Frozen Otter Ultra-Trek (1st Place-Team Division)

The Frozen, as it's called, takes place along the Ice Age Trail near Cambellsport, WI, in the North Kettle Moraine Forest, and it was absolutely the most grueling, physically demanding and mentally draining race I've ever done...and I can't wait to do it again next year!

The race director and our team captain, Rod McLennan, organized the event into four divisions: solo or team (2 person), half or full distance (32/64miles). Half distance racers started at 12pm and full distance racers were let loose at 12:15pm. My partner and fellow Fat Otter teammate, Kristen Karnowski and I, signed up for the full distance, team division.

The temperature reached a balmy 19 in the sun, but hit zero degrees after dark; resulting in 23/40 teams being shuttled back and not finishing. Kristen and I only finished half of what we had signed up for, but with all other finishing teams stopping at 32miles, that left us with the fastest time. There were a total of 8 checkpoints (CPs) that racers had to get to, check-in with race volunteers, fill their hydration bladders and reload their food (reloading the food is always my favorite).

The terrain was, hands down, the toughest I've ever covered; especially for the conditions we were competing in. The trail was wide enough for one person, so Kristen and I took turns setting the pace, giving the other a chance to follow in the footsteps, allowing a break from navigating and looking for the yellow Ice Age trail markers.

The Ice Age trail is 99.9% backcountry trails with only exception I noted being a half mile stretch alongside County Hwy P. That section left us exposed to the bone chilling wind that froze my second layer from my elbow to my shoulder on both arms. The hills we climbed and descended would have been hard enough on dirt, but since we were sometimes in knee deep snow, it made it all that much more difficult and tiring.

Kristen and I kept a remarkable pace right from the start. Within the first few hours, we passed the half distance racers and were behind only two of the solo racers that averaged 3.35mph (32mi finisher) and 2.56mph (48mi finisher) on the trails. Kristen and I finished with a 2.71mph pace for the 32miles.

We were having trouble staying hydrated after we left the second checkpoint (CP2) because the tubes to our hydration bladders were completly frozen. I forgot to shake-up the electrolyte powder in my bladder, rendering my sipping tube useless by sucking nothing but powder through. In that temperature, with no running water, I couldn't clear the tube, so we just kept moving, always making forward progress. It didn't help that from the constant tinkering of my water, the sipping tube slowly unscrewed itself almost all the way off. More than 80oz of water had slowly spilled down my back, freezing the DNA windproof jacket tied around my waist and the entire backside of my ski pants. Luckily it was so cold out, the water didn't penetrate my layers and froze almost instantly to my clothing. My jacket held that frozen shape until I did laundry Sunday morning.

Kristen and I started to hit our wall. Without being able to regularly hydrate, we would have to: stop moving (which is dangerous to let a sweaty body sit in zero degree weather); remove, unscrew and drink from our bladder; repack, reglove and set out again. This gave two solo racers the chance to pass us. Taking big gulps of water and forcing down food left us with a very full, and very nauseous, feeling that sped up our exhaustion.

It was during the final leg from CP3 - CP4 (back to the starting area) that Kristen and I decided that we would end our race at the 32 mile marker. Our fatigue, lack of communication and near frost bitten toes almost convinced us to give in. Unspoken but very much on each of our minds, we wanted to call Rod and give him our location and relieve us from our internal struggle. Luckily, we had each other for motivation, but those last four miles to the end were by far, the most difficult of the race. We had both checked out mentally, at one point were both near tears and ready to sit in a warm car to defrost our frozen, hurting bodies. Kristen is the reason that I made it those last four miles. She even asked me to tell one of my patented dumb jokes, and I couldn't. My mind couldn't break away from the pain in my feet and my desire to be done. My spirits soared when we came to the last trail crossing and realized that in a 1/2mile we would be heating up the car and eating a cheeseburger and hot soup.

Back in the car and out of the wet clothes, I was looking at my bruised and battered toes, I couldn't help but smile at what we had accomplished. 32 miles, uphill, downhill, through ungroomed snow, constantly fighting the urge to give up, constantly reassuring yourself that if you can just keep moving your feet, keep pumping your arms and poles to get you up this hill, constantly putting more and more distance between you and the teams behind you...that you will cross the finish line. It's that feeling why I race. It's that feeling that drives me everyday saying no matter what kind of finish line you're working towards, that it is absolutely possible for you to get there.

This was my first win in an organized race, and I loved every second of it.

Congratulations to everyone that raced and a big THANK YOU to the volunteers!

CLOTHING/GEAR
Salomon Gore-tex Ultra Pro trail runners
Seal Skinz waterproof socks
Smartwool Socks
Smartwool glove liner
Smartwool beanie
The North Face Himalayan mittens
OR Sonic balaclava
OR knee-high gaiters
Petzel Tikka headlamp
REI base layer tights
Under Armor base layer shirt
Columbia fleece mid layer
Mountain Hardware Vest
DNA Windproof jacket
LEKI trekking poles
Clif bars
HAMMER HEED electrolyte sports drink

TIPS/TRICKS/KNOWLEDGE GAINED
-Using liberal amounts of Vaseline on your toes virtually eliminates blisters (I have a little one and my feet have never been put through anything like this race).
-If you add a powdered drink to your hyrdration bladder, do not forget to mix it up.
-Kristen's trick for food is bacon. It's delicious, lightweight and full of calories.
-Use telescoping trekking poles if you have them. It takes weight off your knees, prolonging your ability to ascend/descend hills. Collapsable ones are easier to store when changing race disciplines.
-Use Ziploc baggies to keep extra socks dry and ready for use if you need them.
-Dryer lint can be used as kindling in an emergency if you need to build a fire (we didn't, but it's true)