2023 Fire Tower 50k was held on Saturday October 7th at St Croix State Park in Minnesota. After running this virtually (on course and self-supported) solo in 2020 during Covid, I wanted to come back and run the real event.
After my bone spur issue in 2022 and into this year, I started back running in August, anxious to get an ultra finish and continue my streaks (marathon distance race annually going back to 2008 and yearly ultras going back to 2010). I got up to a single 13 mile run a month before this event (and averaged almost 30 mi/wk for 6wks), and believed I could run a portion and hike the rest of it. That was my plan.
 |
| Pre-race photo |
Race day was cloudy and 42° at the start - ideal conditions for me at the 7:00am start. Set out a drop back for the halfway point (we'd hit it again at mi. 20) and started out at a comfortable pace near a small group. Wasn't long before it was just me at my own pace.
Skipped the first Aid Station at mile 3.5 (37.:01) and continued toward the Fire Tower at mile 9.
 |
| Fire Tower! |
 |
| Had a view this year! |
 |
| Shared a mile or three with these two! |
Got here, mile 9, after 1:39 (5.5 mi section in 1:02), still running well. Going up was fine, and shared the top with two others I had ran with leading up to it. Took a few picts and was glad to have a view this time around. (My 2020 "race' had No view with clouds blocking everything). Including a pit stop, it added about 7 minutes to my time. I joked about going up second time with the AS volunteer, but they said only if I was doing the 100k. Headed out for the next section which included some of my favorite trails in the park along the Kinic River.
 |
| Kinic River |
 |
| Favorite miles by the river! |
 |
| Headed toward Overlook/Gate 23 AS |
I had hoped to get to the Overlook/Gate 23 AS at mile 15 being able to run, and I mostly accomplished that. I got there after 2:59 elapsed. Took 5 minutes - refilled my bladder with Gatorade. I had brought my old trekking poles, and planned to pick them up at Mile 20 when I came back through. Slowed down significantly and was content to power hike starting about mile 19.
Got back to the AS after 4:05. Had to empty my shoes of pebbles, had some coke and a grilled cheese and after 5 minutes, walked out, forgetting my poles.
I felt decent after that - except my right knee was tender if I ran much. I cruised along, particularly after finding a great hiking stick that I used the last 7ish miles. I didn't see too many people, but did speak as people passed me (or I passed others). I skipped the last aid station (mile 27.6, 5:57 elapsed) and came in with someone else as we both trotted in.
 |
| Walking it in |
 |
| The finish! |
My finish time was 6:47. (4/8 age group, 18/39 gender)
 |
| Post-race |
Recovery went fine...hamstrings were sore for a few days, had one blister due to a rock under my right heel, and was practically 100% a week later (although I did have some right knee soreness on and off for a few weeks leading into a very warm winter!
(This was written in May 2024 based on my notes)
