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RR: Glacier Trail 50k

1K views 13 replies 12 participants last post by  fox-runr 
#1 ·
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<p>Glacier Trail 50k</p>
<p>10.10.10  Greenbush, WI</p>
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<p>4:43:13 - 50k</p>
<p>7th OA (92 were pre-registered)</p>
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<p>It has long been a goal of mine to transition to the longer races once I feel like I've peaked in the marathon.  Turning 40 a few days ago gave me a good excuse to finally start exploring ultramarathons.  Unfortunately, my run training since Boston has been piss-poor.  Up until IMMoo my longest run had been the half-mary during IM Racine 70.3.  But I have a long and storied history of doing really dumb things and this was a chance to prove that although I turned 40 I really haven't grown up all that much.</p>
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<p>The race was about 3 hours north of my house with a 7 am starting time, so I was up about 2 am in order to get out the door.  But to make up for it, I really didn't get any sleep before I had to leave.  Made it to the race site courtesy of a 15 min power-nap along the way.  Picked up my race number and a sweet fleece half-zip pull-over with the race logo embroidered on the front.  Got into the truck and got another 30 min nap and then headed indoors for the final minutes of the race instructions.  With no warm-up, I wandered to the start line and the race director counted 'Three, Two, One, Start!'.  I love the informality of trail runs, especially ultras.  There is just a different vibe, one that reminds me of the small races I did in Fairbanks.</p>
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<p>I started middle of the pack and slowly worked my way towards the front.  The 50 mile racers had started an hour earlier in the dark.  I almost work a running jacket but was certainly glad later in the day that I didn't.  I did end up going with my neon yellow Boston Marathon long sleeve tech shirt and was happy about that decision as it is hunting season in Wisconsin and I was hearing gun fire all day.</p>
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<p>The race went for about half a mile on the pavement and then moved onto a local trail.  After about 2 miles we entered the Ice Age trail and stayed on that trail until we returned to the start.  It was an out-and-back course, so once we hit the turn around we would see the entire race field.  The ice again trail is constant up and down with very little flat.  The trail is littered with rocks and roots and with fall coming to this part of the country, those were covered up with leaves, making the trail quite treacherous.  About 4 miles into the race my foot caught either a rock or root and I went down pretty hard on my right shoulder.  That shoulder has been irritated during swimming and would give me problems for the rest of the day.  I also discovered a few minutes later that my Oakleys, which for some reason I had on my running ballcap, were gone.</p>
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<p>I moved through the field pretty consistently and by about half way to the turn-around I was told I was in 7th place.  A few miles later, I had moved into 4th, but I took some time at one of the aid stations and moved back into 7th.  A mile or two before the turn-around I started to fall back from the group of three guys I was running with and soon lost sight of them.  At the turn-around, they were about 30 sec in front of me.  The next guy behind me I passed about a mile after the turn-around, which meant he was 2 miles behind me.  The way I was feeling, I was pretty sure he would catch me.  I hit the turn around in about 2:03.</p>
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<p>Very quickly my lack of training came back to bite me and the race turned into a death march.  I started watching my Garmin constantly and told myself that as soon as I was passed, I could start walking.  I wasn't taking in enough calories or fluids, I had only drank about half of a bottle of Powerade at the half-way mark.  I started to try and take more in at the aid stations, which also gave me a bit of a rest.  Still no one had passed me yet.</p>
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<p>With around 4 miles to go I lost the trail.  I came out at a parking area and asked someone where I was supposed to go, they told me they had no idea and I realized I was off-course.  I backtracked about a quarter of a mile and found the trail again.  At this point I kinda thought that at least a few people had passed me given the pace I was running at.  I just focused on putting one foot in front of the other.  About two dozen times during the race I stubbed my right foot on a rock in the trail and almost went down.  Twice I did go down, both times landing on my right shoulder.  I finally hit the side trail that led back to town and still hadn't been passed.  With about two miles to go and a smooth trail I was able to pick up the pace and finish decently.  The next finisher didn't show up for over a minute, so apparently I wasn't the only one who slowed down.</p>
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<p>Post-race I got handed a nice cup as the 7th place male and took advantage of the spread of chili, sandwiches, soda and beer.  I cleaned up a bit, thanked the race director and headed home.  Although I had some difficulties during this race and I'm going to be sore for a few day, I definitely want to find time in my schedule for some more ultra trail races.</p>
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#2 ·
<p>Sounds like a good diversion you nut! too bad it cost you a pair of oakleys!</p>
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<p>I was recently on those trails, brutal to consider 30miles of them, ouchie.</p>
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<p>Nice job, you're well suited to this kind of thing and could do well... if you maybe trained for it <img alt="wink.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//wink.gif">  - oh wait, 7th is pretty well actually!</p>
 
#3 ·
<p>Great report - congrats on a solid race, even under-trained!  The one thing that scares me about the trail racing is getting lost!   I am definitely directionally challenged, and can't imagine being able to hold it together if I got off course <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/rolleyes.gif" style="width:16px;height:16px;" title="">   Nice job holding on to 7th place - VERY solid finish for your break into ultra racing!!!</p>
 
#5 ·
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>pcsronbo</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953194"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Sounds like a good diversion you nut! too bad it cost you a pair of oakleys!</p>
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<p>Nice job, you're well suited to this kind of thing and could do well... if you maybe trained for it <img alt="wink.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//wink.gif">  - oh wait, 7th is pretty well actually!</p>
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I needed a new pair of Oakleys anyways.  I've had that pair for over two years (by far the longest I've ever held onto any sunglasses) and the nose-piece pads were missing and the O symbols had fallen off.  That's what I keep telling myself as I get ready to go and drop another $200 on a pair of sunglasses.</p>
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<p>There seemed to be a big division between the first six people in the race and everyone else.  I need to train so I can be up with those first six guys.</p>
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<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>niemsco</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953432"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>So when are you going to do a real ultra and run 50miles? <img alt="" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif" title=""></p>
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<p>Great job!  Are you going to do any next year, are you doing Boston again?</p>
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I'll probably do a 'real' ultra once I stopped training hardcore for marathons, which will happen when I stop breaking a PR everytime I race.  And I will absolutely do a real ultra training plan when I step up to the longer distances.  You can do a 50k half-assed.  A 50-miler would have eaten me alive.</p>
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<p>I am doing Boston again next year, got my hotel reservation and plane tickets already.  Just need to get signed up on Oct 18.  Not sure about ultras next year.  Since I'm doing LP next year instead of WI, I have the 2nd half of the summer after my A-race to fill up (unless I Kona-qualify, of course).  I am planning on getting some more trail running in, just not sure what distances it will be.  Also it is kinda difficult for me to train for a really long distance event when two weeks out every 4 weeks I'm forced onto the treadmill.</p>
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<p>Looki - Thanks!</p>
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<p>Mike</p>
 
#6 ·
<p>You know my feelings on trails (swoon).  And I completely outed myself on FB about impending ultras...oops.</p>
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<p>What is your ideal ultra?  Do you have a race in mind already? </p>
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<p>Oh, and while you're at the Oakley store could you pick some up for me? <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif"></p>
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<p>Great racing as always Mike.</p>
 
#7 ·
<br><br><div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Alaska Mike</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953488"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border-right:0px solid;border-top:0px solid;border-left:0px solid;border-bottom:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>You can do a 50k half-assed.</p>
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<br><br><p> *snort*   sure, Mike.  YOU can do a 50K "half-assed" and finish top 10... the rest of us mortals (note:  excludes Thor) might have problems.</p>
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<p>congrats on your most excellent foray into ultrarunning... see you in Boston!</p>
 
#8 ·
<p>I wish I would have known about this I would have come up and cheered you on!.  My parents live 10 min away from the race site and we ski and snow shoe on those trails in the winter. </p>
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<p>Great job on your 7th over all and maybe I should give you my sunglasses so I have an excuse to get a new pair!</p>
 
#11 ·
<p> </p>
<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>em73</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953520"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><br><br><br><br><p> *snort*   sure, Mike.  YOU can do a 50K "half-assed" and finish top 10... the rest of us mortals (note:  excludes Thor) might have problems.</p>
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LOL! That's hilarious.</p>
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<p>Sounds like an interesting race, indeed. Hope the shoulder is feeling ok...sounds painful!!! Congrats on taking 7th!!!!</p>
 
#13 ·
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<p>Originally Posted by <strong>SpartyGirl</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953516"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></p>
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<p>What is your ideal ultra?  Do you have a race in mind already? </p>
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<p>Oh, and while you're at the Oakley store could you pick some up for me? <img alt="biggrin.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//biggrin.gif"></p>
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<p>Thanks Sparty!  Dunno about the ideal ultra, one of the nice things about them is that every one is unique.  Of course, getting a belt buckle at Western States would be pretty darn cool.</p>
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<p>Went with the same Oakley's, the Half Jacket XLJ with the polarized lenses.  I already had the case and the lenses for cloudy days so it made sense to stick with them.  Damn they are expensive, but I seem to lose the cheap ones all the time and I do like the way they look.<br>
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<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>em73</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953520"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p> *snort*   sure, Mike.  YOU can do a 50K "half-assed" and finish top 10... the rest of us mortals (note:  excludes Thor) might have problems.</p>
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<p>congrats on your most excellent foray into ultrarunning... see you in Boston!</p>
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Hey, I had my share of problems during this race.  I think I'm just getting my legs back.</p>
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<p>Boston sign-up opens Monday and it will fill up fast this year!<br>
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<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>wipaddler</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953526"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>I wish I would have known about this I would have come up and cheered you on!.  My parents live 10 min away from the race site and we ski and snow shoe on those trails in the winter. </p>
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<p>Great job on your 7th over all and maybe I should give you my sunglasses so I have an excuse to get a new pair!</p>
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Thanks!  I can't imagine skiing on the Ice Age trail with all those rocks.  My coach tells me though that Greenbush does have some awesome x-country ski trails that are well maintained and groomed during the winter.  Maybe I'll have to head up there during my Kortelopet training!<br>
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<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>KitKat</strong> <a href="/forum/thread/70574/rr-glacier-trail-50k#post_1953934"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a><br><br><p>Nice job.  Does this mean you are focussing on ultras next year?</p>
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Thanks and nope.  'A' races for next year will be Boston Marathon (2:35!) and IM Lake Placid (one of these days I will master the IM distance!).  I would love to get some more trail races in after LP though.</p>
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<p>Thanks also Dougie, Jen and Beth for the kind words!</p>
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<p>Mike</p>
 
#14 ·
<p>woohoo, nice job Mike!!!!   turning 40 just means you are hitting your stride <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"></p>
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<p>i want to do a 50 before I'm 50...........I think the hardest part will be not getting off track, since I seem to do that in road races...I can see search crews out for me <img alt="smile.gif" class="bbcode_smiley" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies//smile.gif"></p>
 
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