I've posted so many Superior Trail Race blogs that I have run out of titles! Each race is so different, yet the path I travel is the same.
Covid style Superior 50K was so filled with so much joy. John and Cheri were holding the race for 4 days, 250 racers per day. I was running at 6AM on Saturday.
As I travelled from home to Lutsen I stopped to hike/run a portion of the Split Rock Loop, Temperance and Poplar River. My condo was ready early so I was able to check in and explore some more.
6AM Saturday was warm, humid. I was stunned. It was going to be a warm day - that turned out to be an understatement!
It was really great to give out hugs, to not be wearing masks at the start, to keep space but still feel 'normal'. I began with Maria and her son Ryan, who would be running 3 miles out with her and then back. After Ryan turned back Maria and I hooked up for the rest of the race. What a treat! We've run many miles together on the SHT but I don't think we've run a race together.
The heat and humidity were oppressive. I was soaked, luckily, my body was doing what it was suppose to be doing. I was sweating profusely, drinking 180 oz of water in total, half of that was mixed with Tailwind. I consumed 8 gels and a package of shot blocks. I never became hungry, dizzy or thirsty. Just hot. So hot.
Start:
Maria and I made our way along the trail, taking in the beautiful flowers, ramps, full foliage on trees and ferns. It was gorgeous.
As I huffed and puffed up Carlton Peak to the turn around Maria mentioned that the cut off for the race was 4 hours here, she wanted to make it. We picked up our climbing page, I lagged, and made it with a few minutes to spare. There was not a cut off here, today. The final cut off at the finish was 11 hours or so. We had plenty of time.
We turned around and worked out way back to the start. It was fun to see others coming up the trail that we had just run. I was able to give out hugs to runners I haven't seen in so long.
On the way back I stopped at Oberg to fill up on water one more time. I had a final 7 miles left to cover before the finish line. I was overheating. My fingers were swollen, my watch was tight, I was so wet and had only peed once. I continued to drink, continued to soldier on.
Maria had the best idea ever. She text Doug to ask him to have two cold Cokes at the finish line for us. Oh my gosh, that is all I could think about. Cold coke!
The Course;
Before we knew it we were running down ski hill road toward Caribou Highlands and the finish line. We ran together, crossing the line, so grateful to have spent 8.5 hours together, across this beautiful land, down this amazing trail.
The Course:
Doug came through and offered us our Coke! I guzzled it down, allowing the cold liquid to cool my parched throat. It was divine.
What a great day, so grateful to spend it with a good friend, doing what we love!
Note: Look at our fat fingers!!
