As the months passed by throughout the summer my typical and stress free non-structured training plan continued. I'm not into getting all caught up in following a day-to-day schedule and mostly run to how I'm feeling, with longer runs on the weekends mixed with some strength and stretching exercises throughout the week.
Coming into this run I felt good over all, but a little weak mentally. I knew only a serious injury would take me out of the race and felt strong enough to make it to the end even if I had to walk, which happened a lot sooner and more frequent this time than I had expected.
LAP 1
A cool mist filled the air as my girlfriend and I walk to my car for the short drive from her parents house at 5:10 am. As we pulled into the parking lot, runners tip toed their way through the puddles scattered around the parking lot. We eventually made our way to pick up my packet and drop off my drop-bags. A volunteer huddled around the fire by himself as I made my way back to my car. Other runners were sticking close to their cars as well having no business standing around in the cold morning rain with the long day ahead of them.
When I got back to my car my girlfriend headed out to find information for her and her moms volunteering duties. I sat patiently in my car, thinking about the day ahead of me as I adjusted and readjusted my shoes and anything else I could nervously fidget with.
15 minutes until the start I made my way to the start area and met up with my girlfriend and her mom. Runners patiently waited around for the start as the misty-rain danced in the flood lights shining at the start area.
I noticed a few runners I have seen and ran with before and briefly said hi before the race director called everyone for a pre-race talk.
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| Ready to rock at the start |
Mud and more mud began sticking to my shoes. Runners bounced back and fourth behind me over puddles and mud holes, their lights beaming at my feet helping to see where my next step would be. I knew I would not be moving this swiftly though the mud the next couple laps and enjoyed it while it lasted. We soon arrived at the next aid station where my drop bag was.
I quickly headed over to the shelter where my girlfriend and her mom put everyone's bags to keep them out of the rain and grabbed some tailwind. After filling up my water bottle I was on my way. The next sections are a lot more run-able than the previous 6 or so miles. A flat gravel trail led to the prairie section.
The sun began to light the sky behind the clouds, the raid had stopped and I turned off my headlamp. I was moving well though this section and watched as other runners crossed the grassy fields. Music echoed through the woods as runners hiked up the hill to the next aid station.
I quickly said hi to another running friend, Kevin, and was on my way along the road. This part reminded me of the long, flat, restless, leg pounding gravel road at the Zumbro 50-mile, but not quite as long. For the first lap this section was a breeze and again, before I knew it I was at the next aid station filling up my water bottle.
With the sun shining though the trees as the wind pushed against my back I made my way up the last hill to the finish area where I planned on grabbing some more tailwind, dropping off my headlamp. I contemplated ditching my long sleeve, but figured I would hang onto it because I knew the wind was picking up and the prairie section might get a little chilly being in the open.
LAP 2
I was on my way once again. I caught up to another runner as we made our way up a hill and asked him what time it was.
"Almost 9am," he replied. I was right on pace so far.
Playing leapfrog with other runners as we passed each other throughout the lap. Just before I reached the second aid station another running friend, Scott, blazed past me as if I was standing still.
I was just surprised to see him as I think he was to see me. Looking stronger with each stride he passed every runner ahead of me and quickly disappeared around the corner.
A few 50k and 17-mile runners began showing up on the trail, looking strong and optimistic as to what the day had in store for them.
As I pressed on one incredible 50k runner stood out to me.
"375 ultra marathons. 71 years old", was written on a piece of paper pinned to his back. I yelled out good job as I came up behind him and gave him an enthusiastic high five.
It's runners like him who have inspired me to continue these crazy endurance events that may not be understood by all, but for those who are bold enough to try, know exactly what it means to go the extra mile.
Soon I found myself, along with a few others pulling into the next aid station where spectators cheered us in. I was still in good spirits and quickly filled my water bottle again and was on my way once again.
Leapfrogging with more runners I began to feel slightly sluggish as I continued though the breezy prairie section.
Like a knife being dug into the back of my leg I felt a strong cramp constrict my left calf. I stopped dead in my tracks, and bent over bracing myself and my leg so I wouldn't fall over.
The familiar feeling of cramping is nothing new to me and I knew exactly how to handle it. After taking a deep breath and relaxing for a second my calf slowly loosened as I briskly walked for a while. I soon regained my rhythm to run again before coming upon my favorite section of the course.
The sun shined though the amazing fall leaf covered trees as thousands of orange and yellow leaves covered the wood's floor. The sun speckled off the wet leaves giving them an even more vibrant color.
Instantly taking my breath away I gazed around, smiling as other runners behind me rounded the corner and could not believe what they were seeing either. It's moments like this I live for on the trails.
With less than a mile to go I was finally at the next aid station and I knew I would be looking forward to that section on my last lap.
As runners made their way out of the aid station I head some mumble under their breath how much they had despised this section.
I set out with a group going at a good pace as we passed some 50k and 17-mile runners. I felt my legs slightly begin to fire off little hints of cramps as I made it back into the woods. I made the conservative decision to walk and take in some more Tailwind, I was really feeling the miles catch up to now.
The last section before the start/ finish area felt like it was taking forever. Each hill and corner I thought I was coming up to the next mile. I was feeling really drained as I made my way into the start/ finish area and changed my shirt.
LAP 3
I glanced up from digging in my drop bag and was greeted by one of the most energetic and all around awesome runner I have ever met, Shelly.
I've had the opportunity to run with Shelly at a fun run 50k I did earlier this summer and witness her incredible endurance abilities at the Zumbro 50-mile run and Superior 50-mile run.
We chatted briefly before she started to prepare for her last lap and I made my way over to the aid station table, looking for some sort of pick-me up before heading out on my last lap.
I remembered I needed to call my girlfriend before I started my last lap. I picked up my phone and noticed she had texted me, "Love you, you've got this!!!" I instantly smiled. We briefly chatted and I was as ready as ever to head out.
I stopped at the aid station quick to see if they had anything that might look good. I'm not a big fan of gels, but decided maybe bringing one along for later wouldn't be a bad idea. I grabbed a chia seed gel, shoved it in my pocket and shuffled down the trail.
Before I knew it Shelly and her running partner were right behind me. I was struggling a lot as Shelly tapped me on the shoulder and encouraged me to run with them. I was not in the mood to run as I could feel my legs tingling to spark another cramp, but I decided this might be the pick me up I needed.
I stayed with them for about a mile or so before they quickly pulled ahead of me down the trail. As they pulled away I was a little frustrated I could not keep up, but was happy to see them bounce away enjoying themselves.
I walked a bit and took a few deep breaths letting the frustration pass and reassured myself I had to run my own race at this point. I just needed to do what I came to do. Finish.
My mind began to wonder and for some reason I caught myself thinking about how long it would take me to finish. I began continuously running numbers through my head over and over again.
"What the #*@% am I doing," I yelled out loud. I needed to stop this nonsense and just make it to the next aid station. I knew I would be out there for a lot longer and I did not need to cloud my mind with that bullshit.
I quietly made my way into the first aid station as the volunteers chatted with each other.
"NUMBER 34 IS HERE! YES!" One of the volunteers yelled out as the others cheered and raised their arms. I couldn't help but laugh and smile. "And he's gotta go to the bathroom."
Once I came out of the bathroom they were very helpful to ask if I needed anything. My water bottle was still full enough to make it to the next aid. I grabbed an S-Cap to see if the extra sodium would help with my cramps, it has worked for me in the past.
Right before I headed out I noticed by the drinks a bottle of whiskey sitting on the table. I laughed and asked them what that was for.
"That is for emergencies," one of the volunteers replied. "You know, just in case," he laughed.
I laughed and told them I'd be good for now, but if they were still there later in the night I might stop by. They wished me luck as I trotted down the trail.
The next section was probably the lowest I had been all day. I remembered I had a chia seed gel in my pocket and thought it might give me a little energy.
I squeezed a tiny drop of the gel into my mouth and instantly felt an extreme amount of saliva fill the back of my mouth as if I was about to throw up.
After taking a few steps to the side of the trail I unleashed pretty much everything I had drank all day. Like a New York fire hydrant water spewed out of my mouth not once, but twice. I probably could have put out a small fire with the amount of liquid that was coming out.
I stood up, looked around to see if anyone besides me had witnessed what had just happened, and for some extremely odd reason felt re-energized.
With about a mile left to the next aid station I began to run faster than I had probably in the last 10 or so miles. All my cramps seemed to disappear, I was back in business.
Cruising into the next aid station I quickly refueled and headed out. Despite my incredible comeback the cramps began to come on again in full force. Running as much as 50 yards at a time before my legs stiffened up I started to become a little frustrated.
Deciding to hike as fast as I could to the next aid station and take in some more Tailwind, the cramps began to subside.
I knew my favorite section of the trail was coming up and was looking forward to it more than ever.
Entering the once again amazing fall leaf euphoria I took it everything it had to offer. As I walked along I could hear owls around me hooting.
"Who. Who cooks for you?" I began saying to myself as not one or two, but three owls repeated to each other in a triangle around me. I laughed to myself in gratitude for this incredible experience the trail had to offer me. I knew nothing was going to stop me from finishing now.
Shortly I made my way to the next aid station and was greeted once again by Kevin and told him about throwing up 5-miles back, but ensured him I was feeling better than ever after it.
"Well that doesn't sound like much fun at all man," he laughed. "No," I said. "But I'm going to finish and that's all that matters at this point". He wished me luck as I continued on.
While I mechanically ticked along on the road I realized I only had one more aid station to go. Entering the woods, I could feel the late day sun shift as it fluttered between the fall trees against my face.
Though another open section I could see the roof of the tin shed where the last aid station was.
"I'm frickin' happy to see you!" I yelled out as I crested the top of the hill and charged into the aid station.
After quickly filling up my water bottle, I was on my way.
Four miles became, three, three became two. A slew of inspiration 50k and 17-mile runners trucked on as I wished each of them luck in the few remaining miles. Hooting and hollering echoed through the hills, the end was closer with each step.
A sharp right turn led to the 16-mile marker. I blasted down the hill, charging up and down each hill. Relentlessly I stopped for nothing, no hills slowed me down. I charged up each and every one in the last mile.
Rounding the corner to a very familiar home stretch, I extend my stride, pushing harder with each step. In the distance my girlfriend and her parents were at the finished to cheer me in. One last turn and I was done. My second 50-miler complete.
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| Sprinting to the finish |
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| Done! |
So many times we compare ourselves to other people comparing materialistic items when really, we need to look within to better ourselves.
A lot of things went wrong for me during the day. I could have gave into them and made them bigger problems than they really were and resulted in not finishing, but instead I chose to just take a few deep breaths and adapt to the situation for better or for worse.
By accepting and knowing what ever the situation may be, taking a few seconds to step back, breath, and adapt to the situation, anything can be overcome, you never know what the next mile might bring.
For me, getting to the starting line of an ultra is an accomplishment all in itself. Even if I would have decided to call it a day early, I would have been proud of myself, even though it may have been hard to swallow.
After finishing two 50-mile runs, pacing a good friend 100k to his first 100-mile finish at the Superior 100 (now my furthest running distance to date), running a marathon and numerous other long runs throughout the summer that filled with great friends, new friends and incredible opportunities, it has been an incredible year and I'm as ready as ever to see what the future has in store.
