2014 Eugene Curnow Trail Marathon

The hits just keep on coming. I had the time of my life

 again for the second time in less than a month.

I signed up for this race mainly to just get a chance to see the course and use it as

a long training run in preparation for my first 100 miler in the fall.

I wanted to see the course because I also signed up for the Voyageur 50

two weeks later also as preparation for that fall race.

Anyway as many of you know I've been dealing with a pretty bad knee issue.

I was also using these two races to help decide if I should forgo the 100

miler and get the knee fixed by having my second knee surgery. Well I have to

say the knee held up so well that I am very much looking forward to the 50.

I had a unique opportunity for this race. I had a couple friends running the race as well.

I kind of talked both of these guys into running there first trail race.

Bob Coolidge, was one of them. He happens to be turning 62 this week.

So he was saying that this was going to be kind of a birthday present to himself.

While he is no rooky to running by any means, having run 35 road marathons,

I don't think he knew just what he was getting himself into.

His Son was also running this race using it as prep for the Leadville 100.

Come to find out Bob's Son told him he didn't think it was a good idea

for him to start out with such a tough course. As we got closer to race day

it seemed as though Bob was having doubts and may not even do the race at all.

It only cost $35 to run so it really wouldn't be a huge loss if he did back out.

As he began waffling I turned on the pressure a bit and told him how much fun it would be.

He did get a taste of the trail running atmosphere having paced his Son down at Zumbro

for a loop of the Zumbro 100. He got to hang out with some very cool people down there

while he crewed and paced for J.D. I think that also helped him decide to go thru with it.

Still however in the final days he seemed pretty nervous. He knew I was having my knee issue

so he made the suggestion that maybe I should just take it easy and run with him.

I thought that was a great idea so I agreed to do that thinking it would ease his mind

and help save my knee for the 50 miler two weeks later. I also knew it would be fun to

get to hang out with him. He always seems to have an awesome time in his races.

Just

look at some of his race photos and you'll see just what I mean.

Bob lives about a hour and a half away so I invited him to stay at our place the night

before the race. I told him I make a mean spaghetti and we would carb up the night before.

My wife and I also invited Stu and his family to join us as well. He is the other

friend that I talked into running the race.

Then a couple days before the race I was

looking thru a post online about the race and saw that a runner(Cheri) was looking

 for a cheep place to camp. Someone had suggested that she stay in her car at a truck stop.

 I thought that wouldn't be very comfortable so I messaged her and told her I have a big

yard and she was welcome to pitch a tent here and that we are very close to where the buses

pick up. Then I of coarse also invited her to join us for our little get together for a pasta

dinner.(Because that's what trail runners do) It's as much about racing as it is about

hanging out with other like minded people who enjoy getting dirty and pushing the limits of what

they can do. Dinner was a success and we all visited until about 9:30pm and headed off

to try and get a little sleep. Cheri ended up sleeping in her car at the finish line

with a bunch of others that were doing the same thing. Her thinking was that

she really didn't want to deal with a tent at 3 in the morning.

As with most races I didn't get much sleep. I finally fell asleep around 1a.m.. The alarm was

set for 3a.m.. With 2 hours of sleep Bob and I got up and had breakfast. In the weeks before the race Christina messaged Bob to see if he had any special food or drink he liked for the morning of the race. He told her he drank tea instead of coffee. When My Daughter Rowan

Heard Bob liked tea she set up her tea set for him with a little note telling him to have

a good race.

We headed off to the finish line to catch a bus to take us to the start. 

We met up with

 Stu, Eric(Stu's nephew), and J.D.(Bob's Son) and all road the same bus. We

got to the starting area 45 minutes before the start and took some photos

and visited with some of the other runners.

Then the race director instructed us on the course markings and gave us a little history about the man who the race is named for. She also introduced some of his family members that were running the race with us. With that we were sent on our way.

The race starts on an old gravel path around the zoo and heads up into the Spirit moutain ski area. As we climb it the sun was rising over the St. Louis bay harbor. The view was breathtaking.

The gravel quickly turned to grass and with some intermitten mud holes. It's funny because at this stage of the race everyone is doing their best to steer clear of the mud and water. Thankfully the climb wasn't straight up the hill. It was more or less at an angle so it wasn't too bad. At the top we came out of the woods onto skyline parkway. We had to run on the road for a little ways. At first I was a little disappointed until we came to the coolest bridge I have ever seen in my life.

The pic doesn't even do it justice.

Then we soon came to the 1st aid station. Too my surprise the Sorenson clan had waited to see me come thru. They took some photos as we paced and asked how the knee was feeling. I lied and said it was great only to quickly tell them the actual truth that is was hurting.

Photo credit Lindsey Peterson 

We filled our water bottles and quickly headed into the woods and toward the infamous Jarrow's beach. To my surprise it was not anywhere near where I thought it would be. I had seen pics of it and for some reason I just figured it was down on the St. Louis river. However it was nowhere near the river. It was in the woods at the top near ELy's Peak. It is a very technical section of mostly rocks, some mud, and roots. It is probably about a half mile long.

Jarrow's Beach

At this point Bob was questioning our sanity. I loved it. The harder the more memorable to me. If I wanted easy I'd stick to road races. Soon we had some cool single track and made our way down the hill. The trail comes out on an old railroad grade. I just happened to look to my left as we were turning right onto the railroad grade and I see this.

An old railroad tunnel. I tried to get Bob to pose with me for a pic but he was flying along at 13 minute pace trying to make up ground we lost coming thru Jarrow's beach.

We had about a mile or so down to the second aid station and it was all double track gravel with yet another cool bridge to cross.

We filled our water and moved on. The next section was a still double track gravel but now it was

more of a 4 wheeler trail. If I remember right we had multiple water crossings in this section. The water was never more than ankle deep. Just enough to wash the mud off. We also had some Superior Hiking trail in this section with some good single track and some serious hills. Once we made the creek bottom we had to climb out to the top on the other side. Then the trail was new and it followed what I'm guessing was HWY 210. At the time I thought it was HWY 23. Anyway, we had some cool new trail that lead us out on a ridgeline that had sheer drop offs on both sides. One trip or misstep here and you had a 100 foot fall in either direction. At the end of the ridge the trail dropped straight down to the creek bed again. It was so steep they had ropes to descend from and a back up of racer waiting to use them.

When we did get to the bottom it was yet another water crossing to the next aid station.

By this time I was consuming a hammer gel at each of the aid stations. I was also just hydrating with water. Bob was using his trailwind and mixing it with water. I also would take a cookie or two to chow at the aid stations. Our next section was a long climb back up to the Munger Trail. This was some more gorgeous single track thru some thick woods. Once we made the next aid station we encountered an aid worker that stopped us and warned us of what we faced ahead. He told us we were about to head into a section of the trail that was going to be so difficult that we would need to crawl on all fours using branches and weeds to pull ourselves up.(the infamous powerlines) I got the feeling this dude was also checking us over to see if we were still fit to continue. Of coarse Bob and I were raring to go and almost ran the poor dude over as we headed back into the bush.

It was about a mile of single track ups and downs to get the power lines. However we began to see what that dude was talkin about. The hills began to get so slippery. We were having a hard time moving forward. The trail was worn down to wet red clay caking our shoes. Finally we came out from under the canopy to the open power line. To me this was not easy by any means, but it sure was hard not to find the humor in a bunch of people slippin and sliding up and down this section. I think everyone must have fallen in this section. Bob was starting to show signs of fatigue thru what I would say is easily the hardest section of the course. As we neared the end we came upon a lady that had a bag full of frozen grapes. She told us the Grand Portage aid station was a short descent to the road.

It was so steep she told us others were actually sliding down on their butts. Bob decided to give it a try. He made it about 5 feet before he let out a howl from hitting a sharp rock. He quickly stood up and started hoofing it. As I followed closely I noticed he had just tore the entire ass out of his compression short. Trying not to laugh too hard I told him his cheeks were hanging out. As we descend to the aid station bob turns his bib number to the back to cover the hole. He told the aid workers what had happened and we were trying to come up with a solution. Soon one of the aid workers (Andy) volunteered up an extra pair of shorts from his truck. Thank You Andy and all the outstanding people working at the aid stations. You all flippin rock.

 We quickly fueled up and headed back in the woods for some more single track climbing. I was no longer helping Bob. It seemed I was more or less just getting on his nerves. As we climbed up and finally reached some good runnable ski trails Bob started feeling like he was holding me back. Having been in his position in training with Stu on these very trails I finally decided it was time to part ways. He needed some alone time to get thru what I can only imagine was a difficult final 9+ miles. We shook hands and wish each other luck and I was off.

I knew Stu was way ahead of me so I texted him to tell him to shoot me a text when he finished. He quickly responded saying his knee was shot and he wasn't to the swinging bridge yet. I didn't think I could catch him but I was going to give it a go just for fun. My first mile was just over 8 minutes as it was flat and I came out onto the paved trail. I was reeling people in left and right. I chatted with a lot of them as I passed. I did a couple more miles at 9 minute pace as it was still flat or a little down hill. On an up slop I texted Stu again saying that we better be having a beer after this was all said and done. He answered back saying only if you catch me.... Then the game was on!!! I continued running with all I had. I finally caught him a little ways before the swinging bridge. We walked it in to the aid station together. His whole Sorenson crew was there waiting. We stopped and talked to them. I talked his nephew Eric into finishing the last 3 miles with us even tho he had just finished the race himself. 

Photo credit Lindsey Peterson 

It didn't take much arm turning and he agreed to do the last section again. He didn't even bother to get his running shoes back on.(he did it in crocs) As we crossed the swinging bridge I still felt good.

Photo Credit Lindsey Peterson

Since Stu had Eric with him I continued running to the finish. I think that was the fastest I have ever done that 3 mile section of the trail. By the time I climbed out of the woods onto the bike trail for the last 1/2 mile I was beat. I passed a couple more people but was unable to catch the one lady I was looking for. I could see her but just couldn't close the gap. She was a former Marine from VA and also a Marathon Maniac. Finally I made it to the finish line. 

Photo credit Lindsey Peterson

I'm not sure how many people I passed in that last 10 miles but I do know not a one passed me. For me that was one of the most fun races I have run to date. I wasn't worried about time at all. I just wanted a look at the course before I went into Voyageur. Next year the plan will be to run one and volunteer at the other.

Finish time 7:12:48

shooting for 12 hours at Voyageur in 2 weeks.

If you have a few minutes watch the video below of my time with Bob. We had a blast 

http://youtu.be/OXjj0gl5XN8

gear: Hoka One One Stinson trail

20 oz of Gatoraide

2 S!Caps at mile 20 or so

a few Hammer gels

a few cookies from the aid stations

Tuck and Roll!! My Superior Spring 50K Race Report

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.