A 50-Mile Masterclass: My Journey on the Superior Hiking Trail
The early September chill in Minnesota bit at my skin as I stood at the starting line. It was 5 AM, still pitch black, the kind of deep dark you only get in thick woods. Headlamps bobbed around me, cutting paths into the Superior Hiking Trail as we kicked off the Superior 50-mile race. The air was cool, smelling of damp dirt and pine, and a light mist hit my face on and off, making the super rocky and root-filled trail, along with its wooden bridges quite slick.
This race, though, wasn't about a personal best or just finishing. My goal was more specific—a practice run for the 100-miler I'm planning next year. That meant changing things up, deliberately practicing how I'd tackle those really long distances. The first few hours were all about taking it easy, I ran at a pretty easy pace, making conversation with my fellow racers and letting my body warm up while the sun slowly peeked through the dense tree cover.
Dialing in my nutrition and keeping my stomach feeling good was another big priority of mine for this event. I focused on snacking regularly, even when I wasn't feeling hungry yet, and opted for a high-carb drink mix in my soft flasks instead of just plain water to stay on top of my nutritional needs. My crew for the day was my husband (and golden retriever who takes his job of greeting runners at aid stations very seriously—it’s a tough job but someone has to do it!). To stick with my 100-mile plan, I asked my husband to only meet me every 20 miles (plus one extra stop near the end). This forced me to rely on myself more, which will be key for those long stretches between aid stations in a 100-miler. I also took my time at aid stations to carefully re-tape my feet and swap out socks, a small detail that really helps prevent blisters and makes you more comfortable over big miles.
The main idea was simple: finish the race feeling somewhat tired, but not totally wiped out. I wanted to cross that finish line still able to run, still in a good mood, and with enough energy left to know I could've kept going.
And…I did it! I finished in about 14 hours, which is a decent time for this course. The Superior Hiking Trail is no joke, with all its roots, rocks, and hills that constantly demand your attention and slow you down. There’s even a small amount of light bouldering involved!
I definitely think using VO2 Boost during my training and on race day. It allowed me to train hard and bounce back faster, which was huge for doing three ultras in three months this summer/fall and feeling as good as I possibly could during them.
While most aspects of the event went really well, the last hour threw a bit of a curveball: heavy rain. It started pouring, and what was a sporadic light mist turned into a full-on rainstorm. On the narrow, heavily wooded Superior Hiking Trail, this meant the path itself turned into a small, flowing creek, making every step a real “Jesus take the wheel” moment. Luckily, I grabbed my hiking poles with about 10 miles left. They were lifesavers, and kept me upright on more than one muddy section. My big mistake, though, was not expecting the cold rain. Without warm clothes, my hands got so numb I couldn't unwrap food. Definitely a lesson for future races with cold and/or wet weather!
Even with the wet finish, it was an amazing day on the trails. I left the race feeling confident about running a 100-miler next year and continuing to pursue big distances. My pacing was great, I stayed positive the whole time, and my nutrition plan worked out really well. Plus, with two other ultras under my belt in the couple of months before, my body felt strong and ready. The Superior 50 was more than just a race; it was a good test, a successful practice run for strategy and toughness, and a solid stepping stone toward my next big challenge.
Photo credit: Scott Rokis Photography
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