race report
Arctic Frog 50k - 2021
Saturday December 4, 2021
Mayville, WI
Race Stats
50 Kilometers
21 Finishers, 0 DNF’s
Winning Time: 3:43:39
Average Finish Time: 5:31:05
This race report is going to be much shorter than I typically post. I have enjoyed running this race and am already signed up for next year’s event. But being that this is my 4th year in a row running the event, I am finding a little bit less to say about it that I haven’t already shared. If you want a more in-depth race report with a little bit more narrative, feel free to check out my 2020 race report here.
This year’s course, as in the past, was a mix of mostly pavement with some crushed gravel sections. An interesting note is that despite having run this race 4 years in a row, I have never run the same course. This event was previously held in Libertyville, IL at Independence Grove Nature Preserve. The first year I ran it, major flooding on the trail altered the course to 6 laps on a smaller loop that avoided washed-out sections. The second year, I ran the original course which was composed of 3 longer laps. Last year the race was moved to Mayville, WI, where the course consisted of 3 laps that navigated mostly along the outskirts of town. This year the course was altered to 6 shorter laps that snaked through the town itself. Due to the course backdrop this year, there were times when it felt more like a mid-week run than an actual race.
Going into the race I was not confident and was solely looking to finish. I was predicting something around the 6-hour mark. I had not been able to put together a solid training block leading up to the race due to a flare-up in my right knee. After Mines of Spain, I failed to take the time to rest and recover that I should have. Despite my disappointing outing, I was in better shape physically than I had been after any other race. Never mind that I had just set a distance PR of 82 miles, I had a chip on my shoulder that came with the DNF. I let my negative perception of my result cloud my judgment, and the Monday after MoS, I went out for a run. I didn’t just run, I ran relatively hard and fast. I don’t know for certain, but I believe this is the cause of my knee issue. From that point forward I struggled to string together mileage and often couldn’t go beyond 5 or 6 miles without significant pain. As the race got closer, finding the balance between allowing myself to heal and recover and being fit enough to race became increasingly difficult.
Regardless of how I felt, I knew that I was going to take on the race. I could run easy and would have plenty of off time to recover afterward. So on Saturday morning, I work up early and traveled down with Emma to toe the starting line. I made her aware not to expect much and that we may be in for a long day, but like always, she was nothing but supportive. I got ready, and after a short pre-race speech we were off. At this point, I can honestly say that my race was not that eventful or exciting.
To my surprise, my knee never gave me issues and I was able to run much faster than I had anticipated. I spent the majority of the race running alone which played to my benefit. I was able to really key into the sensations that I was feeling and respond accordingly. This may be part of the reason that I was able to stave off any knee pain. I was in tune with my pace; I pushed when I felt that I could push and backed off when I felt it necessary to back off. I also wasn’t sucked into trying to keep pace with somebody who was going just a bit faster or slower than I was. Over the course of the race, I did get to share a few miles with Emma N. (I know, two Emma’s is confusing). Despite both being Bigger Than The Trail Ambassadors and living only a few miles apart, Emma N. and I had never met in person. It was fun to get to know and chat with her for a bit.
This year’s course did end up being a little bit short, 29.5 miles by my watch. But the part I found comical about this really gives insight into the mind of an ultra runner. Because the course was 6 laps, people began to notice that the final mileage was going to be a bit short. As a result, several runners, myself included, began talking long corners, adding in mini out and back segments, and otherwise tacking small amounts of additional mileage on our runs to try and get the whole 50k. I crossed the finish line in under 4:25:00.
I’ve always had fun at this race and enjoyed my experience this time just as much as the others. For December in Wisconsin, the weather was beautiful. The people, as always, were kind and welcoming. The location makes it hard to pass up. And at the end of the day, I just enjoy the friendly competitiveness of racing an ultra. Ending the year on this “short” race is definitely a tradition that I am going to carry forward.
If you’re interested in Arctic Frog or any of their other races, check out Frog Hop Sports.