Running a 100 mile race has been on my list of goal races for years, at first as a ‘probably-not-possible-but-don’t-rule-it-out’ goal, and then after running a 100k in the spring of 2023, it turned into a ‘maybe-possible(?)’ goal. Another reason it didn’t seem feasible was because I kept signing up for another Ironman hastily post-race, seeking redemption, lol. Even with my crazy race ideas, I knew doing a 100 mile race and an Ironman in the same year would be tough (especially all of the hours of training) and wasn’t something I wanted to attempt. However after racing Kona last October, I decided no Ironman in 2024, it was going to be the year of the 100 mile race attempt.

Since my running volume is generally pretty low with Ironman training, I knew I would need some time to build up a decent base for ultra training. Also, after a surgical consult in December, I had surgery planned for a hernia repair at the end of January, so the race would need to be in the fall. Hennepin Hundred was on my list of possible races as I was familiar with rail-trail terrain from previous races and it fit my timeline as it was in October. Recovery from the surgery went well and I ran a half marathon in early April, Ironman Chattanooga 70.3 in May and Ironman Des Moines 70.3 in June. Then it was time to switch over to focusing on running! I ran the Get Your Butt Kicked 6 hour race in July and Night Train 12 Hour race in August to help prepare for the race.

One of the toughest things I discovered with training was that my stomach was extra picky after 3 hours of running. I was able to get away with it on the run during an Ironman (usually with a quick porta potty stop), but going this long and far, that just wasn’t going to cut it. I needed to figure out what would work best for my stomach and not make it angry. So after lots of research I found several types of ‘real’ food that would be easy on the stomach. I tried PB&J, boiled potatoes, peanut butter pretzels, gluten free pop-tarts, Bobo’s Oat bars, to name a few. My stomach did ‘ok’ with those things, but it never felt like it was digesting, and usually by the 3 hour mark I still ended up with stomach issues. I finally gave in and tried Immodium before a run and it actually worked! I didn’t experience any nausea as a side effect (aside from feeling like the food just sat there) and decided that was going to be part of my race plan.

However I was still on the hunt for nutrition that wouldn’t feel like it was sitting in my stomach and decided to go back to the gel route. After more research I settled on Sis and Maurten gels as both had strong reviews for being gentle on the stomach. I tested both on a few runs and to my surprise, they worked really well, and I did not have any feeling of fullness in my stomach as I kept taking them. Hooray, four weeks before my race, I finally had figured out my nutrition (cutting it close!). I knew a race nutrition plan consisting of all gels sounded dangerous (on the stomach) however I thought it would be the best plan for me based on all of my experimenting. However I had only tested it on five hours of running so I wasn’t sure how it would go as the race went on, but regardless, I had a plan. I also knew as a back up plan what foods that worked ok, even if they didn’t settle well knowing at least they wouldn’t send me running for the bathroom.

After many miles and hours logged, it was finally time to race! JMR and I drove to the race Friday, went to the bib pickup, dropped off my drop bags, and then attended the pre-race meeting. It wasn’t until I was sitting in the school gymnasium with ALL of the other runners that I started getting nervous. It was my first ‘big’ ultra race, usually the ones I have done have been pretty small which seems to keep my stress levels low. Also when they had people raise their hands if this was their first 100… not very many raised them Oh boy, I really felt like a novice. I kept telling myself that I had put in the training, my body was ready, and tried to stay calm.

That night I ate my usual pre-race chicken and rice, and was so nervous I even skipped my usual evening M&Ms just to be on the safe side with my stomach. I also spent time taping my left big toe as the outside of it has been sore during runs and I was afraid it would get a blister. My alarm was set for 3:45a and it was go time. I ended up spending too much time re-taping my toe as it felt like with my first taping job the tape was pulling on my toenail. I had visions of the toenail getting a blister under it from the tugging, and after that experience happening during the 100k, I really wanted to avoid it. We headed to the race start at 4:50a where JMR dropped me off and I walked to the bus pickup line. I nervously chatted with other runners as we waited and soon the buses arrived for the hour-ish drive to the start. Once we arrived I headed to the porta potties, then headed to the grass to stretch and finally got my big baggie of nutrition and loaded up my vest with gels and skratch.

With ten minutes to go I headed to the start, pulled my gaiters down, and got ready. Then we were off!

Hennepin Hundred Race Report