Run Club in training before Trail Loppet

The City of Lakes Run Club had been training for the City of Lakes Loppet for 11 weeks. Beginning practices on the heels of the Tri-Loppet in June, the group of thirty had been meeting twice a week throughout the summer to train, motivate, commiserate, and learn the trails together. “This is the largest Run Club the Loppet has ever seen,” said Loppet Foundation director John Munger who came out for several of the groups runs.

Trisha enjoying her Surly after the race.

With Coach Robin Brandt laying out the training plan, as well as several dedicated facilitators who helped guide folks along the trails, the group met biweekly for alternating hill and long distance workouts. The group would gather Monday evenings before the run to hear guest speakers highlight topics ranging from neck and back care, to ultra-marathon running to yoga. The rest of the week group members were on their own to do strength training, intervals and mid-distance runs. Athletes from diverse racing experiences joined the club: some were marathoners new to trail running, some folks were hooked on half marathons, and some were just interested in a new challenge.

Reuniting post race on Monday, the group bypassed their regular work-out time to recap their races over beer and coffee at a local coffee shop near Wirth. “Kathleen would have won “most Surliest Runner” said her husband Jeff Van Wychen “if she had not washed the blood and dirt from her knees after taking a spill in the first mile after hitting a root”. The group, who had run the trail in the aftermath of the early summer tornado, was impressed how well it was cleared for the race.

Run-Club celebrates post-race at Cuppa Java.

Reliving the painful climbs, the feelings of exhaustion, and the elation that it was all done, the group chuckled over their race-day experiences. “What kept you going?” asked Ingrid Remak who competed in her first half marathon that day. “The shame and humiliation of not finishing and having to show my face at Run Club,” replied Trisha Davies chuckling. Without a second thought, Heidi Erickson chimed in, “the Surly at the finish of course.”

The group mediated over the work-outs from this past season, and began brainstorming the Run Club model for next year. “It’s interesting that you people sign up to do this race again,” said Davies who, still in post race shock, was surprised folks are so willing to put their bodies through that course again. “It’s inertia,” said fellow Run Club member Cynthia Osterling. “You get to a point and you just can’t help but sign up.”

With Omar Ansari, the owner and founder of Surly Brewing Co. at the starting gate firing athletes up on the mic before joining the ranks or racers himself, the participants had only a half marathon standing between them and the foaming brew, that is, thirteen miles of winding single track paths, open fields, rocks, roots, woods and climbs: nearly 2,000 ft of collective elevation gain, about the height of two Empire State buildings. Jeff Van Wychen, compared the course to other trail runs he’s done remarked, “This one is a lot more “trail-y” than most.” At one point on the course, the path diverged with two signs pointing to “ick” and “no ick”. “Ick” was through a sinking muddy sludge pool, and “no ick” involved ducking and running through the bramble and log debris to the right of the mud; the choice was yours.

The menu of events on Saturday was not limited to the Half-Marathon, and athletes showed up to compete in 5K, 13K and Nordic walking events. Participants ranged from middle schoolers on the Anwatin Ski Team, to members of the Loppet Run-Club, to Surly fans, to recreational runners, to some of the best cross-country skiers in the state. There were a total of 715 registrants, 150 more participants than last year. In addition to age class awards, the grand prize was presented to the winners of the Hoigaard’s Challenge: Bearskin Lodge accommodations for those athletes who competed in all three Loppet events (City of Lakes Loppet, Tri-Loppet and Trail Loppet) with the fastest times throughout the year.

Trail running is a newer phenomenon, but slowly catching the eye of many road racers. “You get to run along beautiful trails, it’s better on your knees, and half the time you are thinking of forest and the path as opposed to the rest of your race,” said David Bitner who helped facilitate the Loppet Run Club sessions this year. Many athletes are drawn to trail running because there is an element of surprise, beauty, and interest on the trails. “What is great about having a race at Wirth, is that you can train on these trails throughout the year. You can see them through the seasons, and get to know them inside and out,” said Race Director John Munger who often describes his trail runs through Wirth as meditation.

With its own “heart break hill” in the last half mile of the course, the City of Lakes Trail Loppet was a challenging course, even for some of the best cross-country skiers in the state. However, the gentle hum buzzing from the ranks under the dappled summer light represented the lightheartedness, joy and spirited energy associated with this run. “Do you hear that?” said longtime Loppet Trail Run participant Mary Vancura at the start line. “There are people talking. People never talk at the beginning of road races. I love this.”

She was one of the five lasting members of the Anwatin Ski Team to make it through each of the three of the City of Lakes Loppet events: The City of Lakes Loppet (cross-country skiing), the Tri- Loppet (a paddle to a trail run to a mountain bike ride), and the Trail Loppet (a 5K run on the trails of Theodore Wirth Park).  Mike and Muaj Xiong, Saysetha Philaphandeth, and Adia Froehle-Baker joined Glory in completing all three events.  Only a handful of women and men participate in all three events- so the fact that these athletes were training and competing at such a young age was quite an accomplishment.

These diehard athletes are known not only for enthusiastically and skillfully embarking on the trail, but for their energy and willingness to help clean up after the events.  “You should have seen them biking the 21/2 and 5 gallons of water on their bikes when we were cleaning up after the Tri-Loppet.  These are some great kids,” complimented director John Munger.

On Saturday, the Anwatin Ski team arrived at the starting gates sporting their summer mountain bike jerseys.  Despite being among the youngest to participate, they did not show any jitters, nor were they strangers to the trail.  With their school resting on the edge of the park, the Anwatin Ski team members are at home on the winding and tangled paths of Wirth.  “They have probably spent more time in Eloise than any of the racers today,” thought Ingrid Remak who has been coaching the Anwatin team for the past several weeks.

Over the course of the last 11 months, the ski team has traipsed through the woods in snow, sun, rain and slush.  They have tried a smorgasbord of activities in the forest and been privy to the various sights and sounds of the woods as the season change.  With the final Loppet challenge now behind them, the Anwatin Ski team is looking forward to getting back on the snow.  “I just want to ski again,” said Muaj.  And he won’t have too wait long.  The Anwatin Ski Team tryouts will be held after school starting at the end of October, with snow scheduled soon after that (hopefully…).

As the team came together for their last summer practice of the season they put their hands together, and in true skier fashion, cried out on three, “Think snow!”  With all the power the Anwatin Ski team can muster up, we shouldn’t have to wait for snow for long…

Until then, some of the Anwatin skiers will have the opportunity to do some mountain biking on their own.  As a member of the Anwatin Ski team, if you attended 19 or more practices or races over the course of the summer, you would receive a mountain bike from the Nordic Ski Foundation.  A workshop on bike care will take place in the following weeks for the kids who earned a bicycle.

Tying together scraps of rope, the team made a lanyard long enough to span the space between the trees.  Trying sticks, stones, and ultimately settling on a water bottle, Dan threw a winning toss over one branch.  But when he tried to make it a double over the other side, he got the water bottle stuck dangling well beyond his reach.  “We’ve come so far.  I’m committed,” he said.   But the team continued to struggle.  They tried to reach with the ends of the finish line flags but to no avail.  Then a thought dawned on Dan, “Let me see what junk I have in my truck.”  He returned a moment later with gleaming eyes and success already won… ski poles.  Hopping on top of a picnic tables, he stretched the ski pole to the sky, and using the loop at the top, grabbed the water bottle and was able to pull the chord to the ground.

“Hurraah!” The team cried.  Gregg went to the tree and pulled the rope tight on the opposite end lifting the banner higher still.  Allie gave her approval viewing the banner from a far and the comrades made their final knots.  Dan stepped back from his work chucking under his breath, “ski poles save the day.”  Gregg, who was already smiling looking at the sight, added his own poetry to the moment, “Surly under the burly oaks,” (and indeed, they were burr oaks).  His teammates nodded their heads in approval.  “Awesome,” Allie concurred, and as a dreamy after thought concluded, “I just love ski poles.”

There is additional parking on Washburn and Xerxes, to the east of the start/finish area, but please be respectful of the neighbors.

Those who can bike, walk, run or carpool with at least four participants in the car will receive a free brat or hot dog for their efforts. Note that Penn Cycle is sponsoring a bike corral with convenient parking right near the start/finish line.

The contest will take place immediately after the awards ceremony.  You must be present to win.  Come to the Surly tent to get your name on the “Most Messed Up” list before awards start.  We will take scrapes, blood, sprains, lacerations, breaks…anything goes!  There is going to be “applaus-o-meter” judged by a Surly Volunteer and the Director of the Loppet.

The worse off you are, the better your chances of winning.

*Cheating is not acceptable*

Welcome to the Trail Loppet 2011

Related:

Sign up at the Surly Tent for a drawing for two tickets to Surlyfest. Surlyfest starts later in the day on Saturday. Must be present to win.

Surly will also have a prize for Most Surly Runner.