BY KIM KEDINGER
The moments between the hustle of raising a family and/or building a career, those are the in-betweens. They are the small pockets of time you get that are just for YOU. The time you get to dream big, sit quietly or go after those scary goals.
Using the In-betweens to Train for my Next 100k
I decided to use my in-betweens to go after a second 100k in preparation for a 100 Miler later this year. (If you remember, I shared about completing my first 100k in January 2022.) This meant squeezing in workouts between work and kids’ sports, between sleep and 5am trail runs. It was about using my time wisely and carving out pockets of time to get adequate training in.
With a 50k and a 50 Miler already under my belt this year, my plan was to use this 100k race to practice consistency. If you aren’t familiar with ultra running, it isn’t a sprint to the finish but a long endurance race that consists of not only physical strength but mental toughness. The biggest challenge is how to keep your body moving in a forward motion. From hydration and fuel to pace and adapting to the unknowns, all play into your success. No two races are the same so preparing for all the possibilities of unknown challenges is key!
The 6 months leading up to my next 100k were spent training with my friend, Jess, who was set to complete her second 100 Miler. We trained in all sorts of conditions from -40 below zero speed workouts to 4 hour trail runs in the rain. We put ourselves through every scenario we could face at a race. I felt strong and ready for the Kettle 100k race (62ish miles – this course was long at 64 miles). Another good friend of mine, Tricia, also signed up for the 100k and Jess signed up for the 100 Miler. After training with Tricia these last few months, we agreed our goals matched and we would run this race together until one of us felt the need to breakaway or slow the pace.
Kettle 100 Race Day
It was race morning. At 6am Jess and the other 100 Milers headed out. At 7am Tricia and I followed suit. We ran the same course as the 100 Milers. Only difference was when we finished our race (64 miles), the 100 Milers had to go out for an additional 38 miles.
The first 20 miles were great. The temps were still cool. The pace was a bit fast but that seems to be my norm of any start. Once we hit a section of meadow the temps were rising and the sun was hot. Ice became our new best friend! At mile 30 we got to see our crew who welcomed us with ice bandannas. Oh my word those were AHHHMAZING! Who would have thought some smiling faces and ice could change one’s mental game.
By the halfway point my legs were cramping from the heat. Water, electrolytes, and shots of pickle juice at every aid station wasn’t helping. I gave in and took some ibuprofen and washed it down with my go-to Tailwind. It did the trick! Back on track. The miles started to feel long at this point. Tricia and I rode the waves of feeling good then feeling crappy. We kept our spirits up and enjoyed miles of talking along with miles of silence. Perfect balance of both. At mile 46 Tricia decided to slow the pace to keep her heartrate in check.
Ultra Running takes a Village
I enjoyed my alone time making small talk with nearby runners. At mile 50 I decided it was time to up my game. I was tired but still had gas left in the tank. I increased my pace. I secretly wanted to catch up to Jess to share some miles with her. I came up to the final aid station at mile 57 (7 miles to go). I got word that Jess was 5 mins ahead of me. It was go time. I refilled my water bottles, grabbed 2 shots of pickle juice, and was back on the course. My legs were feeling heavy. I pushed on knowing when I caught Jess and her pacer (also a rockstar trail sister of mine) I could slow my pace.
With 5 miles to go I could see them ahead rounding a corner. I yelled, “If I have 5 miles left and 2 hours to finish, will I make it?” An inside joke from Jess’s first 100 Mile race where she was insistent we would do her pace math calculations. Let’s just say when you run a 100 Miler your brain struggles to do math problems. I caught up to the two of them and they welcomed me with open arms. I felt emotion overcome me as my eyes filled up with tears knowing I was going to get to finish my race with these two by my side. We chatted and laughed those last 5 miles. The two of them pushed me ahead to take in the glory of crossing the finish line.
Tears of joy ran down my face as I not only accomplished a huge goal, but I got to share it with so many of my friends (on and off the course). Words can’t describe what goes into ultra running. It truly takes a village to make these goals possible. I’m pretty damn lucky to have an amazing group of individuals in my corner.
100k Goals Crushed
My goals….
- Finish in less than 14 hours
- Hold a pace 12-13 minutes
- Stay on point with hydration and fuel
- Push the pace at mile 50
- Enjoy my time in nature
I crushed them all and then some!
Cheering On Other Ultrarunners
The story doesn’t end here! After a quick celebration, the job at hand was to get Jess back out on the course! I wished her well and off she went with her pacers. 38 miles to go through the darkness of the night.
I knew Tricia wasn’t far behind me, so I made my way back to the finish line. As I patiently waited for her headlight to shine through the darkness, I found myself taking in all the emotions of others crossing the finish line. Some smiles from ear to ear, others barely able to take another step. Everyone had a story, a reason for their goal. Something so personal that set them apart from everyone else. Their tears of joy, accomplishment and grit that got them there was theirs and only theirs to keep.
I sat and watched the volunteers, other crew and complete strangers help support one another to power through complete exhaustion to get to that finish line. It was absolutely amazing to witness. I was soaking it all in. Before I knew it, I saw a pair of bright neon yellow short and a beaming headlamp coming up over the final hill. Excitement over came me as Tricia threw her hands up in the air and crossed the finish line. Tears! Yes, more tears were shed! I’ll let that finish line photo speak for itself!
The 100 Miler Nightshift
Now it was time to crew the nightshift for Jess. The rain swept in and had no plans to leave. Each hour seemed to take longer and longer. Waiting and watching between the raindrops for headlights to emerge from the darkness. At each aid station Jess and her pacers would arrive in good spirits. They were doing it! Powering on and powering through.
I snuck in a quick snooze before Jess’s final aid station. My body felt weak, my feet were trashed but when the group came into that aid station – I got my mojo back! Let’s be real, the comedy club of the rest of the crew surviving on zero hours of sleep was enough to keep anyone entertained! Jess had a look on her face and was clearly feeling the miles but there was no quitting now!
The Final Miles of the 100 Miler
I jump in and a group of four of us headed out to power on for those final 7 miles. Each one of us feeling the miles take a toll on our body in different ways but very little was said. It was time for the mental toughness to kick in. The small talk was far and few between, but the chatter began around mile 98 when the math problems came back in. “If you are going to beat your time from last year…… x + y – z = we need to run the last 4 miles starting right NOW!” Holy sh*t that is what Jess did!
Out of nowhere we were running the straightaways and powering down the downhills. My feet were screaming, and I could barely keep up. One of the gals in our group is named “The Closer” because she’s so stinking motivating. She’s the one you want to push you through your mental struggles with her tough love and determination to get you to the finish. Next thing I know “The Closer” was doing her thing and keeping Jess moving. At one point I looked over and whispered, “I can’t keep up with Jess”. Jess was on fire! Kicking butt and passing people.
The final mile was one for the books! So strong! So determined! So impressive! She did it…..broke her time from last year with time to spare! You can probably guess what happened next. Yes, more tears! The champagne was popped! Celebration began!
These are the in-betweens! The moments money can’t buy. The moments that set you apart from the rest of the world. The moments that make you who YOU are!
Kim Kedinger’s number one hobby is finding adventure. She is an ultra runner and OCR Racer. She participated in the 2022 OCR World Championships back on September 22-25 and recently crewed her ultra-running friends, while putting in some miles herself, at Wild Duluth 2022. She has also made it a personal goal to trail run all of the Ice Age Trail. She is known for cheering on her family and friends with a contagious force. And most importantly, she deeply loves and shares life with her husband, four children, and two dogs. Connect with Kim
