You know you are in a small town when the proprietor of your
motel isn’t available because he’s out driving the local school bus. Oh, and
he’s the local judge too. (I wonder what he’d do if he got a speeding ticket?)
Ah, Chetek! Summer home of thousands of fisherman, pockmarked by little lakes,
and edge-lined with the Chippewa Moraine.
Yes, the Moraine, much like our own Kettle Moraine, and
created a millennia ago just so we could run the hilly deposits of gravel where
the glaciers decided to stop their encroachment from Canada, leaving behind
eskers, kettle lakes…. Oh wait; this is a race report, not a geology lesson.
But, it is fascinating to learn about the area that we love so well. If you ever
get to this race, check out the marvelous geological display at the DNR
station, which is also the race headquarters. This north end of the Ice Age
Trail is no less beautiful than our southern end, and maybe even a little
hillier.
So this race is held on the Ice Age trail, just south of
Chetek in the town of New Auburn. 20 something of the LPTR crew were on hand,
with various plans of using this race for the Ice Age 50 build up, three first
time Ultra runners and those of us just out there for another great day on the
trails.
Me? I was there to run, and run hard. Deb V asked me if I
had any plans for my race, and my response was “yes, and it’s gonna hurt”. This
year, I wasn’t running from something (like work related stress or a failed
relationship), wasn’t running to something (like another race), I was just
running. And there was no reason not to give it my best shot. And that means
finding the line between too fast, and not fast enough.
BANG. GO!
So the first mile went by, and I felt a tug on my waist pack
from a runner. Joel. Crap. I guess that means I started out too fast. Yes, 8
minutes for the first mile might have been a little optimistic. But hey, I got
caught up front with the speedy guys at the starting line; I had no intention
of keep that pace up all day. I did however want to hit the turn around by 2:30
or so, and then keep it going to see if I could hang on for a 5:15 or so: my
ultimate goal being to go under 10 min per mile overall.
The out and back course was dry, and the day was a cool 46
and overcast: great day to set a PR. As I approached the 12 mile mark or so, I
saw guys coming back at me. Holy cow. A blazing day! In fact, later I
discovered four guys went sub 4 hours and all broke the course record. As Kevin
G told me: “Yeah, I went 7:30 for the first mile, and I was in 20th
place”.
As I ran the out portion of the course it was hurting a
little. Running with people always makes that easier: as usual, I shared a few
miles with Jodie T, and a few other runners too. I hit the turn around at 2:31 and change, so I was right on
plan. I was running all the up hills, but as usual I was having trouble
maintaining speed on the down hills. I actually suck at those. I think my brain
sees the obstacles and causes me to step in front of them instead of OVER them.
Give me enough obstacles and I’d probably go backwards.
So headed for home, I get just past 20 miles and it’s
starting to hurt. I got passed a few times, and passed a few people as well,
but mostly held my spot. One guy clearly in my AG went by me, but he was
looking strong. He stopped and asked me if I was OK, catching me at a spot
where I stopped to collect myself. I said, “Yeah, while the wheels aren’t come
off, there are definitely a few lug nuts loose”.
I gutted out the last 9 miles, even clocked a few more 10
minute miles in the last five which were marked. Given the fact that my
training for the last two months has been marginal, I was happy to clock in a
2:53 second half for a total of 5:24:28, good enough for 7/33 AG and 51st
overall. For me, a 20 minute PR and very close pace to my Clinton Lake 30 mile
time last month (5:09), on a more technical and hilly course.
Other notes of noteworthiness. Marcel and Jodie designed the
current Race logo (above), and got a shout out at the start from Race Director
Jeff Allen. Christine broke the course record on a twisted ankle running a
4:35, and Joel won his AG with a solid 4:30. Raul, Dave F, and Ben P all ran
the Ultra distance for the first time; Ben clocked a stellar 4:50 in his debut.
Thanks to my travel mates, Jodie T, Marcel, Jose J and Raul
for a great road trip!
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| The Chippewa LPTR's... |
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| Two stragglers who didn't make the group photo... |
Results for LPTR:
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