Well, I am a week out from my first 50 mile race. Superior 50 mile on the 10th of Septmember.
Training:
My longest run in training for this race was 23 miles. I did a 10 miler on a Thursday, a 23 miler on that same Saturday and 10 miles on the Monday two days later. I would have liked a little bit tighter grouping but I was able to run some hills and didn't make training for this thing my whole life as I don't really have the kind of time right now to do that.
Where did I train:
I trained quite a bit at Elm Creek Park Reserve, right by my house. Probably 75% of the miles I run, I run here. There are miles of hiking and horse trails and the Three Rivers Park District is a beautiful set of parks, very well run and always kept in great shape. I also trained once at Baker park Reserve on horse trails and long grass (the terrain there was pretty flat although their was long grass 8-10 inches in most areas). I trained at Hyland park Reserve on their massive ski hills just the other day in my last intense training run. I trained a bit around Life Time at Crosstown, none on the treadmill anywhere (it has been a joy to run outside 3-4 days per week. For the most part, that's about it for the training grounds this time around. I did find a little nugget that I didn't know existed just a few miles from my house though on my 23 miler a few weeks back. There is 15 miles of mountain bike and trail running paths on the northern half of Elm Creek Park Reserve. They say it is for trail running and mountain biking, but I haven't see any other trail runners there yet. That is a pretty aggressive track and the rolling hills resemble that of northern minnesota's Superior hiking Trail (minus the rocks and roots). There is also no elevation around here that you will find there. That trail is unrelenting!!
I am really looking forward to the trip up there next weekend. My dad and brother are going to come with me and be my support. I'll have everything placed where it needs to be without them, but it will be great to have someone to share this adventure with. We are going to be staying in a little cabin called "The Nest" in Little Marais, cruising to Lutsen on Friday evening for the pre race meeting, maybe stopping at an aid station to see the 100 mile racers, loading up on carbs, and hitting the hay fairly early that evening.
Saturday is an early start. 6am racers leave Finland on their way to Lutsen. There were just 9 people who finished the race in less than 12 hours last year out of 50 that ran it. That would be great, but lets face it, not very likely to happen to me. That is a stretch goal of mine, I just don't know if I have the experience to do that right now. We will see...
Here are times and paces:
12 hrs x 60 = 720 / 50 = 14.4 min/mi
13 hrs x 60 = 780 / 50 = 15.6 min/mi
14 hrs x 60 = 840 / 50 = 16.8 min/mi
15 hrs x 60 = 900 / 50 = 18 min/mi
The 21st runner out of 42 last year completed the event in 13:40. I would like to finish before 6pm on that day, really would like to be in the top half of the field. That means I'll need to average better than 17 minute miles to do so. I know the last stretch is going to be slow because of the hills and exhaustion, miles 40-45 will be more rolling, and I have no clue what the first 35 miles even look like. The 50k is an out and back from Lutsen to Carlton's Peak and back to Lutsen again. I am really excited to see some more of the trail, hopefully from about 6 feet up and not face to face with it. That will probably happen too though, I just hope I see some dirt up close and not the high point of one of the rocks that make this trail such a tripping hazard. It's the roots that really get me though. I need to make sure I am lifting my feet over the roots. I have a tendency to catch my toe on those things and that is when I eat the trail. I know late in this race my shoulders won't be able to catch me too many times as they'll be beat as well.
I'll be carrying two water bottles filled with EFS throughout the entire race. I don't plan on dipping into the EFS much though until after the first aid station. I'll probably just have one filled with EFS from the start and will have EFS dropped at most aid stations along the way. I am going to get a new pair of compression socks and will have fresh socks at probably two of the aid stations along the way.
I am excited to see familiar faces along the trail and will tell them to not let me quit (I'm sure I'll feel like it late and probably often). I will persevere through pain and win the battle of the mind. I am strong, determined, trained, and devoted to this goal of traversing 50 miles at one time. Super excited for the T-Shirt at the end and I'll wear it proud for about two weeks after finishing.
I'll need prayer along the way that day, early and often. Please pray for strength, focus (on the trail), health, power, determination, persistance, wisdom (in decision making on the course (fueling, when to rest, etc)), enjoyment.
It means so much to me that Dad and Jesse will be there to support me. I have run 3 50km races and this is the first that I'll have someone to share this experience with. I know it is a long day, and I hope they will enjoy their day on the North Shore. I'll have everything laid out that I need on the course so that you just need to enjoy the lake, take in some of the suffering, and drive me out of the Caribou Highlands parking lot after the trail takes its best shot at me.
I am personally really looking forward to the adventure, each and every part of it. It is a unique folk, us ultra runners, and folk that is looking to push beyond what most people think is reality or sanity. We look to do things that most think can't be done. We train our bodies to endure some of the most physical, long lasting, fatigue and we pay to put our training to the test. Again, I am so looking forward to sharing this experience with two people that I love very much. It brings me to tears thinking of the sacrifice they are making to support me on September 10th.
A short week that will take forever awaits... The weather is supposed to be perfect all week on the trail, which should mean no mud!! That would be huge, I don't feel like running in wet feet for an entire day. You never know what Gitche Gummee's weather system will throw at you though. I'll keep my fingers crossed and my eye on the radar. SHT here I come!!!
