Midwest States 100

 “Not Your Typical Ultra.” perfectly captures the Midwest States 100. This is a 100-mile race with approximately 5500 ft, located in Nicolet National Forest in North Central Wisconsin. I looked at the stats and the map and thought “I’ve done much harder!” I severely underestimated the difficulty of the course, with participants estimating the course to be approximately 103-105 miles and 11,000 ft of elevation. Everyone runs the same course and expects this race to be much tougher than advertised.

 

This course is filled primarily with single-track trails along the Ice Age Trails that follow along the glacial line with the low valley going through some marsh and swamp land. It was a mix of single-track trails that I fell in love with in Wisconsin, along with a Tennessee feel going up, down, and around the ridges and Kanes, with some swamps and marshes I grew up as a kid deer hunting, and my experiences of the Florida Trail. The area is filled with such beauty and reminds me of my childhood.

 

After struggling through an ankle injury, I felt strong physically. I finally had a strong training block. I had a lot of doubts mentally, psychologically, and emotionally preparing for this race. I was struggling through some personal and professional stuff leading up to the start of the race leading to confidence issues. I felt disorganized and underprepared for the race. 

 

Arriving at the race was calming, I picked up my bib and went to the hotel. I booked it the week of the race to simplify accommodations for my crew member. I was extremely fortunate to have my BFF Liz there to help me. The hotel gave off some weird vibes. It was the only one within an hour that had a vacancy. There was a musty smell and no keycard was required to enter through the side doors. I had to ask the front desk to replenish the room with towels, Kleenex, and soap. The room looked generally unprepared and gave off weird vibes. The manager/owner was nice, so I don’t want to be too harsh. Besides, you’re here for a race review, not a motel review LOL.

 

The morning of the race went smoothly. I was calm and relaxed. The start of the race in the park was perfect, with the sun rising as the starting horn sounded. I started in the front pack, letting a few front runners in the 100k go ahead of me. I fall into 6^th or 7^th in line and 3^rd out of the 100-mile runners. I had a runner pass me just before the 1^st aid station. The temperature and conditions were ideal, but I could tell he went out too hard. I decided to start the race at a steady pace but remained in control. The tree covered the sun, and the slight breeze and cool starting temperature provided ideal running conditions early.

 

I settled into a pace and had 2 other runners catch me. We ran together for a while, as we found our rhythm. Eventually, I let them go at mile 15 and began to run my own race. The weather was much warmer than expected, the forecast called for highs in the low 80s and overcast, however, the highs were in the upper 80s and the weather was mostly sunny. The sun was baking everyone. I would arrive at each aid station and chug 3-4 flasks of water to rehydrate. Ate as much fruit and natural food as I could handle, and made sure to replenish with salt and electrolytes in my flasks as I headed out.

 

Things remained steady in the 1^st 50k. I was in the same position as before, but I was in high spirits and seemingly more optimistic than the runners ahead based on the aid station's reaction. The scenery was gorgeous, with a fabulous mix of ridges, elevation, and swamp creating a unique course. As I finished the loop and merged back onto the Ice Age Trail, 2-way traffic began. I was patient navigating the hot and humid weather. I passed a couple runners who struggled to maintain their early pace. The race offered to let runners drop from the 100M to the 100km event when they returned to the lodge. At this point, I focused on staying strong and increasing the intensity once the heat subsided.

 

Due to miscommunication, I missed Liz at the aid station at mile 49. I got to the location earlier than I believed I would. She did a great job and met me at the following aid station at mile 56, the last one before the 100k mark. With 3 miles to go, the 1^st runner passes me going the other way. I estimated he had a 90-minute lead on me. I’m hugely impressed by his performance so far. I mentally let him go, this is his race to lose. As I close in on the lodge, I haven’t seen any other runners pass me heading out the other way.

 

I reach the lodge with 65 miles on my watch (not 100k or 62.2M) at just over 13 hours. I feel confident and comfortable that I’m going to finish. I see a lot of other runners recovering that decided to bail out after the 100k. I was reeling them in which brought a surge of confidence. One of the race directors congratulated me, assuming I was done with the race. Without missing a beat, I tell him, “I’m just getting started! 40 more miles to go tonight!” I head back out just before dark, 13:30 into the race. I’m 30-45 minutes behind where I want to be but fortunate to be in 2^nd place knowing I can make a lot of ground out as the temperatures cool down and nighttime begins.

 

I headed back out on the course and saw runners approach the lodge. A couple runners looked optimistic and ready to tackle the 100M distance. Most were ready to celebrate the accomplishment of reaching 100km. Nightfall set in as I reached the 1^st aid station calm, cool, and collected. One of the volunteers at the aid station told me the lead was an hour. I became excited and confused since I estimated a 90-minute deficit at the 100km mark. My goal for the next 13 miles was to gather intel and determine whether the gap between the leader and myself had shrunk.

 

Liz would be at the next aid station and could give me accurate information before the turnaround at the out and back. In the next section, a couple runners told me I was catching the leader and that he was struggling. I eagerly wanted to find out what the situation was. I approached the aid station, rang the bell, and supercharged into the aid station. I became the new leader after the previous one dropped out at the aid station. Several runners are seated in chairs recovering. It took a few seconds to re-calibrate. Instead of being the hunter, I’m now being chased. I take an extra minute to prepare and reset. I can tell that Liz is struggling, she’s been hanging tough all day, but she’s worn out. I told her to rest and relax and that I would meet her back at the same aid station in 3 hours or so.

 

I head out knowing I’m leading but I don’t have any recent updates on which runners went back out and the amount my lead is. I would have to wait until the turnaround point leaving the next aid station to estimate that. I remain calm and steady to the next section, where I have a drop bag. I make sure I have enough fuel and switch out batteries to make it to the finish. I headed back out and hadn’t seen the 2^nd place runner yet. I noted the time and distance and continued. About 20 minutes later, I saw a headlamp in the distance coming towards me. It’s the runner in 2^nd place and he looks strong running past me. I do some quick math and put together that I have approximately a 40-minute lead with 19 miles to go. I don’t see the 3^rd place runner for a very long time. 

 

I struggled to maintain pace in the next section. I’m starting to feel a bit tired, lethargic, and light-headed. My right foot and ankle are feeling tight with reduced mobility. When I reached the aid station where Liz had been waiting for me, I could tell she was running on empty. I hoped to get more electrolytes in me, but she couldn’t find them. Luckily, a runner named Mark kindly offered me an LMNT to keep me on my way. I have everything that I need to finish. Liz kindly offered to leave me a small bag and she went to sleep in her newly booked hotel room that wasn’t so creepy. I struggled at the start of the next section but started to slowly improve with about 10 miles remaining. I felt confident about finishing and ready to make one final push.

 

I still don’t know how much of a lead I have when I reach the final aid station. The last course update came from when we passed each other at the out and back. I looked at the clock and realized I had 1 hour and 15 minutes to run the last 10k to break the course record and 1 hour and 45 minutes to finish in under 24 hours. I feel somewhat confident about my position and my ability to finish in under 24 hours. It would take everything I had left to break the course record. I quickly replenished fluids and headed out.

 

The 1^st 2 miles were at a 12-minute pace, giving me a chance. I keep pushing as hard as I can racing the clock and daylight. As I make the final approach, I am running through a technical section along the side of the ridge. I change my watch face to the distance remaining and focus purely on the trail. I am passing other runners who are finishing the 100k distance. With about 1.5 miles to go, I am exhausted and falling off Course Record pace. I decide to slow down and stay steady. I can’t get the song Final Countdown out of my head and start singing it out loud. With about a half mile to go, I hit the downhill road section, knowing I had 2 steep and massive staircases remaining to the finish. I carefully traverse those as dawn crests above the lake at the start/finish line.

 

Once I make it down the final staircase, I run in an all-out sprint to the finish line. Tears are flowing down my face, realizing what I have accomplished. My arms up in the air celebrating, and the massive fist pump as I cross the finish line. My time was 23 hours and 36 minutes, 6 minutes off the course record. My thoughts immediately went to Liz, wishing she could have been able to share the moment. I know she did everything possible to make it to the finish, and I would have had a significantly more difficult time without her.

 

After being congratulated by everyone at the start/finish line, I quickly got cold. Thank goodness for Melissa, who was kind enough to find my car in the parking lot and drive up to the start/finish line. They wrapped me in foil to stay warm and begin a fire. After a few minutes, I changed my clothes and relaxed in a chair. About an hour later, the 2^nd place finisher crosses the finish line. This was his 1^st ultramarathon, which made his performance much more impressive. 

 

This was such a rewarding race for me to take part in. Getting to go back home and finish a 100-mile race where my trail running adventures began during COVID has transformed into so much more. This sport is so rewarding and I grow more appreciative to be involved in running. Sharing my knowledge with other aspiring runners as a running coach. Special thanks go to the race director Michele Hartwig, all the amazing volunteers, Jenny El Tee and the photography/videography team (pictures coming soon), WausaUltra, my amazing crew person Liz for helping and tolerating me, HOKA and new SpeedGoat 6, Fleet Feet Chattanooga, Parity Path Endurance for the opportunity to be their running coach, and finally my amazing athletes. You guys motivate me to push my own limits.