2020 Fire Tower 50k Trail Race (Virtual; Self-supported) 26-Sep-20

 

1^st Fire Tower 50k, 26 Sept 2020

2 weeks after my Med City Marathon, I started watched the weather (=Temperatures), looking for a weekend low temp in the 50’s to run this event. 10 days out, I saw my weekend, the last weekend in September and the last weekend to run this event. I chose Saturday Sept 26^th to make my way up to St. Croix State Park.

I’ve been known to have ‘phantom’ pains the week before a race – a weak leg, a knee issue, minor things that never show up otherwise and usually disappear completely before the race. This week was different, and not in a good way. Not sure what I did (slept wrong?), but felt a little twinge in my next Tuesday morning as I did an easy run. It became very tight by the next day, and affected my sleep and how I moved throughout the next few days. Turning my head was difficult, looking up (or down) was unpleasant, with tightness down into my back. Thursday morning I did a 2 mile jog, and it actually felt better when I ran, but once home and back to normal life – it came right back. Friday night, the evening before my run, I resorted to taking ibuprofen. Got almost my normal sleep, and woke up around 5am to get ready for the drive/run. Took another dose for good measure – I expected I would be fine.

The 1hr 15 min drive to the park was fine even in a nice fog the whole way. Temp was 57° and humidity was at 99%. Gates were open as I arrived just before 7, and I made my way to my drop bag location, the Kettle River Overlook, which I would come through around mile 14.5 and 20. Tucked a small cooler bag, a jug of water, and a bag with shoes, snacks, and a roller, behind a tree and made the ~20 min drive back to the start area. Parked in the main lot and got ready (vest/bladder, snacks, phone, map, etc).

Having never been to the park before, I checked the map and found the trailhead. There was a large scout troop camping adjacent to the start, and wondered if I’d see them when I returned in 6+ hours…

Started off at 7:50am.

 

Entrance (as I left)

tad Humid! :-)

At the Start

Course Map

First couple of miles were horse trails and (packed gravel) roads.- not terribly even terrain, but flat. The whole course was pretty flat. Started out comfortably, had a printed course map and written directions with me, plus the State Park Map app (which was wonderful!) on my phone. Had the gate numbers and suspected mileage marked on my map for further reference. I was ready!

Horse Trails

Early road

Past first 'gate'

Gate 31 was a sharp right, at about 46min in, somewhere about mile 5. Mileage between landmarks/gates were iffy based solely on the course/trail map, so afterwards, I used the time, map mileage markers, phone app distance, and relative pace to guesstimate.  

I guess this part (the picture below) was the only time I felt unsure about my path. Sign obviously says Mathew Lourey State Trail, but part of me wondered if the trail was just parallel to the road. After going along a bit, I realized I was probably on the right track. Either the printed map or the App had me second guessing it - but I followed the sign and was fine.

Leaves were beautiful out. The morning fog was quite bad driving in, but the park became clear (below the tree tops anyway) with cloudy skies. Temps only warmed up a few degrees (to ~63°), but I was very happy with that. 

Got tot he Firetower just as a couple were making their way down it. I was happy to see it open - a big reason why I wanted to run this race. I made my way up - but didn't have much of a view as it was still foggy. 

Could see fine straight down.

It's really only a minute or 2 climb up or down.

Steps added for 'vertigo' option

It would have been good to have the tower later in the race, so maybe it would be a little more challenging. This was about 90 minutes in, so just about 9 miles in I think. Spent about 6 minutes there total, including eating a little snack, before heading back down the road. Still felt fine! Was about 7 miles away from my aid station, but this next section I was looking forward to as it was beside the river.

Hadn't seen too many people on the trails, but I did see a few hikers. No other runners.  

First view of the Kettle River (at Big Eddy)

Absolutely loved this section! Was pretty technical at first, until it got on the main trail, where it was just a little less straightforward. Good to finally be on some singletrack! I did kick a root pretty good with my right foot. Wasn't too bad (I would finally lose the blackened nail 2 months later).

These next few photos are at the Kettle River Overlook, where I had stashed my aid. It was Crowded! (and would be even more so later). Time was 2:52, and distance was about 16 miles. I refilled my bladder with some Gatorade/water, got out my PB&J sandwich and chips and cookies and snacked some - bringing some along with me. Used the roller a bit, and stashed it all back behind a tree. Left knee was slightly sore, but manageable. Same with some outer upper thigh soreness...it would soon disappear. 

and wonderful views of the river!

Back onto the trail

Next section was a loop down (~2mi) to the Two Rivers point, then back up ~2mi, before cutting down the road to the aid station at Mile 21. 

Happy to be in the woods!

pine straw

Two Rivers (Kettle And St. Croix)

Swans!

Soon after I passed the swans on the river, I made my way down the road back to the Aid Station. I had thoughts of taking my aid station with me, so I wouldn't have to spend 45 minutes after the run to pick it all up. Silly idea as I then recalled I also had a pair of shoes, just in case. No way to carry much of it at all. As I was turning to go into the parking lot, someone heading out on the trail asked if I was Brian. I said yeah, and they said "good luck". I had put a note with my stuff stating I was running a 31 mile race and to please leave it. That was very nice of them!! This was a very quick stop...and the lot was much more crowded. Distance of ~21 miles, time of 3:55. I was still moving pretty well, but slowing down. Saw a few people I had seen earlier in the day (tower couple, plus a few hikers). 

Joys of running in the Fall!

This next 4.4 mi section (Bear Creek Trail) was not my favorite...some nice views with the leaf coverage, some horses, very few hikers. The ground was an overgrown jeep road, and the following section, although it was only not even 2 miles as you headed back to Gate 31 from the south, was an uneven, slightly overgrown road/trail. You did feel like you were in the middle of nowhere, definitely off the beaten path. I walked/jogged as I could, and was feeling it in my legs. 

Dealt with heavy legs the last few miles, and tried to judge my time, wondering if breaking 6 hours was possible. Once I determined it was not, 6:10 was my next goal. It was good to pass Gate 31 (5:22) and reverse my path back to the finish. A very runnable section, and a few more people out on trails. 

I made my way to the finish and stopped my watch at 6:07:54! Mileage (per my phone app) showed 32.4 miles. (So 6hrs was doable if it was a 31 mi course!)

Tired, happy after 6+ hours!

The scout troop was still there, and avoided me as I laid down while they threw a football nearby. I was pretty happy with my event, and glad to have done it, even solo. I recommend this event and will run it again I think! 

Wasn't thrilled about retrieving my stuff, but it was fine. 

Had my typical 2mi recovery walk the next day, and after 2 easy runs that week (with some knee soreness), was back to normal the following weekend. Not bad (for me) for 3 races in 2.5 months! 

Next up - Icebox480 on Nov 7th!

2020 Med City Marathon (Virtual-Unsupported) 30-Aug-20

The 25^th Med City Marathon was to take place in Rochester, MN back on May 24^th. Due to Covid-19, it was postponed until Sept 5^th, but eventually replaced with a virtual option. I had planned on running in Rochester as I had never been there. Once it went remote, I made plans to run it in August, as soon as the temps got down below 60 for a weekend-overnight. Checking the forecasts, it looked like Sunday August 30^th, showing lows of around 55, would be the day.

The week before my race, I received my race packet. On Saturday, with the help of my daughter, I opened it and got my full-zip race jacket and bag. I wouldn’t get the medal until I finished! The jacket is nice – never had any kind of shirt/jacket with the thumb holes. This has the zipper on the left-hand side (which is backwards from all other zippered jackets I have), but the medium fits well.

Set my alarm for 4:09am race morning (It’s never set for a typical time! Don’t ask), and woke up after a normal 6hr sleep. I had prepped my UD vest with 4 (vanilla) Gu’s and a headlamp, filled my 2L bladder with water, and hit the bathroom. Nothing out of the ordinary – the same shorts/shirt I always wear for long runs. Broke in a new pair of Asics 2000-7’s two weeks back, and stepped out my front door at 4:35. Temp was 57°, humidity was not unusual at 89%, but the air quality was a surprise, with it being in the ‘Moderate’ category (at 72)

Early, Moderate air quality?

Ran down the block, turned and made my way around the rec center fields, then across Wheelock Parkway and down to the Lake Phalen running paths. Each loop is supposed to be 3.1 miles. 8 loops, plus the extra 1.4mi to get there/back and I’d have my full 26.2 marathon.

in the dark

My plan was to run ~9:00min/mi pace to start, just a nice comfortable pace. I did hold my headlamp for some of the first lap – I usually start out at 5am for my 2-loops before work during the week, and the darkness is manageable without it – but I wanted to be extra-safe and not trip over something or run into a tree branch as I did a few weeks back (caught it just above my right eye). Loop one was over in 27:41 (after a 7:34 run to the lake). Took a short ~15 sec walk break each loop there, and continued on.
Grass was wet with dew, but never ran in it enough to get my shoes wet/squishy like at Trail Mix in mid-July.

Didn’t see a soul on the 2^nd loop either, and had a split of 27:57. Keeping around a 28min/loop pace was my initial goal, with slowly increasing it to be near 30, before having to give up on time and just make it through. I had only done one longer run since my Trail Mix 50 six weeks before – that was the 25k loop at Afton 3 weeks ago, after which my left ankle stayed sore, and was just now feeling better (~90% anyway). So ~20 miles was my goal to stay somewhat on pace, then limp my way to a ~4:15 – 4:30 finish. Goals – you never know how the day is going to go!

Loops 3 and 4 were fine (28:09 & 28:29), so I was at 13.1 miles in 1:59:52. Still felt really good, felt I would have plenty of water (and not have to text my wife to meet me to refill). Sun came up just as I came upon the end of loop 4 (~6:32am).

Loop 5 was more interesting – aside from the typical walkers out, when my left knee, about halfway through the lap, became very sore and had me limping for a stretch down the little hill on the east-side of the lake. Still, I ran it in 28:08 (2:28:00 total).

Soon after starting Lap 6, I had company. Another school parent lives nearby and I see her running sometimes on Sunday mornings. I let her know I’d be out, and she came out and slowed her pace to run a lap with me. 😊 That helped a ton, as I was started to struggle…my left knee was so-so, but my legs were getting heavy and sluggish. We had to dodge a few people as more walkers were coming out, but we did see something quite amazing – a bald eagle flew by us, very low to the lake! Certainly don’t see that (there) often! I pushed to do it in 30:09 (2:58:07 for ~19.3 miles), and felt glad to have made miles 16-19 in that pace.

I immediately slowed to a walk and said goodbye, then it was, as I said – just plodding along, alternating some running with walking. I knew I could walk the whole lap in ~43 minutes, so I figured out my worst case times, and if I was doing 35 min laps. Both within my expected finish times.

After 4 hrs, on last lap

Had some abdominal soreness that came and went, but heavy legs and sore ankles really did me in. Lap 7 in 36:26, and still walking faster than most people when I couldn’t/wouldn’t run. Lap 8 – finally my last lap – was more of the same. Almost. I was in the last 1/4mi of the end of the loop, when a sudden buzzing sound right in my face and stinging on my right eyebrow, just under my hat brim and inside the edge of my glasses. Ouch!!! Bee sting. After maybe one sting while running ~5 years ago for the first time ever, I had one earlier this summer walking barefoot in my backyard. So this made #2 or 3 ever. Sure took the focus off my feet for the last mile.

Final Stretch!

I finally left the lake and went through the neighborhood around to where I’d finish. I had given my wife a heads-up, and she and our daughter set up a finish line tape for me to break through. Not being fast – I had never had that experience before - it was nice!. Then my daughter presented me with my medal and we walked the last block home. Finish time: 4:20:27.

Getting my medal from my daughter!

4:20:27

Other random notes: Had a plain bagel with butter/jelly before I started, ate 4 GU’s (every 45 mins or so) and had two S!Caps after the halfway point. Checked my water bladder when I got home and it was practically empty. It had only gotten up to 63°, so it didn’t become an issue with needing to drink more. This was my 141^st race/event. 14^th marathon and 43^rd marathon or ultra distance, and 13 straight years completing at least a marathon.

Still pleasant and 63° at the finish

Will have to see how my left knee/ankle heals up, but the plan is to run the Fire Tower 50k sometime in (late) September. Virtual, but on the true course at St. Croix State Park.

Phone 'health' data

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.

10th Annual Harbison 50k Trail Race

The 10^th annual Harbison 50k took place at Harbison State Forest, just outside Columbia, SC on Saturday January 4^th, 2020. After completing the first 8 races, I missed last year with a foot injury. There was little doubt that I would be back this year!

Previous Harbison bling

This year came with a new RD – with David Nance passing it on to Matthew Hammersmith (of Upstate Ultras) and Trey McCain (both part of ‘Without Limits’). Weather is one thing that’s consistent with its unpredictability. This year brought lots of rain before the race (more than an inch the day before), but sunny on race day and temps in the low 60’s. I believe this was the warmest starting temps for the race. Coming down from St. Paul (where it was 26 and snowing when I left Friday), I was happy to be able to run in shorts for the first time in months.

After driving down to be there at 7am for the 8am start (I really enjoyed the later start, even 30 minutes later than usual) for the 50k, I picked up my bib and shirt. (May have had an issue with the shirt sizing in that I think all the 50k shirts were size Large? I was happy with the larger shirt than expected). After hanging out in my car for a bit, I went and listened to the race instructions.

Pre-race briefing

I'm supposed to know the course directions?

Only news of interest was a move of the 2^nd Aid Station a little further past the lollipop section (Bluffs) so we’d only pass it once each lap. We all then moved to the starting line. A quick hello to Byron Backer (the only other 50k runner I knew), a move back a bit off the line, and off we went!

It didn’t take long to spread out down the road before a sharp turn onto the trails. It also didn’t take long for the water on the course to soak everyone’s feet. I kept my steady pace following a couple of people as we tried to dodge the deepest puddles of shoe-sucking mud, but it was impossible not to. I’ve never had a problem running with wet feet, so I plodded along. Hit the first aid station in 56 minutes (typical for me) right behind Alfie – a local runner who was running Harbison for the 6th time. She was strong and steady and although I could walk faster, I knew it was a matter of time before she pulled ahead. It was nice conversation and helped the miles pass as we topped out on Spiderwoman. I had accidentally stopped my watch at the first AS instead of hitting the lap button. I found out at the rock garden from another runner that I had lost about 35 minutes on my stopwatch.

Other than a few miles with Alfie – I did not really run with another person the rest of the race.

It was a good day to be outside, even with the water, the more-than ankle-deep creek crossing at AS1, the few slippery sections and narrow bluffs. The second Aid Station wasn’t in a bad spot, but it did add about 15min to reach it. At the halfway point, I used my roller, had some snacks, and had my bladder filled (or so I thought) thanks to the RD (MH). It was at 97% humidity when we started, and I made sure to drink plenty. I also took two S-caps and had some snacks at AS2 and all Aid Stations after that. I headed back out after 2:58. (Exactly 1 minute slower than my 2011 time and 20secs slower than 2017, so I expected my finish time to be ~6:40.

The 2^nd loop seemed a little sloppier as the 25k races had already gone through, and I slowed down even more as my legs grew heavy. Hit the AS in 1:10 (so - ~14 minutes slower than the first lap) just after another slog through the deep water crossing!

This next section always seems long the second go-round. Didn’t see too many people, and maybe just a few passed me, and I did come upon a few 25kers. I ended up running out of water on this section…I didn’t check to see how full my bladder got filled to at the mid-way point (one lesson learned!). The extra water jug at the lollipop section was empty at that point, but it really wasn’t much of an issue for me. My body, however – reacted like it should when you don’t put in the long runs you should have (and cross country skied the weekend before for the first time of the season).

Skiing brought on some inner-thigh soreness earlier in the week, and I didn’t really expect it to show back up – but around the halfway, there it was (inner right thigh). A few miles more and it was my whole right hip area. To cap it off – my IT band (right knee) started to irritate me a little bit about mile 27. So I ambled on as I could. Jogging some downhills and flats when I could and walking my normal speed (which felt just fine).

Some water on the course

And some more water!

I watched the clock not knowing exactly the overall time, but still was hoping/expecting to come in just before 6:45.

So just before halfway as I was heading back toward the start, Byron passed opposite me heading back out. Didn’t really think about it until I made the last right-hand turn and I saw him up ahead. I was not interested in catching him, but I knew that since I caught up to him, that he wasn't having a great second lap. I ended up finishing right behind him!

Happy with my 9th finish!

Finish time was 6:43:11 (so I now have 4 finished between 6:38-6:43).
After 2-3 days, my ankle tightness, left hamstring, shins soreness, were basically gone. Going for a long walk the day after the race is always good, but maybe I should've skipped playing basketball. 

2019 Icebox480

2019 Icebox 480

Lined up for the 7^th Icebox 480 on Nov 2, 2019, my 3^rd time running this event in River Falls, WI. After getting 37mi back in 2015, and 40 last year, this year my plan was to run four of the 7-mile loops and be done.Getting my 40^th marathon or longer finish was my only goal.

Pre-race

At the start, it was 33° (and stayed there the whole day, with some flurries for while later on) and once the faster runners started off, there was a lull with people kind of looking around to see who else would go – so I did. It worked out perfectly, as it soon thinned out after only half a mile!

Loop 1 was somewhat eventful. Ran ‘near’ people for the loop, and followed 3 people off-course. I knew pretty quickly it didn’t look familiar. It was well before the aid station, around 3 miles in? (south-east area of the course/trails), and we seemed to follow the path to the left, with a corn field on our right.We ran around the corn field, then there was a trail arrow (like the others we’d seen, just no red flags at all while we ran) directing us back into the woods. There we saw red flags, coming up from the right, and continuing on to our left, so we kept on going, back on the real trail. At that point, I really didn’t know time-wide when the AS would appear, but came up on it after about 47mins total. I bypassed it (no chips or cookies, and didn’t want skittles). Went thru the downhills and finished lap 1 in 1:13 (within a minute of last year’s loop 1).

Grabbed some snacks (swiss cake rolls!! Chips and a cookie) and headed back out. Didn’t take any more than minute. Spent most of the next 3 laps running solo. I’d see people every now and then through the trees, but never ran with anyone.

Trails were in good shape, but there were a few slick spots. The fall leaves were nice, and got some cool pictures of the trail winding through all the yellow. Lap 2 was the correct trail, and there was an over-abundance of markers at one section (near the tower) that we either had not gotten to that point yet, or was added during lap 1. It was definitely more familiar.

Ran well during lap 2, and started loop 3 after 1:10 (2:24 total). I did take ~4 minutes to fill my bladder with Gatorade, take a pit-stop, use my roller on my thighs, and grab some snacks (more Swiss cake rolls – by far my favorite AS food of the day!).

Lovely colors

Lap 3 – walked more, legs felt a little heavier. Was nice knowing I was only running 4 loops and was more than half-way done. Came in after Loop 3 and spent ~3mins with some more rolling and more snacks. Got back out on the trail after 1:23 (3:48 total).

Last loop, I actually felt a little better. No pains at all, so that was good. Stomach was actually growling at me for food – which doesn’t happen often. Took my GU, and then later on, the Aid station finally had some chips, so that held me until the finish.

Lap finish-chute

Came across the line with a 1:28 loop (within 2secs of my 4^th loop last year) and stopped after 5:15 (about a minute faster than last year).

Thanked the Race Director, got some food (coke, some Excellent grilled cheese, chips, and of course, more Swiss cake rolls!). Have 105 miles in my 3 years running this race, and can see myself coming back here every year. Saw a few younger boys running, and not one young girl. In fact, if my 10 yr old daughter had completed one lap, she would have been first in her age group (20 and under). Maybe next year I can get her out there!

Finished with 28 miles

Start/Finish Aid Station! (SO GOOD!!)

Post-race: Some minor hips soreness the next day and a walk to the library, but was back to normal the following day!

Thanks to some volunteers - have some other photos:

initial conga line-but spaced out quickly!

Always fun! (but being Very careful!)

Out on Loop 3

Loop 4

2019 3rd Black River Trail Classic 50k

2019 Black River Trail Classic 50k.

This was my first race of the year (Oct 19, 2019). The year began with disappointment in my skipping the 9^th Harbison 50k. I had run the first 8, so my streak ended with lingering left ankle/foot and right hamstring pain. After taking a few months of winter off from running, and using our rowing machine more than ever, I started back in late March with some walk/runs around the lake. I didn’t get up to 30+ miles in a week until mid-May. The summer was busy with work-travel and vacation-travel, so that didn’t help e keep my momentum up. I finally chose a new race for me – the Black River Trail Classic 50k, in Millston, WI. The race director knows what he’s doing, and reached out with a personal note and sticker to thank me for trying them out. That was super-nice! This was their 3^rd year and it’s still fairly small, under 60 in the 50k.

So – after finally getting back to Afton for 5 training runs, and getting my mileage back up to 36mi/wk for 6wks, I felt I had done enough to get another finish. I should have done longer runs than just 15.5 miles though.😊

Race day comes around and I woke up at 4am to make the 2:15 drive in time for the 7:30am start. Got my bib, free collapsible cup, sticker, checked out the shirts (bought one afterwards), and hung out until the race started. It was a comfortable 50° at the start, and only went up a couple degrees the whole day.

Once the RD’s adorable daughter said ‘go’, we were off down the road, eventually heading into the forest.

Side note – no one really started when they said ‘go’, so I ended up being first for about 40 yards. Probably first and last time being first in a race!

1st Lake (technically 'Pigeon Creek Flowage)

Sand

Gravel

'Wildcat flowage' about mile 14

So this was basically a flat, slightly overgrown forest/ATV service road. Scenery was nice and the sun peaked out a few times and we passed a couple of lakes. 

We made it to a road and soon turned off into a parking lot to hit the first Aid Station at Mile 5 (in 48:45). I bypassed it as I had my UD vest and a Gu.

Back into the forest, and the ‘road’ turned out to be sand. It wasn’t terribly hard, and not ridiculously soft, but still, it was sand. For miles. And miles. At least it was flat. I knew I could pay for it later, but I kept moving and it eventually turned into a gravel-covered road. Spent more effort trying to find the least-stony path. Miles and miles of that too. 

Finally at Mile 12 we hit another AS(in 1:57 total). Filled my bladder with Gatorade out of my drop bag, grabbed some snacks, and headed out. 

Mi 12 Aid Station

More service roads, and some gravel sections as we headed to the next AS at mile 16.4 (arrived in 2:37).

I had pretty much run the whole race by myself with the exception of a couple of miles early on with 2 females. They were certainly in better shape, but I tried to stay near them before that first AS. (One had just run Chicago Marathon the week before, and the other was in her first ultra, and won her age group I think – awesome on both accounts!)

Anyway – at Mile 16.4, we were on more hiking/biking trails for the 3.6mi Wildcat loop. Ups and downs with some nice views. I think I took a photo at each overlook the whole race! It stayed cloudy, and it finally lightly rained the last 2+ hours.

Mile 20 AS after 3:17 and I had started some walking during that last section. The rest of the race was all pretty similar, some winding trails (all very wide, like it had been all day), some steep ups and steep downs. 

Some nice views, just a few 25k runners shared parts of the trail with us in a few spots, and aid stations at 24(4:08) and the last one at 26.6 (4:52). One AS had moved ~1.3mi, so that had me confused with the mileage for a bit. Total race distance was given as 31.5mi. I had some ab/hip/groin soreness at about mile 25, and was not able to run much after that. I found I could do a shuffle where I didn’t really bend my right leg much, so that worked on some of the downhills. IT band and lower back got sore too. Not sure how much of it was a direct result from the sand…who knows?!

Hit the last steep uphill and had a longish downhill before it flattened out to the finish, still in a light rain. Finish time: 6:06:15. So – pretty typical for me (faster that I expected), and pretty happy with it overall. Had some chili, cornbread, and coke in the warming house, before driving back home.

So –well run event, nice area, state forest really brought me back to some SC/GA races I’ve done – so that was nice. I will likely do another of their “runco”) races – the High Cliff Ultra next year.

Post-race – hips and hamstrings were tender for two days, and then I was perfectly fine. Good, because I have the Icebox480 in 2 weeks (planning on 28mi there).