Potawatomi 100 Mile Trail Run
This was my second attempt at the 100 mile distance, and still no 100 mile belt buckle. My first was last fall at the Hennepin 100, which is what one would expect to find in Illinois, long, straight and flat. At that race I was a bit too aggressive with my pacing at the start, and paid for that with a DNF at mile 73 in 16:10. I did not really "respect" the jump up in distance from 50 to 100 miles. After feeling sorry for myself for a couple days, I began to look for my next attempt, and kept coming back to the Potawatomi Trail Runs (Plus I'm doing Hennepin again for the sake of revenge)
Potawatomi is held in Pekin, IL, but unlike Hennepin, it is far from flat. As described on the race website, "Do you think Illinois is all flat cornfields? Wise ultra-runners will get some serious hill training in before coming to Pekin's McNaughton Park! We don’t have mountains in Illinois ... just a few rolling hills with elevator shaft downhills guaranteed to warm your quads on a chilly April evening." Seemed like the perfect race, fun trails to run, only a few hours from home, and lots of local runners I know would be down there too. I wouldn't need to burden my friends/family with crewing for me (10 mile loops and three Aid Stations make it easy to re-supply yourself).
They are not kidding, 1600 feet of elevation every 10 mile loop, and them hills are steep. I felt under-trained when I did Hennepin, but felt much more prepared this time. I did lots of hill work, but none of it had prepared me for the unrelenting and steep series of up, and especially downs that this race threw at me.
Loops 1-3: What a great group of runners, volunteers, race organizers at this event. From the first mile on I was having so much fun, clicking off miles, enjoying conversations with new "trail" friends, and staying right on pace for a 12:30 first 50 miles. I think my first "mistake" came before the race started, my choice of shoes. I was wearing my Saucony Peregrine trail shoes, which I love, but had not done more than 15 miles in. By the middle of the second loop, my feet were starting to feel a bit more fatigue than they should have by that time. I checked my feet and changed socks after the first second loop (didn't keep them dry across the creek crossings on the first couple loops), and had to take care of a developing toe blister, but otherwise not so bad. But my feet were getting quite sore, and I really didn't need the rock plate or traction afforded by these shoes. I should have probably switched shoes then, but didn't. By the end of the 3rd loop, my feet were really sore, and I had begun to develop a heal blister, so I made the decision to switch to my Altra Olympus. Good News, nice and cushioned and big open toe box, bad news I forgot the shoe insert at home (they were taken out to dry the last time I wore them). Luckily the Saucony insert fit right in, so no harm no foul.
Loops 4-5: My feet very much enjoyed the extra cushioning, but this pair of Altras was always a bit loose in the heel, and this seemed to increase the progress of the heel blister. I attempted to pop it and tape it, but it was determined to keep growing. Other than the blister, I was really still feeling pretty good, right on my predicted pace, and was hydrating and eating like a champ. The temps were great (30's at the start, 40's during the day) and it was sunny, now wind, just a great day in the woods. I was still able to run-able sections like Totem Pole AS to the Beach, and the flat areas of Heavens Gate, the meadows, and even most of the flats in the bottoms along the creek. I knew if I could get through loop 5 my pacers, Terry and John, would be there to give me a boost for the night miles.
Loop 6-7: I finished the first 50 miles in 12:15. I was actually there 15 minutes earlier than I had predicted, so Terry and John had to hustle to get all there running gear on and ready to go. I took advantage of this "extra" time to put my feet up and rest for a few minutes. It was late enough that I had to have my headlamp and night time gear for the start of this loop, even though it was still light out. It was nice to have company for the entire loop of 6, and I had a fun time describing what would be coming up next. I had slowed down quite a bit, but was still able to run most of the flat sections. Other than the darn left heel blister, my only other major concerns were my left foot and knee were beginning to hurt quite a bit, and my quads were really starting to feel the effects of all the downhill miles. Loop 6 was still pretty fun, but loop 7 the wheels began to come off the rails a bit. It was getting more difficult to run, even when I wanted too, and the downhill sections were really taking a toll me. My left leg and foot were really screaming at me, and even with a couple doses of my magic elixir of Vitamin I (Ibuprofren) with a 5 hour Energy chaser. Doubt was starting to creep in.
Loop 8: This was the most difficult part of the race. I was pretty uncomfortable by now, my running had dropped to minimal, and even my hiking paces were beginning to suffer. I really appreciated having pacers at this point (Thanks Terry & John), or I don't think I would have even left the Start/Finish for loop 8. My pace was still not terrible, took just over 4 hours for that 10 mile loop, but the pain of the blister, my trashed quads and, left knee and foot pain, and fatigue were beginning to win the battle of wills.
Loop 9: I didn't want to linger at the Start/Finish too much, because the call to drop was getting really loud. The first 2-3 miles of the course to the Totem Aid Station had become my least favorite part of the course. No real reason why, just didn't like it (probably because the analgesics taken at the start finish take until the Totem AS to begin working their magic). By the time I got to Totem I was pretty miserable. Not even the encouragement of Terry & John, the Aid Station volunteers, and even a cup of the magical Chicken Noodle Soup could get me feeling better. I was able to force myself to head down the trail from here, but about 1/2 mile down the trail, the thought of having to get through all those hills remaining to finish this loop, and then do it again broke me. I had begun to walk back toward the AS to try to get a ride back to the Start/Finish, when another runner told us about a side trail that would take us right back (Thank you for that) so we took it and I turned in my chip.
Again I attempted 100 miles, and again 100 miles won. I did end up with Personal Bests in Distance (82 miles) and time running (24:35) and feel like I've learned even more about what it takes to finish these amazing events. While I'm disappointed, I'm not discouraged. When I think about what I learned, these the things stand out the most.
- Slow down even more early. I was not ahead of my planned pacing, but I think I still may have been too aggressive early which contributed to my blisters and trashed quads. I'm never going win a 100 mile race, so fast enough to get it done should do just fine.
- I need to get better at recognizing small issues that can become big ones later. With Pot it was the blisters and shoe selection. Treating and handling these things more quickly may have extended my ability to keep moving. At Hennepin it was feeling the effects of the faster pace early, and ignoring it rather than just slowing down. Different issues, but from the same "Suck it up Sissy" mentality that only leads to a DNF.
- My feet like the maximum cushioning shoes, and they need to be my choice for anything over 50K.
- One can never run enough hills (up and down). Find the steepest grade hill I can, and run repeats on that thing as often as possible.
- DNF is not the worst thing to happen, I got to spend 24 hours testing my limits physically and mentally, and am lucky I have the opportunity to do that.
- Trail Runners are the best, friendliest, and most supportive group of people I know, and I'm glad to be part of that community!
- A good pace crew is invaluable, thanks again Terry and John.
While I DNF'd again, I'm blessed and happy that I have opportunity to even start an event like this. I got to witness some amazing athletes do amazing things, my friends Tim finished a very hard fought 150 battling fatigue and Jeff an incredible 200. I got to chat with outstanding volunteers at all the Aid Stations, and meet and talk to so many cool trail runners along the way. I'm already signed up for my "Revenge" 100 mile run this fall at Hennepin, I better get the 100 mile buckle there, I'm tired of my pants falling down. I suppose I'll have to come back to Pekin again as well, I could use two belts.
