Why? Well I think I have struggled with turning 50 more than any other birthday milestone. I also feel like I have been the most active I have ever been in the last 20 years. I had to back off the weights but picked up the running. What better way to prove to myself that I can still do things and that this is just a number?
I left the house at 6 AM to get to the Highway P trail head in Glenbeulah. The northern terminus of the Kettle Moraine Forest and part of Ice Age trail. I have done this trail multiple times, but never the whole thing in one day. The official mileage is 31.6 miles to highway H in Kewaskum or just over 50K.
I parked the car, made a little coffee, like it was some morning routine and once the sun started coming up I started off. 7:00. The day was overcast and the temperature was around 50.
I had my small day bag, its actually a Salomon running pack with a 2 liter bladder, some snacks and an extra water bottle to fill up as needed. I took my hiking poles, although I had to use a different technique when running with them.
The day went by pretty quickly, the first 3 hours were a combination of running and fast walking. I had some really good times for trail running - 12 and 13 minute miles. I was feeling pretty good.
I hit the Greenbush campsites. Topped of with water and kept going.
Then I approached an area that had a lot of storm damage. This I was not aware of. There was a barricade that pointed in the direction I should go, so I followed it. As I got down the trail, I realized how bad the damage was. Hundreds of trees down and crews from the DNR and Ice Age Alliance working to clear them. I talked to the DNR people and they said they meant for this to be blocked off. They moved the barricade to let the 4 wheeler in but didn't put it back. I had gone the wrong way.
Not to be too angry I kept going trying to get through, then tried to cut over to the detour. I was taking way too long to climb over around and under all the dead-fall. I ended up doubling back to the actual detour. Some old guys clearing the trail made fun of me wearing shorts. I laughed at them as they had no idea what I was actually doing.
I eventually got to the barricade and moved it back. I doubt anyone else would be though here but at least they wont do what I did.
Around 1 PM the rain started to fall. I put the rain jacket on and kept trucking. Although now running would be limited. The wet made the roots, rocks and all the fallen leaves that much more slippery.
The rain would continue the rest of the day. It came down hard too. I stopped at the Mauthe Lake entrance station for more water and to watch the rain.
Needless to say the trails were streams and I was soaked from my waist down. The jacket kept me warm and dry up top so that did not affect me as much.
I still kept a good pace at almost 4 miles per hour.
Eventually I hit 26 miles. The marathon end. Also, the spot I stopped the last time I did this trail in one day (overnight). I really only had about 7 miles to go.
I was starting to feel it, the wetness starting to get to me. Only 2 more hours. At this point because of the delays I had encountered, I was worried about getting dark.
Eventually I crossed Highway 28. The last road before I finish. I was giddy. I let Tracy know to come get me at the end.
I reached the finish a little over 10 hour after I started. 33.47 miles or over 54 Kilometers!
What a birthday present.
See the Garmin Connect for the details
Or watch this video or a deranged lunatic.
