Carry On My Wayward Son! Kansas Rails-to-Trails Extravaganza 50 mile Ultra-Run
Carry On My Wayward Son! Kansas Rails-to-Trails Extravaganza 50 mile Ultra-Run
The East and West Coasts have primarily been my stomping grounds. When I committed to run a marathon or ultra-run in all 50 states my main intention was that it would get me to a lot of places I probably wouldn’t have gone to otherwise. And my intention was to actually see and experience those places. No just getting on a plane—running the race—and getting right back on the plane for me.
It’s been more than 40 years since I was in Kansas. It was on my second cross-country bike ride and mainly through the state’s western half. This time I was heading to the state’s eastern half and in for some pleasant surprises. First of all, Eastern Kansas is not flat! It’s hilly and with lots of forest cover. The small towns outside of the Kansas City Metro area are graced with beautiful homes and inviting historic downtowns. The landscape is pastoral and absolutely gorgeous and I was stoked to be running through it participating in the Kansas Rails-to-Trails Extravaganza 50 mile run!
I first spent a couple of days in Kansas City MO. KC embraced the City Beautiful Movement in the early 1900s leaving it with an incredible aesthetic legacy of impressive Art Deco buildings, grand boulevards, sprawling forested parks, and scads of cultural landmarks. I couldn’t believe I never thought about visiting here before. As a history geek I spent two complete days at the Harry S Truman National Historic Park in Independence MO, the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and the amazing National World War I Museum. Mentally I was exhausted (but intellectually content) afterward and looked forward to the run!
I settled into my hotel in tiny Ottawa (population 12,600) where the race was being staged from. The race is one of several directed by Oklahoma based Outlaw 100. The course was an out and back on the Prairie Sprit Trail.
We would only be experiencing half of the 51 mile long trail. The 118 mile Flint Hills Rail Trail intersects it at Ottawa making this little city a popular cycling destination. I checked in at race headquarters to get my number—then set out to get my usual pre-race dinner fare—a fajita burrito. I had seven Mexican restaurants to choose from in this small college city!
Race day morning I was up at 4 am for the 7 am start. After downing three cups of coffee, yogurt, banana and a breakfast scramble of eggs, cheese, peppers, sausage and of course potatoes, I was ready to start my 50 mile run! It was dark and only 40 degrees. But we were in for a perfect day—sunny, a slight breeze and 65 degrees. It was in the 80s when I arrived in KC and the days following my race it was back in the 80s with a 30 mph wind. The weather gods looked upon us favorably today!
At 7 am we were off into the dark running through Ottawa. The trail was lit in the small city, so headlamps weren’t necessary. The race field was small—only 43 in the 50 mile. But there were other coinciding runs on the trail—a 100 mile, 100K, 50K, Marathon, Half Marathon and 5 mile. So there would be a good number of us out on the trail for at least the early hours—then just those crazies doing the long distances.
Most of my fellow runners hailed from Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma and Nebraska. Several asked me why I came all the way from Washington to run this race. Why not a bigger race in Kansas City or Wichita instead? I love big city races. But I love small town races too—especially on a scenic historic rail trail. And being on a rail trail with its crushed limestone surface and gentle grades meant I could really push it and perhaps finish with a decent time. My main goal was to finish before sunset at 6:28, but ideally I wanted to come in before 5 pm with a sub 10 hour run. I started strong and clocked 6 mile hours.
Leaving Ottawa we were greeted with a glorious sunrise over the prairie. The trail was lined with ashes, oaks, walnuts and hickories whose yellow leaves glowed radiantly in the morning light. It was magical! We had several towns to run through along the way—Princeton (population 250), Richmond (population 440) and Garnett (population 3,200). Now away from Kansas City I was experiencing what most of Kansas is like—open countryside! The state is one of the least densely populated. The horizons are big.
Much of the way was through beautiful hardwood forest. We made a couple of bridged river crossings and skirted ranches and farms. And we passed a couple of towering grain elevators—an iconic Kansas structure. Agriculture is huge in Kansas. It’s the number one wheat producing state. But the state grows potatoes too, albeit on a small scale making Kansas 19th among spud growers. Its annual potato production is around 1.4 million cwt (hundredweight). In contrast, Washington ranks number two in the nation with an annual production exceeding 100 million cwt and accounting for nearly a quarter of the country’s total production!
Kansas is the Sunflower State, but I missed the bloom which typically occurs in late summer. But sunflower symbols can be seen everywhere in Kansas—on the state flag, state highway signs and other insignia. Sunflowers seeds are excellent fuel for runners providing large doses of Vitamin E (which fights inflammation) and Selenium (an antioxidant). Sprinkle them on a baked potato with its large doses of potassium (muscle health), Vitamin C (boost immunity) and Vitamin B6 (boost immunity) and you’ve got a power snack! I consume both of these foods regularly on ultra-runs.
With my mental playlist set to Kansas the band’s Carry on Wayward Son and Point of No Return (but not Dust in the Wind!) and Glen Campbell’s Wichita Lineman I plodded on! At around mile 23 I ran with Kelli who provided me with great conversations, perfect for diverting the mind from the run. We talked about the upcoming election, ultra-running, raising kids, Washington and Nebraska. I love engaging with folks on the run and hearing their stories and about their lives. It enriches my race experience. At the turn around we refueled and parted. She picked up her pace and finished first for the women.
After passing the 50K mark at 5 hours 40 minutes I started struggling. But at mile 37 I met Eric who saved my race! I was having a hard time putting down food and need calories, but I was out of my preferred energy drink Tailwind. He graciously gave me a couple of packets of it (he packs plenty) which ultimately gave me the caloric and energy boost for a resurgence. We talked about how nice it would be to run a sub 10 hour and he was determined to do so after missing it last year. At this point I thought my chance was gone.
But as I got my energy back, I realized at mile 49 that it still may be possible for me to do it. I mustered up all I had in me and ran as strong as I could run after running 49 miles determined to beat that clock. And I did, coming in at 9 hours 59 minutes and 19 seconds. I was beyond ecstatic and glowing like a prairie sunset upon crossing the finish line. As I was handed my finisher’s medal I just stood there in amazement that I did it! Both Kelli and Eric greeted me at the finish, content with their excellent performances. I ended up finishing 12th overall. It was only my third race beyond the 50K and definitely a strong encouragement for the 100 mile race I hope to complete next year.
My recovery afterward went well, much better than my previous ultra. I ended up hiking more than 30 miles in the gorgeous Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve. I also continued history geeking out visiting the Brown vs Board of Education National Historic Site and several John Brown (the abolitionist) sites. I absolutely loved Kansas and I can’t wait to return to the heartland for another run and adventure! There’s a lot of ground to cover between the coasts!
Big Thanks to the Washington State Potato Commission for sponsoring me. I am proud to be a member of Team Potato and to showcase the nutritional value and performance enhancement of potatoes as I attempt to run a marathon or ultra-marathon in all 50 states—and train for my first 100 mile run! I’ve got many miles left to go—and lots of potatoes to consume to power me along the way.
