Monday, May 23, 2022

Race Recap: Ice Age Trail Half Marathon

Finally!!! After 2 years of deferrals due to the pandemic and one DNS last fall because I broke my ankle and foot, I finally lined up for the Ice Age Trail Half Marathon. I fell in love with the IAT during the pandemic and have enjoyed exploring many of the segments in the southern half of Wisconsin. I did a lot of training on the hilly trails over the last couple of months and felt reasonably ready for the race. 

The week before the race, our weather dramatically shifted from cold and rainy to HOT. Really hot. I stalked the forecast like it was my job and I started to feel really nervous about the race. The race was scheduled to start at 9 am--it was going to be in the 70s at the start with a predicted high of 85. I planned to take it slow and walk the hills. I knew I would have to be aggressive about hydration. For the half marathon distance, I didn't think I'd need more than 2 packs of Tailwind. I planned to carry my handheld, taking one pack of Tailwind per loop and refilling my bottle with water at each aid station. 

I arrived at the Nordic Trailhead, which is part of the Kettle Moraine National Forest, about an hour before race time. The 50 milers had already gone off at 7 am and the 50k runners were lined up for their 8 am start. There were volunteers packing up the runners' drop bags and gear and loading them into vans to be transported to aid stations. This was my first experience at an ultra and it was really cool to see how it all happens! 

Right before 9, the race director walked us down the trail to line us up for the start. He gave a very moving speech, welcoming first timers (me!) and because it was the 40th anniversary of the race, gave us a brief history of the IAT ultras, one of the oldest 50 mile races in the country. Then he counted down from 5 and we were off. We ran down a grassy trail and through a meadow. People were flying past me but I just held onto my pace. By mile 2, I was starting to feel the heat. We came upon what would be one of many steep inclines and I slowed to a walk. Once I climbed to the top, there was a steep downhill and I did my best to pick up some speed. I did this a lot during the race. 

After mile 3, the trail entered a piney woods, which is characteristic of the Kettle Moraine National Forest. It was kind of calming, running on the pine-strewn path under the cover of the trees. At mile 4 was an aid station and I stopped to top off my water bottle. We left the forest and proceeded through a meadow for another mile, where we were in full sun. It was hot and my heart rate was quite high, so I walked quite a bit in this section. The trail took us back into another piney wooded section and to another aid station, where I took more water. The last mile or so before we returned to the start of the race was full of ups and downs, so again, I ended up doing a lot of walking. 

As we emerged from the woods, people were cheering for us. Oh, how I wished I was done! But no, I needed to prepare for loop #2. I stopped at the aid station to put my second pack of Tailwind in my bottle and take more water. I asked for ice, got a handful, and put it in my bra, which felt instantly amazing. I also went to find my bag and put my sunglasses on. Feeling much better, I headed off for my second loop. 

I wish I could say that I did better on the second loop than the first, but the heat really took a toll on me. I did a lot more walking than I wanted to. I stopped at both aid stations and refilled my bra with ice and my bottle with water. Some of the 50k runners started passing us. I had some really good company on this loop. I ended up being with the same group of runners for most of this section and we kept each other going, which helped a lot. 

When we approached the finish line, I forced myself to run. I did not want to walk across the finish line! There was a photographer and I smiled for her. I crossed the finish line at 2:59:16 and I had to stop to catch my breath. Of course, the volunteers came rushing over but I assured them I was fine, even though I didn't feel fine. I was handed a keychain (my finisher's medal) and I made my way over to the beer tent for my post-race beer. 

I sat down at a table with another woman and her husband, who told me she finished behind me. She commented on the heat and we both commiserated, which helped to wipe away my disappointment in the race. I sipped on my beer, but it wasn't sitting well, so I made my way to the post-race food. There was a line and I chatted with the others who were waiting as well. The offerings included hamburgers, veggie burgers, veggie lasagna, and brats, with side salads. I took a brat and potato chips. My skin was coated with dried salt and I figured the salty meal would do me good. 

While I ate my lunch, I chatted with my tablemates and the other runners around me. As you might expect, the heat was the main topic. The tent was starting to fill up with runners and a band was setting up on the stage. I didn't want to leave, but I still didn't feel great, so I packed up my things, excusing myself. I walked back to my car, crossing paths with the 90 year old man who has run the half marathon every year since the race added it to the lineup. I asked him how he was feeling and he said he "did what he wanted to do". We chatted a bit and I waddled the rest of the way back to my car. 

Perspective. I finished, which many runners did not. I reviewed the finish times and the winners of the half marathon were nowhere close to the course records. That was a good reminder for me that the heat took a toll on everyone. I'm really grateful that my body let me finish and even let me go for an early-in-the-season ski on the lake later that day. 

Was the Ice Age Trail Half Marathon all I had hoped for? Truthfully, after all the running I've done on the IAT, the half marathon course was disappointing. The course was not run on part of the Ice Age Trail. The trails we ran on are used as cross-country ski trails, which were mostly grass-covered and open to the sky. Not this single-track-loving runner's favorite. For the experience I was looking for, I would need to run the 50k or the 50 miler, both of which take runners onto the Blackhawk Segment of the IAT. I've had that 50k in my sights...we'll see how I'm feeling about tackling that at sign-up time later this year.

Overall though, this was a great race experience. Communication about the race, up to race day, was great. When I had to defer last fall, the race director was very responsive. Parking was easy on race day as was packet pick-up. I was really impressed by the volunteer force at this race! They were enthusiastic and so kind. The post-race party was amazing! Unlimited free beer, a great lunch, and a live band? The trail community rocks. So many runners return to this race year after year and I can sure see why.

PS  The photo at the top of the post is a screen shot of my finish line video.

Have you ever run a race in full sun on a warm day? How did it go? Any tips to keep cool? Have you ever been disappointed in a race course? What is the best post-race party you've ever been to?

I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, with the Runners' Roundup: DebbieDeborahJen, and Lisa.

  

24 comments :

  1. Um... yes!! and it is hard. At least it was a loop. But yikes on the elevation.
    Yay on a good after party!!

    I know you were looking forward to this race. Congrats on getting it done. Onto the next one. a 50K!?

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    1. I just don't know if I have the distance in me any more. We'll see how the rest of the year goes. Right now I need to put my feet up!

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  2. Oh yes, lots of full-sun races (and even more training runs) under my belt. They're tough, but doable. I just try to remember that everyone else is probably struggling as well, LOL. Our M2M Relay (same day) was a major heat fest as well...that suddenly hot weather caught all of us off guard. Great job persevering!

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  3. Aw what a bummer about the heat. It can be SO bad when you aren't expecting it at a race. I'm glad you were able to finish even though it wasn't as fast as you planned!

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    1. Yeah, I had hoped for at the very least 2:30, which would have been doable if it wasn't so hot!

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  4. I need to run a trail race someday! Kudos to you (and that 90 year old man) for finishing in the heat!

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    1. The Des Plaines River Trail race is in October. It's completely flat and there are several distances! It will be a good race for your first!

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  5. the heat and humidity are like kryptonite for me. It is so hard to adapt to. I am glad that you finally had the chance to run it after all of these years. These are the kinds of runs that remind you what you are made of!

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    1. All 3 of my spring races were really tough in spite of being so well trained for them. I am very proud of these finishes!

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  6. Its so tough to race on a hot day, especially early in the season when you're not used to it! It's too bad the course wasn't better. That would be really exciting if you decided to do an ultra! Congrats on finishing strong on a tough day!

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    1. I've heard from other runners that the half course wasn't their favorite either. I'm just not a fan of running on grass.

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  7. Well done, Wendy!! It must have been so hard to start out on that 2nd loop! But you did it and finished with a smile on your face.
    What a high DNF rate for those ultras! That is very telling about how gruelling it must have been.
    I hope you will do the 50k - at least you know that you will enjoy the course!

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    1. I will definitely consider it when sign up time rolls around!

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  8. Ugh- my first thought was, those poor 50 mile and 50k runners! I'm hoping their route was a little more shaded though. I'm sure running through the meadow with no shade didn't help at all. But, you did it- you finished a super difficult trail race. Oh, the ice in the bra trick is a good one- it really does help. I think I might use that for my July 4th 5k! Hope you're getting some nice rest this week!

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  9. Awesome job Wendy! I know the heat can definitely throw a curveball into running goals but you handled everything very well. Congrats on another hard earned race finish!

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  10. I did my first ultra OCR this past weekend and it was the hottest day of the year of course! And a course record for that type of heat! I struggle hard in hot temps so the first lap was murder. It was an overnight event and I think that's what saved me because I got to run in not full sun. Which I'm sure helped. Had I had to deal with the sun AND the heat I'm sure it would have been a lot worse.

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  11. Goodness, you did really well under the circumstances, and I'm glad you were careful. I'm sorry it was not quite the route you wanted. For what it's worth, if I could manage a 50k I'd imagine you can, as you are generally in better condition than me apart from the RA.

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  12. Great job, Wendy! That day was a hot one. I cannot imagine the 50k and 50 milers running that day. But yes, do sign up for it next year. What's next for you?

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  13. Great job, Wendy! That day was a hot one. I cannot imagine the 50 and 50 milers runners that day. What is next for you?

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