PRERACE: Since I dropped out of Ice Age in May due to injury, I wanted to try another 50 miler this year. In the back of my mind I wanted to try to run under 8 hours, or at least give it a shot. Consequently, Superior 50 was a race I DIDN'T want to run because I knew it would be hard. (Ultrarunning gives it a 4/4 rating with 5/5 being the hardest). I was dealing with various minor injuries -- repeated hamstring and calf strains that continued to plague me -- yeah, don't tell me, I know, I should be stretching more! (I must have heard that 100 times). However I was able to get in some long runs. Notably, in June, July, and August I was able to get in a 30+ mile run each month, and also had several back-to-back 20 mile runs. I was averaging 40-60 miles of running a week and also biking as well. At the urging especially of RICHARDC I started to consider Superior. It was close (or at least relatively, only 6 hours driving), and I was starting to think it's terrain might suit my style which incorporates fast hiking at times. I finally signed up only about 10 days before the event. I was a little suprised to see the winner of the 50 mile race in 2008 finished in over 10 hours!
I made reservations at the Mountain Inn just across the street from the finish at Lutsen (Caribou Highlands). The drive up from Duluth was beautiful. The terrain was very rugged and most of the drive was right along Lake Superior. The 100 mile race (Superior Sawtooth) started Friday at 8AM and I timed my trip to catch the leaders at County Road 6 (43 miles). At the aid station there I saw the first three runners who finished in the same order they came into the aid station. I also met Duke Rembleski, the eventual winner of the 50 mile race, and a very nice guy. He had obviously run the course many times and gave me some details about the legs I would be running the next day.
The rest of the day was taken up by driving to the Mountain Inn, checking in and getting dinner at the Caribou Highlands which was good but quite expensive. Since I didn't have any crew, I put out drop bags at the Sugarloaf Aid Station (21 miles) and Temperance River AS (33 miles).
I had a beer and slept fitfully until my alarm went off at 4:20 AM.
RACE DAY: I had a yogurt, a V8, and some sugar-coated donuts I had bought the day before at a convenience store. I wore thin Injinji socks with another thin sock of Smartwool over them. I had had good luck with this combo in preventing blisters. I wore my Asics Trail shoes which worked pretty well but also gave decent support. The bus left exactly at 5AM and arrived at the Finland AS start at 5:45AM. We had check-in and the race actually started about 6:06AM, with Larry Pederson (Race Director) saying "OK, go".
FINLAND TO SONJU: It was still dark, but getting lighter. Some racers used lights and some didn't. I elected to use a handheld and a headlamp, figuring the more the better. I didn't want to trip and injure myself at this early stage. We ran 1/4 mile down a gravel road, and turned promptly left into a tight single-track. The section was 7.5 miles. There were 15 or so runners in front of me. I learned later there were 74 starters. As always I was uncertain about my pacing. I felt we were going ridiculously slowly. I ran with several other runners most of this leg. The trail was moderate in difficulty. I didn't walk much, probably only a handful of times for 10-15 seconds or so. There were no big climbs or anything too technical. I was wearing my Ultimate Direction Wasp, filled with Accelerade and a bunch of gels. The temp was 60's but very muggy. Very quickly I was wringing wet with sweat, but I didn't feel particularly hot. I was drinking regularly and taking a gel every 30-40 minutes. There was anywhere from 2-4 runners in our group in addition to me. I was at the back, where I liked to be, as this allows me to yo-yo a little as I feel; I climb and descend at different speeds than the others around me. At one point the guy in front of me fell down, but seemed OK after he got up. A woman was running with us, Valeria, who would eventually win the woman's race. She was running nearly every hill (and would continue to do so until the end, except the very gnarly bits) which was a different technique than me, but overall we were going the same speed. She asked me if I did the race in Marquette three weeks earlier (after asking where I lived) and I told her I was the race director.
SONJU TO CROSBY MANITOU : This leg was pretty easy by Superior Race standards. 4.2 miles. I just checked into the AS, got a glass of water, and left. The trail was singletrack, still rooty and rocky, but not particularly hilly, a few ups and downs. I felt good but let the others move ahead slightly. I was running behind some other guy, didn't get his name, but he was running slower than the others I had just been running with. I was tempted to pass, but decided I would just stay behind him. It was a long race. I stopped 30 seconds for a nature break, and was all alone. I cont'd to take in the Accelerade, gels, and a Saltstick every hour. I ran pretty hard for 10 minutes and STILL didn't catch up the guy who was in front of me which I though was pretty odd since he wasn't running very fast. I came to a bridge construction site where work was going on and the marked trail went right through the construction site. The workers there pointed me up to the left but the markers went a different way and so I followed the markers. I began to worry that the guy who was in front of me had been misled by the workers. Never found out what happened to him -- never saw him again. In any case, I came out on a gravel road (the only one on the course) which was a gradual uphill to AS 2 Crosby Manitou. There I was met by several volunteers who had come to do the Marquette Trail 50 three weeks earlier. They recognized me and it was good to chat for a minute. I was still feeling good. At AS2 I refilled my hydration pack with half water and half Heed. I grabbed a couple of cookies and drank a glass of water.
CROSBY MANITOU TO SUGARLOAF: This section is very tough and lasts 9.1 miles. I was nervous about this section. It is quite technical and hilly, but has a rugged beauty. It comes out on ridgelines with beautiful vistas, then descends to river valleys, and climbs the next ridge. The sun was out now, and it was getting hot. Still very clammy and steamy. I caught up with a guy who was running with ONE handheld. "Dude", I said, "I don't know how you can run this (2 hour) section with one handheld". He assured me he had been urinating well but then told me he didn't consider himself an expert on the subject. I think I drank another 50 ounces of fluid on this leg (in addition to the 60 ounces I drank earlier!). I didn't feel dehydrated but wasn't really urinating much either. The trail was beautiful. I ran with this other buy but eventrually was alone after he fell back. We went down into this gorge, a huge steep downhill with switchbacks and downward scrambling, crossed a raging torrent below (on a bridge -- never had to get your feet wet), and walked back up a series of crude stairs, and steep trail. I can't say enough how cool this section was. At the end I was getting a little tired. Finally arrived at Sugarloaf AS and my drop bag. I downed, in succession, a can of V8 and a can of Starbucks "Double Shot" Expresso; refilled my hydration system, and grabbed more gel. I grabbed some pretzels, cookies, and walked out of the aid station toward Cramer Road.
SUGARLOAF TO CRAMER ROAD: 5.6 miles. I wasn't half way yet and was feeling the race, definitely. My legs were starting to give me little spasms, especially in my calves. It's too early to start feeling this way -- not even halfway yet. I can't really remember this section very well. The trail was still typical Superior Hiking Trail with rugged terrain, tight singletrack. I think I passed a few runners on this leg. Several passed me back later. I was still taking a salt tablet every hour, and gel every 40 minutes. My stomach was a little queasy and I actually almost puked once, probably a combination of the v8 and the Starbucks. Also the heat/humidity was really starting to get to me. There was no wind either. Really felt sweltering. I was passing a few 100 milers and was really glad I wasn't doing the 100! At Cramer Road I basically just went right through the aid station. I drank some water and grabbed some fruit.
CRAMER ROAD TO TEMPERANCE This is 7.1 miles. More of the same. I was alone most of the time. Not sure of my place. Maybe if the RD posts the splits I can see how I was doing. I was getting more spasms in my legs. I was getting a little uncoordinated and fell down once and both legs completely locked up in spasm. Never had that happen before, and wasn't sure what to do. I walked it off. Figured I was real low on salt and took another two salt tablets. My legs were still twitching and I felt nauseated. Eventually was able to trot with occassional stops to stretch. Somewhere around in here I passed RICHARDC and FLOUNDER going up a steep section. We said hi, but I wasn't in the mood for stopping. FLOUNDER told me to get the beer ready! Made it into Temperance AS and didn't feel well. My drop bag was there and I changed my Wasp for a prefilled CamelBack. I drank my V8 and had another Starbucks double shot.
TEMPERANCE TO SAWBILL: 5.7 miles (about 40 miles to Sawbill). The Temperance River is beautiful and is a great gorge of white water. We crossed it and ran on both sides. Now I was running slowly up the bank. The sceney was nicely distracting. I was able to run the flat areas and even the gradual ups. The steeper sections I had to walk but was still moving pretty well. The spasms were better, must have been the salt. Also a rain squall came through for about 20 minutes and cooled everything down about 5 degrees. I think my hydration was just OK. I was able to urinate, but not alot. The trail began to go up, and then REALLY up -- that got my attention on a long steep series of uphills to Britton Peak. The end of the climb is a four extremity scramble. Again I was alone. Maybe someone passed me and I passed them back later. One guy went by me and looked real good. I think this leg took me about 80 minutes or so but I could be wrong. The downhill from Britton Peak started to tweak my knee making the downhills more painful.
SAWBILL TO OBERG 5.1 miles. This section isn't too bad it you feel OK. Quite runnable but I was only able to run a couple of miles. The rest I hiked quickly. I think someone passed me, Valeria, again. The trail was less rugged, mostly in the trees. The squall had passed and it was hot again. I was suffering at this point. Me knee was bothering me, and my legs were cooked. On the bright side, my stomach was better and I didn't have any blisters. I was still drinking and taking in gel. Had some Cliff Bloks also. I was passing a 100 miler every mile or so at this point. Most of them had pacers but a few were alone. Most were moving along well and would finish.
OBERG TO LUTSEN FINISH: 7.1 miles I was alone again. Valeria passed me again after I passed her at the aid station. She ended up finishing 14 minutes in front of me so that shows you how slow I was going. I wasn't able to run much, mostly because of my knee, but no one else passed me so I knew others were going slow as well. This is a deceptively tough leg as it goes over Moose Mountain and some other mountain I can't remember the name of. There is a lot of climbing again, and a lot of descent. My knee was really hurting on the descent, but I could still trot on the flats. It's a cruel joke that I dwelled on that somewhere in here is the 50 mile mark, but I was actually going 52 miles! I had no idea how much farther, but eventually (after what seemed an eternity) I came out on the gravel road above Lutsen and was able to run most of the last mile to the finish. Larry was there to shake my hand. Third Masters finisher (first dude over 50!)
I went over to my room (too far, 400 yards) took a shower, and got a sandwich and a beer. I then waited for RICHARDC and FLOUNDER until after dark. I was getting tired. I heard there were several 100 mile runners who were able to leave OBERG AS and I hope RICHARDC was one of them. Eventually learned they had finished.
I made reservations at the Mountain Inn just across the street from the finish at Lutsen (Caribou Highlands). The drive up from Duluth was beautiful. The terrain was very rugged and most of the drive was right along Lake Superior. The 100 mile race (Superior Sawtooth) started Friday at 8AM and I timed my trip to catch the leaders at County Road 6 (43 miles). At the aid station there I saw the first three runners who finished in the same order they came into the aid station. I also met Duke Rembleski, the eventual winner of the 50 mile race, and a very nice guy. He had obviously run the course many times and gave me some details about the legs I would be running the next day.
The rest of the day was taken up by driving to the Mountain Inn, checking in and getting dinner at the Caribou Highlands which was good but quite expensive. Since I didn't have any crew, I put out drop bags at the Sugarloaf Aid Station (21 miles) and Temperance River AS (33 miles).
I had a beer and slept fitfully until my alarm went off at 4:20 AM.
RACE DAY: I had a yogurt, a V8, and some sugar-coated donuts I had bought the day before at a convenience store. I wore thin Injinji socks with another thin sock of Smartwool over them. I had had good luck with this combo in preventing blisters. I wore my Asics Trail shoes which worked pretty well but also gave decent support. The bus left exactly at 5AM and arrived at the Finland AS start at 5:45AM. We had check-in and the race actually started about 6:06AM, with Larry Pederson (Race Director) saying "OK, go".
FINLAND TO SONJU: It was still dark, but getting lighter. Some racers used lights and some didn't. I elected to use a handheld and a headlamp, figuring the more the better. I didn't want to trip and injure myself at this early stage. We ran 1/4 mile down a gravel road, and turned promptly left into a tight single-track. The section was 7.5 miles. There were 15 or so runners in front of me. I learned later there were 74 starters. As always I was uncertain about my pacing. I felt we were going ridiculously slowly. I ran with several other runners most of this leg. The trail was moderate in difficulty. I didn't walk much, probably only a handful of times for 10-15 seconds or so. There were no big climbs or anything too technical. I was wearing my Ultimate Direction Wasp, filled with Accelerade and a bunch of gels. The temp was 60's but very muggy. Very quickly I was wringing wet with sweat, but I didn't feel particularly hot. I was drinking regularly and taking a gel every 30-40 minutes. There was anywhere from 2-4 runners in our group in addition to me. I was at the back, where I liked to be, as this allows me to yo-yo a little as I feel; I climb and descend at different speeds than the others around me. At one point the guy in front of me fell down, but seemed OK after he got up. A woman was running with us, Valeria, who would eventually win the woman's race. She was running nearly every hill (and would continue to do so until the end, except the very gnarly bits) which was a different technique than me, but overall we were going the same speed. She asked me if I did the race in Marquette three weeks earlier (after asking where I lived) and I told her I was the race director.
SONJU TO CROSBY MANITOU : This leg was pretty easy by Superior Race standards. 4.2 miles. I just checked into the AS, got a glass of water, and left. The trail was singletrack, still rooty and rocky, but not particularly hilly, a few ups and downs. I felt good but let the others move ahead slightly. I was running behind some other guy, didn't get his name, but he was running slower than the others I had just been running with. I was tempted to pass, but decided I would just stay behind him. It was a long race. I stopped 30 seconds for a nature break, and was all alone. I cont'd to take in the Accelerade, gels, and a Saltstick every hour. I ran pretty hard for 10 minutes and STILL didn't catch up the guy who was in front of me which I though was pretty odd since he wasn't running very fast. I came to a bridge construction site where work was going on and the marked trail went right through the construction site. The workers there pointed me up to the left but the markers went a different way and so I followed the markers. I began to worry that the guy who was in front of me had been misled by the workers. Never found out what happened to him -- never saw him again. In any case, I came out on a gravel road (the only one on the course) which was a gradual uphill to AS 2 Crosby Manitou. There I was met by several volunteers who had come to do the Marquette Trail 50 three weeks earlier. They recognized me and it was good to chat for a minute. I was still feeling good. At AS2 I refilled my hydration pack with half water and half Heed. I grabbed a couple of cookies and drank a glass of water.
CROSBY MANITOU TO SUGARLOAF: This section is very tough and lasts 9.1 miles. I was nervous about this section. It is quite technical and hilly, but has a rugged beauty. It comes out on ridgelines with beautiful vistas, then descends to river valleys, and climbs the next ridge. The sun was out now, and it was getting hot. Still very clammy and steamy. I caught up with a guy who was running with ONE handheld. "Dude", I said, "I don't know how you can run this (2 hour) section with one handheld". He assured me he had been urinating well but then told me he didn't consider himself an expert on the subject. I think I drank another 50 ounces of fluid on this leg (in addition to the 60 ounces I drank earlier!). I didn't feel dehydrated but wasn't really urinating much either. The trail was beautiful. I ran with this other buy but eventrually was alone after he fell back. We went down into this gorge, a huge steep downhill with switchbacks and downward scrambling, crossed a raging torrent below (on a bridge -- never had to get your feet wet), and walked back up a series of crude stairs, and steep trail. I can't say enough how cool this section was. At the end I was getting a little tired. Finally arrived at Sugarloaf AS and my drop bag. I downed, in succession, a can of V8 and a can of Starbucks "Double Shot" Expresso; refilled my hydration system, and grabbed more gel. I grabbed some pretzels, cookies, and walked out of the aid station toward Cramer Road.
SUGARLOAF TO CRAMER ROAD: 5.6 miles. I wasn't half way yet and was feeling the race, definitely. My legs were starting to give me little spasms, especially in my calves. It's too early to start feeling this way -- not even halfway yet. I can't really remember this section very well. The trail was still typical Superior Hiking Trail with rugged terrain, tight singletrack. I think I passed a few runners on this leg. Several passed me back later. I was still taking a salt tablet every hour, and gel every 40 minutes. My stomach was a little queasy and I actually almost puked once, probably a combination of the v8 and the Starbucks. Also the heat/humidity was really starting to get to me. There was no wind either. Really felt sweltering. I was passing a few 100 milers and was really glad I wasn't doing the 100! At Cramer Road I basically just went right through the aid station. I drank some water and grabbed some fruit.
CRAMER ROAD TO TEMPERANCE This is 7.1 miles. More of the same. I was alone most of the time. Not sure of my place. Maybe if the RD posts the splits I can see how I was doing. I was getting more spasms in my legs. I was getting a little uncoordinated and fell down once and both legs completely locked up in spasm. Never had that happen before, and wasn't sure what to do. I walked it off. Figured I was real low on salt and took another two salt tablets. My legs were still twitching and I felt nauseated. Eventually was able to trot with occassional stops to stretch. Somewhere around in here I passed RICHARDC and FLOUNDER going up a steep section. We said hi, but I wasn't in the mood for stopping. FLOUNDER told me to get the beer ready! Made it into Temperance AS and didn't feel well. My drop bag was there and I changed my Wasp for a prefilled CamelBack. I drank my V8 and had another Starbucks double shot.
TEMPERANCE TO SAWBILL: 5.7 miles (about 40 miles to Sawbill). The Temperance River is beautiful and is a great gorge of white water. We crossed it and ran on both sides. Now I was running slowly up the bank. The sceney was nicely distracting. I was able to run the flat areas and even the gradual ups. The steeper sections I had to walk but was still moving pretty well. The spasms were better, must have been the salt. Also a rain squall came through for about 20 minutes and cooled everything down about 5 degrees. I think my hydration was just OK. I was able to urinate, but not alot. The trail began to go up, and then REALLY up -- that got my attention on a long steep series of uphills to Britton Peak. The end of the climb is a four extremity scramble. Again I was alone. Maybe someone passed me and I passed them back later. One guy went by me and looked real good. I think this leg took me about 80 minutes or so but I could be wrong. The downhill from Britton Peak started to tweak my knee making the downhills more painful.
SAWBILL TO OBERG 5.1 miles. This section isn't too bad it you feel OK. Quite runnable but I was only able to run a couple of miles. The rest I hiked quickly. I think someone passed me, Valeria, again. The trail was less rugged, mostly in the trees. The squall had passed and it was hot again. I was suffering at this point. Me knee was bothering me, and my legs were cooked. On the bright side, my stomach was better and I didn't have any blisters. I was still drinking and taking in gel. Had some Cliff Bloks also. I was passing a 100 miler every mile or so at this point. Most of them had pacers but a few were alone. Most were moving along well and would finish.
OBERG TO LUTSEN FINISH: 7.1 miles I was alone again. Valeria passed me again after I passed her at the aid station. She ended up finishing 14 minutes in front of me so that shows you how slow I was going. I wasn't able to run much, mostly because of my knee, but no one else passed me so I knew others were going slow as well. This is a deceptively tough leg as it goes over Moose Mountain and some other mountain I can't remember the name of. There is a lot of climbing again, and a lot of descent. My knee was really hurting on the descent, but I could still trot on the flats. It's a cruel joke that I dwelled on that somewhere in here is the 50 mile mark, but I was actually going 52 miles! I had no idea how much farther, but eventually (after what seemed an eternity) I came out on the gravel road above Lutsen and was able to run most of the last mile to the finish. Larry was there to shake my hand. Third Masters finisher (first dude over 50!)
I went over to my room (too far, 400 yards) took a shower, and got a sandwich and a beer. I then waited for RICHARDC and FLOUNDER until after dark. I was getting tired. I heard there were several 100 mile runners who were able to leave OBERG AS and I hope RICHARDC was one of them. Eventually learned they had finished.
. But you finished my friend
