Date: Thursday, May 20, 2021, 7:00am start
Distance: 25k (15.5 miles)
Runners: Due to Covid and the fact that spectators were not allowed, unless they were running, Marcus signed up for the 12.5k while I ran the 25k.
Crew: None! Unless you count Jax who had to spend 2-3 hours in his crate in the condo while Marcus ran his race!
Gear: New UD pack, VS bra, black tank, long sleeve RSR technical shirt, Athleta capris, Dirty Girlz gaitors, smartwool socks, Altra Lone Peaks, Suunto Ambit 3 GPS, RSR buff, hat and white rain jacket.
Fuel: Due to Covid, the aid stations were for emergencies only and did not provide any fuel. I had plenty of water in my pack and brought along a waffle and some sport beans. I really should've brought along some more food (more about this later), but I didn't want my pack weighed down too much and because of the rain, it'd be hard to keep everything dry.
Training and Preparation: Due to Covid, the registration for this race happened about a month out. In addition, it was put on over the course of 4 days with staggered start times. Marcus and I both sat at the computer at 9am sharp on the Wednesday that registration opened, assuming that the spots would fill quickly. Turns out, this was not a problem! While Saturday eventually filled up, Thursday was pretty light up until race day. As far as training goes, I was so excited to just have a carrot again in the form of a race! Finally I could put a training schedule together and stick to it, even if it was only for a month!
Jax and I ran at Afton a week before registration just to feel my legs run hills again. I was quite sore for a few days! After registration, we ran again at Afton that week and twice the following week (once with Marcus). Along with running around home, too, I felt confidently prepared. I had only signed up for the 25k for a couple of reasons - not only did I not want to deal with no aid stations/crew assistance, but Marcus and I were taking a mini vacation at our cabin after and I didn't want to be super sore.
The last race I ran was pre-Covid, when I ran the Wild Duluth 50k in October 2019. During Covid, my mileage went way down and actually stopped for a good chunk of time during the summer (I didn't run in June or July much at all) as I took up furniture building! With no races on the horizon, I just didn't have the motivation. It was also a very hot/humid summer! By the end of September 2020, though, I was back to a regular running routine of at least getting out 3-4 times a week, even if my overall mileage was low. Starting in January 2021, though, I really tried to keep my mileage up around 30 miles/week. In the last week of February I ran 32.5 miles which was the most miles I'd run in a single week since July 2018! Insane!
Race Weekend Preparation: Kylah was staying with the kids while we were gone so she could bring Juniper to/from horses and school. Marcus and I left for Lutsen after he got home from work, around 5:30pm. I ate Chipotle in the car. When we got to Caribou (we had rented a condo through AIRBNB), it was nearly 10pm. After checking in, hauling up our stuff, settling Jax and laying out our gear for the next day, I really just went to bed (brought my own sheets, thank goodness as theirs were horrid). Mattress was awful and I didn't sleep well because I was really paranoid about the weather. We both got up before 6am, I drank my pre-made coffee and tried to eat a spinach bar, but my stomach wasn't having it.
Shortly before our start time at 7am, Marcus and I walked to the race start to pick up our bibs. John was there along with a few volunteers. But, other than that, it was just the two of us! Very weird. As it was drizzling and I just didn't know what to expect, I started with my rain jacket on. By the time I got past the waterfall (so, about 1/2 mile), I stopped to take it off. Didn't need it again and really wished I'd left it behind as I ended up carrying it the rest of the way. While I rolled up my long sleeve, I never took it off, although I probably could have. Note for next time...
Start to Oberg (Miles 0 to 7.75m): Normally there is a serious conga line at the start which lasts for about 2-3 miles (or until the top of Mystery). Running along really made me realize how this section is completely uphill! Never really being able to "run" this section before due to congestion, it was interesting to note that I walked Mystery and run down its other side. As is usual, the hike up Moose felt long. But once down it, the distance to Oberg went by pretty quickly. I got into Oberg and the friendly volunteers asked what I needed. Knowing I had plenty of water and some fuel, I said I was good, although I was starving! They had nothing for me, but one of the volunteers kindly offered me something called a Speed Nut ("don't tell John", he said). He gave me one with caffeine and one without. Not having my glasses, I couldn't read the ingredients and was nervous when he called it a "gel" as I hate sugary sweet things. One of the volunteers also reminded me "nothing new on race day". But my legs were tired, I was tired and I hadn't realized how much of an impact the 100% humidity was having on me. So I took a chance and ate it, slowly, after eating one of my waffles. A much needed 400 combined calories! I also really tried to up my water intake on the way back. 
Oberg to FINISH (Miles 7.75 to 15.5m): Knowing exactly what to expect in this section (not just because I'd literally just run it, but this would now be the 6th time I've run it from this direction), I ate my fuel, watched my water intake, took a quick pitstop in the woods and just got it done. Mud wasn't so bad since we were running on day one and there were very few runners out. I slipped on a root once, but never had a stumble or a fall. Moose was, well, fine! It's certainly been worse! Because I'd checked my watch once on the way out, I knew it was about 3 miles to the finish once I got to the top of Mystery. Prior to the race, I had expected about a 4 hour finish. But during the race, I pushed this back because I was just feeling so slow and sluggish. Felt like I was walking a lot. I did run the entire distance from the top of Mystery to the finish. I finally came across one other runner who I'd run into near the aid station, but he managed to stay ahead of me until the end where I passed him up. Marcus and Jax were waiting partway down the paved road so I leashed Jax up and he got to run with me to the finish. Quiet finish with John, a photographer and that was about it. Changed in the car and we headed to the cabin, after a stop in GM for groceries, we were there before 1pm!
Final Time: 3:59:10 (15:24 pace), 33/66 women, 17/35 age group 40-49, 108/159 overall. The last time I ran this race was in 2015. My time was 3:55:47 (15:13 pace) and I placed in the exact same overall percentage (top 66%). Haha!
Recovery: None really to speak of. Tired legs, but that was mostly noticeable when trying to make the hike from the dock to the cabin!
Looking ahead to Fall Superior 2021. Maybe Moose Marathon again? Or if they have aid stations/crew assistance, try the 50 mile again? Hmm...
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