Simon Says...Run: SUPERIOR 100 RACE RECAP

I get it, it’s hard to wrap your head around covering 100 miles on foot without stopping for a nap. I imagine every runner that has entered a 100 mile experience, as Race Director John Storkamp refers to it in his RACE RECAP, has had similar thoughts at one point or another. Eventually, seeds get planted, and then fertilized, over the years before finally taking root. Here are a few of my seeds;

You must go back 10 years to July of 2009, that’s the first time I ever stepped on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT). I even BLOGGED about that first run, “I ventured onto the Superior Hiking Trail only to find it incredibly rocky and rooty (is that a word?). I wasn’t so much “running” as I was doing that high knee tire drill that football players do.” At the time, I was used to the trails at Lebanon Hills and Hyland Park. The thought of running 100 miles on the SHT wasn’t even a dream back then.

In 2014 I experienced race weekend for the first time, as a volunteer. I even wrote a REPORT about that entire weekend. In it I wrote; “I can’t help watching an event like this and think to myself; 1) could I finish, 2) would I enjoy it, and 3) would I be any good at it? As Adam Lindahl said after finishing his first 100M this summer, "I have too many ultra-friends not to at least consider doing one." With that said, I’m already signed up for the Wild Duluth 50K on October 18th and I'd like to try a 50-miler next year. Is a 100 miler in my future? It’s too early to tell, but I’ve been thinking about it more than ever before.

The following year I paced Brett Busacker for about 25 miles. Running on the SHT in the dark was one of the coolest things ever and it answered a lot of questions that I think needed to be addressed before seriously considering taking on such an event.

Finally, right after the 2017 race, my friend Stephanie Thiede declared that she was going to run the 100M in 2018. It wasn’t only that she followed through, but it was the way she did it that really stood out to me. I still remember her coming into Oberg (mile 96) smiling with this incredibly great attitude. As she left the aid station she said, “Let’s go get a sweatshirt.” (referring to her finisher’s hoodie).

After that race, with turning 50 years old on the horizon, I finally pulled the trigger and signed up for the 100-mile race. People would often say; “Oh, you picked an easy one for your first 100.” Of course, they were sarcastically referring to the Rugged, Relentless, Remote tagline of the race and it’s 42,000 feet of elevation change. Running my first 100 miler was never about just covering 100 miles. If that was the case, I would have found an easier race. Growing up on its south shore, Lake Superior has always held a special place in my heart. And I find its north shore even more special. I’ve never been anywhere else that opens my soul like the rocky north shore. My first 100 always had to be the Superior 100.

DISCLAIMER: During the race I remember thinking about how alert I felt as I soaked in the entire experience. However, now as I sit down to write a recap, everything seems to blend together. I remember having vivid conversations, but I don’t remember most of them. I remember getting rained on, but not where or when. I remember hearing positive comments from my crew and pacers, but I couldn’t tell you the specifics. What follows is my interpretation of what took place from 8:00 AM on Friday September 6, 2019 to 4:40 PM on Saturday September 7, 2019. Perhaps my crew, pacers, and the aid station workers would have a different perspective.

Leading up to the race I heard over and over how 100M is all about problem solving. From that standpoint, this was a very boring race. I really couldn’t have had a better experience. As lame as this sounds, if I had to change 1 thing from the race it would be not having my glasses fog up. That’s it!

Nutrition was never an issue. The worst was right after eating or drinking, but I’d burp and/or take a tums and I was fine. My plan was to drink Perpetuem at 20 and 40-minutes of the hour and then on the hour I’d eat something solid (energy bar, dried fruit, or trail mix) and wash it down with water. After 50 miles my crew had a 20-minute timer going so I didn’t have to try to remember to drink, drink, then eat, by myself. A few times I dreaded when the eat-timer went off, but I never skipped. On those occasions I just took a gel because it was the easiest/quickest form of calories.

My feet were great too. I had a tiny blister on each heal and one of my left pinky toe. I swapped socks somewhere between miles 51 and 72. Then I swapped shoes and socks at mile 78. As you may notice from the pictures, I changed shirts A LOT. I think I counted at least 7 different shirts – and I think I put 1 or 2 back on after they were dried for me. It just felt so good to put a dry shirt on.

CAST OF CHARACTERS – in order of appearance

Me and Scott safe and sound
at Caribou Coffee the week
after the race. Photo: Scott LaFrenz

Scott LaFrenz – Former cross country and track teammates at UW-EC. We first met in 1992. “Arch rival” constantly pushing me to be a better runner, teammate, husband, father, and just a better person, in general. He drove from the Twin Cities, sat around waiting for me for 5 hours, and ran through the woods for a few hours, before jumping in his car and driving home. Note: he did take four 20-minute naps along the way, including stops in Two Harbors AND Duluth. Pacer from Finland to Sonju Lake Road to Crosby-Manitou. Apparent star gazer.

I remember Scott saying that he calculated that we’ve run 5,000 miles together over the years. Math after 14 hours of constant movement is hard, so I didn’t even try to validate his number. Throw in biking and cross-country skiing mileage and he’s probably on the low side. Needless to say, he was a sight for sore eyes in the middle of the night – especially after 26 miles on the trails without much conversation. I also remember him being mesmerized by the stars and even trying to show me the big dipper “if that tree wasn’t in the way.”

Jenna and I somewhere still out on the course,
perhaps Cramer Road. Photo: Pat Richard

Jenna Boren – A 2:40 marathoner who flew in from California to be part of this experience. I’m honored that she took time away from treating Stanford athletes, to spend it with me on the north shore. She took the logistical-bull by the horns and eliminate a lot of stress from my life in the weeks leading up to the race – particularly when it came to getting pacers to the right spot on time and making sure cars were available too.

She doesn’t even like buffed-out trails during the day, so I had her pace one of the longest sections, Crosby-Manitou to Sugarloaf, in the middle of the night. Luckily, she only fell once. I don’t think pacing turn Jenna into a trail runner, but that was never the point. California has softened her up bit, but a weekend on the north shore changed that – at least a little. The biggest thing I remember from this stretch is going to the bathroom about 15 times. That’s not even hyperbole.

Me and Derek focus on one of
the many slippery boardwalks.
Photo: Pat Richard

Derek Sciacca – He’s had some bad luck when it comes to ultras lately. He missed this race last year due to work obligations and dropped out of the Waldo 100K this year due to being attacked by wasps. In between, he ran a great 50K at Wild Duluth last fall finishing as the third Master. He climbs like a Billy goat and, I believe, he will crush this race someday. His blue eyes have been known to stop women, and men, dead in their tracks. Pacer from Sugarloaf to Cramer Road to Temperance.

Given that Waldo was 3 weeks before Superior, Derek and I were able to do a couple of long runs together this summer at Battle Creek. During the race I remember him asking how my feet were doing and making a plan to change shoes at Cramer Road. I remember seeing Storkamp at Cramer Road and telling him I was just looking forward to a hug at the finish.

One thing John mentioned at the pre-race meeting was picking up trash on the trail. Coming into Temperance I saw a plastic bag and picked it up. It happened to be used toilet paper that someone dropped. No big deal to me, but Derek said I shouldn’t have to carry it and he took it out of my hand. We then proceeded, with our best 6^th grade humor, to figure out who we were going to give it to at Temperance, along with different scenarios regarding who’s it was and where it came from.

Pat and I are all smiles
at Sawbill (I think).
Photo: Heather Richard

Pat Richard – Two sport “star” athlete at the University of Minnesota in cross country and wrestling. In fact, I believe he takes credit for Garry Bjorklund becoming an Olympian. He’s a terrific storyteller, unfortunately, he likes to include embarrassing stories about me from time to time. Pat’s part of an “old guy” group (guys in their 60s and 70s) that I train with and get together monthly for a happy hour. While I used to look for training advice from these guys, now I look for advice on colonoscopies, hip replacements, and social security. He’s an aspiring amateur photographer who will literally give you the shirt off his back – as he did for me at Temperance. Pacer from Temperance to Sawbill.

The thing I remember most about running with Pat is feeling great as we climbed Carlton Peak. That was great for me, but Pat was trying to take photos of me climbing and he missed a few shots. I also remember looking for the vistas. I figured when we got near the top of Carlton Peak we’d have some nice views, which I kept calling vistas. That entertained Pat for awhile.

Nike sponsored pacer, Kevin "TK" Nelson
Photo: Pat Richard

Kevin “TK” Nelson – Travel companion and crew chief, along with his wife Nordica Stocker, at my first “real” ultra, the Squamish 50M in 2015. I basically invited myself on that trip, but TK and Nords never complained. He’s a keen observer of people, lover of all things metal – at least in terms of music, an apparent rule maker, and an excellent hugger. Final pacer from Sawbill to Oberg to the Finish.

Coming into Oberg (the last aid station) with TK was the best. I felt great and the cheering crowd was awesome. We’ve both worked this AS before and know more people here than any other aid station. Of course, there’s Kurt and the TCRC RV, along with Sonya Decker, Mike Bateman, Nick Graham, Doug Barton (who I somehow missed), Jay McDonald, Brian Beckman, etc. So much energy here that it’s easy to stay too long.

Leaving Oberg I just remember reading “don’t underestimate that last 7 miles.” While I felt great, I knew that Moose Mountain still loomed in the distance. I know it’s “short”, but it’s also steep and that’s the combination that usually does me in. As we climbed a hill, TK and I were trying to decide if we were on Oberg Mountain or Moose Mountain. I thought Oberg, TK thought Moose. Luckily, TK was right and before you knew it, we were at the top. This is when TK started making rules; 1) no running on boardwalks (because they’re wet and muddy, which can be treacherous), 2) no running downhill (because there are lots of roots and rocks, which can be treacherous), and, I believe, 3) pick your feet up (because falling can be disastrous at this point in the race). I was smelling the finish and he was just looking out for me.

Finally, we stopped at the Poplar River for some photo ops before hitting the road. Derek joined us for a little bit and took some funny videos – mostly of TK – as we ran 8:30 pace for the final mile. As we rounded Caribou Highlands and ran into the homestretch it was everything I imagined; hearing Craig Yotter call my name, raising my arms in the air, collecting my medal and belt buckle, hugging TK and John, before finding the rest of my crew and sharing the elation with each of them. I admit, I totally forgot about the wolf and having to kiss it. I guess that’s another thing that went “wrong” for me.

Instead of trying to recreate my memories from the finish, here are a few texts from afterwards;

“Can’t believe how good I felt, especially on the 2^nd day.” – 1^st text to my wife

“Texted and immediately fell asleep for 4 hours. Other than becoming a father that’s by far at the top of the list.” – 2^nd text to wife

“Crushed it! Can’t believe how great I felt. Day 2 was even better. Can’t thank you enough.” – text to Coach Alicia

“Truly unbelievable. I have no words to describe how great I felt. A couple low energy spots but always at the end of a long section and the next aid station brought me right back.” – text to the Godfather of Trail, Kurt Decker

After the race I emailed Coach Alicia; “The last 18 miles I felt like I was actually attacking the course. My crew was joking about how good I looked on day #2 and I told them I was climbing better than the previous day. I have no idea how 1,500’ of climbing up a ski hill translates to 21,000’ of climbing during a 100-mile race. You’re the coach and will have to answer that. But somehow it worked.”

An experience like this requires many thank yous;

First and foremost, thanks to John and Cheri Storkamp for not only putting on this incredible experience, but for building an incredible trail running community. Thanks to each and every volunteer out on the course, in particular I remember, Travis and Stephanie Thiede at Sugarloaf, Becca Metzdorf at Temperance, the entire Oberg crew. Obviously, thanks to the pacers I mentioned above, but also to other crew members; Nordica Stocker and Heather Richard. Kim Anderson, Kevin Ryks, and Brittany Smith pulled double-duty helping me at times, along with Aaron Smith. Kurt Decker for all he’s done for me and every other budding ultra-runner. Thanks to Sherri Schummer for telling me her Superior 100 secret, which was to hire Coach Alicia Vargo. I can’t thank Alicia enough for her training plan, guidance, positive feedback, nutrition tips, and so much more. Finally, thanks to my incredible wife and kids for their amazing support not only of these events, but all of life.

Here's a recap of the weekend in photos;

Badass pre-race photo: Ian Corless

Me and Kurt looking at the course map.

Me and Kurt discussing the course map.
Photo: Pat Richard

The actual course profile.

Early miles. Photo: Kurt Decker

Somewhere near Split Rock. Photo: Tone Coughlin

Temperance River. Photo: Pat Richard

One of the few photos of Scott and me.
Photo: Scott LaFrenz

Me and Derek multi-tasking; changing shoes
and socks and trying to close a reservoir.
Photo: Pat Richard

Climbing Carlton Peak.
Photo: Pat Richard

Amy Clark showing me all the plant-based options.
Photo: Pat Richard

Split Rock.
Photo: John Stewart

Can you say "overpack"? This is the leftover food
that I DID NOT eat along the way. Thanks to my crew
for hauling this stuff from aid station to aid station.

Jenna alongside one of the two totes
my crew hauled around for 2 days.
Photo: Pat Richard

TK saying something clever to get me from Sawbill
to Oberg. If you look closely you can see Derek between
us and Heather and Pat off to the right.
Photo: Chad Richardson