Race Recap: The North Face Endurance Challenge WI - 50K

A 50K race has been on my list to do for the last two years. After throwing in the towel on a sub-2:00 half marathon and transitioning to trail running, I decided that 2017 was the year that I would do things that are uncomfortable, including running a marathon and an ultramarathon.

An ultramarathon, for those that are unfamiliar, is any distance further than a marathon. The most common ones are a 50K (31 miles), 50 Miles, and 100 Miles.

I've had such wonderful race experiences at The North Face Endurance Challenge Series - I did the half marathon in 2015 and 2016) so I decided that there was no better race to do for my first ultramarathon.

Ahead of the race, they send out e-mails at pretty regular intervals with the pricing, when the prices go up, and if there's still spots available for the distances offered. On Saturday they do the marathon, marathon relay, 50K, and 50 Miler. Sunday is the 1/2 marathon, 10K and 5K. They also host a Kid's Run both days.

The night before, The North Face hosted a pre-race panel at the Brookfield Square store. Hosting the panel was Jeff Ball along with Challenged Athletes Foundation Athlete Joe Brunia and race director/ultrarunner Nick Moore.

It's so cool to be able to talk to the RD about the course, fueling, aid stations, and ask for his advice as an ultra runner. He did ask who was running their first ultra and over half the people in attendance raised their hands.

CAF Joe Brunia and RD Nick Moore.

Topics discussed were the weather, adjusting pace for the conditions, what was going to be at the aid stations, digging deep, and dealing with adverse conditions.

I picked up my shirt and my bib (as well as an ECS quarter zip in a beautiful turquoise color, everyone who was registered to run got 15% off their purchase!)

The race starts and ends right by Ottawa Lake in Kettle Moraine State Forest, which is just about 40-45 minutes away from where I live. B drove (with Arthur in tow) and we left at about 6 am for the 7:00 am race start. 

Met up with Lauren, one of my #oisellewi teammates, before the race!

There were 3 waves for the 50K and I was in wave 3. As they called us to the start line I was really jittery and nervous. Coach Nora reassured me and told me that indeed, I could do this and to have fun!

I felt pretty good for the first 6-7 miles and was keeping a good pace, around 12-13 minute miles. My training runs had me between 11 and 14 minute miles, depending on the time of day and whether I had Arthur with me, so I figured staying around the 13 minute mark, especially with the heat, would work out well. While it would have been nice to do a negative split and rock the second 25K faster, I could tell right from the start that it wasn't going to happen. The humidity crept up throughout the day and really kicked my ass.

Just over the halfway mark, I think!

Having done my marathon in July, I KNEW that I could kick those first 26 miles in the butt. It was the last 5 miles that I knew I would have to dig deep to power through. Color me surprised when miles 23-26 became the toughest ones. There were large sections of hot, sunny prairie and my right knee (not the left/troublemaker one!) became sore and twinge-y. 

I tried to take my mind off it. I switched between several playlists (thankful for the ridiculously awesome battery life on my Aftershokz) and two different audio books. There's something soothing about listening to a book while running through some of the most beautiful scenery that southern Wisconsin has to offer.

I ended up drinking about 4 liters of water throughout the race and ate just about everything in sight at the aid stations. Who would think that canned potatoes rolled in salt could taste so good?! I carried Picky Bars, Honey Stinger waffles, and gummy bears (legit Haribo ones, only the reds though!) with me in my pack.

I met up with Nora at mile 27. I was feeling pretty good, the walk breaks I had taken helping the twinge-y right knee. She gave me a pep talk, I drank some Mt Dew and ate some PBJ sandwich squares, used the Port-a-Potty, and she sent me on my way to finish the last 4 miles.

Many of the runners walked the last few miles. I met up with several runners that I had seen along the course. The thing about trail running is that you connect in a whole different way out there in the woods. Everyone becomes your running buddy and throws out words of encouragement throughout the day. There's really nothing like it!

That feeling when you cross the ultramarthon finish line...and then Oiselle tweets it!

I can count on one hand the number of times I have felt completely overwhelmed at accomplishing something and crossing this finish line easily makes that count. I picked up the pace once the finish line was within eyesight and my official time was 8:32:32, well before the 9 hour cut-off time.

Can never thank Nora enough for being an amazing coach, mentor, and friend.

Afterwards, I felt like I was somewhat in a daze as I wandered around the finish festival. My friend Jen was running the 50 Mile race and I wanted to be sure I was there for when she crossed the finish line, as she had been when I crossed my marathon finish line. I grabbed some food (although I didn't eat nearly as much as I had put on my plate), enjoyed a beer, and dunked my feet in an ice bath (OUCH).

She made it well before the 13 hour cut-off for the 50 Mile :)

Me: I'm gonna jump!                                              Head Up, Wings Out!

I don't usually buy race pictures, but all of mine turned out so awesome so I bought my favorite ones!

Ultramarathoner status: Check!

I am so proud of myself for being able to accomplish running an ultramarthon this year.

Next running goal: 50 miler?! 

Maybe. In 2018. :)

You can check out my review of this race on BibRave and others' reviews as well!

The gear I wore/used for my first 50K:

links included in the x after each item

• Oiselle Mac Roga Shorts in Snap | x | 
• Oiselle Crop Singlet in Ombre (team exclusive, not available for sale)
• Oiselle x Sarah Attar Trucker Hat | x |
• Trail Sisters Buff | x |
• 2Toms SportShield for Her | x |
• Lauren Fleshman Stance Socks | x | (OTC and crew still available)
• Orange Mud Endurance Pack in Gray | x | 
• On Running CloudPeak Shoes | x |
• Garmin Fenix 5S in Rose Gold | x |
• Aftershokz Trekz Titanium Mini in Pink | x | 
• Haribo Gummy Bears 
• Picky Bars in Lauren's Mega Nuts | x | 
• Honey Stinger Waffles in Strawberry

If you are interested in making a Oiselle purchase and you are a new customer, you can use this link to get $20 off your first purchase! (disclaimer: I received a $20 credit for each purchase made through this link.)