Chippewa Moraine 50k


For many trail runners in the Midwest the ultra season got into full swing last Saturday at the Chippewa Moraine 50k in New Aburn WI.  The race runs on the Ice Age trail and is challenging but runnable course.  it features many remnants of the last Ice Age including glacial kettles and drumlins.

The race started in slightly chilly 40 degree weather at the Ice Age State Park visitors center.  On the line were many great trail and ultra guys from the region and some of my training partners and fellow Duluth Running Company team mates and Duluth training partners.  This race has really become an early season fitness test in the region.
  

At the starting line

 The race started with out a hitch and we were off and running.  You could tell we were excited to be starting the racing season by the pace.  I lead the lead pack for most of the first half of the out and back course, and we crossed the half way point in under course record time.  My goal for the race was to start off strong in the low end of my threshold zone and then push through the second half to get used to running strong in the difficult second half of a race. I hit that goal well, keeping my heart rate in the mid 160's for the first half and at 161 BPM for my overall average.
 

After the turn around with about 10 miles to go

I finished in 5th place, 3rd in the age group, and in 4:00:21.  I felt good at the end, with enough in the tank to do a cool down with Sundari who also made the trip down to the race.  I felt confident that I could have gone the extra 18 miles to finish a 50 Miler.  I'm looking forward to my next few big weekend long runs and to my next race, the Ice Age 50 Miler in May.  See you all out on the trails and at the NMTC Wednesday night series which starts this week at Park Point at 6 PM!

Fitgers 5K

This past weekend I joined over 1800 runners for the Fitgers 5K.  The wind and light rain and snow shower did little to deter the mood of us on the starting line.  Not even a 10 minute delay could reduce the energy of the record crowd. 

When the gun went off we took off on the slight down hill towards canal park.  Aided by the down hill I went through the first mile 5:12 but still felt relaxed and in control, even exchanging words and encouragement with my fellow DRC team member Eric Nordgren and a racer from Thunder Bay, Canada. 

As we approached the second mile the wind picked up and met us head on, and we would have a slight up hill and head wind for the remainder of the race, and the slower conditions showed in my 5:28 last mile split.  I finished in 6th place in a gun time of 16:44 - my fastest certified 5k time for several years. 

I have not yet started doing a lot of speed work, and have been focusing on base work recently, so I did not have high expectations in terms of time or place at Fitgers.  I was really happy with the race and surprised myself with my turn over and higher end capacity.  I think this is a good sign for my first ultra of the season this weekend at the Chippewa Moraine 50k and for the rest of the season. 

Best of luck to everyone racing this coming weekend and in any of the great spring races coming up.  Enjoy the great spring weather we have been having!