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At 1:14 a.m. in the Cuyamaca Mountains just outside of San Diego, California, a small lone headlamp headed toward the finish line of the Cuyamaca 100K Endurance Run.
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If I had a nickel for every time I’ve been asked “What is a PHUNT?,” I’d be in the middle of planning my next trail running vacation. Since I’m writing to UltraRunning magazine in a feeble attempt to explain PHUNT, a savvy reader will deduce that the nickels have yet to appear. To be fair, PHUNT was never my baby. Thirteen long years ago, it was the brainchild of the original race directors, Phil and Hunt.
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Sixteen months ago, a friend helped me realize how self-defeating thoughts and behaviors were affecting every area of my life, including my running and racing goals. Running took a back seat last year while I did difficult work with my therapist to improve the rest of my life. Way Too Cool was the first race where it was apparent how far I have come and how much my mindset has improved.
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Nestled into the idyllic Bay of Plenty region on New Zealand’s North Island, there is a town that smells like no other. A famous tourist attraction for its geothermal activity, geysers and hot spas, Rotorua greets you with the distinct odor of rotten eggs. Nicknamed Sulphur City, it is also the home of New Zealand’s largest ultramarathon and second race on the Ultra-Trail World Tour calendar – the Tarawera.
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It was my third time making the journey out to Bald Head Island, North Carolina, to take part in Badwater Cape Fear 51.4 mile race. Traveling from south Florida, the trek includes two flights, a car ride, a ferry, then a tram that delivers you to your rented million-dollar weekend home. Is it worth it? Absolutely! There is something old world to Bald Head Island, a laid back vibe that makes you want to toss on flip flops, grab a golden retriever, and sit on the beach taking in the waves. But first, you need to run either your 50K or 51.4 mile race.
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The repeated phrase rang throughout the bright green finish area, “I can’t believe how deceivingly hard that trail is”. Hells Hills Endurance Run got this name for a reason. This trail system isn’t in the mountains. It doesn’t gain or lose a ton of elevation. But it just never stops going up and down and left and right.