2016 35th Ice Age Trail 50 Mile Race Recap

2016 35^th ICE AGE TRAIL 50 Mile Race Recap

Recap:

In the words of Winnie The Pooh, “It was a cold and blustery day!”  With the temperature for the entire race day hovering around 43F, and a strong wind many were left to scramble at the race start and later aid stations for extra layers.  Even though it rained the previous evening the course dried well, leaving it fast and forgiving.  Not forgiving enough for the men however as the DNF’s in the front were heavy.

Men

While the weather may have been blustery, the pace set early on by the leader of the men was blistering! Tyler Sigl took the race out at his pace, silly fast.  Even with a ½ mile detour he cleared the first 9 miles in 58 minutes.  He managed to increase his pace coming through the mile 26.2 checkpoint in 2:49.  That equates to an average 6:27 pace, which had he continued would have had him finishing in 5:22 well clear of Max King’s 2014 Course Record of 5:41.  Tyler however was forced to withdraw at the mile 40 aid station due to physical issues.

Into the void ran the eventual winner Chase Nowak of Plymouth, MN.  The 27 year old ran a consistent fast and powerful race all day.  He finished strong, in 6:36, and was able to hold of a surge from the second place finisher.  With his win at Ice Age, Chase adds to his growing list of ultra wins. He is now 4 for 5.

Chase Nowak  photo:Catherine Leventhal

The second place runner Kevin Grabowski continues to add to his list of impressive ultra finishes and times.  The 47 year old not only managed to secure 2^nd place but also first master’s runner with a time of 6:53.  Kevin ran through 26.2 miles in about 5^th place, from there he managed to run consistent 7 hour finish pace while the other runners slowed.  Running smart and consistent he was able to hold off third place.

Kevin Grabowski  photo: Sid

Third place male Mark Thompson, followed up his 6^th place at last year’s Ice Age with a 3^rd in 7:02 this year.  The 38 year old from IA, added to his list of wins and podiums at Door County Fall 50 and Hawkeye 50k.

Top 10 Men

1.       Chase Nowak (RunNFun)             6:36:45

2.       Kevin Grabowski (LPTR)             6:53:44

3.       Mark Thompson                            7:02:12

4.       John Knudson                                7:13:15

5.       Neal Collick                                   7:16:58

6.       James Akita                                    7:32:34

7.       Mark Sharafinski                            7:38:53

8.       Ondrej Tomek                                 7:50:58

9.       Thomas Beehler                              7:52:12

10.   Jamie Rauch                                    7:58:43

Women

The women went out a bit more controlled then the men.  Coming into the race were several fast women who all could have come out on top. One of them, Larisa Dannis, took control within the first 9 miles and kept that control till she crossed the finish line in 1^st place.

Larisa came through the first 9 mile loop in 71 minutes, that’s a pace that would have put on target for a 6:33 finish, well under Kaci’s 2014 CR.  By mile 26.2 Larisa’s pace had evened out with her coming through in 3:39.  Larisa had a rougher patch in the middle but kept at it and maintained an even pace for the rest of the race.  She comfortably ran to 1^st place in 7:05, which was good enough for 4^th overall and 31 minutes ahead of second place.

Larisa Dannis at the Finish  photo:Larisa Dannis

Second place went to Meghan Kennihan, who ran a smart tough race.  Meghan hung in third place through the 26.2 checkpoint.  From there she managed to speed up enough to over second place, where she hung on through the finish.  Meghan crossed the line in 7:36 which was also good enough for 8^th overall!

Meghan Kennihan  photo: Meghan K

Anne Portlock, had run two previous ultras in 2012, and then took a break.  She came back strong this year with a 7:41 at Ice Age which was good for 3^rd place, and 10^th overall.

Women’s Results

1.       Larisa Dannis (Hoka One One/InkNBurn)                    7:05:56 (4^th OA)

2.       Meghan Kennihan (Flatlanders)                                    7:36:20 (8^th OA)

3.       Anne Portlock (Oiselle)                                                 7:41:41 (10^th OA)

4.       Becky Kirschenmann                                                     8:02:55

5.       Natalee Thompson                                                         8:18:30

6.       Meghan Prohaska                                                           8:39:34

7.       Jamie Blumentritt                                                           8:47:30

8.       Teresa Kaiser                                                                  8:49:17

9.       Shelley Cook                                                                  9:08:57

10.   Kimberly Arbinger                                                         9:23:30

Historical Finishes

As detailed in the pre-race this was the 35^th edition of the Ice Age Trail 50 mile race.  In keeping with that history there were several individuals who completed milestone finishes this year.

The BIG 30!!!

That’s right Andy Arena completed his 30^th Ice Age!! Congratulations for an amazing accomplishment, all 1,500 miles of it!!

Andy Arena celebrating 30th finish with his grandkids!  photo:Lisa Clapsaddle 

25!!

Keeping their long standing feud to be the last man standing both Parker Rios and Andrew Klapperich completed their 25^th Ice Age!

Congrats you three on your longevity and being an inspiration to several generations of trail runners!

2016 & 35th Annual Ice Age Trail 50 Mile Race

A special year for a special race! The Ice Age Trail 50 was the first 50-mile ultramarathon in the Midwest.  And now, 35 years later, it stands as one of the oldest, continuously running 50-mile races in the country.

If you haven’t already heard the story, the Ice Age Trail 50 was conceived by ultrarunner Tom Ulik and Badgerland Strider’s President Glenn Wargolet in a Milwaukee tavern back in 1981.  Focused more on the logistics of staging a 50-mile race (an unusual distance at the time), Glenn (RD 2005-09) imagined a one-mile loop course in a Milwaukee County park.  Tom (RD 1982-86) had a different idea.  He invited Glenn to a run in the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest — and that’s all it took.  The first Ice Age Trail 50 happened less than a year later.

All three of the Ice Age runs take you through scenic, historic, and geologically fascinating areas with natural features left when the glaciers finally retreated from Wisconsin more than 10,000 years ago.  The courses pass by sites that provide a glance into the lives of the area’s first settlers and climb Bald Bluff, a place revered by Native Americans and the location of the Black Hawk War, the last major Indian war in Wisconsin. Included among the 3,500 soldiers who camped beside the bluff were two future US Presidents, Abraham Lincoln and Zachary Taylor.

If you like fast company, you’ll find it at Ice Age.  In 2014, Max King from Bend, Oregon ran the 50-mile race in 5:41, smashing our 26-year old course record by 12 minutes — and Kaci Lickteig from Nebraska bettered the women’s CR by four minutes, running 6:41.  In fact, four runners ran under six hours in 2014, which is remarkable in that only five other runners had run sub-6s in the preceding 32 years!

The 2016 Race!!

Let the fun begin!! In celebration of the 35^th year of The Ice Age Trail Race the Badgerland Striders are offering a $5,000 cash prize to any runner (male or female) who can set a new course record, & $200 prize bonuses for age division records in the 50-mile race.  This year while the competition for course record may not be as deep, it will no doubt be fast!  There is also a great side story this year showcasing longevity in the sport and with this race, with 1 runner aiming for his 30^th finish (1^st in race history), and 3 more going for 25 (Currently there are 3).  There are also 8 previous winners of the 50 mile race returning to the event to run various distances and partake in the after party sharing stories of the past! Lets take a look at the front runners and those looking to showcase lifetime endurance!

Men Front Runners

Tyler Sigl (Wisconsin Runner/USANA Health Sciences) – A WI native who is no stranger to speed, he has a current marathon PR of 2:17, a road 50k PR of 3:09, and a trail 50 mile PR of 5:27.  To say he has the leg speed and the mental strength to not only win Ice Age Trail 50 mile, but to crush a course record and walk away with $5,000 would not be a stretch.  He recently ran that 50K PR so he is fit.  He has experience running these types of trails as he has won 3 consecutive North Face Endurance Challenges in Southern Wisconsin.  As long as the course co-operates and the competition can help push him it should be an exciting show to watch!

Devin Clark – Illinois native Devin is young and newer to running ultras but not new to running fast.  While only 20 years old he holds a 5k PR of 15:19, and has run a 6:59 50 mile and 3:39 50K on the trails.  He is currently being coached by Chris Vargo, who believes he has the current fitness for a 2:16 marathon.  If that is truly the case look for Tyler and Devin to spend quite a bit of time on the trails together.

Chase Nowak – From Minnesota Chase is another runner who has run a 4 ultras, winning 3 and taking 2^nd in the other! With a 3:30 trail 50k PR and a win at the superior trail 50 mile, he not only has the speed to kill the flats but the strength to really push the hills.  Whether he decides to hang with an aggressive pace early or hang back and close hard will shape the picture of the race.

Kevin Grabowski (LPTR) – A local runner Kevin has been running fast for a long time.  Kevin managed to run himself into the top ten at Ice Age in 2014 when Max set the CR.  Around that time frame he also managed to run a 7:17 100K at the age of 45!  Kevin has run a lot of Ultras and rarely will you see him out of the top 10, if not the top 3.  Lately he has been training hard towards an early summer 100 miler and his fitness is good.  At the turns if Kevin is hot on the heals of any the front runners, they better not let the gray hair fool them, he will close hard and fast!

Joel Lammers (LPTR) – To speak of running fast, racing a lot (of Ultras), and consistently winning or standing on the podium in Wisconsin is to speak of Joel.  At the age of 53 Joel has run over 100 ultras and he continues to not only place but win them.  Joel last won the Ice Age Trail in 2008.  Since then he has finished 46 ultras, won 6 of them and podiumed at 16 of them.  Consistency is Joel’s strength, look for him to start out slower and run faster as the day goes.  He is strong, knows the course, and should the tables turn for those in front of him he will gobble them up.

  

John Knudson – Coming from Illinois John, took a bit of a break from the ultra scene.  But when he decided to come back last year (2015) he managed to win the 50k he ran and take a 3^rd place (behind Tyler) at The North Face 50 mile WI.  John has some experience and the strength to push with the front group, look for him to show up strong!

Ross Salinas – Living in Iowa Ross has had a chance to really perfect himself at the 50K distance, in fact if you look up his results (quite a few) he is either winning them or on the podium.  The 50 mile distance has been a little rougher for him, but if he can really pull this one together expect to see him near the top.

Adam Dohm  - A runner from Minnesota has run 3 ultras and podiumed at all of them.  He recently ran a 3:53 50K at The North Face in DC.  If that was a training race for Ice Age look for him to be able to bring a bit more speed to his second 50 mile attempt.  

Women Front Runners

Larisa Dannis (Hoka One One/INKnBURN) – Now living in California, Larisa is an athlete best known for having an awesome time on the trail while making running fast look so easy! Prior to the last time she raced Ice Age, in 2014 where she took 3^rd place, Larisa had already won several big Ultras.  That 3^rd place earned Larisa a ticket to race Western States 100, a race where she took second.  She then went on to absolutely crush the Door County 50 mile race in 5:59.  Shortly after that Larisa became injured and did not race again till the latter half of 2015, where she won almost everything she ran, including a 3^rd place at The North Face Championships in CA.  If Larisa is feeling good, look for her to be running happy, and if Larisa is running happy she can be scary fast and may just snag not only a win but $5,000!

Janessa Taylor – Coming from Oregon Janessa has run 23 ultras and won a lot of them.  Most recently Janessa took 2^nd at the Bandera 100k in 9:40 and won the Antelope Island 50 mile in 7:18.  She dipped under the 7 hour 50 mile time last summer with a 6:51.  Janessa has the speed and she knows how to win.  If Janessa and Larisa can run together in the beginning look for a strong battle for the win and a hard push for that CR bonus!

Becky Kirschenmann – Becky last ran Ice Age in 2005.  Then she decided to move west and crush very long hard races.  In the last 2 years alone Becky has one the Desert Rats Stage Race 148 miles (twice), Trans Rockies 120 miles, Pine to Palm 100 mile, and the Zion 100k.  Recently Becky placed 5^th at the Run Rabbit Run 100 mile.  She has also been able to creep under the 8 hour mark at the Siskiyou Out Back 50 mile.  Becky obviously has the endurance and lungs to hang with the front end of the race, it will only be a matter of the pace her legs need to go.  With her determination, and ability to win, look for her to be on the podium.

Christine Crawford (Pearl Izumi/LPTR) – A local Wisconsin runner Christine has been at the Ultra game for 15 years.  In that time frame she has managed to run almost 100 Ultras and win or podium in almost all of them. Most of those wins were so fast she also podiumed overall and won a few outright!  For a long time there were very few men in the Midwest who were not scared of Christine showing up at a race, for it surely signaled they would be chicked.  In the last few years Christine has battled through some injuries, but is now back to running fast and having fun doing it.  Christine has won Ice Age 3 times, so she not only knows the course but how to win on it!  If she is having a great day and really smiling, look out because at the young age of 46 she can run all the young girls and most of the guys down!

Carolyn Smith – Another past winner of Ice Age and Wisconsin resident is Carolyn Smith.  Carolyn is probably more widely known for representing the USA in Multiple world championships at various long distances. She most recently has gone as fast as 6:28 in the 50mile distance at the age of 49. With her stamina, mental strength, and now over the age of 50, Carolyn resetting the 50-54 age record should be a lock, and depending on how her race unfolds you may find her on the podium. (Update - Carolyn will not be running due to injury)

Meghan Kennihan – Meghan is an Illinois runner who ran to a 5^th place at last year’s Ice Age.  She followed that up with a win at the Kettle Moraine 100k and the Cry me a River 50 mile.  Meghan knows how to win and how to run hard.  She has the endurance to hit the podium and depending on the day crash the party and win the race!

Historical Runners

30 Years 1500 Miles

Andy Arena – Andy Arena is the ironman of the Ice Age Trail 50 mile race.  This year, at the age of 65, Andy will be going for his 30^th finish!  That’s incredible! Andy has a long history with one of the oldest trail ultras in the country.  He has seen every running fad in the last 40 or so years come and go, and he’s still running.  We wish Andy all the best and will be cheering loudly for him at every aid station.

25 Year 1250 Miles

Parker Rios – At the age of 49 Parker has Ultra finishes and Podiums going back over 25 years.  When things get really tough and brutal (think Badwater 135 or Arrowhead 135) Parker really shines.  To really demonstrate this toughness in 2014 Parker took 2^nd in the Iditarod Trail Invitational, where he pulled a sled across a frozen Alaska for 5 days!  Unless Parker dies on the course we should all be able to cheer him in for his 25^th Ice Age finish!

Tom Balzola – At the age of 72 most people can barely fathom running 50 meters, yet Tom is not only thinking about running 50 trail miles he is doing it!  We Wish him all the best and cannot wait to hand him his 25 year buckle!

Andrew Klapperich – the 58 year old Wisconsin native has consistently finished the Ice Age 50 mile since his early 30’s.  Expect no less from him this year and congratulate him when you see him at the finish, holding his new 25 year buckle!

Past Winners

Here are a few of the races winners who have won multiple times and are joining the fun at different distances.  If you see them pre, during, or post race, hit them up for some incredible stories you wouldn’t even believe possible regarding the beginnings of the race and trail ultra running in this country!

Steven Szydlik – Steven won The Ice Age Trail and astounding 8 times!

Bob Telfer – A decade ago in 2006 Bob was the 1^st individual to reach 25 Ice Age finishes!

Clement Grum – Clement won Ice Age 5 times and incredibly holds the current 35-39 Age Group record with a time of 5:59, set in 1993 23 years ago!!(Update - Clem is not running)

This race should be fun and fast as always.  Also the after party, where the stories will be even grander this year, will be the place to be.  If you will not be able to make to the Southern Kettle Moraine Forest for this year’s Ice Age Trail Races (The 35^th year) you will be able to follow along. I will be providing live updates on twitter at both my personal site (@nmwied) and the Ice Age Trail Race Site (@IceAgeTrail50), and periodically the Ice Age Trail 50 Facebook Page .  I will also be completing a race results summary.

BIGHORN TRAIL 100 MILE – A lesson in problem solving

“It’s better than descending the canyon, it’s better than descending the canyon!”  This was the phrase that, much to the annoyance of anyone within earshot, I was incessantly repeating, OUT LOUD!  I was blurting this outwith as much anger and passion as I could muster while trying to keep myself from blacking out around mile 99 of the Bighorn 100.  I slowly covering the last mile, 1 very long, hot, exposed mile of a long journey.  I was suffering from heat exhaustion, (verging on heat stroke-I had stopped sweating), sleep deprivation, full body destruction, and severe calorie deficiency.  I refused to allow myself to pass out, thereby needing medical attention and getting DQ’d at mile 99 of my 100 mile race.  The descent of the “canyon” I was using as motivation to keep moving forward had just happened. Mile 88-95 of the Bighorn 100 involves descending a 7 mile, exposed canyon trail which starts at ~7500ft and ends at ~4200ft.  Most of the rocky descent is in excess of 15-20% grade, making it a difficult journey on fresh legs much less legs with 90+ miles on them.  But this was the end of the journey; let’s go back to the beginning.

First I’d like to take an opportunity to thank a few people who made this journey possible.  First, my family who supports me and my fun little hobby, you may not understand or even like it but, you are always my number one fans!  To my sponsor Performance Running Outfitters, you truly provide me with the ability to pursue these ridiculous adventures.  If anyone should ever happen to be in the Southeastern Wisconsin area and need anything related to running or outdoor activity this locally owned business are your experts.  For my running club Lapham Peak Trail Runners and all of the individuals who mentored me, the advice was priceless.  Finally, to Team Red White & Blue, an organization driven to help those who have sacrificed more than could be imagined live happy lives.  Coming from a military family, and being a US Navy veteran myself, I am constantly in awe of sacrifices some made while serving, and if you wish to support them this is a great group, just click on the link.

I arrived in Sheridan, WY after a 15 hour drive.  After check-in I went for a little hike up into the canyon that would be the race start and (after a drive) around the courses high point, at 9800ft.  It was during this hike that I realized I was truly ready to run my first 100 mile trail race.  My training had gone well; I was fit and not injured (thanks to my coach IanTorrence).  I practiced, what I thought was a solid nutrition/hydration strategy.  I had erred on the side of keeping it simple with my gear; I figured a more minimalist approach would leave less chance for malfunction. Most importantly I had committed to a reasonable set of goals that would allow me to focus on my own race.

Goal setting was interesting for a race challenge of this magnitude.  This was my first 100 mile race so everything was uncharted territory.  I must have answered the “goal” question a hundred times in the weeks leading up to the race.  After speaking with my coach and running mentors, I chose a tiered goal that would allow me to mentally accept and adapt to any unique challenges that the course would provide.  Bighorn being one of the more challenging 100 milers (as if 100 miles is ever easy, sheesh!) would provide me with ample opportunity to practice this art.  My goals were as follows:

1.       Finish the race, un-hurt, and still having fun!
2.       Break 30 hours.  (Bighorn has a 34 hour cutoff)
3.       Break 24 hours. (Usually less than 15 people do this at bighorn)
4.       If all of the above have been met push as hard as possible for top 10.



Why there was tiered goals (Photo: Joey Luther)

I was asked a lot if I really thought I could run sub 24 or break into the top 10 in my 1^st 100.  I usually answered that I wasn’t really sure but my fitness was good and it would all depend on the course.  (Now there’s a committed answer, right!)

Well race day came (JUN 19), and I found myself calmly riding a shuttle to the race start at 10:45 AM.  Yes that’s right the Bighorn 100 mile actually starts, not at some silly zero dark thirty time but rather, at a casual 11am.  Now this late start also has its drawbacks, by 11am it is already starting to heat up!  This year WY and most of the mountainous west has had an abundance of rain and heat.  This meant it was going to be hot and humid.  The course itself was going to have mud, lots of it!  The conversation in the shuttle and at the start was pretty relaxed, and soon it was time to run.

The Bighorn 100 is an out and back course, it has 3 big climbs and descents, an elevation gain over 17,000ft, and a peak elevation of 8,950ft.  Being that it is an out and back you cover 2 of the climbs in the first half, and 1 on the return.  This means you have to be somewhat conservative with your quads in the beginning of the race as you have 2 really steep, technical descents later in the race.  The race begins with a 7 mile climb straight up a very exposed canyon.  Since the heat was out in full force I took this climb pretty easy.  I watched the lead group fly up the canyon at what seemed like 5k pace.  The leader of this group was a 19 year old runner from OR named Andrew Miller, he would eventually go on to smoke the course in 18:29 and set a new record.  As for the rest of the group running with him, a lot of them would end up dropping out.  Coming to the top of the canyon I stopped to admire an absolute breathtaking view, and then began to run the up and down the bumps which would bring me to the first real downhill of the day.

View of Tongue River Canyon from top (Photo: Andy Wellman)

I was running with a group of about 20-30 people, a little back from the leaders, many whom had run this or other similar 100’s at a very comfortable pace.  This early in the race my only priority was to manage the heat, keep eating, and to try not to make any silly mistakes.  I was working hard to stay cool by wearing a bandana filled with ice, keeping ice in my hat and water bottles, wearing a cotton t-shirt which I kept soaking wet, and soaking myself with water from the mountain runoff every chance I could.  It seemed all the 100 mile veterans were doing the same.  Then one by one all of us started to have stomach issues.  I realized something was not right with my stomach when my adductors and quads all cramped climbing up a pretty easy hill around mile 11.  I stopped to stretch everything out, and realized that although my stomach was allowing me to eat it was not absorbing anything I was putting in it. My muscles were not getting any glycogen and they cramped.  The only thing I could do at this point was slow down, keep eating, and manage the pain.  It was really frustrating watching the group I had been effortlessly running with, although now smaller, run away from me.  But that only lasted for a brief second as my mind was busy trying to solve my current problem. (Scratch goal #4)

I managed to run off and on dealing with the cramps for the next 10ish miles before coming to a mountain creek that would allow me to fully submerge myself.  I did, for several minutes.  I am not sure whether I finally cooled my core enough to turn my stomach back on or it just gave up and started to work, but suddenly my cramps were gone and I had a ton of energy.  Luckily for me this energy and abating of cramps happened right before the first huge descent into the mile 30 aid station.  I happily ran down this insanely steep (think 2200ft in less than 3 miles) trail into the Footbridge aid station.  I was greeted by what looked to be a combat field hospital.  There were runners in all states of destruction.  I am pretty sure I moved up 75 spots by just moving in and out of Footbridge Aid in a few minutes.  Upon leaving this station you begin climbing all the way up to the turn.  That’s right, almost a 20 mile continuous climb.  Unfortunately for the runners, the previous weeks had been so hot that all of the snowpack up high had melted creating a swampy muddy mess for a majority of this climb. I was able to run/hike most of this climb, when I wasn’t loosing shoes in ankle to knee deep mud.  It was somewhere in between 35-40 miles that my next problem appeared, BLISTERS. 

Bighorn Canyon, Jaws Aid is far away in the middle (Photo: Andy Wellman)

Let me back up a bit, I have never had a blister, EVER, on my feet.  I ran my first 50 miler without socks and did not get blisters.  So when at mile 35ish I began to feel this weird sensation on the bottom of my feet could only guess that the mud and water was finally taking a toll.  Well I was right because around mile 40ish two huge blisters one on the ball of each foot exploded.  (Scratch Goal #3) This was a whole new level of pain that took my breath away.  Unfortunately for me, I land on the balls of my feet when I run, so I had two options.  I could change my running gait, possibly causing some other injury to appear, or I could grit my teeth, keep running, and accept the pain.  I chose the latter.  I made decent time to the turn-around point (Jaws Aid Station), and even though my feet were trashed, I was in pretty good spirits.  I had been eating well (Gels, broth, and PB&J quesadillas) and had great energy.  I quickly changed shirts, grabbed my headlamp, and ran back into the night.

Being above tree line, at high altitude, in the middle of the night, during a new moon (no moon) makes it appear as if you can reach out and touch the stars.  The night sky was beyond impressive.  Other than being asked what my goals were for the race, I am pretty sure the next question I answered most was how I was going to run all day, night, and some of the next day without sleeping.  Well with such inspiring star filled skies at night and mountain/canyon filled vistas during the day my mind was so overwhelmed with beauty it forgot to even recognize fatigue.  I moved (hiked/jogged) pretty well down the technical, muddy descent back to footbridge aid (mile 66) arriving about the time the sun came up.  It was here that I decided to assess my feet.  I removed my mud soaked shoes and socks and cleaned my feet.  The damage had been done, all I could do was cover them in Vaseline, put on clean shoes and socks, and move out.  (Lucky me they stayed dry and clean all of 30 seconds!) That same insane downhill I ran to get into Footbridge back around mile 30, I would now be climbing out.  There were several times over the next 3 miles where I was scrambling on all 4’s to keep going up.

By the time I reached mile 70 a combination of the food I had been eating plus the sun rising allowed my running legs to find another gear.  I only had two smaller climbs plus the final huge descent left, so at this point if my body wanted to run hard then that’s what I was going to let it do.  I moved really well for the next 12 miles, making the obscene climb up to the final big aid station at mile 82.  Here I made my second big mistake of the race (1^st was the feet), I sat in a chair! Persuaded by a great medical volunteer, that she might be able to help with my feet, I SAT.  I should have known they were beyond help at this point, but the promise sounded so good.  While sitting in the chair I realized I was going hypotensive (my blood pressure was dropping), I began to shake, and was quickly losing all the valuable energy that had propelled me that last 12 miles so effortlessly.  I got up and out of that station as quickly as I could but it took me almost all 5 miles back to the top of the canyon to pull myself back together. 

So as they say what goes up must come down!  Well this race started with a 7 mile climb up a steep, exposed, technical canyon and now with 88 miles in my legs and destroyed feet I was going down that same route.  I ran down as hard as I could before I would have to slow myself to keep from blacking out due to the pain in my feet.  It took a supreme effort of concentration through the fatigue to stay upright in this mess.  (Plus some gum from the aid station volunteer so I wouldn’t crack my teeth while gritting them!)  I managed to make it to the bottom of the canyon to the final 5 miles of flat, completely exposed, sun baked road during the hottest part of the day! (Lucky me!)  That brings me back to how this report started, with me trying mightily to not be disqualified at mile 99 of a 100 mile race for passing out and receiving medical attention.  I somehow managed to pull myself together enough to jog that last mile through the finishing arch, (100 miles in 29:45:26) where I immediately fell to the ground.

“I am done!” That was my first thought as I lay on the ground, on my back, with tears streaking down my face.  I am not sure why I was crying (although tearing up may describe it better).  I am pretty sure at that point my body was going to do one of two things vomit or cry, and I guess it chose the latter.  I say my body chose because my mind had finally shut off and I had zero control over my body.  Amazing, thirty seconds earlier I was running and now I couldn’t even move.  Well I eventually got it together enough to enjoy a post-race soak in the creek, dinner, hanging out re-hashing the race with all the other finishers, and a few hours of sleep.

The next morning was the awards ceremony where it seemed I was not the only one with feet that felt like smashed hamburger.  I left WY a little more tired and beat up then when I arrived but elated with the fact that I had finished this adventure.  This race tested me and my problem solving abilities like no other.  I told people at the finish that this was the second hardest mental and physical challenge I had ever completed.  Amazingly finishers of multiple 100 milers all said they agreed that this race was a whole new level.  Over 440 people started the race and barely 190 finished.  That’s almost a 60% DNF rate.  The Bighorn 100 mile course had claimed many victims but I was not one of them.  There are things I will do different in my next race, and things that will stay the same. (I will write about that coming up.)  Overall though this was a spectacular race, the beauty of this course is beyond words, hopefully some of the pictures do it justice.  I can’t thank the race organization and volunteers enough, you are all first class!  As for me I am taking a few weeks off, then focusing on some strength training (Got to look good for the beach, yeah right!), and then shifting my fall focus to some cross country (think 5k-8k) trail races I have always wanted to do.

Enjoy the race photos and gear list below!!

 

 

Gear

Shoes: Hoka One One Challenger ATR (Performance Running Outfitters: PRO)

Shorts: Pearl Izzumi 3/4 Ultra Tight (PRO)

Jersey: Performance Running (PRO)

Socks: Smartwool: PHd Outdoor mid crew (PRO)

Hat: Team Red White and Blue

Nutrition: GU (regular & Roctane) & S-Caps (PRO)

Bottles: Amphipod 20oz & 12oz (PRO)

 

Race Photo's

Pre-Race Napping (11am start time)

 



Single Track up Tongue River Canyon with Needle in background (Photo: Andy Wellman)

Tongue River Canyon Trail (Photo: Bighorn100)

Trail Outbound (Photo: Bighorn100)

Final 1 mile of road (Photo: Bighorn100)

100 Miles Complete!!

 

Thanks for reading; I hope you enjoyed the write up.

See you outside!!

7 Minute Decision guide to choosing and preparing for your 1st 100 mile trail ultra

My 7 Minute Decision guide to choosing and preparing for your 1^st 100 mile trail ultra - How I chose to run the Bighorn Trail 100 Mile!

Deciding to complete or compete in a race of any distance can be a very taxing process, and much like life the more outlandish the race the more complicated the decision process becomes.  I am writing this as a mini-guide to how I chose my 1^st 100 mile trail race (Bighorn Trail 100 Mile) in hopes that it simplifies things for you.  I figure you need about 1 minute per step, there are 7 of them. As always this is my warped thought process so utilize the steps that make sense and disregard the rest.

Step 1: Decide to run 100 miles.
For me this process was easy, I wanted to run 100 miles.  Why you ask, why not!  Word of advice disregard all commentary that ends in (xxxx’nt), such as “I wouldn’t do that, you shouldn’t do that, and you can’t do that.”  The preceding statements are all crap and designed to deter you from achieving something meaningful!

Step 2: Choose a race.

For this I say choose something that scares you, A LOT, so it motivates you to train and finish the race. One example of how a race could scare you would be, “I chose this race in Europe and it cost a ton of money to get here, if I come home with a DNF (Did Not Finish) my significant other will kill me in my sleep” ie… you will finish the race. Or in my case choose a race that is at altitude and has an elevation gain profile so big, I couldn’t specifically prepare for it, that’s scary! (ie.. Bighorn Trail 100 Mile)

This is the elevation profile of the Bighorn 100 from JoeyLuther

Step 3: Start running.

This means you need to be healthy enough to consistently train (run).  No weird aches or pains or anything broken.  I don’t care what Karl says, a hundred miles is that far!  To ensure I not only started running but kept running injury free I decided to get some assistance from a coach, which leads to #4.

My Coach Ian Torrence

Step 4: Get a coach!!!

If this is your first hundred or the first one you want to race, I would highly suggest getting a coach.  My advice in choosing a coach is, “Get one who is not afraid to argue with you!”  What I mean by this is your coach first needs to be able to understand what your goals are and if they are realistic.  Second, they need to be able to argue with you when you are acting crazy.  You know you have found “your coach”, when you can have a heated argument/discussion 1 second, then be laughing with them the next.  Really, it’s no different than a significant other.  Also if your coach scares you a bit that is good as well.  Here is an example of the 14 days prior to my 9 day taper for Bighorn.  I was more frightened for these than the race!

 


Step 5: Figure out your stomach.

This boils down to practice your race day nutrition/hydration during your long hard runs.  Rule number one, if it makes you soil your shorts or vomit uncontrollably DO NOT utilize this strategy or product during your race.  Rule number two if you feel like a rock star and are killing your training run, determine how to replicate this nutrition/hydration strategy during your race.

Step 6: Choose appropriate gear. (But not too much!)
This step can be as complicated or simple as you choose.  My vote is to keep it as simple as possible.  Look at the weather forecast, aid station distances, race time splits if available, course map, and elevation profile.  All of these will help you determine what you may need for the race.  Much like your nutrition, whatever you plan on using should be practiced beforehand.  A good example is, if it makes you bleed or pass out, probably not the best choice.  If you barely notice it’s there, use it again.

My Basic 100 Mile Gear

Step 7: Determine if you need an entourage. (ie.. Crew & Pacer)

This is a personal choice.  For me I feel a pacer would be a distraction, I would be more worried about them and not focusing on me.  As far as a crew, although I’ve never had one, I feel it would be awesome! (Any future volunteers.)

Step 8: Show up and race smart!

Congrats you’ve made it now have fun!

All in the above steps took me about 5 minutes to work though mentally and looked something like this:

1.       I am going to run 100 miles,
2.       Bighorn Trail 100 Mile scares me and I can drive there for free!
3.       I feel good to start running, even if it is -50 degrees out! (Wisconsin winter)
4.       Ian Torrence, with McMillan Coaching only made me cry a little ;)
5.       Try and Try again, eventually I will have something convenient and stomach friendly!
6.       Keep it simple! (Not quite Anton simple though)
7.       I am driving to the race for free and dirtbagging it, not really sure who would like to do that as well ;)
8.       I am at the start line for the Bighorn 100 and I feel both scared and ready!
 
Actually getting them done took a bit longer and was all part of the wonderful journey to The Bighorn 100!
Stay tuned for the Race Report!! 

2015 ICE AGE TRAIL 50 MILE PREVIEW

2015 Ice Age Preview

The 2014 edition of the Ice Age Trail 50 mile was a race that some said would never happen. Combine moderate temperatures, extremely fast like-minded competitors, and a dry course and you get the fastest single day in Ice Age history! The relatively cool air temperatures at the start which rose along with the humidity through the day challenged the hundreds who took part in the Ice Age 50 Mile. One word described the men’s race, speed, and Max King ended up being the fastest resetting the course record (5:41:07) in the process! The women’s race was a little more spread out with Kaci Lickteig taking the win and the course record (6:41:39)!

The 2015 edition of the Ice Age Trail 50 miler has undergone some changes.  First, the sponsor changed from Montrail to Salomon.  Second, the race will no longer be offering automatic Western States 100 entries.  What has not changed is the fact that this is a storied race, on a deceivingly difficult course, with a very fast field.  The Ice Age Trail 50 has always drawn those newer to ultras, those with incredible road speed, and the wily veterans.  This year will be no different.  Following is a short breakdown of those who may contend for the top spots on Saturday!

MEN’S PREVIEW

Joshua Brimhall (AdiUltra/Nathan Sport)

Josh definitely fits into the veteran category.  With more than 60 ultra finishes you will rarely see a finish lower than 5^th; in fact most of Josh’s finishes are 1^st or 2^nd.  Most recently Josh took fourth at the Zane Grey 50 miler, a race most would describe as the hardest 50 miler in the States.  Josh has also won a 50k in 3:34.  The last time he raced Ice Age (2013) he fell a little shy of his goal of a win with a 6:25.  Expect Josh to come ready to race, and looking for some payback from this course.

Zachary Ornelas (Skechers)

There seems to be one thing in common with all “Skechers” sponsored athletes (Meb Keflezighi, Kara Goucher…) they are all ridiculously fast.  Well Zach is no different.  Zach just obliterated the competition at the US 50k Road Championships at the Coumsett 50k with an otherworldly time of 2:52:17!!  That’s right; only 6 North American’s have run a faster 50k.  Zach, a teacher from Michigan, is new to ultras.  He gave ultras a go in 2014, while also running his first Marathon, a 2:20! (Yes he still plans to go for an Olympic Trials Qualifier) Expect Zach to come ready to chase down Max King’s CR and anyone else who gets in front of him!

Zach Bitter (Altra)

Another Zach, one who is not new to Ultras or Ice Age is Zach Bitter.  This will be Zach’s 4^th Ice Age 50.  He has a 1^st, 3^rd, and 6^th.  As impressive as Zach’s Ice Age stats are, it is the rest of his resume that sets him apart from most other runners.  The 100 Mile American Record (11:47), the 12 Hour world record (101.66 miles), the 200k American Track Record (16:23:33), and the 6^th fastest 50 mile time ever (5:12:36) to name a few.  To top those off he also represented the USA at the 2014 world 100k Championships in Qatar finishing in 6^th (6:48). Recently Zach attempted to better his own 100 mile American record and go after world record, only to succumb to some severe quad issues.  In the past when a race has not gone according to plan for Zach he has shown the ability to channel all of the frustration into his next event.  With Zach’s intimate course knowledge expect him to come ready to hammer this course!

Chris Rubesch

Chris has finished 27 ultras, garnering 26 top 10’s, 7 wins, and a few course records.  He has raced Ice Age twice now with an 11^th and 10^th place finish.  Chris has a 100 mile PR of 16:40, and really knows how to push through the suffering.  Look for him to push hard with the front.

Stuart Kolb

Stuart is a Wisconsin native with 14 Ice Age 50 Mile finishes.  13 of those have been top 10’s!  Stuart has a 50 mile PR of 6:10 and an Ice Age 50 mile PR of 6:32.  With his experience and course knowledge look for him to run right behind the front pack waiting to pick off any who struggle!

WOMEN’S PREVIEW

Jessica Garcia

Jessica is a Wisconsin native who races to win.  Jessica has finished 9 ultras in her career with 7 of those being top 3 finishes.  She ran Ice Age in 2014 placing 6^th in 8:14.  She recently took 3^rd at the Chicago Lakefront 50K.  Expect Jessica to bring her speed and toughness to this race.

Annie Weiss

Annie, a registered dietician, burst onto the trail ultra scene in 2011.  Crossing over from a road racing background she quickly won her first two ultras (50k’s) and took second in her first 50 miler.  Then injury struck.  Annie started her comeback in 2014 and is now being coached by Tommy “Rivers” Puzey and comeback she has!  So far in 2015 Annie has taken 5^th at the uber competitive Black Canyon 100K, and a 3rd at the Chippewa 50k.  Look for Annie to continue that comeback.  OH as an aside the last time Annie raced an Ice Age Trail event it was the 50k and she won.

Serena Wilcox

Serena ran her first ultra in 2008, so she knows a thing or two about racing.  She also happens to know something about winning while suffering.  She won the 2011 Vermont 100, and last year took 12^th at the Western States 100.  She has a 50 mile PR of 7:35 so she also knows how to run really fast.  Serena is slated to run Western States again this year.  She has already run a 50k and 50 mile as tune ups.  Watch for Serena to run her own race, and if she’s in position take it out for the win.

Also for your reading pleasure, here is the link to the www.iRunFar.com "This Week In Running: May 4th 2015" article including the Ice Age Trail preview information.  Please check back in to the www.iRunFar.com site on Monday May 11th for a recap of the action for the race!