Some say you have to go through Hell before you can get to Heaven. That is how I felt after I experienced my first superior trail 100. This course has so many beautiful, serene locations that those hellish climbs are required to see them. Really, 77 miles is all I saw this time, but since I did the 50 last year, I know I have been on the whole course in a race situation.
Even though I did not finish, the 77-mile journey I completed was one of great pain, beauty, superb support, and great conversations. This course takes you through challenges, and I assume this is the only course you could do simultaneously. Now, as I returned to my home, my girlfriend’s daughter asked me while I winced in pain, “Why?”. It made me think. I may not have the right answer, but I wanted to share my thoughts before my report.
This all started in 2005. My doctor had suggested I take measures to become healthier after my weight had ballooned to nearly 300 pounds. My girlfriend just dumped me; I had a broken foot, and my son was aging, got his license, and no longer needed a taxi driver as he now had independence. But I was exercising and had just finished my 21st consecutive Grandma’s Marathon. But as I knew I could finish the marathon, even at 300 pounds, I needed another goal. I needed a challenge. I met a good friend who was like me but was a little lost. We trained hard and set a goal to run the 50 mile. It seemed like the next logical step was the Superior Trail 50 miles. Thus, I started exercising and dieting with a purpose. As some might know, I lost that friend in an accident, and really, my weight loss and training were gone at that point. Also, I have generally maintained but went from 214 pounds to 223 pounds at the start of the 50 mile in 2006. I ran conservatively and finished comfortably. I started thinking about the 100 and submitted the registration. I was on my way. But my weight went to 247 before I got it down to 237. They are still far from that 100 goal…
So on that Friday Morning of September 7, 2007, I woke in my motel room at 4:45 AM. I heard the pounding of the rain; it could have been my heart, as I anticipated this race for quite some time. I started to think the worst. Rain on this trail makes running so difficult. By 6:00 AM, the radar made me feel a little better about the next 38 hours. As I ate my banana, oatmeal, protein, and electrolyte drink, I began to doubt I was ready. I aimed to lose 100 pounds before I started this race; I was only down to 234 pounds. I had gained 17 pounds since the 50 miles and thought this would make this harder. But I was still going to try.
We arrived at Gooseberry Falls at 7:20 AM. Everyone was quietly getting themselves set for the journey. My mind was racing all over the place, thinking about everything from world politics to running. I went into the restroom to make one last effort at a dry indoor chance to go to the bathroom. Sitting on the toilet, I dropped one of my pins. My first thought was, “What if the stall next to me has a cop in it, and I reach down to get it and get arrested so I cannot start the race…” Then I came to reality and picked it up… Now you know my mind was all over the place.
Well, I went to the starting line at race time and went too far up the trail. Larry had to call me and others back. Oh well, I was in a hurry.
The start of the race was uneventful. Some light rain still sprinkled on the sky. I ran alone on the trail and thought I could not finish the race. My running stride and breathing were uncomfortable, and my mind was not focused on the race. Fortunately, after about five miles and talking to a veteran from Kansas City, my fears disappeared, and I was comfortable. My Kansas City pal would back down the pace and connect with Julie Berg and Company, and I continued to know that those veterans would pass me at some point. I was fortunate enough to run with Philip Smith for a few miles. Then I put a Clif Block in my mouth and took one chew, and there was a large chunk in it. I was shocked, took it from my mouth, and saw that a large crown was not in my hand. I took the baggie with my toilet paper, placed the crown, and continued to run while assessing the damage. It was just the adhesive as there was no pain, but chewing things through this race would now be challenging.
When I started the race, I carried two small bottles, one with protein and one with electrolyte, to mile 6, where my crew would meet me with a camelback full of plain water. My thought was to always have the camelback with water and one bottle of each with me throughout the race. When I got there, my crew was not. So my day was getting strange; first, my tooth was broken, and now my crew is broken. I realized I was better with solitude at this time of the race, so I went ahead of Phillip and ran alone.
My crew was there when I got to the first aid station. Thank god! The race without my 72 oz camelback would have been a disaster. Many great people put on this race there with smiles and encouragement. We often forget how much they work, differently to train to ensure this race can be run and we can run it.
I quickly filled the packs and left to save as much time as possible at those aid station stops. Over the next miles, I thought, “What else can go wrong?” This was good, as I became more encouraged to finish. I felt stronger and happier and enjoyed the time on the trail. I was getting in a zone, taking Advil and caps, drinking and eating, and focusing on the amounts and timing of the food and drink.
About 24 miles in, Sarah Hughes caught me, and we ran together. Many miles passed as we discussed friends, family, and running experiences. One common trait among these ultrarunners is that they are all happy and confident, great people to be around. Must it be endorphins?
As we journeyed to Silver Bay, we hooked up with Deb M. and her uncle Al, both past finishers. We decided to stay with them (or them with us) while we could. The night was coming, and I needed to experience those two. Things were going just fine as we ran together, aid station after station. Sarah had a Pacer at County Road 6, and we picked up Casey Lopez. Now Deb, Al, and Casey were a hoot. The things they spoke of are left on the trail, but they were so funny and made the running at night easy.
Things were going fine; Deb and I both took falls, creating pain, but we were OK. Then we came across this long boardwalk in the night. I was leading, and it was scary as I could see only water and the lengths of wood that we went across. It rained hard the night before, and the boards were gone as we got to the middle of the lake (I think it was a lake). Alfred, to me, they were there but kept going. Well, they were just water flowing over them. Wow, was that a heart race event for me?
We reached Finland at about 12:45 AM, a little slower than I had planned, but I felt good. I took some more food and packed up the fuel. I was so excited to be 2:15 ahead of the cut-off I had forgotten I had wet shoes on. I refueled, and we took off—my first of many mistakes. Within 1 mile, I felt a blister. Bummer. When I got to the next aid station, it was the size of a baseball on the ball of my left foot and a quarter on the left. I took the time to change socks, drain the blisters, duct tape my feet, and continue onward.
I was feeling good and running except for the blisters; I was focusing on the trail with my headlamp looking down when BAM, I ran into a low tree. I checked to see if there was blood; it hurt so badly. There was no significant bleeding, just a little red on the fingers. I got up and continued. I was so focused on my feet, my now aching head, and being tired that I started my second colossal mistake. I was no longer paying attention to what I ate, when and the drink proportions. When I got to the Crosby Aid station, I realized I had eaten very little, and my bottle and camelback were still full. I had just gone hours with little to eat or drink. I realize I should have taken more time at that station to treat the blisters and get mentally back on track. Instead, I hurried and was still not focused on keeping my race plan intact; my blisters had grown, and I still had wet shoes but clean socks.
The next stretch is one everyone who ever wants to run the 100 should do! The climb we have at about 64 miles is a real treat. I think 62 to 67 is the most challenging part of this course. That is all I will say about that.
Now, I was anxious about the race. When I reached mile 72, I was again shocked to find neither fluids nor food. That means about five hours of improper eating and drinking. I quickly tried to treat the blisters that had grown to the balls of each foot and along the outside on the left. The pain as I drained and taped them was intense, but I wanted the jacket.
It was at about 74 miles I crashed. My legs locked, my body shut down, I think from lack of food and water. My mouth had sores in it, and my hands were swollen. It took me over two hours to limp into the 77-mile station. Don Clark, bless him for meeting me and giving me positive words. I almost was thinking of trying to get some treatment and go on, but I knew, deep in my heart, I was done.
So I cried and removed my number, and Scott, Pierre, and many others were wonderful. They complimented me and supported me.
So after this writing, my girlfriend’s daughter’s question was, “Why?”. And to that, I say because the people who run these things, the people who volunteer at these things, and the people who understand why are the kind of people I would aspire to be like. Friendly, supportive, confident, and happy people who understand that life is full of goals and desires. And my goal was to lose 100 pounds and run 100 miles when this journey started in 2005. I am now happier, healthier and better because of that goal and this race is part of the goal. It is ironic I fell apart at just past 72 miles and limped to 77. It could be God's way of saying 100 pounds for 100 miles. I am inspired. So in 2008, I will be at that start line with more knowledge of what it takes to get through this race and 26 pounds less, so I will finish the goal of losing those 100 pounds and finishing these 100 miles!
Thanks to all.
Good night.
Carry on my friends, carry on!
Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.
Londell,
Be proud of your accomplishment!! There's no need to think that the original 100-mile goal was not reached. We are proud of your completing 77 miles!!! Wow!!!!
Marilyn
I think going 77 miles on those trails (or even on the flat) is an incredible feat ! Good job !!
Eric Berg
Oh my god, you are AMAZING...what determination. Good job on your fantastic achievement! :)
Rose Ackerman
Londell
It is wonderful to know you completed 77 miles that is fantastic!!!
Take care of your blisters and make sure they heal well before putting more stress on them.
Lori
Finishing 77 miles is certainly a success story. Way to go!
Janine Hill
Good job, Londell - crazy from my perspective, but congrats!
Lynn Moore
Environmental Health Manager
Congratulations!!!! I think 77 miles is outstanding. You should be very proud.
Carol Pelzel
You are a crazy, but I think that you should defiantly feel extremely proud of the run you completed. Nice work
Eileen O’Connell
WOW!! That's really great!! I am really proud of you for going the distance. I hope the pain is not to great.
Julie Schowalter
You are amazing....I don't know how you do it.
Koko Ponce
You did more than finish. I can't imagine this at all.
I thought of you Friday night and wondered how far you had gone by then.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Deb Smith
Hay hay!
Hip Hip Hoarah!
Way to go Londell on your 77 mile adventure. It sure beats working doesn't it!
Do you want me to send you some bubble wrap for your feet? Ha Ha Ha. Oow.
Good luck on being your blister recovery.
Connie
Well, Congrats man. Pretty great accomplishment. Next Year?
Erik S
I love your attidude and spirit! Congrats on the 77 miles. Hope your pain level subsides soon! Have a good one.
Andrea C
Oh my God!!!! You should be ecstatic with yourself. I can't believe you did what you did. I would have quit when faced with having to drain the blisters the first time! Don't walk around too much today, have Cyndi wait on you, hand and foot. I'm sure she won't mind, haha. But seriously, you did well and should not look at it as a DNF, but a look what I did!
Let me know if you need more band-aids, I think I could probably find some over here! Great job, you crazy person!
Andy
A job well done! 77 miles is nothing to scoff at! You should be very proud of your accomplishment - not very many people can say that they have run that distance in a little over one day! Way to go!!! And I am also very happy that you didn't break anything!
Becky
You get an "A+" for effort.
Robert G. Servian
Hi Londell,
Thanks for the running update. Congratulations on running 77 miles! That is an amazing accomplishment! I hope your feet have a speedy recovery.
Thanks, Tom A.
Wow ! Very impressive ! I can't believe you ran that much farther with those blisters ! 77 miles is a great accomplishment. How did you run into a tree? LOL ! Sorry to hear about your crown. Hope they can just put it back on as new ones cost around $950.
Way to go !!
Jan R.
