Potawatomi Trail Runs (04.09.2016)
Over the weekend I successfully completed my first 50 miler . . . yep, still not used to saying that, reading that, or even really thinking about it. It must sink in eventually, right?
Overall this was one of the most amazing experiences in my life . . .
- Gorgeous area with breath-taking views all day long!
- Flexible & encouraging Race Directors (Rich & Eric are absolutely amazing – my life is forever changed by them)!
- Ran with some incredible ultra runners that proved over the weekend that in most cases it is not our bodies that limit us, but our minds!
- Amazing, supportive volunteers that truly understand ultra trail runners!
- All of my gear worked fabulously – especially my Orange Mud Hydraquiver Vest Pack 2, my Trail Toes, my Black Diamond Icon head lamp, & my new Black Diamond Double Z trekking poles!
Here area my key “take aways” from this race! **WARNING: This is going to be a long post – I have decided to break this review up into two sections (pre-race & race day).**
Pre-Race:
THE GOOD: Packed everything that I needed & then some.
When crewing for yourself I think you automatically pack everything you could ever possibly need, including the kitchen sink. Ok . . . maybe not the kitchen sink, but I’m thankful that I packed a camping stove! I used that stove for a couple of meals & quite possibly to keep warm. 😯
Those that know me & have run with me, even on a training run, know that I have everything a runner could need in the back of my Murano. I’m constantly teased about it & have earned the nickname of “Trail Mom” & “Trail Girl Scout”. You need a spare set of headphones? I’ve got ’em. You need extra Gu? Not a problem. What flavor would you like? Caffeine or no caffeine? Do you need biofreeze? OK – roll on or spray? I would challenge someone to come up with an item that I don’t have. I would be an all star at a trail style “Let’s Make a Deal”. 😀
I tried to pack anything & everything that I thought that I would want to eat. I knew that there was a chance that I wouldn’t touch some of it, but there was also a chance that something I brought could save me in the end. Upon reflection – I’m glad that I packed everything that I did. 😀 *Always a Girl Scout!*
THE BAD: Tent Setup
Holy winds! Oy! This was my first time ever setting up the tent that I used outside in the elements. I had completed a test setup in the garage a few weeks ago to make sure that I still knew how to set it up & to complete some repairs on it (i.e. patching & resealing), but what I hadn’t counted on was the difficulty & amusement that would ensue with me setting it up in high winds.
At one point I thought that I was going to be blown away with the tent. Again, a fear of my 15 seconds of fame being for something ridiculous seeped in. “Human Kite: Local ultra runner gets carried away!”
After 45 minutes of wrestling with every inch of my soon to be home, I finally made camp & I was quite proud of myself for doing it! I picked at spot right by the start / finish so that I would be able to quickly get into my tent & do whatever I needed & then get back out on to the course. An added bonus for my perfect location was the gentle hum of the generators all night became a new favorite “white noise”. 🙂
AND THE UGLY: Utterly cold temperatures.
OMG! I’ve never had the fear of freezing to death until now. I was hesitant to fall asleep out of fear that I wouldn’t wake up. I did my best to bundle up the best that I could & to keep warm. At one point, I made a cup of hot tea to warm my feet & hands. It was so cold that my bottles of water that I had brought were freezing within my tent.
I had not thought this part through. Thankfully I had brought enough blankets & a decent sleeping bag to keep me warm through the night & to act as a very snug changing room. I decided to change into my race gear the night before so that I wasn’t changing in even colder temperatures in the morning. THANK GOODNESS for this decision. Temperatures had fallen from low 40s into the upper 20s by 4am race day.
Next time – I need to invest in some wool socks to keep my footsies extra toasty! 😉
Race Day:
THE GOOD: An ultra runner is born.
Words cannot truly express what an amazing experience this was as my first 50-miler. Every loop was different and magical.
I saw a baby owl. I had a herd of deer run by me/around me. (In my delirium, I may have reflected on this moment and created my own lyrics to “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” by changing it up to fit an ultra runner. You will do funny things to occupy your brain.)
Every step truly had me in awe of the moment and experience. ❤
THE BAD: Battling the bonk went to a new level during this race. I made a deal with myself that I would allow myself a brief nap in the middle of the night, but I had to keep it to a short time, and I would need to push through and finish without another break. Deal made. The nap was amazing. And then I ate my way through the rest of the race.
AND THE UGLY: Illinois has mountains. When I think of Illinois, I think of corn fields and hundreds of miles of flatland. I think of how many Illinois friends refer to themselves as the flatlanders. Apparently, this is a falsehood. This area, for this race, IS. NOT. FLAT. Rolling hills don’t even describe this area accurately. There is a freakin’ rope to use to pull yourself up one of these hills. *blink, blink* A personal note/reminder: pay attention to the elevation profile for future races.
SUMMARY:
There are so many funny memories/stories from this race. Just ask me about the baked potato soup, the meatball sub, or the spider in my tights. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better experience for my first true ultra. ❤
Every Mile Becomes a Part of Me 