Kettle Moraine 100 Miler 2021 - Early Season Heat

 June 12

I am walking out of the Tamarack aid station at mile 58 having consumed
a chewy granola bar, and now I am eating half of a grilled cheese sandwich when it hits me—vomit!  I don’t throw everything up just a couple of bits.  I throw the rest of the grilled cheese into the weeds and stand still for a minute to allow my body to recover from this event.

Before the start

I have failed to finish the Kettle 100 miler on two previous attempts—2010 and 2018.  This year, I am in very good shape, am healthy, have an excellent crew (James), and need this finish to keep my name in the Western States lottery in December.  The only problem is the forecast:  the high is supposed to be 86 degrees with moderately high humidity.  The day dawns cloud free with the temperature already in the mid to high 60s.  James has to drop me off as the COVID restrictions are limiting how many people can be at the start.  The fortunate thing is that all of us in the 100 miler (234) get to start at the same time.

I chat with Mike, who recognizes me from three years ago.  Mike and I did several miles together in 2018, including miles 62 to 77.  He dropped at that point while I staggered on for 4 more miles before dropping at 81.  I also talk briefly with Karl Meltzer, who says today is all about managing the heat on the prairies.

Mile 5.1      56:55 (11:10 avg./mile) Tamarack

While the weather is still moderately cool, I make good time on this first section.  I feel good, and I plan to run very conservatively with the heat.  All I need to do is finish within the 30-hour cutoff.  I grab a handful of potato chips at this first aid station as this one is crew restricted.

On the way to Tamarack

Mile 7.4      31:41 (13:47 avg./mile) Bluff

Soon after departing Tamarack, I strike up a conversation with Jim Treece, who is from Maryland and is a Virginia Happy Trails Running Club (VHTRC) member.  We swap a couple of David Snipes stories before continuing on at our own pace.  Coming into this aid station, the crowd is huge and loud.  It is great to come in an aid station with so many people making noise and adding energy to the race.  It takes me a few seconds to spot James in the crowd.  I drink some chocolate milk and take half a bagel with me.  I decide not to change out my Camelbak at this point.

Mile 12.3    1:07:53 (13:09 avg./mile) Horseriders

Leaving the Bluff aid station, I pass Jim Treece, who says he is not feeling well.  I guess the heat is already getting to him?  So far, I am feeling good and moving well.  The course to this point is nicely shaded, and the temperature is not too warm yet.  The forecasted early cloud cover has not materialized; there are very few clouds in the sky at this point.  I chat with a lady named, Magdalena, who is from Illinois and has a Mulberry tree in her yard that she has been trying to get rid of for many years.  I come into this non-crewed aid station and grab a cup of water and a handful of chips.

Mile 15.5    43:39 (13:51 avg./mile) Natalie’s New Station

My pace is nice and smooth.  While I am soaking wet from sweat, I still feel good at this point.  I am taking a salt tablet every hour or two.  This new aid station for the course is beside a dirt road and consists of just one pop-up canopy.  I get an iced sponge wrung out over my head.  The cold water is very refreshing.  I eat some orange slices and a few potato chips, and then get some water put in my empty Camelbak.  I didn’t expect to drain it that quickly as I thought I could get to the next crewed aid station before needing more water in my Camelbak.

Mile 19.5    56:12 (14:03 avg./mile) McMiller

The new section of the course has a climb or two and is mostly shaded.  I am still making good time, but it is rather warm out here.  There are a few more clouds, but nothing close to the forecasted, “mostly cloudy.”  James is waiting and ready for me when I get to this aid station.  I sit down for a minute and drink a good portion of Conquest (note, it is not Conquest, but rather CR01, which is my own recipe I dialed up from Infinit).  I trade out my nearly empty Camelbak with a full one, and I also change my socks, but not my shoes yet.  My socks were completely drenched, but I kept the same shoes for now as I only have three pairs and don’t want to trade out a fresh pair until after the rain that is supposed to happen this afternoon.  As I am leaving the aid station, I pass a porta john and decide to use it.  I carefully lay my Camelbak with a bagel on top of it just outside and quickly do my business.

Mile 23.8    1:00:33 (14:05 avg./mile) Wilton Road

Refreshed from the CR01 and the restroom break, I continue to make decent time.  I am walking 2-3 minutes every 15 minutes.  I pass a guy who is using this race to train for a 200 mile race.  He is looking good at this point, but he is a larger guy than me, and I wonder how he is going to deal with the heat today.  At this aid station, I get another ice cold sponge wrung out over my head.  Given that the cloud cover hasn’t really materialized as forecasted, I wonder if the temperature is going to climb higher than the forecasted 86 degrees. 

Mile 27.1    1:03:54 (19:22 avg./mile) Highway 67

The open prairie is bathed in mostly full sunshine, and it is broiling hot!  On this section, the leaders are returning back south.  The leader is a female, and she looks comfortable.  Before I reach the aid station, I meet Karl Meltzer heading south.  I think he is in fifth place or so, and he looks as hot and spent as any of us.  Wow!  I wonder how bad I look to him.  He is completely drenched and looks like the heat is taking its toll on him.  I meet James at this aid station and sit down to eat my grilled cheese sandwich.  I wash it down with copious amounts of CR01 and chocolate milk.  My slower time on this section is due to the building heat and the extra time eating in the aid station.  James informs me that the peak chance for rain has moved back from 1pm to 4pm.

Mile 29.4    31:20 (13:37 avg./mile) County Road ZZ

Leaving the last aid station, I start running with a 61-year old guy from Minnesota.  His name is David.  He says he has run over 180 ultras, but this will be his 10^th (and last) 100-mile race.  We banter back and forth about the advantages of only running 100km or less—no sleep deprivation, etc., etc.  I make good time running with David, and I get to this aid station surprised to see James.  This wasn’t supposed to be a crew accessed aid station, but James is here waiting on me.  I drink some conquest and take half of a bagel with me as I hurry out of the aid station to keep up with David.

Mile 34.3    1:32:45 (18:56 avg./mile) Scuppernong

David and I make good time on the first half the Scuppernong loop, but once the single track portion ends, I let David and a couple of other runners move ahead.  I am now feeling the effects of the heat so I switch into a true survival mode for this war of attrition against the elements.  I am still making good time, and I keep David in sight for a long time.  The aid station is fairly packed, but most of the crews are a quarter of a mile away on the other side of County Road ZZ.  James is still there, and I trade out my Camelbak for a full one while I drink more CR01 and take another half bagel with me.

Mile 36.8    37:47 (15:07 avg./mile) Highway 67

Back on the prairie, the temperature has risen even higher.  The clouds occasionally provide some shade, but not much.  With the peak rain chance moving back, it means the humidity isn’t dropping anytime soon either.  I walk more of this section and talk with a young runner named Keith.  I think he is 23 years old.  I roll into this aid station with a stomach that is not great, but not bad either.  I feel like I am moving slow, but it is about as fast as my body will produce in this warm weather.  I drink some CR01 and grab some potato chips from the aid station as I press forward hoping that the front will move south of us at some point—with or without a rain shower.

Mile 40.1    59:30 (18:02 avg./mile) Wilton Road

I manage to keep up a reasonable pace across the prairie, chatting with Keith at times.  We aren’t really keeping the same pace, but we keep leap-frogging each other.  At this aid station, I grab a cup of ginger ale and get a lukewarm sponge wrung out over my head.  The ice is gone, but it is still somewhat refreshing.

Mile 44.4    1:32:04 (21:25 avg./mile) McMiller

The heat is still ever present, and I am just hanging on waiting for the cooler temperatures to get here.  I am moving about the same pace as most of the other runners around me even though it is now a terribly slow pace.  I get into this aid station, and James is ready and waiting for me.  I sit down and change my shoes while another crew starts asking me questions about my airplane.  Her husband flies and is home working on the plane today.  She is here crewing for her coach, who I guess is behind me.  I eat another grilled cheese sandwich, and drink plenty of CR01 and chocolate milk.  I also trade out my Camelbak for a full one.  As I am getting ready to leave, James asks me if I want my headlamp.  My initial reaction is no as it is only 5:30pm.  He says it is 12 miles until I see him again and the sun sets at 8:30pm.  I consider my options, and then stick with not taking my headlamp.  I haven’t really been keeping track of my pace, but I still figure I can make 15-minute miles as the temperature should start dropping a little.  Plus, I need to start picking up the pace a little if I am going to finish this thing.

Mile 48.4    1:01:56 (15:29 avg./mile) Natalie’s New Station

With the new motivator of getting to the Bluff aid station before dark, I push the pace a little.  Additionally, I note that the wind is starting to shift from the southwesterly direction it has been to more out of the northwest.  The front is finally pushing through, and I note a hint of cooler air—or am I just imagining it?  Regardless, I average the 15-minute miles I wanted, and my legs feel really good.  Now, I just need to ride this surge to dusk.  I grab another cup of ginger ale for my not totally happy stomach and press on.

Mile 51.6    59:03 (18:27 avg./mile) Horseriders

My push on the last section causes me to slow down on this section.  My stomach is not happy, but I am making steady (if slow) progress.  I get into this aid station and sit down at a nearby picnic table.  The aid station workers are occupied with other tasks, so eventually I have to stand up and go over to the aid tables to pour my own Coke.  I drink a cup and grab some potato chips.  I press on as I don’t have time to waste to get to Bluff before dark.  It is 7:35pm when I leave this aid station.

Mile 56.5    1:59:10 (24:19 avg./mile) Bluff

Moving forward feels better than sitting on that picnic table in the aid station.  I am focused on the task in front of me.  For a while, another runner and his pacer (not really allowable yet, but who cares at the back of the pack) follow me for a couple of miles before pressing on ahead of me.  At some point on this section, I take my first caffeine pill.  I don’t have the luxury at this point to lie down and take a quick nap.  I get to the top of the bluff, which precedes the aid station, and the last sliver of sun is dipping below the horizon.  It is a beautiful evening!  I make my way down the trail as darkness engulfs the trail.  I can make out the trail decently without a headlamp.  Amazingly, I don’t stumble or trip as I make my way in the dark.  Finally, at 9:30pm I make it into the aid station, and there is James anxiously waiting for me.  On my planning sheet I said I just wanted a bagel and Conquest, but James has made me a serving of Ramen.  As I sit and rest, I try to consume the warm noodles as quick as I can.  I trade out my Camelbak with a full one and get my headlamp all set.  I feel decent enough.  The stomach is not happy, but hasn’t revolted yet.  So, I start my first full night section in good spirits.

Mile 58.8    56:10 (24:25 avg./mile) Tamarack

This section didn’t feel this slow!  I believe I stayed mostly even with the other runners around me—passing some and some passing me.  Regardless of how it feels, there is no denying it is slow.  At this non-crew aid station, I quickly consume a chewy granola bar, and then take half of a grilled cheese sandwich to eat as I walk out of the aid station.  Halfway through the grilled cheese sandwich, I throw up—not everything, but there is now no denying that my stomach is not happy.

Mile 63.9    1:47:02 (20:59 avg./mile) Nordic

With an unhappy stomach that isn’t getting better and temperatures still in the 80s, I mostly walk this section.  Several runners slowly make their way past me.  Most of these runners are 100k runners that started an hour after us 100 mile runners.  I am resigned to likely dropping at Nordic.  When I finally get into the aid station, I go to the nasty outhouse to try to go to the bathroom.  My effort is unsuccessful, and I leave the stench, rejoin James and announce my race is over.  The time stands at 12:17am, and there was a “soft” cut-off at this point of 12:10am.  Apparently, the race director would let you continue if you really wanted, but my race is not headed in the right direction.  The heat on this day has won, and I resign!

The forecasted high temperature was 86 degrees, but without the cloud cover early in the day, the temperature ends up rising to 94 degrees!  The finishing rate settles out at 28%.  Karl Meltzer also dropped out at Nordic some five hours ahead of me.  I also note that Jim Treece soldiered on, but also dropped out at Nordic a little behind me.

Weather happens, and on this day, I don’t think there was more I could have done.  I kept a slow and easy pace through most of the day.  These high temperatures this early in the year makes it all the more difficult to handle.  After recovering for a couple of days, I decide I will try once more this summer to obtain a Western States qualifier so that I can be in the lottery again in December.  Therefore, on the 24^th of July in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, I will toe the line of the Burning River 100 miler.  Here’s hoping that it will be cooler than 94 degrees!  Until then…

Never stop running,

Darin

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