Marji Gesick 50 - 2019

I guess I’ll start at the end and hopefully make my way back to the beginning before I get too far behind. Specifically, I’m going to start at the end of the journey of the last 9 months- the time that has passed since I signed up for the Marji Gesick 50 (actually 62 in the end). The 100 mile race has been billed as the “hardest single-day race in America.” The 50- is the more challenging half of this race. More info at marjigesick.com . This post is just the nuts and bolts- what I did, what worked and what didn't. I'll save some of the more introspective stuff for later. I wanted to get this part down before I forgot. The other stuff is going to stay with me a whole lot longer.

My alarm went off at 6am and I popped up and knew that today was finally the day. Grabbed my coffee and peanut butter bagel with time to spare before loading up the car and heading to Marquette Mountain along with fellow racers, Steve W, Bob, Rei, Earle, Mike, and Amy. Once parked, my nerves calmed down. I was there and the only thing I needed to do now was get to the start line. I had a few minutes to get some pep talks and pictures with friends before finding the bathroom and lining up. One thing that always cracks me up at mountain bike races is the line for the men's room vs the quick in and out of the women’s room. Because of the participation discrepancy, that’s the ONLY time I can think of it happening that way. After a quick stop there I went to line up. I’d watched the go-pro of the race start and talked to past riders and this part made me nervous. I knew I was a strong climber and would likely benefit from being a little closer to the front, but I’d ridden Ezy Rider a couple of times and was concerned that I might be too slow on line picking and didn’t want someone right on my wheel or having to stop suddenly for someone bailing in front of me. Because of this, I lined up at the back. I’d rather take my time here and reduce anxiety. Got in a few more hugs and good lucks and then we were off.

Steve and Laurie with me at the start.

I hadn’t pre-ridden this particular climb up the mountain- the one I had done shocked me for how LONG it was. I decided to go on my easiest gears and keep track of my breath. If I got out of breath, I’d walk. Luckily, the climb was a lot easier than I’d expected and was able to stay on my bike the whole way up- lucky that the riders directly in front of me did the same. Once at the top, I joined a long line of people waiting to drop into Ezy Rider. I hadn’t expected this. By starting in the back, I was also mixed in with Mini Marji riders- which included some extremely skilled youth riders- but 20” wheels do not go over roots the same way that the 29ers do. Plus, it was the first technical trail, so I think it was just a matter of a lot of people not yet spaced out on a single trail. Some patience paid off and soon I was sending it down. After so much traffic, the lines were obvious and it was an easy descent. Getting out of there was a great relief, but the stop and go march up technical green on the south trails continued. I knew I would be dabbing/ walking some, but it really took a long time to finally be riding. I wasn’t too worried though- the ride was going to be long and I was saved from burning any matches here. Once I got to Freak ‘n Nature, I was rolling at my own pace for the most part. We hit some dirt roads, the Wurst Aid station (the Dr. Pepper and beer really tasted good), and I got into a rockin’ pace line on the Iron Ore Heritage trail. I’m not usually a fan of drafting- too stressful- but this line was moving, but not too fast and there was a slight headwind. It was a welcome break- though I’d wished I worn eye protection as limestone bits were being flung. I got into Jackson Park feeling really fresh and ready to hit the RAMBA trails. One thing I recommend is to have a written list of things you want to do at the aid stops. It’s so hard to think of everything in the moment. I refilled fuel and water, but forgot that I wanted a cold brew coffee and chamois butter. As I headed out, I really hoped they would have my coffee at the next fill-up after Last Bluff.

Things were starting to get hot and humid out. I was drinking a ton of water and had caught up on fuel (shot blocks were awesome on the south trail as once we were moving, I didn’t have time to reach for my bottle often). Even with that, I could feel the twinges of potential cramps. I went back and forth with a few riders- walked up some climbs that I’d planned to ride due to traffic, but was overall still feeling like I had good momentum. As I hit bacon strip, I started really wishing that Steve (support crew)  had decided on the traffic circle for support. I was just about out of fuel in my bottle and my Camelbak was starting to feel light. We popped out of bacon strip and Jessica (a woman I’d been enjoying riding with) yelled that her crew had some pickle juice and would I like some? I declined as I figured I still had some water and it wasn’t going to be long before I got to my crew. Plus I hate pickles and only want to go that route as a last resort. I made 2 mistakes here- I also skipped the well-stocked Broken Spoke tent and right as I got through the straight shot trail to Last Bluff, I was completely out of water too. I would say that this is where I got into my worst mental state during the race. I was really worried about cramping and I had nothing to help myself with it. I went conservatively on the climbs and made it through to my people waiting for me at the end. I was surprised to see that Bob and Rei (friends racing) were just leaving- I’d assumed that they would be really far ahead. I took a little more time here to make sure I had all the fuel and water that I needed. I added an extra Fizz tab to my Go-Far and downed a couple of Endurolyte pills along with some amino acids. I also slammed my cold brew coffee. My stomach felt a little funny as I left, but it worked itself out and I was feeling GREAT within a couple of miles. Leaving this spot I knew I just had some fun section 16 trail with a few brutal climbs/ descents to go before hitting Jackson Park again. I was off. Earle (another rider in our group) had left around the same time and we hung together much of this section. It was fun- I think we’d kind of settled into a comfortable pace and had given up on the punchiest climbs. We rolled into Jackson Park together.

Feeling better post fill-up!

I’d looked forward to this stop, because I knew there would be a burrito waiting for me. I took a little more time this rest to use the bathroom, reapply the chamois butter, and eat. Unfortunately the food didn’t taste good, but I ate some anyway. I took off for the last 15 ahead of Earle, who was still enjoying his whitefish burrito. I was starting to feel really confident that I was going to finish. I’d put in some good effort, but my body felt great. No pain. Also, I’d ridden the Epic Loop twice in preparation, so it was comforting knowing what was coming. The 100 mile racers started passing while I was on Dirty Mary- I didn’t even know until Matt Acker flew past me after he’d told me what I great job I was doing and politely asked for the pass. I’d assumed that the 100 riders would just start yelling “100 RIDER COMING THROUGH.” The next few that passed were also polite and I made sure to cheer. They made it look so easy!!!

Each technical piece of trail that I completed, I relished the fact that I’d been able to do it in the daylight. I had decided to not have any clocks/mile indicators on my computer. Only the map. I figured, when I was done, I’d be done. No use obsessing over how slow the miles were going or how many remained. I’d really lost all concept of time. As I left AM/FM I rejoiced! I had done the scariest parts that I knew before dark! At some point after that, I rode a section of trail next to Lake Sally, across from a hill of mining ledges. I stopped to breathe in the fresh air as there was a nice breeze. All afternoon if felt like it was threatening to storm, but had held off. This was a perfectly peaceful moment and I soaked it in. I also looked at the clock on my phone for the first time before I took a picture. A little before 6pm. What?!? I was going to finish in the daylight!!! That was a HUGE boost.

Photo doesn't do it justice. A gorgeous section of trail.

The trail continued through some really cool rock outcrops (is that the correct word?) and some more hike-a-bike. I then rolled down to a lake where familiar faces directed me to cross. The person I’d been riding with crossed ahead of me without issue, so I went for it. Unfortunately I hit some rocks on the bottom and put my foot down. In the lake. I thought about switching shoes, but with only 5 (actually probably 8) miles to go, I preferred to keep my soaked, but properly sized, shoe on. I got my water topped off and hit some hike-a-bike jeep roads and then Cry Baby- once I got here I knew I had a challenge ahead, but KNEW I was going to make it! 

Wet foot. Darn hecklers!!!

Cry Baby seemed longer than I’d remembered it (probably because I’d actually ridden most of it the first time), but then I knew that Jasper Knob was the last stop before the coast into Ishpeming. After a little trickery on Jasper Knob I rolled into an awesome cheering crowd. I’d done it!!! This thing that I’d been chasing for 9 months had happened and the hard work had paid off! I finished faster than expected and I felt great!!! I grabbed my Blame Danny beer and then spent the next few hours cheering others in and eating Congress Pizza. 6/7 of my housemates finished the MG50 and spirits were very high! We’d done it!!!

I started thinking about 2020 right away. The rides I’d do to prepare, how I’d try not to walk so much, how I was going to make damn sure that my friend Dawn makes it across the finish line too. Who knows how it will all play out in the end, but I’m really excited to continue my Marji journeys!!! And a HUGE thank you to everyone for the help along the way!

***Edit***
Of course, after I hit publish I think of a zillion more things to add. What worked for me, may not work at all for someone else. I chose to ride solo. It's not that I didn't want to share the experience with friends, I just felt that in order to finish, I needed to listen to my body the entire time. I did the first loop of the Hanson Hills 50 race with friends and while I had a blast, I went too fast and didn't fuel properly resulting in such bad cramps 5 miles from the end, that I wasn't sure I could finish. I used this as a learning lesson. For Marji, I figured a riding buddy would happen while on the course or not at all. I ended up sharing my ride with about 3 awesome people- two of which I didn't know beforehand. Those stretches were fun, but each time I lost track of my ride and had to make some adjustments to be sure that I was going to have enough left in the tank.

I should also note- these trails are HARD. I think my post breezes through the difficulty, probably because nothing surprised me on race day. That's because I'd been fortunate to be able to get up to Marquette several times to ride. My first time on these trails was eye opening- the punchy climbs, technical switchbacks (my nightmare), ROCKS, and exposure. My skill level grew a lot, but there are still parts that I've walked every time I've gotten to them. I plan for that to not always be the case, but these trails throw it ALL at you, all the time. But that's what makes this race so fun. You are engaged and in it the whole time. There's no getting bored, you're going from one challenge to another and living in the moment. I'm still looking back a week later and thinking - HOLY SH*T I did that!!!

My next post will be about my "why" and what I did to train. 

Turning in my tokens at the finish!

Nitty gritty details (in case anyone is interested):

Bike –      2015 Specialized Rumor 29 – 120mm travel XC32 fork

Wheels –  Roval Fattie Traverse – Carbon

Dropper – PNW Cascade (external routing)

Tires –      Front 2.4” Ardent EXO TR

                 Rear 2.2” Ikon EXO

                 Race Face Chester Pedals (flats) w/ Five Ten Contact shoes
Gearing-   30T chainring, 11-42 10 speed cassette

1.5 Liter Camelbak (water)

20oz water bottle (2x Go-Far + Fizz)

In Camelbak -

Baby wipes

Xtra battery – pack

Chamois Butter

Shot Blocks

Go-Far

Tube

Spare Valve

Presta valve cores

Hand Pump

Zip ties

Duct tape

Tire plugs

Derailleur Hanger

Masterlinks

Chain Tool

Multi Tool

First aid kit

Bite valve

Little chain lube

Nutrition Plan:

Breakfast (6am): Bagel/Toast, eggs and/or peanut butter, coffee

At start (Mt. Marquette) to Mile 18 (Negaunee 1st time) –  2.5 hrs:

Full Camelbak of water

Double strong Go-Far with Fizz/Nuun tab (good for 2hrs). Shot blocks.

18 Miles (Negaunee 1st time) to 43 Miles (Negaunee 2nd time) – 4.5 hrs:

Fill up Camelbak with water

Double strong Go-Far with Fizz/Nuun tab (good for 2hrs). Shot blocks.

Last Bluff trail angels-

Fill up Camelbak with water

Double strong Go-Far with 2 Fizz/Nuun tab (good for 2hrs).

Rice cake

Cold Brew

2 Endurolytes

  

43 Miles (Negaunee 2nd time) to 58 (Finish)– 3.5 hrs:

Fill up Camelbak with water

Double strong Go-Far with Fizz/Nuun tab (good for 2hrs). Shot blocks.

BG Chicken Border Burrito

Lake trail Angels

Fill up Camelbak with water

2 Endurolytes