Race Report: Afton Trail 50k

"Tough Fun"

"Whew, was that tough! Whew, was that fun!" muttered Chris, between breaths, hands over knees, to himself in the finish chute. After 31 miles of ups and downs, I had finally stepped across a flat finish line in 4:37:03 — good enough for 18th overall. What a day. . .

Obstacles

The story of the 2012 edition of the Afton Trail 50k was definitely one of overcoming obstacles. 

I suppose such a general theme could apply across the board at any endurance event. It's probably all the obstacles — the trials, the testing, the doubts, the pain, the struggles, the toe stubs, the ankle twists, the near falls, the actual falls, the buzzing insects, the low-hanging tree limbs, the sneakily placed tree roots, and the like — that keep us participants (re: "crazies") coming back for more. There's a curious joy to be had in coming through fiery trials, tested and alive. 

On this particular July morning, three particular obstacles needed to be overcome in order to continue persevering unto the end. . .

Ahh, Heat!

Surprisingly, the weather during the race was a near perfect combination of mild temps, open skies, and a sweet cluster of pre-dawn colors and smells.

I mentioned in the race preview that I thought records could fall, and God certainly gave us the weather to do it. (Though, the only new course record to be set was in the 25k event: Joe Moore edging out Ben Kampf's 2009 ghost by a mere 29 seconds to 1:37:10.) A blessed band of summer thundershowers made their way across southern Minnesota the night before the race, cooling the air molecules to a near-chilly +67F at the start. (Ashley: "I wish I had a jacket!")

With temperatures typically in the 80s and rising into the mid-90s, the weather was an easy first conversation topic between new friends as we headed off down into the woods together for a rather unique downhill start. I guess I picked a good year for my first Afton!

Off we go! (Photo Credit: Zach Pierce)

But it was the weather before the race that was not so . . . restful. In the eight-day stretch leading up to Saturday, these were the consecutive highs: 91, 92, 94, 99, 96, 101, 97, 102. It was almost as if the weather decided to do some interval training!

Now, such highs are pretty standard in the South (where I grew up) and generally manageable. But, what is standard in the South that is not so standard here in the Mid-West is the conditioning of air. Since most of the months here are on the cooler side, most homes are wonderfully-equipped for the winter months and meagerly-equipped for the summers (ceiling fans, windows, ice trays, cold water). Without going into too much detail, the indoor temperature of our house last week held steady in the upper-80s. Needless to say, we found sleeping to be somewhat difficult, somehow even further exhausting.

Who knew being asleep was more than just being unconscious?

Anyways, we do have the privilege of having a small, under-sized (but faithful) window A/C unit. And I have the privilege of having a thoughtful, creative, and adventurous wife. We finally did what needed to be done to curb the potential pre-race-day heat exhaustion:

The Fort strategically positioned in front of the A/C unit, "Old Faithful"
(Idea Credit: Ashley Robbins)

Ahh, Hills!

Commenting on UltraMN's description of the course, I said this in the race preview: "Growing up in the midst of the southern Appalachians, I find myself somewhat slow to describe the terrain of Afton as grueling or technical." While I've still run over more grueling and technical terrain, let's just say that I would now, post-race, find myself somewhat quicker to describe these trails with those adjectives.

The Hills: technical and grueling!

Initially, the hardest part of the terrain was just getting into a rhythm.

I clocked the 1st loop (15.5-mi / 25k) in a solid, comfortable 2:08 (well under the sub-5:00 race goal), but felt mostly out-of-sync, just a step "off" — sorta like that being caught in that awkward rhythm of riding a horse for the first time, when it goes down and you go up (or vice-versa), or like that awkward sensation of going up or down steps when the steps cease going up or down a step early. Kinda strange, but feeling just a step off seems to double the effort mentally (though maybe not physically).

Since getting into a rhythm is somewhat mysterious anyhow, the only solution I know of is to just ride it out, to keep on running — the answer to most race-day obstacles. So, I tucked myself away inside a nice pack of four, cruising around what I thought was my preferred pace (no mileage markers), and tried to relax. The leader of the pack looked like a trail runner — good form, shaggy hair — so I went with it.

On the Africa loop! (Photo Credit: Zach Pierce)

Round 2! Heading back into the woods just after the halfway point aid station, tucking
away some gels for the trails ahead. I got a new pair of running shorts just before the race
and enjoyed having the back pocket option for such items!
(Photo Credit: Ashley Robbins)

The 2nd loop (2:29) started off with a bit of lull — a bummer, but an expected one, and one that didn't last too long. Still searching for the right rhythm and having lost contact with my good form, shaggy-haired buddy at the aid station exchange (we dropped the other two guys on the single-track coming into the AS), I decided to use the "Steep Climb" (see above map) as a re-grouping, re-fueling opportunity.

Funny how the bumps become hills, and the hills turn into mountains the second time around!

Probably the turning point in the race, heading out from AS #3 towards Northern Hill.
(Photo Credit: Ashley Robbins)

After shuffling around solo for a few miles around the Trout Brook and Africa loops (walking much of the uphill), I trotted into Aid Station #3 (~mile 19) feeling fairly discouraged. I was still moving, but not with the determinate joy and springiness I had been hoping for. I was told I was top-20 coming into the AS, but immediately replaced the thought with another thought of others flying by in the coming miles. Even with the slow-down after halfway, I hadn't seen anyone come by yet. I imagined they were all together in a group of 20, stalking right behind me, ready to blow me off the trail any minute. I remember hoping that it would happen on the flat section alongside the St. Croix River so that I could at least have a soft, refreshing fall into the water. That would be nice of them.

At the AS I found Ashley and, in addition to finding some fresh water and a banana, I found her encouraging smile. I think I remember exhaling something like: "Well, the hills are getting bigger." I find humor to be a good way of convincing aid station workers, onlooking medical staff, and supportive friends and family that you're doing much better than you are. Otherwise, many of them look like they're wondering how many more steps you're gonna make it before passing out. 

As I took off up the hill, I did get passed by a few. But I didn't get blown off the trail. And, I began to feel some rhythmic springiness in the legs. I even felt like running up the (less steep) hills.

Coming back into AS #4, enjoying the benefits of gravity.
(Photo Credit: Ashley Robbins)

Coming back into AS #4 (~mile 25; same location as #3, just after exploring another side of the park), I knew I was ready to take it on in. To get to the finish line, I only had to cross a 1.5-mi flat section alongside the river, a 0.5-mi steep uphill ("The Meat Grinder"), and 4-mi of rolling single-track in the woods ("Snowshoe Loop").

For some reason, the chorus of this song popped into my head as I came down the campground hill. Go figure:

Anyways, the legs held strong into the finish. Not counting some of the lingering 25k runners, I probably scooted by 5-6 runners on that last, beautiful single-track section. Again, not really sure how or why certain songs come to find their way into the brain, but this was my soundtrack on the single-track through the woods:

Ahh, Health Hamperings!

The final obstacle to be overcome on the day was related to some stomach issues and some cramping in my calves.

I've heard it said before that you should try to minimize the trying of new things during a race (whether it's shoes, food, liquids). You just never know how your body (or mind) will respond to new things. And race-day, when you're pushing yourself the hardest, is often not the best time to find out.

Well, after starting with some half-strength Gatorade in my bottle, I decided to switch over to the race sponsor's energy drink Heed. I knew going in that Heed would be the main drink offering at the AS's, but for some reason I thought they would have some other options as well. Anyways, I decided to try it. And it didn't go so well. (I remember thinking: "Yikes, this tastes like sour bubblegum!")

It wasn't anything too bad (just a side-stitch for a few miles), but I'm sure this probably contributed to some of the lull on the 2nd loop. Water for the rest of the day, supplemented by bananas, a peanut butter sandwich, and some gels worked out well.

I'll just take water, please. . .

What ended up being an enjoyable finish through the single-track on the Snowshoe Loop nearly wasn't so. A couple miles out, I started to feel my calves (mostly the right one) tightening up on the uphills, even briefly giving out in the last mile. Thankfully, it was only a 50k today. But nutrition is definitely something I need to pay closer attention to on warmer, longer racing days in the future! 

Obstacles, Overcome!

The final steps . . . 

Persevering to the End!
(Photo Credit: Ashley Robbins)

The reward . . . 

Let the post-race recovery begin! A++ on the cheeseburgers, from a cheeseburger lover. . .

After eating and cheering some other obstacles-overcomers across the finish line, Ashley and I headed down to the swimming area at the river to cool off and finish off a great day of trail running!

There's a curious joy to be had in coming through fiery trials, tested and alive — all the more curious as it's often enjoyed on hobbled legs in the days that follow. . .

Two thumbs up for how well-organized the event was, by far the coolest race #'s I've seen too.
Also two thumbs up to the dude at AS #5 on the 2nd loop who, unprompted by me,
dumped out the hot water in my bottle and replaced it with ice cold goodness for the
last few miles. Very solid.

UPDATE (7/18) -- a few more shots that have surfaced in recent days:

Early on the 1st loop, coming up into AS #3 (Photo: Dean Neuburger)

What goes up must come down (Photo: Dean Neuburger)

Cruising through the campgrounds (Photo: Dean Neuburger)