Rugged and Remote indeed, the Superior 50

It's taken me awhile to write this post up but the good news is that the Superior 50 is over and after some disappointing results in my last few ultra attempts I'm proud to say that I was up to the challenge...and what a challenge it was.

Friday afternoon

Chris, his father, and myself started the long drive up from the Twin Cities.  Having never done this race before I was anticipating a trip similar to Duluth, little did I know that it would be about twice that far.  The drive along the North Shore of Lake Superior was beautiful with the Fall colors just starting to arrive, and the time was well spent deciding which aid stations Chris and I would have support at, and where we thought the toughest sections of the course would be.  We arrived at our campground, pitched the tent, and then heading up to the ski lodge to check in and grab our packets.  The low key atmosphere made this race a real treat, and of course the t-shirts were fantastic.  Afterwards we drove up to Grand Marais to eat at Sven and Ole's Pizza, a standard Northern Minnesota treat and a definite stop if you're ever in that area.  Once the pizza was destroyed it was straight back to the campground to set every alarm on our cellphones and get some much needed rest.

The Race

We're jarred awake at five by two different beeping tones plus some 80's rap, yes that was my phone, and we stumble out into the morning to head to the start.  As we arrive at the parking lot we're told that the 100 mile winner has already completed the course, that really stops me in my tracks and I think about how I would approach that distance in 2013.  There are some last minute instructions, a short countdown, and we're off on the gravel road for a short distance before we veer sharply to the left and onto the Superior Hiking Trail.  Chris and I are caught near the back, but since that's where we belong neither of us minds.  About 40 minutes into the run Chris darts off into the woods telling me that, "the pressure is building."  Nothing like trail running to bring down the boundaries between friends, I step to the side and let runners slowly stream past me as the sun starts to rise.
Back on the trail we get caught in some brief downpours and again I think about the 100 milers still on the course, nobody wants to get drenched right before they finish.  Swearing at the sky becomes more frequent, but every time we break through the trees and traverse a ridge overlooking miles of forest the rain becomes a minor inconvenience, this really is one of the most stunning runs I've been on.  Most of the time we're staring straight at the ground waiting for the particularly clever root that will grab our feet and throw us to the ground, a few almost succeed but after a couple attempts at these distances we've both learned to stay aware.
We're running behind a women from St. Paul and enjoying the company when suddenly she jumps in the air, starts to yell, and takes off down the trail.  Wondering what the heck is going on we stumble right into the swarm of hornets that were nesting on the ground, and suddenly the ultra shuffle becomes the ultra sprint...at least until we can get away from the stingers.  Heading down the hill we hear the people behind us yell in pain and surprise, and all three of us quietly laugh about our shared misery.
The day passes, Chris's father meets us with pizza at 33 miles, and we start the torturous climb up Moose Mountain and head towards the finish.  We left the 45 mile aid station after the mandatory headlamp time, but we're both wearing them backwards because we're so close and don't want to finish with our headlamps on, neither of us really can explain why.  The trail abruptly turns into another dirt road, we've arrived at the service access to Caribou Highlands Resort.  The dirt turns into pavement and our weary knees start to scream as we hammer the last little bit of the race.  Near the end we almost go the wrong way down a hill, but fortunately there are some rowdy finishers on the hotel balconies and they scream to stop us.  We both see the banner at the same time and try to plant our feet at the same instant, later we'll find out that the timer gives Chris a one second advantage instead of arranging our names alphabetically and we'll laugh about how he finally beats me, but for right now all we can hear is people cheering, and all we can see is Chris's dad waiting on the other side of the line, a hug for his son and a handshake for me.  The winners probably could have run half the race again by the time we finish, but at 14:00:52 I'm so happy to cross the line that I couldn't care less, and neither could they.  People who have been at the finish for hours come up to congratulate us and give us our post-race meal, sandwiches from a cooler that haven't fully thawed out yet.  For the first time since six in the the morning I can stop moving and just sit down, although getting up later will be a big problem.

Afterwards

We clean up in resort showers that look like a mud fight took place in them, collect our stuff and head to the car for the long drive home.  The car flies down the road, covering the same distance we ran in less than an hour but Chris and I are both asleep.  We stop at a gas station to eat whatever we can get our hands on, I've got my eyes on some beef jerky and Mountain Dew.  As I'm hobbling up to the cash register the young girl working the night shift looks at me and asks the predictable question, "What happened to you?"  I smile and tell her that I just finished the Superior 50 mile a couple hours ago and get the predictable response, "Why would you do something like that?"  It's a tough question and I've thought about it for awhile now, ultra running has put me in an ambulance, scarred my body, and strained my relationships so why do I do it?  The miles click away as we head back to Chris's house, his dad driving after crewing for us all day, it does indeed take a family to finish these races.  I know the next morning my father will be proud, and my mom will be concerned, and I'll be looking for another race to run.  I'd love to take everyone that's asked me why I try these races out the trail and let them experience the beauty and pain of running.  I'd love to tell them how I think this sport has made me a calmer more focused person, and how the discipline it takes to train has spilled over into other areas of my life.  Most of all I'd love for them to the feel the deep draining sense of accomplishment when you step across the finish line and take your ankle chip off, you know that you've pushed your body and your mind to a place that not all people get to experience.  It sounds mystical and corny but that's why I run these races, I want to see what will happen if I do.  We pull up to Chris's house and it's almost two in the morning, getting out of the car reminds me of standing up on the plan after flying to China and I know that I won't be making it to my Ultimate Frisbee league the next day.  Chris's dad heads to bed and I prepare to camp out in their basement, there is no way I'm driving home right now.  Morning will come soon, work will start again, and I'll be looking for the next race.  It feels good to be back in the game.

If at first you don't succeed...

After a disappoint attempt at the Kettle 100 I've set my sights on the Superior 50 mile taking place this Saturday in Northern Minnesota.  I made it 72 miles in Wisconsin but dropped because due to swelling in my Achilles.  Not the result I was hoping for but every race teaches you a little bit more about how to be successful at these distances.  There is definitely still a mental block that I'm fighting when it comes to running beyond the pain and I hoping that I'll have better luck on the wild shores of Lake Superior.
Once again my friend Chris from NYC will be joining me on the race course and his father will be providing transportation and moral support.  We'll be camping out thanks to a beautiful forecast and should be eager and well-rested at the 6am race start.  If you haven't had a chance to check out this race I encourage you to do so, John puts on fantastic events and although this will be my first experience with the Fall Series I've had the pleasure...although sometimes excruciating, of running his courses before.  Take care, take a moment to get outside, and remember to keep those legs moving.

Fall Race Series Superior 50 mile
http://fall.superiortrailrace.com/

The countdown is on

It's been an April and May of ups and downs as far as preparing for the Kettle 100 goes.  I dropped out of the Zumbro 50 after one lap, but was able to get five hours of night running practice in so I would call it a success.  Temperatures were bitter, rain was falling, hail was pounding, and lighting was cracking, all combined it made for an experience that I'm not totally eager to repeat.
I've been averaging about 80-100 miles a week since the beginning of April and I think that I'm ready to take on my first 100.  I've practiced running through the night twice now, and I have been able to consistently heading out for back-to-back five hour runs, so if anything forces me to drop I don't think it will be the training. I've also be practicing with a water backpack, I didn't think that it would be something I would enjoy, but it's turned out to be a great tool for training, and I think that it will work really well come race day.  Kettle is in two weeks so I'm focused on riding my bike and getting 6-10 mile runs in until then, I feel like it's important to give my body some time to recover.  Not much time left now, it will be a great adventure no matter what happens!

The season draws near

The new year is now in full swing and with it comes the opportunity to get out and hit the trails again! Thanks to an very mild Minnesota winter I've been able to get out almost everyday and discover some new paths, it's been a great time. Running trails has become much more than a physical activity, it's become a part of my daily life. I find myself counting the hours until I sprint out the door for a long run on the weekends and wondering just how long I can be gone today before someone needs me at home. I've pushed the River Bottoms trails to the max, running all the side tracks and discovering new hiking paths leading up and over the curves of the hills. I've covered all of the ground behind my apartment complex and my neighbors have heard so much about my event plans that I think they're starting to avoid me in the hallways :)
This year is going to be a big one for me, I've signed up for my first 100 mile run, the Kettle Moraine in Southern Wisconsin. It's a big step and I've tried to keep a decent fitness level as well as a positive attitude. I've discussed training with several friends that have completed the 100 mile distance before, and it sounds like it is going to be an incredible journey. Things like shoes, gels, socks, and all of the other little decisions that you make for a run have taken on a new significance in my mind, I'll most likely be out there for 24-27 hours and I'd like to remain as comfortable as possible. My high school friend who now lives in the New York City will be flying back to run the race as well, and my father has agreed to drive us down and provide some much needed support at the aid stations. We've been pouring over the maps, look at elevation, discussing what did and didn't work for us in our 50 mile runs, and generally acting like excited kids on the night before Christmas. The race is in early June so I've entered a couple of shorter distance events in April and May to get an idea of where my mind and body are at, I feel great at the moment but it will be nice to have some practice runs before the real deal.
The other big news is that my father has started trail running as well, after seeing my friend and I come through the woods at the North Face Endurance Challenge he decided that we looked so happy he had to give it a shot. I didn't spoil it by telling him that we were laughing from exhaustion, he's a tough dude and I think that trails are the perfect challenge for him. Normally I run alone so it has been wonderful to get out and share the woods with someone so important to me, we spend the time talking about life, careers, shoes, and the tracks that we've seen in the snow. Running in many ways has been an escape for me, a way to be alone with my thoughts, but now I'm discovering another side of the sport. It comes in the form of a greeting tossed my way by a fellow trainer, a smile and a pat on the back from an aid station volunteer, or simply getting to know my father a little better than I did in the parking lot when we were lacing up our shoes. It's been a good year so far and I think that it's only going to get better. Throw off those winter blues and lace up your shoes everyone, the season is coming.

The Afton 50k

Coming off dropping out of the North Face 50 mile in New York I'd been looking for a nice race to keep my fitness level up until the Madison 50 mile in September. A friend of mine has run the Afton Trail Race several times and suggested that I check it out so I took the plunge and signed up for the 50k...he let me know that he would only be doing the 25k.
The Afton Trail Race has been held in Afton State Park for several years but with the recently Minnesota government shutdown the race was moved to the mountain bike trails at Afton Alps ski resort. This meant that it would be a four lap race up and down all of the ski hills, while the hills are not like Colorado they still have a little bit of bite to them. I arrived feeling rested and ready to go, the temperature was in the 80's and a light fog was hanging around the base of the hill. As always I started in the back and let those who will win the race dash out, it's amazing to watch the talented runners leap away from the start.
One lap into the race I saw my father at the finish line, he had driven out to watch for a little bit before heading off on a family bike ride. All he could say was, "Looks like it's going to be a long day Jeff," so I knew that I looked like I was hurting already. The aid station filled me up on salt and water and I pushed through on my second lap.
Twenty minutes into my second lap I felt like I could take on the world, feet were moving lightly, arms were swinging easily, and I was maintaining conversations with everyone I passed. I breezed through the aid stations and headed out for my third lap ready to beat Afton into the ground and take home my medal...
By the time I had reached the top of the last ski hill and started my descent into the finish area I was throwing up, and shaking so bad that I couldn't pull my water bottles off of my hands at the aid station. Dehydration had taken hold and before I could start my fourth and final lap I was pulled from the course and taken care of. It was tough to sit down and turn in my timing chip but I think that it was the right decision, there is no way that I could have completed a fourth lap with hurting myself and like the ladies at the aid station said, "There will always be another race."
Big thanks to all of the volunteers that came out to support us while we tried to beat down the mountain bike trails, I would not have made it through three laps without you. It was a fantastic way to spend the Fourth of July Weekend, and I will definitely be back next year to give the regular course a shot. Take care everyone and get outside :)

Black Dog 50

Last Saturday was my second attempt at a 50 mile. A good friend from work hosted a trail run in Wisconsin on the Ice Age trail. It was a casual affair and I managed to show up late for the start...very unusual for me. Not wanting to keep everyone waiting I threw on my Salomon trail shoes rather than the Vibrams and we were out the door. For sheer beauty I'm not sure I've ever run anything close to this race, miles of gorgeous woods, wildlife everywhere, lakes and rivers reflecting the early morning sun, it really was a truly special day. With a small group we settled into our respective paces and headed out into the wild. Having not run in shoes for over a year I was extra alert and curious to see how my body would respond to the change. The answer came shortly after the ninth mile when I went sideways in the mud and heard an astonishingly loud pop from my ankle and knee. Gritting my teeth I slowed down and began to curse the natural beauty I had admired only a short time before. I reached the second checkpoint and realized that by injuring the same kneed I had the month before I was effectively out of the run. Several of the guys slowed down to offer encouragement and support but at 30.6 miles I made the decision to withdraw and try to relax. Thanks to Peter for an awesome race and to everyone that helped me push to 30, you guys were great. I've been back on the bike and the knee feels good so I've signed up for two more races this month, I'll remember the Vibrams this time.

North Face 50 mile...ouch

On a warm and rainy day this September I took my first steps into the world of ultramarathons with The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 mile in Eagle, WI. I have to say that getting up at 3am to run is not the most fun I've ever had but after limping to the finish in 12.5 hours on borrowed hiking poles with a wrecked knee taped up by a kind soul I can safely say that I can't wait to do it again next year. I won't be posting any pictures because it's a little embarrassing that it took me so long to finish, I was shooting for 9.5 hours or less. I ran in my new Vibram FiveFinger Bikilas and they performed wonderfully, I'm not sure I'll ever get them clean again but who really cares about that. It was a marvelous run with the best volunteers I've ever seen, everyone was support as I dragged myself to the finish. Not the way I wanted to start off but someday I'll look back on this and laugh...I hope. I've had to take a week off because of some reoccurring knee pain but I've been out the last two days and felt really great. A little voice in the back of my mind keeps telling me to sign up for the Wild Duluth 100K, we'll have to see what happens. Thanks again North Face crew, I had a blast and I'll see you next year!