This was my 2nd time running this race. Last year it was my 1st ultra. As ultras go it probably isn't the best choice for a 1st being that it has 8400 feet of elevation change. Not to mention the fact that the trail is extremely technical. Beside the six mountain tops it traverses the course littered with rocks, roots, and mud holes. However I never have been one to take the conventional route. My first running event was a marathon if that tells you anything. In most cases it would be advisable to work your way up to the longer distances and more difficult courses. 
This year training was much better than last year, but still not as good as I would have liked. Last year I was still recovering from knee surgery and dealing with a nasty case of plantar fasciitis. I had multiple weeks with no miles at all. I was extremely close to a DNS.(did not start) I even went so far as to tell my wife that,"if they give me the t-shirt before the race I ain't runnin." Which is dumb because I believe if you don't do the race you don't wear the gear. They did give out the t-shirts before, but I still went for it. I just had to know if I could go 31 miles. I finished 11 minutes before the cutoff time. Training this time around I was still dealing with knee pain and swelling when I would over do it or tweak it on a run. I even went back to see two different Doctors to try and get some relief. The first one said to ice it after every long run or if it swells. He said that I probably won't do any more damage to it by continuing to run. He referred me back to see my surgeon. I talked the surgeon into trying a cortisone shot. It relieved some of the pain for a couple weeks, but the swelling would come back still after long runs. As far as total miles I think I got about 100 more miles in this year vs last year leading up to the race. I was able to train through the pain for the most part by listening to my body and backing off when I had to. I didn't always tho. I had some runs I would end up walking home.(more like hobbling actually)
This wasn't my goal race for the year so I didn't do the normal taper you would normally do for a race. I did a 16 mile trail run the Saturday prior in which I twisted my knee on a rock pretty bad in the last couple miles. My plan was to run a 7, 5, and a 3 miler in the week leading up to the race. However because my knee was swollen and in major pain I got zero miles until Thursday when I went for a really slow 10 miler. Normally you wouldn't do a 10 miler during a race week, but all my races are being used as building blocks for an ultimate goal of running the Superior100 in September. Now that the 50k is over I have Grandma's marathon in June, Curnow trail ultra,(26.7) and the Voyageur 50 mile in July. So needless to say I have some major miles I'm going to need to rack over the summer.
This year again the family and I decided that we would go up and spend a couple nights in a condo right at the lutsen resort.(the race start&finish) The kiddos made signs we found online to cheer me and the other runners while out on the course. 
We made a plan so Christina and the girls could meet me at a couple spots out on the course. The amazing thing is that I got to the spots exactly when I planned so we didn't miss each other.
I actually slept pretty good the night before the race. I mosied off to bed around 9:30 and set the alarm for 5:00am. The girl stayed up and watched a movie. I asked Christina to set her alarm as a back up just in case.(I always think of the Seinfeld marathon episode) I woke a 1/2 hour before the alarm.
This year I decided to wear my hydro pack minus the bladder. I used it to carry my water, Gatorade, and some food.(peanuts, granola bars, and nibs) It also had TP, S!Caps, Advil and some money.(for post race beer) apparently I was still in unsupported ultra mode from the 2 winter ultras that I did over the winter.(Tuscobia75 & and Arrowhead) My thinking was that I would like having my hands free for the steep climbs. Some of the climbs are so steep you are touching the ground in front of you & pulling yourself up by roots or rocks. I didn't use any of my supplies other than the S!Caps, 20oz water & 20oz Gatorade.
Unbelievably I wasn't nervous at all as we all headed up to the starting line. The race director, John Storkamp,(a ultra running machine in his own right, he is always a top finisher if not the winner at Arrowhead) gave a quick pre-race briefing. He seems to always make light of the course conditions and how bad they are at the same time putting the fear of God in the eyes of us knewbies.(myself included) Then he does a little count down and we're off.
My plan this year was 1st to attempt to beat my time by an hour from last year. 2nd, to beat 7 hours. 3rd, and last was just to best my time from last year. The only thing I was not prepared to do was quit. Under no circumstances would I allow myself to DNF. After DNFing Arrowhead I have vowed to never quit under my own free will again. NEVER!
I started the race just trying to settle in somewhere in the middle. The course quickly leaves the ski resort and turns to a single track trail. Almost right away we start climbing to the top of Mystery Mountain. As the course levels out a bit at the top we all seem to be jockeying for position. I start passing people on down slopes and as they slow to go thru mud holes littered with rocks. Soon I find a pace behind a guy and a girl that feels good so I lock on. Every once in a while another guy runner would get in front of me making it hard to see obstacles. I would pass as soon as possible to have the much smaller girl in front of me.
Being new to ultra running. I have been reading a few books as of late on the subject. In one of them it explains that when running you should only pick your feet up as high as you need to, but no more. That is supposed to make your stride more efficient. Well I don't like to do things half ass so I found myself not only tripping over what seemed to be every root or rock, actually falling over a couple. My 1st fall was just for practice. Fortunately it was in a runnable section and we were moving pretty good. As I started to go down I put one hand out. Knowing that I wasn't going to be able to catch 200lbs with one hand I proceeded to tuck and roll as I went ass over teakettle. Somehow I popped right back up without loosing a single stride. Of coarse that didn't teach me a lesson. I kept tripping and stubbing my toes every so often. Other than that I was feeling amazing. We just kept trucking along. I thought the course was bad last year when it was raining almost the entire run. This year we have had a ton of late season snow and spring rain. Most of the snow seems to have just receded making the course even more wet than last year even tho the weather way absolutely gorgeous. We couldn't have asked for better running weather.(cool and sunny)
At about 6 miles in was my 2nd and last fall of the day. This time it was in the middle of a mud hole about the length and width of a long semi trailer. I was making my way right thru the middle when I slipped on a rock that was hidden under the surface of the water. I landed not only on my ass but in the middle of the puddle. It was only about 7 inches deep so I didn't drown or any thing. However, my pride was a little wounded at this time tho. I told the guy behind me that at least he was getting his money's worth out of my comedy show.
By the second check point at mile 12.75 I was still feeling really good. At this point last year I almost gave up due to major cramping. One of the many cool things about this is the volunteers. They come to you as you get to the check point. They ask if they can get you anything. They even give you suggestions or encouragement if need be. All the while smiling and having a good time. They just flippin rock! Like the first checkpoint I grab a cookie and a gel while volunteers fill my water.
Then it's about 2.5 up to the turn around on top of Carlton peak. At first it it's a runnable upslope for about a mile with lots of board walks.
Then it gets to the meat and potatos. It's steep, rocky, and full of roots. It's also got switch backs and lots of ruts. You literally pull yourself up in spots.
Anyway at the top I take a minute to video the view. I make a sweep across with my phone. I was going to comment while videoing but a guy behind me did it for me. He says, "gosh is that ever gorgeous." Last year there was a guy dressed in pioneer leathers at the top as a course marshal or volunteer. He offers treats or beer. This year I'm guessing it was the same guy minus the leather. He came up and shook my hand. John Storekamp(race director) was there too. I shook his hand and thanked him for putting on an awesome event. Also a guy named Donald(a volunteer) gave me a fist bump. He was also a volunteer up at the arrowhead. He was the first one to mention to me that I was shaking pretty bad after the 1st stage of the arrowhead 135(I was probably in stage 1 of hypothermia)
After that I started my descent. I felt like a kid as it is down hill almost all the way back to the aid station. I fill up again and head out. The ole legs start getting fatigued by this time. I pick my way thru the rocks, mud holes, and hills but start to slow considerably. I got to the last aid station right when I told my wife I would probably make it there. I looked around and didn't see them. I check my phone as I make my way across the lot. The message reads,"your doing great! Are we still meeting at noon?" I look at the top of the screen it's 12:01. I'm thinkin I missed them as I look up I see them sitting near where the trail goes into the woods. I almost lost it. I was holding back tears as I made my way to them.(it's strange the emotions you can go thru in a race) They gave me a Gatorade, a swig of Mt. Dew, and a kiss. Christina asked when I thought I'd be at the finish. I said jokingly,"oh, about a half hour. I'm gonna kick it down." The volunteers got a chuckle out of that. Then I told her realistically probably an hour and 45 minutes or more like 2 hours.
As I head off all I can do is think of the damn climb back up the back side of Moose Mt. I call it the stairway to heaven.
This is the hardest section for me by far. It seems straight up and it goes on forever. I had to just bend over, put my hands on my knees, and power up the sucker. I took a little video of that portion hoping you could see how steep it was. The video just don't do it justice other than the fact that you can hear how hard I am breathing.
Once I reached the top I started passing 25K runners. Last year I only caught one 25Ker and it was closer to the end. I knew now that that was over there would be a few more slow climbs but nothing too steep. I was passed by a couple people, but that is par for the course for me. As of yet I've never had a negative split in any race. Finally a couple of people that had passed me that I was able to catch back up to. I ended up running with a young lady named Leia. She don't know it but, having her company for that last section really helped me finish. As we approached the climb to Mystery Mt. another young lady was sitting on the side of the trail. She had cramped up so bad that she finally decided to just sit down and recover a bit hoping they would go away. However, sitting there she was freezing. I offered her my sweatshirt and virtually everything else I had in my pack for calories or hydration. She did take a jacket from Leia, but declined everything else. I also asked her if she wanted me to stay with her and help her finish. She declined that too. She did ask us to notify race officials that she was out there having trouble. Later I found out that this was the girl I was following during the 1st leg of the race. She thanked me for offering help when she did make it to the finish. It's funny how you can run with someone for miles and never see there face. I tended to look down because of all the trip hazards. I never saw Leia's face either. Leia and I ran almost the rest of the way in together chatting a bit. That made the last section seem so much easier. It also just seemed to fly bye. As you get close to the finish you can hear the river. That is an awesome sound. Then you come to the last bridge. From there a gentle climb to the pavement of the resort. As we hit the pavement I gave it a little more in order to finish strong. Somehow Leia and I parted ways. As I passed our condo the girls were there cheering. That bought a big smile to my face. I told them to come meet me at the finish.
All and all an unbelievable day. I had a blast. If I had one piece of advice for anyone doing a race like this it would be talk to other runners. You never know who you'll meet. Some pretty cool people are out there doing this stuff and you will most likely see them again.
Until next time, Dream Big.
