"Why are you in Wisconsin?" Dalton asked me this about 20 miles into this race, and I told him that a free race entry (thank you, Sid), free flight (thank you points), and a free car ride (thank you, Mark) were reasons I found myself deep in the Chequamegon (pronounced sha-won-again) - Nicolet National Forest running the Midwest States 100.
This race was also special in the sense that completing it would be my 20th, 100-mile finish. That's 2,000 miles of racing. Kind of insane the more I think about that and let it settle in.
Because of the free factors listed above, it made it an easy choice. For those that have followed me for the past couple of months, they know that I was doing a lot of trail running up and down the West Coast (Mt. Langley/Whitney, Yosemite, Mammoth Lakes, Lassen, Crater Lake, Bend, North Cascades, Leavenworth, Seattle, Portland, the Lost Coast, Redwoods, San Francisco, and Sequioia). Admittedly, the runs that I did at these spots was complete opposite of what the Midwest States 100 was.
The total climbing at the race was between 6,000-7,000 feet. Everything I was doing during the summer was usually at elevation and with a lot more aggressive climbing. I always joke with people that I'm not really a runner but more of an experienced aggressive mountain hiker, but the portfolio of this course would force my climbing legs into more of a marathon runner.
As the old adage goes - "looks can be deceiving" - was very relevant for this course. With the smallest amount of climbing of any race I've done prior, I candidly thought I could break 17 hours on this course (which also would be a major milestone for me). However, the roots and the rain that ensued was not something that made this feasible. More on that later. For most, I told them that I was shooting for 20 hours which was more than feasible. Seeing the course record was 22:57, I was admittedly a little confused as to why it wasn't faster. But then when I got out there, it became very obvious...
So fast forward to the start. My friend Mark was incredibly gracious to pick me up and support me all day (and night) for this one. Leading up to it, I just used my summer adventure runs and then when I got back home decided that I would register for this (about 3 weeks to the start of the race). I chose to do one solid week where I got about 70-80 miles in, but all of them being mountain miles. How I trained and what this course was were not exactly compatible. But, I also think what I did was more than sufficient.
The day was calling for morning showers. The forecast leading up to it showed that it would be sunny. Because it's the Midwest, I knew that all of that could change in an instant. And it did. That's also why I brought jackets and even asked Mark if I should bring mittens (sorta jokingly, but not). Since I don't usually sleep well the night before these things, I decided to have a little vodka tonic. That actually worked and I'll be doing that moving forward.
The race started at 6 AM. As usual, I found myself in line at the porta potties after chugging coffee to the start of the race. I knew that my GI was still on Pacific time so I was trying to get that cleared as best I could.
My race strategy this time was to resurrect my old Orange Mud pack (which uses water bottles instead of bladders) and use Tailwind and fluctuate between Orange and Lemon all day long. I briefed Mark the day before how I was anticipating it going, and he took notes and carried the clipboard around all day.
Once the gun went off, I found myself in a train of runners. They started the 100 milers and 100k folks together. I'm usually quite shy in pushing myself to the front of the start, but I do get annoyed with myself at times because I find that I get stuck behind people going at a pace that I would not have chosen. This course also is largely single track (including the very beginning), so it was difficult to get around some of these people early on.
I was following a guy who was doing his first 100 miler and going a bit slower up the hill than I would have preferred. We chatted a bit and I wished him luck, but when the first opportunity presented itself, I asked if I could get around him which he kindly allowed me to.
Photo Cred: Jennifer Horsen
The first aid station was just over 6 miles in. When I got there there was no one at the aid station, just some water so I filled up one bag of Tailwind with the water and pressed on. At this point, I got in a group of about 5 guys. One of whom has been running 100-milers back to back over the past few weeks. How his body manages to recover is beyond me. Although I found it incredibly impressive of what he was doing and how his body adapted, I also think that he's wreaking havoc on his body. Clearly we have different goals of what the day would look like, but I know I definitely prefer to take a good rest after completing a 100 mile run.
Going around him, I then got into a group with a guy named Dalton and Joe. We ran and chatted for a bit and got to the next aid station which was about 12-13 miles. This was called Wausau. I had to make a quick pitstop to the porta potty but got back on the trail pretty quickly. Mark got my bottles ready and I saw that Dalton was wanting to run with me. Joe had taken off but Dalton admitted to creeping on me prior to the race and wanted to run with me for a bit. He definitely made me feel like a juggernaut coming into this.
He was joking that people from California or Cottonwood Springs, CO don't just come to Wisconsin for any reason and was very curious why I was there. After explaining the economics behind it all, he totally got it. Dalton was also a solid runner. He too had won Black Hills 100 back in the day and placed 4th at Superior 100, which is a very challenging course in Minnesota that runs along Lake Superior.
As we pressed on together, I could tell that he was going to be a chatterbox. It's not often that I get to run with people, and, being so early in the race, I decided "why not?" We talked about goals for the day and we both were a bit baffled by the current course record. We both had goals to hit 20 hours, so I also think that is why he decided to run with me so we both can keep pace.
As most people are, he was a bit perplexed that I didn't have a Garmin watch or track any of my metrics/data. I told him that I'd get lost in the details and feel bad, especially when I have a slower day and the watch is telling me what a lazy and slow pig I am for that workout. Although I can see the power and value of having the details, I just find that listening to my body and going with what it needs is most impactful for me. It hasn't let me down yet.
We got to Lily at 19. Mark was there and gave me my Orange Tailwind. Dalton and I headed back out together. I didn't want to spend too long at the aid stations, and Mark did a phenomenal job of having everything ready when I got in. It was also an encouragement to see a face that I knew. He handed me a bag of Tailwind that I prepared beforehand as the next aid station I wouldn't see Mark. It wouldn't be until P-Town at mile 31.
Dalton and I pressed on. It was about this time that the rain started to fall. I could hear it in the trees and and in the wind. What a great sound it made. I was also hoping it wouldn't rain too hard as that would wreak havoc on the trails. It gave me flashbacks to Mohican when it literally rained the entire day. It was a mud hole. Hopefully this wouldn't be a repeat of that.
As we pressed on, this section as a bit more beat up. It was tall grass and flowy trails. Then we hit a first climb. Dalton let me take the lead at this section and I aggressively climbed up the hill. We both agreed that having climbing breaks is really nice (up to this point we have been running for most of it). We then continued on down to another lake and there was a guy walking and said the aid station was only a mile ahead. We then ran into a guy named Isaac who was running the 100k.
He now lives in Chicago but is originally from Arkansas, so it was fun that he knew the small college I went to. He said there was one guy up ahead and that that guy admitted that he was going out hard. It was fun to have the idea of someone to chase.
When we pressed on, we all got to the next aid station - called Inn at the Woods. Clever name. I just refilled my tailwind and headed out. At this point, Dalton and I left Isaac behind and pressed on. I could tell that Dalton was starting to lag a little bit. He told me that he did 50 miles as his biggest training week due to work and other obligations (which in normal circumstances I totally understand), but I also knew that I likely came in with better training (not to mention the abuse my legs got on the mountains I ran all summer long). It is those miles that will make a big difference later in the race when your body is completely wiped and depends on the deep reserves you get from tumultous training.
Pressing on, the rain was really starting to come down now. It dumped us on a road and this seemed to last forever. The rain was making the dirt roads super slippery and muddy. I couldn't really see Dalton anymore. This gave me some motivation. When I pass someone, I usually don't like for them to pass me again. Although I understand a runner can easily hit a high and move quickly, I think not getting passed shows that I am controlling my pace and am comfortable. That happened to be the case in this race. Once I left Dalton, I never saw him for the rest of the day (other than passing each other on the out-and-backs).
At this point my liquids were almost completely dry. Most of the aid stations were 6-7 miles apart. This one felt longer. I kept going and the rain kept coming down and my clothes were completely soaked. After going over a few more windy roads, I ran into a plant that gave me these brown balls that stuck to my shorts. I was plucking those off and laughing as I could see the aid station up ahead. I got in and Mark gave me the Lemon Tailwind (switched out the Orange). I was just over 5 hours in and had done 31 miles.
After getting my stuff, it was time to head back (the course goes 31 miles out, then 31 back. Then you have to do 19 miles out and then 19 miles back on the same course). This was great news. I was now done with the long out. Moving on from here, it was more muddy dirt roads. I could hear cheering in the back so I knew that Dalton had made it in. This is when I popped my first Tylenol and put my earbuds in.
Getting to listen to music for the first time was a huge pick-me-up. Although I sincerely appreciated Dalton's company, I was excited to stay in my own world and see what I can do from this point forward. Pressing on, this section was very short. Maybe 3 miles. I found that I was already back at Inn at the Woods. This also was a huge motivation.
I was now seeing a lot more runners coming in from that way. I went, checked in, and then headed out. I would not see this aid station for the duration of the race. As I headed out, some runners were yelling at me so I took my earbuds out and they said I was going the wrong way. I explained to them that I already went out and was now going back and they were shocked and felt bad for stopping me. They met well and it made me laugh.
My hip flexors were being super babyish all day. From mile 10 they were in revolt. It's like they didn't want to work. I swear the body knows what it's about to endure and just rebels (something very similar happened at Pinhoti 100 years ago). However, I told them mentally to deal with it and press on. I was heading back to Lily. I was passing more runners and were high fiving and wishing each other well. It was motivating to see others out there, doing the same stupid thing that I was.
Getting into Lily I was feeling pretty good. Mark had my bottles ready and I got them and headed out. I was probably spending less than 2 minutes at every aid station at this point. Next step was Wausau. I was really beginning to notice just how much damage the rain had done to the trails and how muddy they were. There were also a good number of bridges between here and Wausau that were quite wet. It took me back to my days living in the Pacific Northwest and all of the bridges there. I was also admiring how many ferns were in the woods and how incredibly dark the forest was. I was half wondering if I would need a headlamp in the middle of the day the forest was so thick with trees and the sky grey from the rain.
Moving through this section I made it back to Wausau. This was now mile 49. Almost halfway. I got my stuff from Mark and headed out. I didn't see anyone on this section and I was completely alone as I was making my way to the next one. I learned that I was in the lead. I wasn't entirely sure what happened to the person in front of me, but I imagined something did (I later learned he twisted his ankle on a root). Speaking of roots, I was starting to realize just how many there were.
This section reminded me a bit of a flat HURT course (which maybe is offensive to HURT). But the roots were incredibly thick. They're not like the ones at Mohican where they come a little off the ground, these ones are well above the ground which makes running over them incredibly challenging (plus, not to mention the rain had made the trails super wet and muddy at this point).
Pressing on, I got into Alumni. I got my stuff and now was heading to the 100k finish. I was super happy with myself that I was also in front of the 100k leader. Although this is more of a local race and doesn't draw super competitive folks, it was still a cool feeling knowing that I could have won the 100k here, too. This section starts on a road and then dumps you in the woods where you go over a section of deep roots and mud and then it turns into rolling hills. I pressed on and could see the lake which is where we started. I followed this for a while up and down the rolling hills and made it to the start/finish.
Admittedly, I was a bit jealous of the 50k runners who had finished and were done for the night. I still had 38 miles to go. I could definitely feel my legs at this point.
I saw Mark, got my Orange Tailwind and headed back to Alumni. By this point, I took the headlamp although I felt I could get there without it. About 20 minutes from leaving the aid station I saw Dalton and his pacer. I thought he looked pretty good here. We exchanged pleasantries and I pressed on. I probably had a 40-50 minute lead on him by this point. Getting closer to Alumni (mile 69), I passed the third place guy as well and we also said "hello." Getting to Alumni felt great. I popped another caffeine pill and pressed on after Mark gave me the bottles.
These next few sections would prove to be the worst. My headlamp was on at this point and I was passing a lot of runners who were heading to the start/finish. The roots were really starting to play a tool on the body at this point too. Usually I remember landmarks or things, but because these woods were so thick and the roots so plentiful, I couldn't really remember anything about this. Even the wooden bridges I frequently had to go over I couldn't remember which section and how many there were. Some were falling apart or moving when you stepped on them or were tilted so you had to keep your balance so you wouldn't fall (which isn't always an easy thing when your legs are a bit fried).
Popping another Tylenol I pressed on and eventually got into Wausau. The lady who worked this aid station was super nice. Mark gave me my Tailwinds and I was moving onto Lily (and the final turnaround). Mentally, for the last 38 miles, I was just thinking of 6 aid stations. So I was done with 2 and working towards aid station 3. It's so funny when it's daylight, the trails are dry, and your body isn't in shambles how different the experience feels when it's dark out, everything is a muddy mess, and you're exhausted. The hills on this section I definitely do not remember. But they were definitely there. I felt like I wasn't moving as well as I would have liked but just kept telling myself "one foot in front of the other."
Once I hit a bridge that was straight up, I was kinda laughing to myself because it felt like I was trying to walk on ice. Looking over at the mud, I was half debating if I should just jump in there and hike up (which is so self-defeating of the bridge). I opted not to and pressed on. This section felt like an eternity. Lots more runners were coming the other direction and we turned our heads away from each other so we didn't blind ourselves. Finally I could hear a generator in the distance and see some lights. At last!
I pressed on and got to Lily and the final aid station before I turned around. I saw Mark and told him that I was chaffing in the groin area. The rain from earlier in the day had likely worn off the Baby Bottom solution he gave me to put on at the beginning of the race. After stepping in the toilet and reapplying, I was gritting my teeth together as the sting was real. I walked out and told Mark that I am not drinking as much water now and to not fill that bottle up fully.
Leaving here, I knew I just had 3 more aid stations to go. I also knew this part would be mostly downhill. Since the 17 hour goal was out the window, I thought I was still on pace for a sub 20. I pressed on on this section and between the roots, rocks, and mud, that goal was evaporating faster than an ice cube in a blazing fire. About 45 minutes after leaving this aid station, I saw Dalton and his pacer. I was now probably an hour and a half or more in front of him. We exchanged pleasantries again and pressed on.
I was jamming to the same tunes at this point (I learned about Cut Copy and am now a huge fan of theirs), and moving forward. When I got into the aid station, I was a bit livid. I told Mark that this section totally screwed me of my goal. He said that I was doing great and looked good, but I was angry. I felt like I practically walked that entire section as there weren't any opportunities to run it (at least for me). I told him the whole world likely caught up with me. He wasn't convinced of that. I told him I had just a half marathon to go and headed out.
This section was just as brutal as the last. More roots. More mud. More walking. More frustration. My friend Jen in Washington told me to think of her if I drop an F bomb, and yes, I may have had a couple for her on this section. Consider that an homage to you, Jen. I also was passing a lot of runners at this point as they were heading out and I realized that I was quite a bit ahead of the field. I ran into Jeff (Mark's friend from Michigan), and was like "these roots are horrible!" He just kind of laughed as he let me around him. Other runners were like "you're so close, maybe half a mile." "That is not close!" is what I was thinking to myself. One person I said "I have never heard that before" and they promised that I was.
I had to come back and remain calm. There was one bridge that I distinctly remembered from this section and I knew I was pretty close. When I got to this aid station I definitely let Mark know that I'm done with this course. He totally understand and said that I just have the finish to go.
At least this section I knew I only had a couple of miles of bad roots and mud and then it turns into rolling hills (which thankfully not as much mud formed on those). I knew I'd be hiking most of it anyways but at least wouldn't be dodging all of the roots. Getting through the first couple of miles, I looked at my watch and figured I could get done in about 20.5 hours.
Pressing on, I passed a few runners and hit the lake again. I knew that I only had a couple of more miles to go. The legs were done. Weirdly my quads weren't that bad, it was more my back from my pack and hip flexors that didn't want to cooperate anymore. I pressed up and down on these hills and was getting quite annoyed with how many ups and downs. I just asked the trail why it can't be flat or at least not make me go down just to go back up. I was over it.
Moving on, I could see lights up ahead and the sound of people. The best sound you can hear after a LONG day in the woods. I jogged down the last hill and into the finish. I got through in 20:22, which was a new course record by over 2.5 hours.
I was relieved and proud of myself. Although I admittedly had more ambitious goals coming into this, I now totally understand how difficult this course was. I told Sid - one of the race directors - that this was one of the hardest easiest courses I had ever run.
A huge thank you and shout out to Mark for crewing me all day and night (and for chauffering me around Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan), Sid for the free race entry, all of the volunteers at the race, and those that followed along. As usual, the support of friends and family is all so very much appreciated.
sAs I reflect on finishing my 20th, 100 miler, I am a bit in awe that I have been able to go and see and explore so many incredible places on my own two feet. The fact my body has held up and performed so well over the years is not something that I take for granted. It really is a gift, and I'm so appreciative of it every single day. The people and places I've gotten to meet from my own two feet carrying me is so difficult to articulate of how meaningful that is to me.
In regards to "what's next?" - I'm not entirely sure. I'm going to let this one sink in for a minute....
