chafes, it can help to keep moisture against the skin while you're in the sun. Your sweat will actually help to cool you. As the sun sets maybe toss on a tech shirt and change back to cotton when you start to get hot again.

 

• Effort: Run within your limits. Most of you are out there heat training through the summer and realize that hot weather makes your heart rate go up. You need to be smart while it's HOT and not redline at any point - all too often we see people sprinting in or out of the main area, only to be walking on course. Don't be a hero (or try to look like one). The one's that do well and finish Habanero, in any distance, are the ones laying low and consistent throughout. The best time to cover the most miles is from 6 PM to 6 AM when you are out of the sunlight.

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• Electrolytes and Fueling: Proper hydration is key to heat running. It's an ever-changing fine balance, and a highly personal one, to ensure the right amount of water-to-electrolytes. Make sure that you are comfortable with salt water before race day. We will have Base Nutrition, Pickle Juice, table salt, and salted items to snack on as well. You should plan on bringing the hydration/fueling that you have been training with.
   

• The two biggest emergency issues we see are:
   

  • Shorter distance / relay runners starting too fast
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  • Runners leaving aid stations with no reserve energy and needing to be rescued. If you are not 100% sure you can finish a loop, do not start. Keep in mind the day is not over at the finish line, you still need to safely get home.

Check out a few links below on heat training and how to stay cool:

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• 3 Heat Training Strategies, From “Beginner” To “Advanced” to “Western States” Heat Training Article

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• Handle the Heat

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• Running in the Heat

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Weather or other incidents: In the event of lightning, storms, or other unplanned dangerous conditions the Race Director may delay/pause/cancel the event.