2020 Trail Mix 50k (Virtual; Self-supported) Race Report

 

29^th Trail Mix 50k (Virtual) Race Report 12 July 2020

I ran this event back in 2018, held in mid-April when there was snow/slush/mud on the course. Can’t say I was that interested in repeating that experience this year, so I didn’t initially sign up for this year’s event. Then with races being postponed due to Covid-19, this became a virtual event in the summer, to be run on the course anytime over a ~2 week period. I was interested in seeing the course in a different season (and I hadn’t raced in 6 months!), so I decided on July 10^th, registered on the 11^th, and ran it on July 12^th as the weather looked decent. We’d been in a streak of warmer/rainy weather and this was the best it was going to get.

Car Aid Station

I had not ever ran a self-supported 50k before, so that was new. The course was marked for the duration of the event, and I had printed a map, so that was taken care of. I got together a cooler of ice, water, Gatorade, a PB&J sandwich, and potato chips to leave in my vehicle – as this was a 4-loop course, that was my one aid station every 7.75 miles at Lake Rebecca Preserve.

First Mile

It was 63° as I parked in the main lot, got ready (with my vest/bladder, hat, calf sleeves, put on some suntan lotion and bug spray), and started at 5:35am. I saw one other runner (who parked in a different lot a ways before the start/finish line) head out just a few minutes before me. The trail was well-marked, and was mostly familiar, even without snow/mud. 

Start/Finish

There had been rain recently, but not enough to bother. The dew on the other hand, with lots of grassy paths to run on, had my feet damp and my shoes squishy for the first 2 loops. Some parts of the dirt trails through some trees were quite dark that first lap – almost, but not quite, dark enough for a headlamp. Distance signs were posted every 2km, so it was easy to get a basic km pace (~6min/km for loop 1). Sun was up and becoming more visible, and the loop went pretty well. There was one steeper downhill section that I opened up a little on, and felt a little strain on my right hip flexor. It flared up every now and then the rest of the run. I passed the one runner just before he made it to his car. Finished loop 1 in 1:20:02.

Early race fog

Opened the back hatch and refilled water, got my already-prepared snack baggie, reapplied suntan lotion and bug spray, and headed back out after about 3 minutes (again, just behind the other runner).

Wildlife

Loop 2 was similar with the squishy shoes from the grassy areas, but it didn’t make any difference to me at that point. My snack baggie didn’t quite work out as I intended. The ¼ PB&J was fine. The potato chips were not fresh (from being in the cooler – oops!). That was sad. ☹ Had a little chocolate though, so that always makes things better.

Other than some left heel soreness coming and going toward the end of the loop, it went fine. Slowed a little, and was doing about 7mins/km. Saw that one other runner come out from his car, so I knew he was still just ahead of me. Finished the loop in 1:25:55 (2:45:58 for the 25k half). I had marked my splits during the 2018 race on my map, so I knew the first loop was a minute faster, and the 2^nd loop was 4 minutes faster. I had actually expected them to be a little bit More quicker as I didn’t have to worry about the mud/people. Oh well – I was doing my own aid stations, so there’s that.

Shaded trail

For Loop 3, refilled my water (also added some Gatorade), ate a granola-type bar, more suntan lotion, and completely forgot bug spray (I had read of some other runners’ misery with horseflies) but it was never an issue (even after forgetting again before heading out on loop 4). Skipped the chips but had another ¼ sandwich.

Still again slightly slower, but still around 7mins/km and moving well. I had not run trails pretty much all year (probably not since my early January race at Harbison), and only one 16 mile training run, so I was happy to feel this well for miles 15.5-23.25. Squishy shoes stopped as the sun hit more of the trail (finally). This loop is where I saw a couple other runners heading out, and 2-3 horse-riders. Each time I stopped and walked slowly past them as to not spook them. Toward the end of the loop, I was running with my head down, knowing the trail had one last turn off to the right, to the trail to the short road section to the parking lot. I had been paying attention the km signs…but still with my head down. I kept running, looking for the turn. And kept running. Thinking it maybe looked familiar. And then maybe not? Surely I would have come to it – it had been many minutes since I should have been there. Passed a little farm on the left, and come upon 2 women (one sitting, one laying down) on the trail. That didn’t seem right. Then came to a narrow path that I knew was Not right. Turned around, looked at my location on a map, and hustled back. After ~17 minutes from when I ‘Should’ have turned, I found where I had strayed. Oh well – completely my fault. Got to my car in 1:49:10 for the loop (4:35:08 overall).

the sign

Knowing my loop 3 time at the last race was 1:50, and knowing about when I’d hit the ‘typical’ aid station locations, really told me how much time I lost. Nothing to do about it but go on.

Refilled water/Gatorade with ice this time. Temps had climbed to about 78° for this last loop so that ice was a nice addition. Another sandwich quarter. The last loop was spent walking/running. My ankles were very tight and I was getting a blister under the middle of my right foot (from wet socks)-took off my shoes once to adjust, but didn’t help. Something to remember for future loop races…

I actually felt better and ran more as I got closer to the finish. Saw a couple of other runners, and was definitely paying closer attention during the last mile. Coming to the last turn off the trail – I realized what had happened on lap 3. I was hugging the right side of the course as there was a slight bend to the right. Then the trail shifted back to the left, so as I then lowered my sight and made for that slight left, I missed the directional sign (that was hidden by the slight right-hand bend) and the turn toward the finish. I shook my head as I knew it was totally my fault. I did stop and adjust the sign, moving it 2-3 feet to the left, making it more visible as you came down that section.

At that point, I was maybe 2 minutes to the finish, and I stopped my watch at 6:15:48 (1:40:39 lap) as I completed the loop. Walked over to a picnic table and rested while talking to the other finisher and his friend. Always nice to talk to other runners!

Phone data

Misc info: Food- 2 Gu, 1 bar, ½ PB&J, 2 cookies, 3 S-Caps!, and about 4L of fluid. Wildlife: Rabbits, swans, heron, horses, snake, frogs, chipmunks.

Post race: Blister was practically non-existent the next day for my recovery walk, right sole was tender, and the outer parts of my thighs had some soreness. 3 days off and I was back to doing my loop at Lake Phalen.