Wild Duluth 50k 2015

Date: Saturday, October 17th 2015, 8am start
Distance: 50k
Weather: Upper 20's/lower 30's to start. Into the mid 40's in the afternoon. Mostly sunny, low wind.
Runners: Brian Guzik
Crew: Mom, Dad, Marcus and the kids (Jonah, Griffin, Finnley and Juniper), Elenia and Cece (Brian's wife and daughter).
Gear: Hydration pack, salomon capris, t-shirt, armwarmers, Brooks jacket, Dirty Girlz gaitors, smartwool socks, Saucony Kinvara Trail's
Fuel: Mostly gingerale, hard-boiled eggs and string cheese at the aid stations. A lemon luna bar and sport beans throughout, along with water from my pack.

Training and Preparation: I ran my first trail race about a year ago, Surf the Murph 25k. I was hooked. In the Spring, I ran the Zumbro 17 and the Superior 25k. It was about this time that my brother mentioned that he had signed up for the Superior 100 and hoped we all would pace him! His wife (Courtney) and my husband (Marcus) are also runners. 

Most 50k training plans have you running at least 5 days/week. The reason I've been able to consistently run for the past 4 years is because I like running 4 days/week. So I took my favorite marathon schedule and upped the mileage by 118% (the approx. difference between a marathon and a 31 mile race). 

Summer in Minnesota this year was unseasonably cool. Which was awesome for me! I have a really hard time running in heat and humidity and wasn't at all sure how my training would go. I had both pacing my brother and my first 50k in the fall so I knew I couldn't let my training go if the weather was uncooperative. I spent a lot of time at Afton and even got a couple of 10-12m trail runs on the SHT, north of Grand Marais. Overall, I averaged 30.3 miles/week (96% of my goal mileage of 31.5 miles/week which is awesome), max weekly mileage was 45 miles in week 13 of 18.

Summer training went very well and I had a great time pacing my brother from Cramer to Lutsen (essentially the "Moose Marathon") but I'll have to write a separate blog for that. 

Race Weekend Preparation: Marcus and I had made plans with my mom to take our very first child-free vacation in nearly 20 years the week after Wild Duluth! We had planned on also going to the race alone, but after crewing for my brother, we decided our kids really needed to see what goes on during these races. Up until now, they really hadn't been to a race. Aid stations are special places. Volunteers are awesome people. Our kids needed to see this side of humanity. 

Waiting in line for the 
bathroom at the start.

So we packed up all the kids Friday afternoon and headed to Duluth. My parents were meeting us the next day and were planning to take the kids back home with them while Marcus and I headed to our cabin in the BWCA for the week. Thus, there was a lot of packing to think about the week before leaving! I was constantly thinking I'd forgotten something!

We had made reservations at the Black Bear Casino. Since it was a "holiday" weekend (MEA), the hotel prices in Duluth were outrageous and now that we needed 2 rooms, we decided to go cheap. I had no idea what to expect, having never been to a casino before. Walking in the lobby was not good. The overwhelming smell of smoke had me turning around while Marcus checked us in. I said to everyone we were not unpacking the car until we'd checked the rooms out. While we had requested a "non-smoking" room, I wanted to make sure it met my nose's sensitive standards. Thankfully, the rooms were clean, quiet and odor-free! Honestly, we'd probably stay here again. Less than 30 minutes from both Duluth and the race start, it was easy to get to and only a couple of hours from home.

We quickly unpacked and headed to the packet pick-up. I had decided not to drop any bags as I didn't want to have to find them again at the end of the race and was fairly confident my family would be able to meet me at most aid stations. 

Some of my very cold crew at the start.

We then headed to the Duluth Grill! I always eat very well the night before a race, not always so hungry the next night. I completely splurged and had the Mac & Cheese! How could I not when it's naturally gluten-free? It was amazing! I ate the entire bowl. It was super yummy!

We had hoped to meet up with Brian, Elenia and Cece for dinner, but they were running a bit late and didn't get to the restaurant until we were leaving, but it was good to see them and talk for a bit before heading back to the hotel. We still have a little one with a 7:00 bedtime and she doesn't let us forget it. Juniper slept on the floor in our room on a camping pad/sleeping bag we'd brought along while the older kids spent the night in their own room (we hear later there was quite a bit of "people watching" at the pool and perhaps a few pillow fights as well)! I sat in bed, watching some shows on my ipad and knitting before reading and trying to sleep. 

New 1st grade Waldorf friends,
Juniper and Cece.

I actually slept a little bit which was a surprise for me as I have been known to not sleep for even a minute the night before a race, especially when not in my own bed. Alarm was set for 6am, but I was up at 5:45 and in the bathroom changing. Of course, I had obsessed over what to wear as the weather was going to be quite cool at the start (around freezing) but into the mid 40's later in the day. I went with capris (shorts would have been fine), a t-shirt and armwarmers and my jacket. Needed the mittens for about a mile or two (per usual). Wore my old Kinvara Trail shoes, full of holes, and my new Dirty Girl Gaitors. I had bought new shoes 6 weeks ago (Saucony Nomads) hoping to wear them in, but after the first run at Afton resulted in matching blisters on the bottom of my feet (seriously? bottom of the feet? I'd never had bottom of the feet blisters before!) I decided to stick with my trusty Kinvara's and hope they didn't fall apart.

Juniper and Marcus were both up by 6am and we finished getting ready. Ate a peanut butter sandwich I'd pre-packed and hoped for a few bathroom trips to clear out the pipes before leaving! 

Jonah was going to stay behind and wait for his grandparents to pick him up and help pack up the hotel room we no longer needed. The rest of us got in the car and headed to the race start around 7am. It was less than a 30 minute drive through parts of the city we'd never seen before. 

Brian and I at the start. He's a pro, this was my first!

By the time we got to the start, the bus had already dropped off most of the runners. Got in line for the bathrooms, met up with Brian, heard a few rules (follow the pink ribbons and the blue blazes, when in doubt follow the blue blazes) and we were off!

Mom's amazing map to all the aid stations! She's awesome!

Start to Grand Portage (Miles 0 to 5.4 - 5.4 miles)

While we started off on the road, we very quickly headed into the woods and up onto some fabulous mountain bike trails. I hear this was different from years past, but it was all new to me! The trails were gorgeous. Fairly wide and extremely runnable. I was really feeling great and I don't think I walked any of this section. The hills were short and varied and really runnable. Once we got to the power line section, though, things started to get interesting. The race came to a sudden halt while people had to pick their way down the very steep hills. Some sliding and slipping while I tried to get my footing on the very narrow and very steep hills. Almost slammed into Brian at one point, but I caught myself. In hindsight, this might have been where my knees really took a beating which later became quite a problem. The aid station came out of nowhere after the power lines. A quick check-in asking for kleenex (nope, but they had paper towels) and I was out again. Up until now, Brian and I had stuck pretty close together, but he got out of the aid station before me and I was pretty sure I wouldn't see him again until the end. 

Really runnable mountain bike trails!

Grand Portage to Munger (Miles 5.4 to 11 - 5.6 miles)

Down the boardwalk, 
eating an egg!

Knowing there was no crew access at the first aid station, I was looking forward to seeing my family during this 2nd section. Unfortunately, shortly after leaving the aid station, my left knee started to bother me a bit. Nothing too bad, but it was something I was thinking about. Worse on the downs, not so bad on the flats and ups. I honestly don't remember too much about this section. I remember getting up to the road/bridge and thinking that there were a bunch of cars so this must be the aid station. Sure enough, there was my crew! My parents had picked up my oldest son and Marcus was there with the other 3 kids, too. They were great! All asking what I needed (Advil for my knee, gingerale and a hard-boiled egg that Finnley dug out of my cooler for me). Decided I was still dressed appropriately so while I had already shed my mittens earlier in the race, I left everything else "as is". Decided to head into this next section briskly hiking (a skill I learned well while pacing my brother during the last 1/4 of his 100 mile race). Down the boardwalk I went!

Munger to Magney-Snively (Miles 11 to 15.3 - 4.3 miles)

I had heard that I would be quickly heading up to Ely's Peak during this section and I was not disappointed! My left knee was bothering me quite a bit. I hoped the Advil would kick in and make it all go away. Getting up to the peak was fine. In fact, the elevation so far during this race was really no problem at all. Nothing too steep and most hills were pretty short. The terrain, on the other hand, was pretty crazy. Extremely technical trail! Lots of roots and rocks, all obscured by leaves of course. I was stumbling a lot. If I lost concentration for even a second, I'd stumble. While not uncommon for me, this was more than normal and I was really fearful of falling. I got up to the peak and had promised myself and my brother, Alex, that I'd stop and enjoy it for a bit. Took some pics and was off again. 

Ely's Peak

This section really was very rocky. In fact, most of the trail markers consisted of blue blazes painted on the rocks as there were simply no trees! Had my knee been feeling better, I'm not sure I could have run most of this section. Power hiking it was. Thankfully it was so beautiful out! The weather was absolutely perfect and the leaves were in peak season. Despite my knee problems, I was really enjoying myself. Had more gingerale and some string cheese I'd packed and was off again.

Heading into Aid Station #3.

Hanging out with my daughter 
before leaving the aid station.

Magney-Snively to Spirit Mountain (Miles 15.3 to 17.3 - 2 miles)

My wonderful and very supportive
 husband, Marcus and our
youngest child, Juniper (7).

By this point, the pain in my left knee had not improved at all. In fact, it had now moved to my right knee, too. I think I had been favoring my left leg and the force was too much for my right leg. Now the downs were really difficult for me and I was in a lot of pain. I didn't think I was causing any permanent damage, thought it was just some bursitis. Knew I was well ahead of any sort of cut-off and I wanted to finish this race so badly so I just powered on. 

Unfortunately, shortly before the Spirit Mountain aid station, one of those many stumbles turned into a full throttle fall. I curled into a ball and rolled a complete 360 before thudding to a stop in the middle of the trail. I was in shock and couldn't move. Of course, my left knee took the brunt of the fall when it slammed against a huge rock. I thought for sure that this was it for me. There were 3 guys behind me who all stopped. I remember telling them I was fine, just go on ahead. The aid station was close, I was confident I could get to it. But they wouldn't leave me until I'd gotten up. Josh (a sweet young kid, working on his first 50k, too) helped me up and stayed right by my side until we got to the next aid station. Andrew and his dad had ran on ahead, but I bumped into them a few more times throughout the race. I hobbled into the aid station, hoping to see my family, but that was not going to happen. In fact, I didn't see any crew there at all. I had heard that this might be a difficult aid station to get to so I wasn't too surprised not to see them. In hindsight, it was probably a good thing as it really made me power on to get to the next aid station. At this point, I was really actively having to ignore my knees. They were both flaring up. Thankfully my left knee had pretty much gone numb so I couldn't feel much from the fall. 

I remember grabbing a mini Milky Way, commenting to the kid manning the fire that it was beautiful and heading off again.

Spirit Mountain to Highland/Getchell (Miles 17.3 to 22.2 - 4.9 miles)

The kids exploring in between aid stations.

I was in full power hiking mode at this point. Shuffle running when I could, trying to keep my pace up as much as I could. I ran on and off with Josh and ended up running into Andrew again and he and I chatted for quite a bit. He was running with his dad and had some good experience with this race so it was nice to have someone to talk to for a bit. Getting to this aid station, I decided to shed my jacket as I was plenty warm and the sun was out. I never ended up shedding the arm warmers and probably could've gotten away with wearing a light long-sleeve instead.

Heading into Highland/Getchell 
with my kids.

Highland/Getchell to N 24th Ave (Miles 22.2 to 27.9 - 5.7 miles)

This was the last longest section before the end. I knew the last section was only 3 miles so getting through this section was going to be my goal as I know there was no chance of not finishing with only 3 miles left! I was power hiking like crazy, ignoring the pain in my knees. I so badly wanted to run. My leg muscles were aching to be used. They weren't tired at all. I had trained so hard for this and wanted to run, but I just couldn't. Every time I tried, my knees screamed at me and I started stumbling a lot. I simply couldn't bend my knees enough to gain enough clearance to avoid the roots and rocks. I could not risk another fall so I had to slow it down as much as my body didn't want to. 

Heading out of Aid Station #5.

Marcus giving me a hug, 
drinking my gingerale.
Only 3 miles to go!

N 24th Ave to Finish (Miles 27.9 to 31 - 3.1 miles)

At the last aid station, I was elated. My dad had been waiting for me about 1/2 mile from the station and I thought this couldn't possibly be it! Nope, but it wasn't far. Ran into my mom about 1/4 mile from the station and then the rest of the family. The last aid station! I was super happy and extremely motivated to finish. I never really hit that "let's just get this done" feeling. I really didn't want it to end. What a better way to spend a Saturday in Minnesota in October? 

Before leaving the last aid station, I remember mentioning to Marcus that it would have been nice had we thought for him to bring some running gear so he could run with me during this last section. Dressed in jeans and a flannel shirt, that was clearly not happening. I knew most of this section was downhill and while before running the race, I was excited about that fact, my knees had other ideas. The thought of a bunch of downhills was not exciting me at all! 

My amazing crew! Dad, Mom, Jonah (16), Griffin (13),
Finnley (10), Juniper (7) and Cashmere (an aging 15).

I remember hearing the bell ringing in Enger Park. I tried to ring it myself, but wasn't agile enough so a stranger standing nearby gave it a big bong for me! Thank you, stranger! I ran into quite a bit of pedestrian traffic at this section, even a large birthday party happening at the park. Actually had to slow down a bit as the trail was pretty packed with people. On the next painful downhill, I heard some commotion behind me and assumed a racer was trying to pass. Yes, there was a racer, but there was also Marcus! Sporting a skinny pair of his 16 year old son's soccer pants! He looked ridiculous, but I was so happy to see him. Apparently, he had dug through Jonah's bag (much to Jonah's chagrin) and found the pants. Struggled to pull them on and then tried to catch up with me, which he did about a mile and a half from the end. It was nearly all downhill at this point so it was amazing to have someone to talk to so I could ignore thinking about my knees. Once we got down to the road and the finish was in sight, I really wanted to run. My muscles were aching to run! So we did. Slowly and shuffly! A Duluth runner passed by and asked if I was running Wild Duluth. She was a road runner, but was super excited to see me running this race and I think I might have motivated her enough to sign up next year!

At the finish, with my kids! Thumbs-up!

I wasn't too sure where the finish was. We could see it, but not exactly how to get there. It seemed to go on for awhile and there weren't very many runners around me at this point. I had been running alone for much of the last 2 sections. I was absolutely convinced that I was one of the very last runners. My watch had died around hour 6-7. Previous to the race, I had thought I'd finish around 8-9 hours (but, to be honest, I had hoped for 7.5-8 hours). Knowing I was very close to the 9 hour mark, I didn't slow down at all. Everyone was waiting at the finish, even Brian, Elenia and Cece! I noticed the clock still had an "8" on it which thrilled me. I received my mug, downed a full cup of chicken and wild rice soup, took a few photos, packed up the kids in mom and dad's car and we all parted ways. Stopped to get take-out at Duluth Grill (a hamburger with their amazing kale this time) and headed back to the hotel where I promptly fell asleep about halfway through Mission Impossible. Sorry, Marcus, hope it was good!

Thank you, family! We miss you, Kylah!

My experience with aid station food hasn't been great. I avoid gluten and like to have protein while running so my options are limited. Therefore, I decided to bring some of my own food this time - I pre-boiled some eggs and brought up a bunch of string cheese sticks. Paired with some sport beans, lemon luna and lara bars and I was set! I actually didn't eat any gummies at all. Tried to stay up on my salt pills (just in case, even though the weather was cool) and drank as much water as I could, although I know I could have drank more as I don't think I peed during the entire race. Had gingerale at every aid (I never drink pop, only at aid stations and only gingerale, it's weird). 

Final Time: 8:54:04 (116/152) which put me in the top 76%. I'm thrilled! And very curious to see how my performance would compare without knee pain. Might I be back next year? We will see...not sure if knowing what to expect would make it easier or more daunting! It's a serious technical trail!

Recovery: I'm writing this a week after the race and while the bursitis in my knees got better after a couple of days, the bruise on my left knee is massive and still very painful. The first few days I was quite sore and moving around (especially going down stairs) was slow going. We did a bit of hiking in the BWCA, but towards the end of a mild 3-mile hike, both knees were reminding me they weren't quite healed. I'm going to try to run a flat 3-4 miles tomorrow, hoping to get back into routine again soon! Planning to sign up for both the Zumbro 17 and the Superior 50k this spring!