The day after the Hundred Hole Hike

[Scott Warren]

I've been really impressed reading about the exploits of the many Hundred Hole Hikers the past couple of months.

I'm interested to know how those hikers pulled up in the days after that massive effort.

Good? Bad? Crippled?

[Chris_Hufnagel]

The Kingsley Hikers went back out the next morning and walked another 18 before departing - I can only speak for myself, but I was a little sore out of the gate.

I did develop a case of shin splints after the Hike, but they went away pretty quickly.  I was most concerned about my back holding up through the event, but I had no issues there.

Looking forward to next year already!

[Brian Joines]

I could barely walk immediately after finishing the hike. But I woke up the next morning with minimal soreness, which was a nice and unexpected surprise.

[Jim Briggs]

After 117 holes at Hidden Creek, I went to bed feeling crippled (I have some lower back issues which have me stretching each morning and evening...was amazed my back held up all day).  Woke up feeling crippled, but once I started moving around and stretching a little bit I felt great.  Did eat what was probably the biggest breakfast of my lifetime the next morning.

The whole thing was a great, rewarding experience.

[Ben Sims]

I flew two formation sorties the day after my hike.  One of the top five worst pains in my life was doing our GX turn (a sustained 5 G pull to test G tolerance).  Though I wasn't terribly sore, the blisters I had felt like they were going to pop, and my legs felt like mush when I started my G-strain.

[Howard Riefs]

I was happily surprised that my back and most of my body held up during the hike and the days following.

My blistered feet were an entirely other issue. I changed both socks and shoes three times. Nevertheless, I ended up with more blisters on my toes than I can count on one foot. (Sorry for the visual.)

After finishing with 109 holes at Flossmoor, my wife and I drove over to the nearby Flossmoor Station brewpub (www.flossmoorstation.com) for dinner. She thankfully dropped me off curbside so I didn't need to hobble across the parking lot.

The next day I worked from home in anticipation that my body would need a day to recover. The first item on the to-do list: Buying out the Dr. Scholl's blister bandages at the nearby Walgreens.

Another hiker said he wrapped all 10 toes in medical tape prior to his hike. Sounds extreme, but something I'll think about next year.

[Bill Seitz]

I think I would have been fine if I'd stopped at 108.  Holes 109-126 were probably ill-advised, and it probably wasn't great idea to walk another 18 the next morning.  My right knee completely locked up the night of the hike, and I had a hard time sleeping because of that, though it loosened up a bit for the next day's round.  I'd say about the only thing that was still in good shape the next day was my swing, which never really broke down.  At the end of the hike, the most comfortable position to be in was standing over the ball. 

I'd say I'm still not completely recovered.  I felt some discomfort in my left hip flexor when I was up at Kingsley last weekend.  I got pretty sick about two weeks later (unrelated, I'm sure) which has delayed my recovery.  I had my first really good workout since the hike/illness last night, so I'm on the road back.  I had some blister issues as well, but my feet were fine within a week.  I had a great time, but it's taken more out of me than I expected.  I'm kind of on the fence for next year. 

[John Kavanaugh]

Is anyone posting these scores?

[Chris_Hufnagel]

Is anyone posting these scores?

I did post my scores...here is a brief review of my day...I can attest that it took Bill many less shots to get through his Hike!

[John Penny]

A little sore, but considerably better than I thought possible during holes 100-108.  Like others, I was surprised that my back lasted all 108.  I was afraid to sit during the hike for fear that I wouldn't be able to get up.

A very rewarding experience, I will be training and stretching considerably more for the '13 version.

John

[Howard Riefs]

Is anyone posting these scores?

Click on a golfer's name. The last blog post is likely their hike recap along with the scores:

http://www.hundredholehike.com/golfers

Mine are here:

http://www.hundredholehike.com/blogs/achievement

[Jim Colton]

I trained considerably less and felt considerably better after the 155 holes this year compared to last. So I think the experience helps. Other than feeling generally fatigued and moving slower, I could've played 18 or more the next day. No way that would've happened last year.

I will say that one of the side benefits of making multiple trips to a walking only course over the last five summers, each time the walk gets easier and easier. I probably couldnt run 3 miles without stopping for air, but could easily go 45-54-45 over a three-day weekend and not feel the effects. My first trip to Ballyneal in 2008, I was gassed after two days of 36.

The climb up 18 carrying multiple bags is getting a little tiring though...

[Bill Seitz]

Is anyone posting these scores?

Do you mean for handicap purposes?  I posted mine.  I played a mix of tees, but they were essentially the same tees all day long, so I calculated the yardage from the tees that I used and made the adjustment to the slope/rating per the USGA's conversion formula.  If you're asking whether I posted them for public consumption, you can find them here:
http://www.hundredholehike.com/blogs/126-holes-16-hours-%E2%80%93-recap

[Matt Schmidt]

Another hiker said he wrapped all 10 toes in medical tape prior to his hike. Sounds extreme, but something I'll think about next year.

I'm the toe taper.  After a long'ish golf trip with much walking last year, I lost two toenails due to blisters.  Will definitely tape/bandage my toes again!  Took only a couple minutes and my toes felt like I didn't walk at all the next day.  No blisters anywhere.

My only issue during and after the hike was my right achilles.  It was not fond of the experience, particularly holes 90-118 when I thought for sure it was going to snap.  Overall I was very surprised that I could move the next day, and do so without much discomfort.

[Chris_Hufnagel]

I didn't have any blister issues and I didn't tape...what I did do was apply BodyGlide to my heels and toes, wore a SmartWool sock liner, and ended with a pair of Kentwool socks.  I changed socks and shoes (Trues) three times during the day - it worked pretty well for me.

One dumb thing I did was run down the big hills at Kingsley during the rounds – #4, #5, #7, #9, and the worst – #17.  I think this running is what led to my shin splint and knee issues post-Hike.  Next year, I will know better...

[Scott Szabo]

I have a lot of respect for all who did the hike.  I never thought it would be easy, but after getting back from Ballyneal over the weekend (36 on Saturday and 18 on Sunday), there is no way I could have handled 108 in one day.  I went around in walking shoes and had three massive blisters on both heels.  Very painful for a few days.   

[Brian Laurent]

I "hiked" on July 23rd at Double Eagle and am just now starting to feel comfortable again. My feet, back and hips were fine but my knees were a major issue. I was walking down hills backwards just to relieve some pain.

Thinking I might be able to put the sticks on my back again this weekend, finally.

[Joel Zuckerman]

I had hoped to walk 108 holes, but I pulled the plug after 100... the heat index that day in Beaufort South Carolina was about 105, so I was pretty much running on fumes towards the end.. the eerie thing was that my last nine holes were taken in only 38 strokes, including a triple bogey on the ninth, so I was under par through holes 90--98, before a last minute meltdown on the last two holes of the day.

I felt a little out of sorts for a day or so. The day after the hike all I did was get a deep tissue massage, and the day after that I got on a plane and flew out west, so basically I did nothing physical for the two days after the hike.... on the third day I began my normal routine in Park city Utah of hiking, mountain biking, and got back playing golf within a day or two after that.

While I enjoyed the accomplishment of the hundred whole hike I am not positive I will be doing it next year, or at any time after that. Part of my reluctance is due to the fact I don't want to be soliciting my friends and acquaintances repeatedly for their contributions.

[Tim Bert]

I felt really good through 6 rounds.  Well, better than expected anyway. The 7th round was brutal because Bill and I paused for about 30-40 mInutes before starting the final round. Several muscles, tendons, and joints started to stiffen and lock up during that rest.  I woke up the following morning in no shape to play golf but we went out and played 18 anyway.

Fast forward to today and I am really paying a price, more than I would have expected the day or two following the event. The day after when I went to put my socks and shoes on I felt a nasty pain in my lower back on the right side.  Along with the other stiffness and pains I figured it was just normal soreness from the event but the back issue never cleared up like the other things. I recently saw a doctor and believe that I probably pulled or strained a muscle and possibly pinched a nerve. I'm doing a lot of stretching and flexibility work hoping to get rid of this tightness and kink in the system in time for some Labor Day golf. 

I've never had any kind of back issues before and this is definitely not enjoyable!

[Rob Miller]

I woke up a bit groggy and the legs were a little heavy but not in bad shape by any means.  A few hours on the road and in the air were no problem.  The day after the day I honestly think I could have walked another 100 holes.  That endorphin high that comes from pushing your body to its limits really lingered around after the soreness went away. 

Just two takeaways-

1.  If there's any chance the temperature is going to be over 105F keep going north until you find a cooler spot. 
2.  Under no circumstances should you order the green chili immediately after walking 100 holes.   

I need to get around to doing a write-up but it was a tremendous experience.  The last few holes as the sun began to set and the shadows crept in were truly special.