No pain, no gain: Utah woman takes it to the limit in ultramarathon

LONE PINE, Calif. — Near the end Tuesday morning of the 135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon, elite endurance athlete Lorie Hutchison just wanted to cry. Hutchison, one of two Utahns entered in the race, was sitting in a chair in Owens Valley at about mile 110 with her feet wrapped in garbage bags, soaking them in two coolers of ice water.

"There's no crying in endurance running," she quietly told herself as a crew of five rallied around her. "Quit feeling sorry for yourself and get going."

No tears were shed.

It was the same pep talk Hutchison, 45, gave a friend she helped train four years ago for a 50-mile race. It worked then and now for Hutchison, a Life Flight nurse who lives in Salt Lake City.

Pain and exhaustion at mile 110 were as stifling as the 120-plus degree heat and the Death Valley winds during the first 24 hours of the annual footrace, dubbed the toughest on the planet.

But like a stubborn boxer on the ropes in the 14th round of a 15-round bout, she struggled to her feet and kept moving. It was a scene played out over and over throughout the race.

Legendary willpower, determination, a Zen-like quality and a sharp understanding of the science behind the insanity of such a race take over.

But just like every ultramarathon Hutchison attempts, there's never a guarantee she'll finish.

By the numbers

Hutchison's nutrition methods during the race surprised Badwater race organizer Chris Kostman. His AdventureCORPS Inc. organizes several endurance events for athletes.

At the finish line Tuesday, after running and walking for 30 hours and 23 minutes, she told Kostman how she did it.

No solid foods. A strict regiment of 32 ounces of fluids (about five ounces per mile) and 100 calories consumed per hour.

She relied on Hammer brand supplements in pill form and Hammer energy drinks premixed by her crew. When her body could take it, she took Hammer gel packets.

"No solid foods?" Kostman asked in disbelief. "I've never heard of that."

Kostman ought to know. The Badwater race has been around since the late 1970s.