JIM'S 2001 BEAR REPORT
 
Subject: Bear 100 Report
From: Jim ONeil <Letsrun100@aol.com>
Date:Thu, 4 Oct 2001 12:16:48 EDT

To finally avenge a DNF is very satisfying. I've been looking forward to
finishing The Bear since last September. It wasn't, however, as much fun as I
thought it was going to be; this course was a lot more difficult than I
remembered.

This year we were able to camp 30 feet from the start/finish area in a nice
shady spot at Deer Cliff Inn. It was great knowing all I had to do was step
out the door of our camper and start running. The bad part was that I forgot
about checking in. Leland reminded me about that as I approached the group in
the dark with less than three minutes to go. Oops!!

At 6:00 AM we were off. I found myself running the first section with Betsy
Kalmeyer, winner of the Hardrock 100. What an honor. But I knew I'd better
let her go before we started the long uphill that was soon to come. We made
the single file ascent, still in the dark, looking forward to the panoramic
views just ahead.

The brilliant fall colors we saw last year were not to be. Insufficient
moisture this year turned the maples from green to brown. Yellow aspens still
added a striking contrast to the fall landscape. Like last year, the orange
and yellow ribbons were sometimes a challenge to spot. Just before the first
aid station, I watched a group of runners head down into a canyon instead of
taking the sharp right turn at the top of the hill. A couple of us noticed
this event and sounded the alarm. Not too long afterwards, Ted Schuster and I
somehow followed this section in reverse. When we realized our mistake, we
reversed direction and stopped John Medinger, Brent Craven, Max Welker and a
couple of others from following us back out of the canyon.

I was feeling pretty good, my legs were strong as I pushed the climbs. At the
aid stations, I tried to watch my food intake so I wouldn't get sick later
on. I was well ahead of my scheduled 30 hour pace, but knowing I would slow
down later, I wanted to get some miles in the bank early; at the 50 mile aid
station I was on a 29 hour pace.

Although the weather was perfect, it did get kinda warm during the afternoon;
luckily we had a little breeze to keep us cool. Last year we watched stars
galore against a black sky. This year we had cloudy skies and felt a few
raindrops during the night. The night was VERY, VERY long, almost 12 hours of
darkness. Several times I stood motionless on the trail and was amazed by the
complete absence of sound and light.

By mile 74 I was dealing with the inevitable nausea that I experience during
100's. Sue suggested that if I got rid of everything, I might feel better.
Sure enough, within a few miles I was eating saltines and drinking lots of
water again. I still passed on the hash browns at Fred Riemer & Company's 90
mile aid station; ice water was great though.

There were lots of runnable/walkable trails and roads, but there were also
miles and miles of boulder fields, dry stream beds and open meadows to
navigate. The aid station folks were great, they knew what we needed and got
it for us quickly. The course markings were more than adequate this year. So
who's fault was it that I took two wrong turns and ran an extra mile? I had
the written directions in my hand, but my brain had trouble following them.

It was nice having Sue out there to crew, she listened to me whine at the 50,
58 and 74 mile aid stations. She commented that I was in much better spirits
by the time I reached mile 91 where she paced me to the finish. This last
section from 93 to 95 can only be appreciated by those who have completed it.
Up and over and down, sometimes on all fours, sometimes holding on to trees
and rocks for support. I cannot imagine how the front runners navigated this
section in the dark, it was hard enough in daylight. Sue is amazing; she did
it twice, once as she was securing ribbons to trees on her way out to meet
me, and the second time pacing me home. I dubbed this section, "Leland's
Ledge." It may improve over time, but then The Bear wouldn't be The Bear.

I can't say enough about this last section, so I won't. I did manage to
gather the strength to run most of the last four miles at a pretty good clip.
I was about three miles from the finish when I spotted Tropical John giving
it his best. I remember John and one of his "Pacer Babes" passing me just
before the 50 mile aid station. Although Sue assured me I wasn't last, I knew
better; I hadn't seen anyone since mile 58. It really didn't matter though, I
knew I was going to finish. My comment to Sue was, "John's been ahead of me
the last 45 miles, he ought to stay there." But I was feeling good and
running seemed to be the fastest way to get this thing over with. "Sorry
John, hate to do this, but . . ."

The numbers are increasing each year, with 29 starters this year. Hal Koerner
is the only winner the race has known, setting a new course record every year
the race has been run. My friend Tom Hayes finished in second place, way to
go, Tom!  Ruth Zollinger also set a course record in only her third 100
miler. Betsy finished the "Mountain Slam" in fine form:  Hardrock, Leadville,
Wastach and The Bear.

The awards/post race dinner was lots of fun; we enjoyed dining with our table
mates, Betsy and Dick, Hans-Dieter and Susie, Bill Rideg and for a short time
Errol Jones. Finishers received handsome bear buckles and really cool plaques
engraved with their names and finishing times. I certainly plan to do the
Bear again next year. Many thanks to Leland Barker and all the very, very
hard working and dedicated volunteers.

Jim O'Neil