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!

Recent Happenings

Recently, preparations and training for the upcoming ultra season have really picked up. My training has been solid with many great threshold workouts and some solid weekend long runs. My weekly volume has continued to climb hitting 19 hours, my highest so far this year. I have been connecting with lots of training partners for workouts too. I have been training with Dave H, Dave S, Tony, Eric, Craig, and of course Sundari recently. I have really enjoyed having other people to train with and to push each other.

This past week, Feb 27 through March 4, was my 19 hour training week with 6:30 of that volume coming in my back to back weekend workouts. I also did a cross training workout as well as some strength and a threshold workout with 15 minute reps. So far my build up is looking good and I am feeling great. My resting heart rate is showing that I am recovering well and getting even more fit.

I have been having lots of adventures in other areas of my life as well. A few weeks ago the Duluth Running Company had their 2011 team party across the bridge at the Thirsty Pagan. It was a great chance to meet up with lots of team members that I don't see very often. I was also honored to be named the 2011 Duluth Running Company Team Runner of the Year and Team Points Champion. It was a great cap to one of my best ultra seasons yet and the celebration with the team.

Some of the DRC team at the 2011 team party

Another bit of excitement came with the snow that we received this past week. I got a 4 season tent (the REI Arete 2) back in December of last year, and with no snow was not all that motivated to test it out. But the blizzard provided a great opportunity to see how it performed in snow, cold, and high winds.

My 4 Season Tent

I was really happy with the way it performed. The first night I noticed some dampness on my sleeping bag and some condensation on the upper inside walls near the top vent. The following night I changed the position of the vent and unzipped part of the side door vent and woke up to almost no condensation. The tent was really warm, even becoming too hot for my zero degree bag, and it felt rock solid under the weight of the fresh snow and the high wind gusts. The floor stood up to Sundari's nails and it was a flash to set up - even the first time in high winds and blowing snow/blizzard conditions. If you are in the market for a good all season tent the REI Arete 2 is a good option.

Under The Fresh Snow

Keep on keeping on, and have a great week!