Running For My Life

Going into the Ice AgeTrail 50k, my first “ultra marathon” (although I am hesitant to call a 50k an ultra since it’s only 5 miles longer than a marathon), I thought I knew what to expect.  I had recently done a 28 mile training run on these same trails and figured racing it couldn’t be much different.  Boy was I wrong.

The two most surprising aspects of the race were 1) experience and 2) experience.  Yes, the same word but not the same meaning.  Let me explain.

One thing I failed to take into account was the value that experience plays in a race like this.  I finished 15^th in 4:38:37.  By all accounts, this was a great time for a first 50k race. However, I was probably a faster runner than some of those who finished ahead of me (I doubt more than a handful could do a sub-3 marathon).  But without an ultra under my belt, I didn’t fare as well as some of the veterans.  They knew what pace to run on which areas of the course, they knew how to use nutrition to their advantage, and they knew many other things that you could only get from experience.

The second thing that caught me by surprise is what I am going to call the “ultra experience”.  In very few ways can I compare this experience to that of a road race.  This was so much better.  First, it’s a much more social experience.  The runners are incredibly friendly before, during and after the race.  The volunteers are great; many have worked the same aid stations for years and years.  And it’s so laid back that it’s not uncommon to stop for 2-3 minutes at an aid station.  Even though you are racing and want to do your best, you realize that taking your time can actually work to your advantage.  As one veteran ultra runner told me during the race, it’s all about conservation.  I absolutely loved this aspect of the race.

Race-day was an memorable experience for me.  The day started when I got up this morning around 3 a.m. (not a surprise…I was anxious and nervous).  I laid in bed til 4 and finally gave up on getting any more sleep.  3 hours was going to have to be enough.

I spent a good hour getting things together, checking the weather and such,  and then headed to the gas station to get a few large bottles of Gatorade, some Pop Tarts and Clif Bars.  Next it was off to the Nordic Trails in LaGrange, which is about a 40-minute drive from my house.  I arrived at 6:20; race time was 8:15.  Way too early, as is always the case with me.  Since it was cool (48 degrees) and windy, I sat in my car with the heat on high and waited for my good friend and training partner Dana Schulz to arrive.  He got there about 15 minutes later.

We headed up to the start/finish area to get our packets.  The 50-mile race had already started and many people were milling about.  Another friend,  Jeff Paavola, arrived a few minutes later and the three of us watched in amazement as the first 50-mile runners completed a loop on the trails.  These were some of the top ultra runners in the country and they were running at a sub-7 minute pace (which they did not keep up since the course got much harder in the later miles).

After the final 50-milers came through, we headed to our cars and got our “drop bags” with extra clothes and drinks and all kinds of stuff that we never would need.  We placed the bags in the bag drop area and headed to the starting line.

I chose to wear shorts and a long sleeve shirt with a short sleeve shirt over the top of that.  Many runners just kept to a single layer and that was typically a short sleeve shirt.  Toward the end of the race when it started raining, I was thankful for the extra layer.

The race started right at 8:15.  I quickly settled into a spot that put me around 7^th place.  The top runner, Scott Gall (who was one of the most talented runners I have ever seen) took off alone, and a pack of three runners, including Dana, was far behind.  I suspected that I might be running too fast since I knew, based on my expected finish time, that I would probably be around 10^th to 20^th place.  By the way, I was right on both counts….that I was running too fast and that I would finish in the second 10.

The first section of the course was a 13-mile out-and-back.  Around Mile 5.5, the leader came down the hill at probably a 6:00 pace.  Amazing!  The next group followed far behind, and Dana was in 3^rd or 4^th place at this point.  As for me, I was the second person in a 6-person group, and still running way too fast.  We were running single file since at this point the trail was very narrow.  The hills on this section were long and steep, both up and down.

When we hit the aid station at Mile 6.5, I stopped for a bit and the rest of the group went ahead of me.  It was at this point, that I made my first rookie mistake.  I took a drink of what I thought was Gatorade, but it turned out to be Mountain Dew.  After the initial shock wore off, I spit it out and rinsed my mouth out with water.  First of all, there is no need for soda in a “short” race like a 50k.  Second , it was way too early for that anyway.  I think it was probably there for the 50-milers, who would come through this aid station much later and could probably use a jolt of sugar and caffeine.

At this point, I also got the proof that I was running too fast.  I got to the turnaround in 54 minutes, which was a pace around 8:15.  And considering I had just completed the most difficult part of the course, I figured I might pay for that later.  Again, experience is important in a race like this, and I had zero.

I got started again, and a mile later I came upon the guy who had been leading our group, and we started conversing.  His name was Brian Seegert.  We quickly became friends and by the end of the day we had gotten to know each very well.  Brian has probably done more ultras than I have done marathons, and had some entertaining stories (my favorite was from a race called Mount Masochist in Virginia).

Brian and I were still together when we got to the start/finish line area at Mile 13.  I left the course to get my fuel belt, and as quickly as I could, put the four bottles of Gatorade in the holders and grabbed the rest of my Roctane gel packs.

When I got back out on the course for the first of two 9-mile loops, I could see Brian a few hundred feet ahead of me.  I caught up to him not too long after that, and we ran together for several miles and continued to share stories.  I was feeling great on this first loop although my pace had slowed to around 8:45.  I was happy with that.

Around Mile 17, I pulled away from Brian (I think he encouraged me to go ahead since I was running stronger than him at that point).  A mile later, I came upon the leading female runner, Annie Weiss.  She had been in the pack that passed me at Mile 6.5, but at the time I came across her, she appeared to be struggling a bit.  She said her quad was bothering her and she had been walking both up and down some of the larger hills.

The best word I can use to describe Annie is special.  By the end of the day, I got to know her fairly well and she is easily one of the most engaging runners I have met.  She is a “student of the game” and recited the names of several top female runners and talked about various races.  You could tell she lived and loved running and racing.  She told me that she had run the Boston Marathon just 3 weeks ago….and in a phenomenal time of 3:05.

After a few miles of running with Annie, Brian caught up with us.  The three of us ran together the rest of the loop while Brian talked and Annie asked questions.  She was eager to hear about his ultra marathon experiences and I didn’t mind hearing some of the stories for the second time.

It was during this period that I got an official introduction to trail racing.  My foot hit a tree root and down I went.  The ground was soft from the pine needles so it didn’t hurt or having any lasting effects.  Annie and Brian asked if I was okay, I got up and said “I guess I am officially a trail runner” and kept going.

Soon thereafter we hit the end of the first loop.  This was at Mile 22.  It was at this point that I made a potentially fatal mistake.  I took a small drink at the aid station, but I failed to fill up the bottles in my fuel belt.  I realized this a few hundred yards later.  I had about 3 ounces in one bottle and the other three bottles were empty.  The next aid station was 5 miles away.  That is not good.

There were a few reasons for my mistake.  First, I was not prepared to get to the start/finish area; it came upon us quickly.  Second, I was surprised to see Dana there; he told me he had dropped from the race due to taking a wrong turn; the sight of him distracted me.  Finally, Brian did not stop at the station and Annie did, so I wasn’t sure if I should try to catch Brian or wait for Annie (I did neither).

So I set off on the final loop, and my legs were really getting heavy and starting to cramp.  I was cursing myself for not having enough to drink.  I decided to save the little Gatorade I had to wash down my next gel pack, which I was going to take at Mile 25.  (By the way, I also found out that ultra runners do not drink Gatorade…they have all kinds of fancy drinks that I have never heard of).

About a mile into the final loop, I came across Brian once again.  We talked for a bit and then he encouraged me to go ahead of him because I was running strong at that point.  Not too long after that (maybe 2 miles), I began to feel the effects of the cramping and lack of hydration, and Brian cruised by me….this time for good.

I was relieved to see the aid station at Mile 27 and stopped for several minutes to guzzle a bunch of cups of drinks while one of the helpful volunteers filled all four of my bottles.  (And over the final four miles, I would drink every single one of those 32 ounces).  Before I took off for the final 4-mile journey, I turned around and could see Annie coming in the distance.  I was relieved to see her and glad that she had retained the overall female lead.

The final 4 miles of the race were the most difficult 4 miles I have ever run.  In fact, this may have been the hardest 35-40 minute period of my life.  The effort I gave was like none that I have ever had to give. 

By this time, the wind had picked up and it had started to rain, which added to the “fun”. For Miles 28 and 29, I was probably running at a 9:30 pace.  One runner passed me and was looking very strong.  Then I saw a sign that said 1.5 miles to go, and realized that if I pushed it, I could break 4:40.  So that was the motivation I needed.  I relaxed and concentrated on taking one step at a time.  I got into a zone and was catching up to the guy who had passed me earlier.  That was encouraging.  My guess is that I was going at an 8:30 clip.

In the final quarter mile, there are two very steep uphills (what a cruel joke, hey?).  Instead of walking them like I (and most runners) had done on many of the larger hills, I ran up these ones!  After the final hill, I turned the corner and could hear the voice of the announcer in the distance, which told me that the finish line was near.   Suddenly I got emotional, much like I did in the final stretch of my first marathon 20 years ago.  When I crossed the finish line, I was in tears.  I was physically and emotionally spent.  Every muscle from my waist down was screaming in pain.  But I was done.  I had finished my first 50k.

After talking to Dana and Brian for a few minutes, I turned around and saw Annie finish as the female champion, and then headed to my car to put on some dry clothes.

I struggled for several minutes to change clothes since I was cramping all over.  Once I was done with that, I said goodbye to Dana, who was heading home after what I am sure was a disappointing DNF experience, and then headed to the post-race party at the start/finish area.  As I got there I saw Jeff finish in a respectable 5:00 (which earned him a 1^st-place award in the 50-59 age group).  And my finish earned me 2^nd in the 40-49 group.

I got a beer and a bratwurst, and sat at a table with Brian, Annie and her boyfriend, and Steven (the guy who passed me in the final miles).  Later Jeff joined us.  We shared a lot of stories and talked like old friends.  It was one of my favorite parts of the day. 

Brian, Jeff and I waited around for nearly two hours until the awards started at 3 p.m.  I didn’t mind the long wait at all.  It was all part of the laid back “ultra experience” where nothing happens fast and nobody’s in a hurry.

I would like to thank the following people (in random order) for helping make this experience possible:

Dana Schulz – A great friend and running partner.  We were on the phone every day during race-week keeping each other sane.  Sorry you couldn’t experience all 31 miles; you will next year.

My wife and family – I would not have done this without your support.  I can honestly say my wife did not complain once about my crazy training schedule, which included daily 9 p.m. bedtimes and 4 a.m. wake-ups.

Coach Evily – You guided me through this 100-day journey masterfully!!!!

Race Director Jeff Mallach and the Badgerland Striders – You guys sure know how to put on a first-class event.

Jeff Paavola – The advice you gave me on our training run 2 weeks ago was very helpful.

Brian Seegert and Annie Weiss – I appreciated the companionship and the great conversation on the course today.

Bob, Serena, Meaghan and John – Your complete lack of professionalism, character and class helped make this one of the roughest winters of my life, but I trained and raced with that chip on my shoulder and actually found it to be motivating.

Mary Flaws – You are a role model when it comes to running and your advice was helpful.

Dennis Hanna – Even though you called the 50k a “diaper dash” (and subsequently switched from the 50-mile to the 50k), the fact that you could run that far so soon after major surgery was inspirational.

And finally, I would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked at the race.  This was an experienced group and that was helpful to rookies like me.

Workout:

• Type: Run
• Date: 05/14/2011
• Time: 08:15:00
• Total Time: 4:38:36.00
• Calories: 3596
• Distance: 31 miles
• Average Pace: 8:58.92/mile

This entry was posted Posted by Chris on Saturday, May 14th, 2011 at 8:15 am and is filed under Run. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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