2019: Run The Keweenaw

This marks the seventh year of being a part of this festival of trails (I call it, affectionately and with all due respect to the 100 mile version in the Golden State, the Mid-Western States Endurance Run). It certainly has taken on the flavor of a family reunion of my trail running friends. Even with a good number of familiar faces missing in action this year, the weekend offered a lot of what I’ve come to learn: trail running etiquette and friends that are competitive while being the kind, cooperative, caring and the very embodiment of the said etiquette. It’s a retreat away from the grips of electronic communication-overloaded civilization and nudging us to have humane conversations, and a lovely little platform to learn from the immovable mountains and never-stop-moving runners alike. The weekend also almost always offers something new, and with lessons about my own self and new friendships, this year wasn’t any different.

It’s an understatement to claim that I was deeply married to the training plan this time around last year … aimed towards the 2018 Chicago Marathon. Coming off of what I was coming off from, I didn’t really know how much I could tweak the plan and I wasn’t sure how my body would react to such changes. So, it was the correct decision to stick with the pre-made plan and get through the weekend. This year, I think/thought I have/had a slightly better idea as to how the training plans are structured, how to tweak them and how my body would respond.

I did take the Friday off from work and uneventfully drove to Copper Harbor with Ray Sharp. Checking into the Mariner North cabin was a breeze and so were marking portions of the 10k course as well as picking up my race packet. Having not run for a couple days, I was feeling a little antsy. To get over it and to get a better understanding of the 10k course – learning to use the shades (you see, I didn’t pack a hat like I normally do for this trip) counter the angle of the sun during ascents in the second half – I ran it from about the same scheduled start time. The evening ended with lovely dinner with family of friends in Mariner North.

Mt. Baldy Summit Run (6k)

A full night of sleep led to comfortably waking up an hour or so before the Sunrise. In turn, it gave us all plenty of time to prepare and make our (Jim, Ray, Rochelle and myself) way down to Eagle Harbor. After the usual warm-up and such, I started with Shannon mid-pack. 9:20 for the first mile didn’t surprise me as a good chunk of it was on asphalt. 9:20 for the second mile, however, was a different story. Initially, I was more worried than surprised about the pace in light of an entirely uphill portion on trails and in spite of cordially overcast weather with a gentle breeze. But corroborating the higher pace with manageable HR and absence of ragged breathing helped put my fears to bed. Third mile was as expected and the final ascent to the finish line came quicker than expected. The official finish time, 0:34:21, was good enough for 10/35 overall, 9/18 in gender and 3/5 in AG (official results), and it was the first time ever that I made the podium – AG or otherwise – in RTK festivities.

Goal vs Reality Goal: 3.72 mi in 0:35:00 (9:24 min/mi) Reality: 3.56 mi in 0:34:21.0 (9:38 min/mi)
#	Lap Distance mi	Lap Pace min/mile	Lap Elevation feet	Total Distance mi	Total Time h:mm:ss	Total Elevation feet	Total Pace min/mile	Projected Finish Time h:mm:ss	Differential Goal Time h:mm:ss
01	1.00	9:19	161↑ 7↓	1.00	0:09:20	161↑ 7↓	9:19	0:34:39	0:00:21
02	1.00	9:18	230↑ 7↓	2.00	0:18:38	391↑ 14↓	9:18	0:34:36	0:00:24
03	1.00	10:19	276↑ 23↓	3.00	0:28:57	667↑ 37↓	9:39	0:35:54	0:00:54
04	0.56	9:38	141↑ 69↓	3.56	0:34:21	808↑ 106↓	9:38	0:35:50	0:00:50
The final cumulative time, 0:34:21, may not match the official time (0:34:21.0) owing to rounding errors. Starting my watch a few seconds before the start and stopping it a few seconds after crossing the finish line can be an additional reason for this discrepancy. The overall distance, 3.56 mi, may not match the designated (or certified) event distance (3.72 mi) owing to idiosyncrasies associated with GPS data collection OR my inability to take the tangents OR the aforementioned early start/late stop reasons, and in some rare cases, incorrectly measured (or advertised) courses or DNFs. As a result, the cumulative pace and the projected finish time might not match the official values as well.

Post-6k activities included walking/jogging down to Eagle Harbor with Shannon, Rob and Mariana, participating in food (courtesy of Keweenaw Co-op) and awards ceremony with most of the participants, and an uneventful drive back to Copper Harbor with Ray, Rochelle and two little Vendlinskis.

Copper Harbor Trails Challenge (CHTC; 10k)

Starting near the front of the pack and behind the elites, I followed Ray’s suggestion and used the first half of this 10k – which is a combination of asphalt, wider trails and non-technical single tracks – as a tempo block. It was a good idea and I am glad I did it – averaging 7:46-7:47. As a result, HR was expectedly higher and breathing was quicker. Early portions of Point Trail Phase #1 provided some relief and the experience gained from running the course 24 hours before helped keep the ascents fresh in memory … in turn, helping me strategically ration my efforts. Going down the Paul’s Plunge was nearly a breeze – except that with a step or two to go at the very bottom, the left foot got stuck between roots and got stretched (or hyper-extended). With plenty of pliability workouts over the past 12-14 months to prepare ligaments/joints to stay ahead of exactly these type of scenarios and with the finish line so close, I opted to let the hint of pain take care of itself and just focused my efforts on completing the run. The official finish time, 0:52:32, was good enough for 7/34 overall, 7/19 in gender and 2/6 in AG (official results) – making the podium for the second time in RTK festivities.

Goal vs Reality Goal: 6.22 mi in 0:55:00 (8:50 min/mi) Reality: 6.13 mi in 0:52:33.0 (8:34 min/mi)
#	Lap Distance mi	Lap Pace min/mile	Lap Elevation feet	Total Distance mi	Total Time h:mm:ss	Total Elevation feet	Total Pace min/mile	Projected Finish Time h:mm:ss	Differential Goal Time h:mm:ss
01	1.00	7:46	23↑ 13↓	1.00	0:07:47	23↑ 13↓	7:46	0:48:18	0:06:42
02	1.00	7:49	56↑ 20↓	2.00	0:15:36	79↑ 33↓	7:48	0:48:31	0:06:29
03	1.00	7:48	39↑ 62↓	3.00	0:23:24	118↑ 95↓	7:48	0:48:31	0:06:29
04	1.00	10:22	108↑ 49↓	4.00	0:33:46	226↑ 144↓	8:26	0:52:27	0:02:33
05	1.00	9:16	72↑ 30↓	5.00	0:43:03	298↑ 174↓	8:36	0:53:29	0:01:31
06	1.00	8:40	49↑ 171↓	6.00	0:51:44	347↑ 345↓	8:37	0:53:36	0:01:24
07	0.13	6:23	0↑ 7↓	6.13	0:52:34	347↑ 352↓	8:34	0:53:16	0:01:44
The final cumulative time, 0:52:34, may not match the official time (0:52:33.0) owing to rounding errors. Starting my watch a few seconds before the start and stopping it a few seconds after crossing the finish line can be an additional reason for this discrepancy. The overall distance, 6.13 mi, may not match the designated (or certified) event distance (6.22 mi) owing to idiosyncrasies associated with GPS data collection OR my inability to take the tangents OR the aforementioned early start/late stop reasons, and in some rare cases, incorrectly measured (or advertised) courses or DNFs. As a result, the cumulative pace and the projected finish time might not match the official values as well.

Post-10k activities included awards ceremony, a 3rd Ever RTK Post-Race Potluck with most of the participants, acquiring a few critical supplies from the General Store and calling it a night around 10 pm.

Carl Olson Memorial Adventure Run (COMA; 25k)

Another full night of sleep led to comfortably waking up an hour or so before the Sunrise. In turn, it gave us all plenty of time to prepare and make our (Rob and myself) usual trip to the Garden Brook crossing to stash some essentials. Memories of sprained/hyper-extended ankle still fresh in my mind, I started mid-pack and kept the pace fairly easy – to ensure that I had enough gas in the tank when the race really begins 8 miles in.

One intermediate goal was to be at the The Flow – On The Edge cross-over (~4.50 miles) in about 50 minutes. Having achieved that with a minute or so to spare and having spent sufficient time re-hydrating at the aid-station, I got to run and worship Mother Nature in the company of Hannah (she would go on to be the overall women’s champion for the weekend) and Lawrence for several miles. Consuming one half of a banana and three-fourths of a pickle took at the Garden Brook crossing took me to the second formal aid-station – the point where the race officially begins as the trail takes us up the Stairway To Heaven.

Goal vs Reality Goal: 15.53 mi in 2:45:00 (10:37 min/mi) Reality: 14.61 mi in 2:36:44.0 (10:43 min/mi)
#	Lap Distance mi	Lap Pace min/mile	Lap Elevation feet	Total Distance mi	Total Time h:mm:ss	Total Elevation feet	Total Pace min/mile	Projected Finish Time h:mm:ss	Differential Goal Time h:mm:ss
01	1.00	9:30	23↑ 30↓	1.00	0:09:30	23↑ 30↓	9:30	2:27:32	0:17:28
02	1.00	9:48	112↑ 23↓	2.00	0:19:18	135↑ 53↓	9:39	2:29:51	0:15:09
03	1.00	11:39	203↑ 13↓	3.00	0:30:57	338↑ 66↓	10:19	2:40:13	0:04:47
04	1.00	11:07	203↑ 7↓	4.00	0:42:04	541↑ 73↓	10:31	2:43:19	0:01:41
05	1.00	11:37	69↑ 135↓	5.00	0:53:42	610↑ 208↓	10:44	2:46:41	0:01:41
06	1.00	9:45	26↑ 184↓	6.00	1:03:27	636↑ 392↓	10:34	2:44:06	0:00:54
07	1.00	11:16	52↑ 72↓	7.00	1:14:44	688↑ 464↓	10:40	2:45:39	0:00:39
08	1.00	10:07	23↑ 138↓	8.00	1:24:51	711↑ 602↓	10:36	2:44:37	0:00:23
09	1.00	11:36	135↑ 121↓	9.00	1:36:27	846↑ 723↓	10:43	2:46:25	0:01:25
10	1.00	13:07	289↑ 36↓	10.00	1:49:35	1135↑ 759↓	10:57	2:50:03	0:05:03
11	1.00	10:37	121↑ 82↓	11.00	2:00:12	1256↑ 841↓	10:55	2:49:32	0:04:32
12	1.00	10:52	112↑ 167↓	12.00	2:11:04	1368↑ 1008↓	10:55	2:49:32	0:04:32
13	1.00	11:57	36↑ 305↓	13.00	2:23:01	1404↑ 1313↓	11:00	2:50:49	0:05:49
14	1.00	8:51	13↑ 102↓	14.00	2:31:52	1417↑ 1415↓	10:50	2:48:14	0:03:14
15	0.61	8:01	7↑ 3↓	14.61	2:36:46	1424↑ 1418↓	10:43	2:46:25	0:01:25
The final cumulative time, 2:36:46, may not match the official time (2:36:44.0) owing to rounding errors. Starting my watch a few seconds before the start and stopping it a few seconds after crossing the finish line can be an additional reason for this discrepancy. The overall distance, 14.61 mi, may not match the designated (or certified) event distance (15.53 mi) owing to idiosyncrasies associated with GPS data collection OR my inability to take the tangents OR the aforementioned early start/late stop reasons, and in some rare cases, incorrectly measured (or advertised) courses or DNFs. As a result, the cumulative pace and the projected finish time might not match the official values as well.

Another intermediate goal was to reach the final aid-station at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge (~11 miles) around the 2-hour mark. Having achieved this as well, albeit a minute or so slower, Mother Nature’s worship over the last few miles went by in a hurry. Once on the asphalt and on the final stretch home, I opted to pick up the pace every few hundred meters or so in fartlek-style and pleasantly live music (courtesy of Kim and Greg Green) provided that extra surge to keep increasing the pace through the finish line. The official time, 2:36:32, was good enough for 8/31 overall, 7/15 in gender and 2/4 in AG (official results) – making the podium for the third time in RTK festivities.

Post-25k activities included a refreshing quick shower in the cabin before returning to attend the awards ceremony with most of the participants. To have completed all three phases in this festival – being in the zone for a vast majority of the kilometers, by running within myself and improving my time in each phase instead of worrying about placement (thanks, Mike, for this idea 3 years ago), by running the mile I was in (thanks, Andi, for this idea – also 3 years ago) and with just a hyper-extension – was a blessing. Post-event activities included checking out of the cabin, stopping at the Fitz for a quick bite to eat and uneventfully driving rest of the way back to Houghton.

Thanks be to

the rejections and opportunities life has brought my way, event folks (organizers, sponsors, volunteers, timers, law enforcement officials, photographers, fellow participants and spectators) and my family of good friends, mentors and coaches in and outside of my community for all the unexpected, undeserved and unrewarded acts of kindness and constant encouragement as well as offerings of constructive criticism to improve myself as a human and an athlete. I am eternally grateful to all those who let me train with them, who shared their meals and experiences with me, who helped keep me in good health, who helped me stay the course, and who cheered me on from home or along the course.