Fab 5 Fifties Series

The Fab 5 Fifties series is set for 2010.

MN Trail Series Update

The MN Trail Series isn't quite set yet. Contact Jeff Allen at runjeffrun50k at yahoo.com.

February Member of the Month: Ross Jilk

When or how did you become a runner?
I was a swimmer when I was young, and running was only done as punishment or when the pool was over-chlorinated. While all my teammates were complaining, however, I secretly enjoyed those runs, despite the negative connotations. Since then I have become a runner twice; once in the mid-nineties to relieve stress as I finished my dissertation, and then again a few years ago to do something about my fitness. I really fell in love with it this time, however. I think the real difference is that this time I am trail running, whereas earlier I had been doing all my miles on the roads.

What's your favorite race or training run?
My favorite training run is the Whitetail Ridge trail in River Falls; six miles of single track with enough obstacles to keep me on my toes, and enough elevation changes to get my heart rate up. It is somewhat reminiscent of the snowshoe trail at Afton; though longer and without as many steep inclines. I love that it is only a couple minutes from my home, but I really think it would be worth the drive in from the cities as a change of pace. I haven’t developed a favorite race yet. Every trail race I have done has been great in a different way. However, I can say that the only race I have ever done with a big smile, ear to ear, for the entire race was the 50K at Afton last summer. That was a lot of fun.

Tell about a memorable training run or race.
I am obsessed with the Fall Superior Trail 50 mile race. I made SO many mistakes in that race; from getting off trail for an extra 2 miles of fun, starting too fast, not eating enough at the aid stations, getting dehydrated, etc. I finished, but those last seven miles coming in from Oberg were tough, tough, tough. This year, I am hoping to be able to do the entire 50 miles with that same ear to ear smile I wore at Afton last summer. My entire training this year will be focused on the rematch.

Do you have a piece of gear or shoe that you love?
Right now it’s my snowshoes! I have an old pair of Tubbs 10K racing shoes that I have been getting the most out of this winter. If you are a trail runner and haven’t tried snowshoeing yet, you really should treat yourself. It’s perfect for people who don’t mind working twice as hard to go a fraction of the pace while getting out enjoying an upper Midwest winter.

What do you crave when you're out on the trail for hours?
I have a hard time eating while I race. I lose my appetite while working that hard, and have to force myself to eat at aid stations. That having been said, I do crave a big helping of rice and beans as my recovery meal. I will sometimes literally find myself fantasizing about preparing the ingredients, doing the cooking, and sitting down and enjoying an extra large, guilt free serving. Good stuff.

What advice do you have for new trail runners?
Just enjoy the experience of being out running on the trails where you can use all of your senses. Well, you should probably know what you are doing before you start tasting along the trail, but use the other four for sure.

What's the trail or race you dream of trying?
I definitely would like to graduate to the Superior Sawtooth 100. One of the favorite parts of running the 50 last fall was meeting some of the people who were out there battling the full 100 miles. I hope to join them in 2011, after I learn how to properly run the last 50.

UMTR: Who Are We?

Upper Midwest Trail Runners are looking for runners to be part of our new Member of the Month profile. It's an easy way to tell other runners about yourself, maybe meet new running partners, or find out more about that runner who always finishes ahead of you. If you'd like to sign up or know of another runner who you want to hear more about, email Steve Quick. Steve will send out seven quick questions that runners can answer online, and then we'll post the responses. Don't be bashful, sign up now.

About Our Wiki

Our site is a bit different than other running club sites because we've opened certain pages on our site for our members to edit; after all, it's our members who make up the community of Upper Midwest Trail Runners. After you submit your membership, you'll be granted access to the collaborative pages on the site, including the activity calendar, a list of trails in the upper midwest, internet resources, and an event archive. We're using a wiki to accomplish this purpose and we hope you find it easy to participate. And don't worry about messing things up; it's just as easy to correct mistakes as it is to make them. Note that our wiki does not use an invite key. After you receive the email from the wiki site, establish your own username and password to use the wiki in the future.