My name is Nick, I am a Wisconsin dad who loves all things fitness, diving, and food! Persistent Resilience is a log of the fun and craziness that is my life. I am passionate about running, I love to see how far I can push myself, and my favorite runs are off-road. Currently I am trying to add to my ultra-marathon experience. If you have any questions about how/why I run or eat the way that I do please do not hesitate to contact me by leaving a comment, via facebook, or by email at nmwied@hotmail.com. Thanks for Visiting







15 May 2016

2016 35th Ice Age Trail 50 Mile Race Recap



2016 35th 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 2nd place but also first master’s runner with a time of 6:53.  Kevin ran through 26.2 miles in about 5th 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 6th place at last year’s Ice Age with a 3rd 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 1st 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 1st place in 7:05, which was good enough for 4th 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 8th 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 3rd place, and 10th overall.

Women’s Results
1.       Larisa Dannis (Hoka One One/InkNBurn)                    7:05:56 (4th OA)
2.       Meghan Kennihan (Flatlanders)                                    7:36:20 (8th OA)
3.       Anne Portlock (Oiselle)                                                 7:41:41 (10th 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 35th 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 30th 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 25th Ice Age!

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

09 May 2016

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 35th 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 30th finish (1st 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 3rd place, Larisa had already won several big Ultras.  That 3rd 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 3rd 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 2nd 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 5th 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 5th 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 30th 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 2nd 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 25th 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 1st 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 35th 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.