St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra Race Report

                                           Finish Line Photo

The St. Croix 40 Winter Ultra is a race without aid held in January, beginning at 6 PM, where one pulls a sled loaded with gear for 40 miles. Sounds great, hu?

I've thought of completing a winter sled ultra for 25 years and then I quickly remember that I don't like being cold, I probably don't like pulling a sled and am not really a fan of hiking when I could instead be running, so I let the thought go, with a 'maybe some time'.

When I turned 60 last year I decided I wanted to do the things that I had put off, the things that I thought 'well, maybe another time'. Since that thought I've been completing all of those things.

One of them is the winter sled ultra. I decided in October that I'd enter and made the entry when only two slots were available before selling out. Time to collect my gear! I reached out to Michelle who had completed Tuscobia 80 last year. She offered up all of her gear so I was all set to move forward.

My training consisted of a first time pull at Afton State Park with Jim, Lisa, Ron and Travis. We pulled for 5 hours, 4PM to 9PM, covering only 12 miles due to the technical terrain and fresh snow. I loved it!  I was surprised that my body wasn't wrecked and that I was able to hold it together mentally without becoming impatient. It was slow going. The rest of my training was daytime, pulling  (2) 6 hours, 5 hours, (2) 4 hour and a few 2 hour pulls. I had practiced with my stove and fuel, various lights, poles or no poles, clothing layering, etc. I felt that I had completed all that I could to be ready.

I found myself uncharacteristically nervous. I really didn't know what to expect. Could I pull a sled loaded with 38 pounds of gear for 40 miles? Would I freeze? Would my water and food freeze?  I hoped for the best!

Race day was windy, 18F would be the start temperature, dipping down to 10F. Pretty nice actually. I arrived to the St Croix State Park in Hinckley at 415 for the 430 required gear check. I hauled all of my gear to the trail center where Angela checked me in. I passed gear check, one step closer!

Back to my vehicle to make last minute changes and to dress. I repacked my sled, decided on a base, insulating and gortex layer, feeling like the Michelin man.

Waddling out to the start line at 550 we began the race in our sleeping bag, bivey sack and on top of the sleeping pad. At 6 Jamison yelled GO, l scrambled up, repacked all of my gear and headed out.

                              Snug as a bug in our sleeping bags

I began hiking down the trail, pulling my buddy along. Within two miles I was too warm, at three miles I stopped, sat on my sled to pull off my outer pants and jacket. I never put them back on. I began to hike again, then had to pee. Everything in the winter takes longer and is a big production. I had to pull my sled over to the side, unhitch myself, wade through the deep snow, pee, back out to the sled, hitch back in, start over again.

Moving along I began to see others that I recognized. It was fun to see some friendly faces. Making sure to drink from my hose at least each mile so that it wouldn't freeze, taking in 250 calories each hour, changing batteries in my lights, checking in with myself as to how I was feeling and then making the adjustments. 

The sky was dark, I didn't see any stars or moon. The course was well marked, I never became lost, the trail was firm snow packed, not very much ice at all. After about 6 miles of hiking at 16-17 minute mile I decided to see if I could run. Well, what do you know? I could run hitched up to this thing. I hadn't trained this way at all. I assumed I'd be hiking the whole race. My heart began to soar. When I ran a 12-14 minute mile the sled moved more easily. I laughed  to myself, it felt like it grew wings. Fly sled, fly! When I switched to hiking I pulled, pulled, pulled. I ran most of the rest of the race.

There were some pretty good sized hills - at least it seems that way in the dark, with 40 pounds tethered to you. I found that while climbing the hills if I reached my arms to the back of myself, grabbing the rope with my hands I could not pull pull more easily but also stretch out my back and chest. Win win.

At 18 miles I couldn't believe I'd be coming into the check point in a few miles. I'd get there in 5 1/2 hours. Incredible.

Checkpoint went well. I was able to dig through my sled and find everything I needed. I had kept my fuel warm wrapped in an electric vest, staying toasty. It was windy so I placed my sleeping pad around the stove. The stove lit on the first try and I had boiling water in 8 minutes. I had been so incredibly nervous about this task. While waiting for my water to boil  I filled my hydration vest with more 48 oz of Tailwind I had been carrying in my sled, emptied all of my wrappers and grabbed another dozen gels-they were about all I wanted to eat. I had consumed 2 bagels, a few baggies of peanut butter pretzels, some homemade dumplings that stayed warm in my vest pocket and two favorite christmas cookies.  I was getting tired of food. 

OK, I was heading out for the final 20 miles. I felt good, was running well, had all of my gear intact. I could feel a few blisters getting ready to be a problem, I popped them and added some lube there  wasn't much else I could do for them. I'd have to compartmentalize that pain,  ignoring it.

                                            Photo by Angela

Off I went! I had more energy the last 20 miles than the first. I find that in longer distances I become stronger as I go, up to a point, of course. I ran 80% of this loop, creating a negative split. One more pee break, no more clothing swaps, I was just able to move along. I began to pass quite a few people. I counted up to 20 of them. I'd see lights ahead and just try to reel them in, often times surprised that I had done so. My feet were hurting but it wasn't anything serious; just blisters. A few of them popped, a few seconds of intense pain, then numbness.

Running through the darkness I found myself reciting bible verses. Samuel 2:22 'Oh Lord, you are my my lamp! You are the light in my darkness' kept coming to mind. During the night  hours my 24/7 grief is even heavier. The only way for me to get through the darkness is to give paise to God. I felt gratitude for being where I was, the peace, feeling intense joy. While running I am able to hold grief in one hand and joy in the other. What a gift. 

As mile 38 approached I was stunned at my time. I had created a negative split and was going to finish well within the limit. I could feel tears come down onto my cheeks. I felt so blessed with this  body and  mind. I felt like 61 was not going to limit my joy or capabilities at all.  I came across the finish line in 10:30, at 430AM. I never dreamed that would happen. I was in one piece, I had enjoyed my time on the trail and yes, I could pull a 38 pound sled for 40 miles.                                                    

                                                

                               Visiting with Jim after race Kristine Benjamin Photo

I stood around and chatted at the finish line, became cold so  went into the center for hot coffee and visited some more before heading to my vehicle to change into dry clothing. I went back to the trail center for more visiting before heading for home, awake for 27 hours. It was a long day. I arrived home safe and soundly, enjoyed a 5 hour nap and a relaxing afternoon. 

The race organization was amazing, the course was great and the night was beautiful. What an incredible experience!