Race Report: Voyageur Trail 50 Mile

"If you come across an area of the trail that looks unsafe, it probably is." --Kris Glesener, RD

Well, what a day! To say that the 2013 Minnesota Voyageur lived up to its pre-race expectations would be an understatement . . .

A Chilly Start

Minnesota's "oldest trail ultra" felt older, more casual, and more low-key than I expected. I imagine this was due to its off-the-beaten path location in Carlton. Of all the races I've done in Minnesota, the Voyageur is the first one to really capture the feel of the town. With a population listed at 862, the race itself probably increased the size by 50% (including runners, families, volunteers). But, without really altering town life in any way. The pre-race dinner on Friday night was at a sports complex "downtown" and we even shared the space with a 5k also happening that night:

Start of the Carlton Daze 5k
(Noted for next year: I can do the 50-mile and Ashley can do the 5k!)

Flannel in mid-July! I agree with Sam though, life is good . . . 

Then, speaking of low-key, the next morning we congregated outside the local high school in Carlton for the start—which was basically just a spot in the middle of the road:

Final instructions from Kris, our RD: "If you come across a section of trail that looks unsafe, it probably is."

It's go time. Think I'm trying to make a last minute decision about whether I should go with the long sleeve shirt.
+46F at the start!

Ready, set, go . . .



A Rugged Trail

And Kris was right . . . after kindly allowing us about a half-mile to wake up on the road, we hung a right and the trail ruggedness began!

The first 2.9-mile section up to AS#1 was full of rocks and roots—the kind of rocks that are big enough to make you feel slightly anxious hopping on top of, and the kind of roots that make it difficult for your feet to find space between! This part of the course cruised right alongside the beautiful St. Croix River, but the irony was that if you took your eyes off the trail to enjoy it too long you might end up going for a swim! I remember thinking, "Man, this section will be fun on the way back when the legs are a little stiffer!"

Coming into Leimer Road AS#1 (mile 2.9)—still sleepy it looks like! The first few miles of ultras are always some of the toughest. The legs are fresh and want to fly, but the mind knows that flying early in a 50-mile race is a bad idea. But the mind also knows its a bad idea to get stuck behind slower runners on a narrow trail early on. And the day could be much easier if I can find the right "pack" of runners to hang with. Here, I'm probably thinking of none of these things—maybe just wishing I had had that second cup of coffee (the two river crossing only a few miles later helped though)!

Headed up to Bull Run AS#2 (mile 8.1). Still early on, and still very much going back and forth with lots of folks at this point. Just trying to keep the pace consistent and find a rhythm. I think I overheard one of these guys saying he was from Alaska.

But the real ruggedness started, as predicted, with the Powerlines. Having traversed them in both directions, I can say that they are some of the steepest hills I've ever had to cross in a race. Going up, it's more bouldering than hiking (let alone running)—except there are no rocks to grab onto, just dirt and grass. Going down, I found sliding on your backside to be the most effective technique—especially during some rain like there was on the return. I can see why this is often the most memorable part of the race. I would say it's a quad buster, but you really end up using your whole body to get over them!

The Powerlines

Cresting atop of one of the Powerline hills, trying to hang tough!

Coming into Beck's Road AS#5 (mile 28.9) on the return journey, having just hit the turn in 4:02 and having successfully crossed over the ever-jagged Jarrow's Beach for the second time (success = no falls or broken bones!). The guy in front, Billy, set a nice pace for me most of the day. He was solid on the climbs, one of my weaknesses, and was a veteran of the Voyageur course. 

Ashley & Sam, the best crew out there!

Fueling up at Peterson's AS#4 (mile 33.7), hosted by UMTR. Starting to feel it a little in the legs after having come through the Powerlines for the second time. This was probably the slowest split for me on the day, but understandable given the wet footing on Powerlines and the fact that I dropped all my gels somewhere along the way. Thought it'd be best to play it conservative. I was really happy with my nutrition on the day though, just kept refueling with water and downing anything at the AS that looked good (peanut butter sandwiches, trail mix, bananas, etc.).  

Heading out of Peterson's with one last peak at Ashley & Sam!

Heading up to Bull Run AS#2 (mile 41.9) for the last time. The skies had just
opened up! Fully drenched here—the only time during the run that I felt a little
chilly. Gotta love running in the rain! After Peterson's (mile 33.7) and through
Chambers Grove AS (mile 38.9), I was also basically running solo as Billy
had fallen off the pace.

A Smooth Finish

And just as casually as the race began, so it ended with me crossing (roughly) that same spot in the middle of the road outside of Carlton High School 8 hours, 50 minutes, and 4 seconds after I began—good enough for 21st overall.

The rain let up a little from the Bull Run AS to the finish, but not much. I did have a strong finish though, passing two in the final 8 miles—and both less than 2 miles from the finish! The warm showers in the high school were a welcomed post-race gift before the drive back to Minneapolis. Equally enjoyable was the post-race BBQ we found on the drive back!

The finisher's mug, from which I'm fittingly drinking as I write this report! Glad we didn't
need to do any rafting to make it to the finish though . . .

All in all, a great run that I'd love to return to next summer. Like most good things that age, I'm sure the Voyageur will only keep getting better with time!

Additional write-up about the race:

• Duluth News Tribune