Monster of Mazinaw Trail Race 30k - Saturday, September 23rd, 2023

Turns out FOURTH time is the charm.

Though - be warned - the race did not actually offer any views of stunning Mazinaw Rock!

After a no-go due to Covid in 2020 & 2021, then horrible storm damage in 2022, this year finally brought us the opportunity to go traipse around beautiful Bon Echo Provincial Park in the last dregs of summer 2023! As is our wont, Tank and I headed up a couple of days early, arriving Thursday afternoon to set up camp in lovely sunshine.

Big tent & kitchen shelter at our site right by the Sawmill Bay comfort station - races call for a bit of glamping!

Once camp was set up, we strolled up to the boat launch to stare at the awesome face of Mazinaw Rock and eat the sandwiches I'd made up for our lunch before we left.

This bench is one of my favourite places in the whole wide world

Photos will never do this view justice, but I've done the best I can to capture the scope of the 100m/300' tall cliffs that stretch for a mile north from The Narrows.

Panoramic photo

Now for some scale: the red speck at the bottom of the rock face about 2/3 of the way to the right of this photo is a full size kayak.

It's really just mind boggling how huge this cliff is

As the evening drew in, we lit a campfire, toasted some marshmallows, and went back to the boat launch to take in the stars over the rock.

With the face reflected darkly on the glass-smooth water

It got pretty chilly out, but I had come prepared!

..with a fleece Mandalorian onesie!

We turned in fairly early, with a plan - when we'd camped up here last year (keeping our reservations even though the race had been cancelled), we had got ourselves out of bed at dawn to watch the sun rise over Mazinaw Rock. I woke Tank at 6:30am (and 4c/39f!), then toasted us up a bagel to split while he brewed a pot of coffee and poured it, plus some oat milk, into a thermos. We grabbed our coffee mugs and trudged back to the boat launch, to find the lake completely engulfed in mist drifting from the north. While it was nearly impossible to see Mazinaw Rock itself, the rising sun behind it made the coolest effect I think I've seen in years.

It was literally projecting the treeline onto the mist as it rose

We sipped our coffee in the cold morning air as the sun climbed.

Grateful for my puffy jacket and mittens, especially since I wasn't wearing pants

The mist drifting in began to thin a bit as the sun gained height.

There was barely a puff of wind

Soon the bright disc of the sun was revealed, looking like a shiny dime suspended in the clouds.

Still, the rock remained shy in its misty cloak

It wasn't until after 8am that the fog revealed blue sky behind it, and the true shape of the cliff it had concealed.

So we drank in the view - along with the rest of our coffee - and then headed back to the site

Before a race is no time to neglect carbohydrate intake, so I made us up a mess of french toast and bacon for brunch.

Using cinnamon raisin bread for flair, and drowning it all in maple syrup

By the time dishes were done, the mist had burned off and the day had warmed up, so we walked over to the lagoon to see about the one thing that is an absolute must-do at Bon Echo: I hadn't wanted to bother with bringing Tank's kayak or my paddleboard up with us, as I didn't want to have to load them onto the roof of our car after the race, or unload them and stow them in the garage when we got home. Fortunately, the paddle centre at the park offered both kayaks and paddleboards (plus canoes) for rent, so we paid the $50 fee for my laziness ($25 per kayak or paddleboard for a 4-hour period), and off we went.

A far cry from my lightweight foam board, but the vessel wasn't the point

We headed out through the mouth of the lagoon and through The Narrows just past noon.

Tank contemplating the rock

We quickly found some of the ancient pictographs that are one of the incredible attractions and part of the cultural history of the park.

Indigenous people painted these images untold centuries ago, paddling along the rock just as we were doing

There's a sense of wonder that never dulls when faced with such a massive and ancient place.

Mazinaw Rock truly dwarfs anything in its presence

The breeze freshened, and a bit of chop began to rise, so we turned around just past the last big shoulder of rock to beat upwind back to The Narrows.

Tank easily outpacing me, as my board paddled with all the grace and speed of a waterborne cinderblock

Coming back through The Narrows, we found South Mazinaw Lake quite choppy, so headed straight for the dock opposite the lagoon and tied up our craft - we'd paddled about 3km in an hour, just lazily drifting along for most of it. 

We'd paddled about 3km in an hour, just lazily drifting along for most of it. 

We pulled dry bags out of the hatch in Tank's kayak, revealing socks and trail shoes for each of us, plus a towel to dry our feet. Having changed up footwear and stowed our PFDs, we started up the stairs to begin the Cliff Top Trail hike.

It's only accessible by water - you must paddle yourself, or take the ferry to enjoy this beauty

There are two main staircases, and interpretive signage along the trail (just numbers on posts - you need the trail map from the store or gatehouse to read all the points of natural and cultural history), plus 3 lookout platforms.

 

View across to the lagoon from which we'd paddled

The trail gets a bit rooty and rocky, which is why we had brought socks and sturdy shoes.

It's not impossible in flip flops or water shoes - lord knows we've seen enough people do it - but certainly not ideal

The trail is only about a mile long, but you're advised to expect it to take about an hour, which is about how long it took us (with a few minutes spent sitting on a bench at the biggest one of the lookouts to eat the sandwiches I'd packed along for a picnic lunch).

At this point I could honestly publish a coffee table book filled with photos and call it "Beautiful places I have eaten a sandwich"

Tank and I are kind of blocking the view there, so I'll give you a better look.

South Mazinaw Lake stretching off into the distance

There's a bit of a rockery up on the cliff, and - people being people - some interesting stacking has occurred.

Some of them are quite delicately perched

We took one last, good look at the lake shining in the sun.

It was such a beautiful day!

..then down the staircases back to the docks and our waiting watercraft.

The stairs help protect the delicate ecology of the trail from damage caused by the thousands of annual visitors

We had thought about swinging past the main beach and day-use area to check out any race setup going on, but having already paddled and hiked an hour, I thought it might be better not to wear myself out too much the day before the race. 

So instead, we just paddled the few minutes across to the lagoon to return the board and kayak

We walked the Shoreline Trail from the lagoon back toward our campsite.

It's delightfully rooty and rocky, and - while I understand why the park did not want it included in the race, as it's a major walking route for campers - I was a little disappointed I wouldn't be running it the next day

This took us out to The Narrows, with its incredibly dramatic view looking north along Mazinaw Rock.

There are a couple of benches out on the point, as this is an incredibly popular spot in the park

We stopped off at Greystones - the park store and café - to pick up some Fluid Coffee Roasters beans, and I snagged myself a sharp new cap with an elegantly embroidered rendition of Mazinaw Rock.

Purchases at the store support The Friends of Bon Echo, who collaborate with the Ministry of the Environment to preserve the ecology and history of the park

Race kit pickup was from 5pm-7pm at the day use area, at the farthest end of the park from our campsite, so we drove over there to grab my stuff just as it opened.

Tank - good lad that he is - helped set up the finish chute and some other race infrastructure.
Me - being a lazy POS - stood around and chatted with people.

I was just thinking about heading back to our campsite (as I was starting to get chilly, despite having changed from my paddling kit into dry clothes and a hoodie), when I got a wonderful surprise - unbeknownst to me, a friend I've known online for years was running the 10k, and came with her kid to pick up kit. It was fantastic finally getting to meet Kirsten in person!

 

And we both not-exactly-bullied her teenager into registering for the 10k as well - A. is a great kid!

The race kits themselves were pretty amazing - we each got a lovely soft t-shirt (in unisex or women's cut), tubular neck gaiter, and re-usable 1L water bottle with the race logo, plus a pocketknife with the Happy Trails Racing logo.

This is what happens when you have to wait multiple years for a race to actually take place!

It started to get dark not long after kit pickup ended, with us back at our site for some not-exactly-chicken fried rice and another fire. 

(it was turkey sausage fried rice)

They were a bit fainter this evening due to the haze of smoke from campfires - the park was booked absolutely solid for the weekend - but the stars still put on a beautiful show above the rock.

I really love the "night mode" camera on the Google Pixel 6

The overnight low was predicted to be 11c/52f, but it was already down to 9c/48f by the time I rolled into my cozy down sleeping bag (having trust issues with weather forecasts pays off; if I'd believed the predictions, I'd have been chilly under a quilt instead of snugly ensconced in the much warmer bag), and when I awoke in darkness it was even colder.

41f, feels like 39f

I made myself a cup of tea and a bowl of oatmeal in the cool morning air, then called Tank to rouse him from his sleeping bag.

I sat and ate, grateful for the warmth emanating from the propane stove and lantern

Since Tank was working at aid station at the trailhead of the Shield Trail - just 3km into the course- and there was an early start option at 8am for the 60k runners, we figured that meant Tank needed to be set up at his AS by around 8:20am...which meant I'd have to either walk over myself, or take a really early ride over to the day use area. 

I elected for the latter, with Tank dropping me off at 7:45am before heading out to get himself sorted

It wasn't a super pleasant morning to have bare legs - I was in a fairly tiny skirt, and hadn't even bothered with calf sleeves because I only planned to run 30km - so I was grateful to have a hot cup of coffee and my Honcho Poncho to keep me from shivering.

It's one of the most extra things I've ever bought, but holy smokes I love it to pieces and would replace it in a second if it were lost or damaged beyond repair

No-one actually ended up taking the early start (despite one fellow who'd said he was going to do so), but runners started arriving just after 8am. 

With every surface still soaked in dew

With around 30mins to race time, I took a walk over to the washroom facilities at the north end of the day use area (that I believe also service the nearby yurts, where most of the Happy Trails organizers were staying) to reluctantly pack up the Honcho Poncho, put on my little race vest and stuff its pockets with candy and cookies from the small duffel bag I'd brought with me, and generously lubricate all the things I thought would rub. I got back not long before the pre-race announcements, filled my hand bottle (leaving a soft bottle in my vest empty, as Race Director Jeff said it was only about 3-5km between aid stations), and found some friends!

I knew Nat & Dee were also running the 30k

The actual starts were supposed to be 9am for the 60k, 9:30am for the 10k, and noon for the 30k, but a lot of people wished to start the 30k at 9am - myself, Nat & Dee among them. I believe the noon start may have been a way to allow people to race without having to spend the previous night in the park (as there isn't much accommodation in the immediate area; Bon Echo is kind of in the middle of nowhere), but it wasn't a super popular option. Those taking the early start would not be eligible for awards, but I knew I was no threat to the podium: I planned to just hang with my friends and take ridiculous amounts of photos, hopefully finishing in sufficiently good condition to play in my league hockey game the following evening!

Jeff explained the course - which had rather evolved from the pre-race email sent on Monday, Sep 18th - and then we were off!

Through the pet exercise area

Across a small footbridge, then onto the lovely Bon Echo Creek Trail. I've said before that this is probably the most pretty for the least effort in the park, and I stand by that assessment.

Some rooty bits and gentle undulations, but largely runnable and beautiful views - especially with the fall colours beginning to explode!

Dee & Nat emerge from the trail

The Bon Echo Creek Trail ends at the road to the day use area, which you follow to the main park road, then make a bit of a left-right jog to head into the woodyard and past the enclosure where firewood and kindling for sale in the park are stored.

This pond and wetland are on the north side of the main park road, with the sugar maples flaring brilliant red

Struggling to keep up as we approach the wood enclosure

Race Director Jeff had told us all that the trail past the woodyard had only been cut for us two days before the race - so we wouldn't have to run on the main park road - and we "won't love it". I'd say he was both right and wrong on that count.

Did love: being on trail instead of road, and the beautiful green ferns

Did not love: the roots that concealed potentially ankle-destroying holes, and general un-runnable-ness of it all

It's only about three quarters of a kilometer in length, though, so no matter your feelings you don't have to sit with them very long before you hit the dirt road that takes you under Hwy 41 toward the more remote areas of the park.

Here, again, I struggled to keep up with Nat & Dee - I've only run in short little bursts of a minute or two with walk breaks in between lately, but they were very consistent when not on technical ground!

Just the other side of the Hwy 41 bridge is the trailhead for the Shield Trail, which Tank and I had hiked last year when we camped in the park. At its base was the first aid station, which runners would see 4 times on the 30km course (twice for the 10k, and 8 times for the 60k...which was 2 laps of the 30k).

Hey, I know that guy!

I had only had a few sips off my hand bottle, so I didn't bother stopping to fill, despite knowing that when Tank and I had hiked the Shield Trail last year it had taken us two full hours to complete the 4km loop (partly because I'd stop to take pictures of every bit of fungus, neat roots and rocks, and the storm damage). The trail begins with a long climb up mixed gravel and grass doubletrack

Nat got away on Dee and I as she just kept running up the hill - I took the opportunity to start eating some gummy candy

We caught up to Nat as it got a bit more rocky near the top

We passed the first entrance to the Shield loop - Race Director Jeff had originally intended for everyone to go clockwise on their outbound lap of the trail, then counter-clockwise on the inbound lap, but felt it might be too confusing so signed it all for clockwise while also telling us we had the option to go the other way on our return - then turned right at the second opening, and I really hope that no-one kept going on the doubletrack that is for park maintenance vehicles only!

This sign greeted us at the entrance to the loop, and I knew it was no lie

I'm a little more comfortable than my companions on technical trail, so after letting some other runners through I ended up in the lead of our little pack.

The sunshine was gorgeous, but it was still pretty cool in the shade

Rock-strewn downhill

The hardwoods give way to pine forest for awhile, and I ran a bit to get ahead of my friends so I could...umm...contribute to the humidity levels of the forest.. 

..and help prevent wildfires!

The trail can be quite wet at times (and not just from feral runners peeing on it), so there is a boardwalk to help you cross a marshy spot.

More for ecological reasons than to keep your feet dry

There are some whalesbacks of stone, too, that can be quite slick when wet.

This one has the massive root structure of a blown-down tree - a victim of the storms of 2022 - at its head

There is quite a lot of evidence of storm damage throughout the Shield Trail, though it was far from being the hardest hit area of the park.

We'd see much worse as we got deeper into the course

Conditions on the trail are highly variable depending on how much rainfall has occurred recently - we were lucky it had been quite dry, though not so much as to lead to a fire ban in the park. Nonetheless, as you reach the furthest point of the ~4km Shield Trail loop, Bon Echo Pond does intrude a little into your path.

A bit of boggy soil on this day - it was rather underwater the last time I'd seen it

The view across the lake though?

*chef's kiss*

You spend more than a kilometer of the course skirting along the water's edge, first of Bon Echo Pond and then..

..after a decent climb over a ridge..

..you'll spend some time traversing a hill that borders Bon Echo Lake, once again through a pine forest.

It can be a little sketchy in places

Of course, this is also where Kendra - the daughter of another runner, who volunteered to take photos on course when photographer extraordinaire Sue Sitki unfortunately was unable to make it due to a last-minute injury - set up, so some running for the camera had to happen.

I'd started with a gaiter around my neck and some dollar store "leg warmers" on my arms to ward off the morning chill

The side-sloped, needle-carpeted section continues for awhile.

I was starting to regret not having filled my hand bottle

Eventually it gives way to another hardwood-shaded climb over another ridge, as you begin to head back in the general direction of the doubletrack, away from the lake.

There's precious little flat ground on this trail

If you think the slow going is over, I have bad news - it's more likely to get worse before it gets better. The last section of the trail in the clockwise direction is like one big rock garden, often obscuring anywhere else to put your feet.

For those of us without mountain goat blood, it warrants some caution

I was grateful for companions who were willing to take things slow with me

The technical nature of the course should make this a good compliment to the Haliburton Forest trail races - either using this race as a training run to get accustomed to rugged trails and longer times between aid stations (particularly when the full backpacking trail opens up and the course can take its final form), or using the 26k or 50k at Hali as a training run for the 30k or 60k here, though depending on your recovery 50k at Haliburton 2 weeks beforehand might be too much. My companions had both done the 26k on September 9th, 2023 - their first really technical race - and both Nat and Dee were adamant that they were happy to have had that experience before coming to Bon Echo for Monster of Mazinaw.

We stood aside to let all the speedy 10k runners - who had started half an hour later, but for whom the Shield Trail was the far point of their race - past us

Successful negotiation of the technical portions rewards you with a delightfully sunny and runnable stretch of flat trail, absolutely festooned with wildflowers on both sides.

With a blue sky above to contrast the gold and auburn of autumn, and the sun chasing away the morning chill

You arrive back on the doubletrack - where Dee & Nat needed to pause to water some trees, and for some odd reason I needed to go again - with a bit shorter downhill than you originally climbed, but it's quite runnable and leads back to the aid station.

Good thing, too, as I'd had to start rationing my last few sips of water

I filled both bottles this time (Skratch electrolyte drink in my vest bottle), so I wouldn't run out again before the water drop. The next leg is a long stretch of rolling dirt road - the way to all of Bon Echo's backcountry campsites, on both Joeperry Lake and the Abes & Essens backpacking trail, as well as the front-country Hardwood Hills campground. None of these had been accessible when Tank and I camped in September 2022: the gate past the Shield Trail had been closed, blocking off the road completely.

This year it was wide open, and Nat ran away from Dee and I again

I was starting to get quite warm as I huffed and puffed trying to catch up, so I decided it was finally time to ditch the arm warmers after gulping down a salt tab.

I wished I'd thought to do so at the aid station so I could just toss them to Tank - it was awkward to try to stuff them in the back of my little vest (the only place I had space, since I was carrying ~1,400 calories of food plus now a full bottle)

We pushed further west, and the devastation caused by the storms became more evident as huge swaths of the road appeared clear-cut of trees.

With nothing to provide shade, the tubular gaiter around my neck needed to come off as well - I could just wrap it around my wrist, though, while I continued to chase Nat

We were already starting to see the fastest 60k and early start 30k runners on their way back: Race Director Jeff had advised that anyone who got through their first lap and did not feel up to a second helping would be offered a 30k finish, so some of the former ended up becoming the latter. Some had a mis-step cause an ankle to roll or knee to tweak, some took tumbles, and some just decided that discretion was the better part of valour.

For my part, I was just trying to make good decisions for once, and not push things too far.

We eventually reached the start of the Clutes Loop - the shortest one of the 3 loops that comprise the Abes & Essens Trail, and the only one currently fully open. There was a water drop at the entrance, but I still had quite a bit in my hand bottle and my vest bottle was full, so I didn't stop to fill anything.

Another runner - with whom we'd played leapfrog a bit so far - did stop to fill her bottles as we arrived.

We started counter-clockwise on the Clutes Loop - so named because it takes you around Clutes Lake - with a decent climb on some not-too-technical trail.

We'd been out for 2 hours, but only made it about 11km so far

Now into one of the hardest-hit areas of the park, the trail was strewn with downed trees through which a path had been painstakingly carved

..by chainsaws

There's a little stream that cuts across the trail, but with the low water levels of 2023 it didn't make for a difficult obstacle.

Left side is my view on approach, then right side is looking back as Nat & Dee begin to cross

It was difficult to see some of the healthy trees that had been destroyed by the powerful winds

..and also slightly difficult to climb up among the roots

We hadn't left all the rocks behind on the Shield Trail, either.

Nat unfortunately bashed her knee a bit here

We pushed further along over more undulations and through more fallen trees, finally coming to a beautiful view of Clutes Lake.

In all of its glory

As one might expect from a backpacking trail, some bits are a little sketchy.

Not too big a deal in dry weather, but if it were wet it would be a bit hairy

We reached a fork in the trail, with some signage that another runner was trying to figure out.

Blue sign at left: "Loop 1: Clutes Lake" (park signage)
There is an arrow pointing right near ground level
Sign on the tree (for the race) says: "Continue straight to the turn-around (about 1km)"

I knew from the pre-race meeting (and the pre-race email - this part of the course hadn't been changed during the week leading up to raceday) that we were to do a 1km out-and-back on the Essens (second) loop of the backpacking trail, so I knew we needed to take the right fork and go out 1km, then come back again. The person who'd arrived ahead of us thought the sign meant to continue straight on the Clutes Lake loop, but I urged her to follow along with Nat, Dee, and myself to the turn-around.

So, up we went toward Essens Lake

As with almost every Ontario Parks backpacking trail I've encountered, the second loop begins with a good-size rocky hill.

My friend Jeff for scale - he was on his way back from the turn-around

The Essens loop definitely has no shortage of technical climbs - while most aren't particularly long, they take a bit of time, and you don't really get to make it up on the downhills as most mortals will need to be a bit careful about foot placement.

It's a long way out if you hurt yourself, and there's no cell service to call for help

Eventually, we reached the shore of Essens Lake

Looking resplendent in sunshine

We also found another race sign

It says "Stop worrying about bears and enjoy the scenery!"
I hadn't been worrying about bears...until now

We kept puttering along on some pine needle-carpeted trail until - around 12.8km - we found a sign...and a box!

The sign says "You have reached the turn-around. We knew you could do it! Grab a pin from the container and then turn around. By the way, you look amazing!"

We each took one of the adorable race logo buttons from the box

Heather's art is so delightful

We pinned them to our hydration vests, and then Dee & Nat started talking about a picnic, so I pulled out the little zipper baggie of bacon I'd been carrying around in my pocket and offered it 'round. Nat took a tiny piece, Dee declined, and I chomped on a good-size slice as a pleasant change from all the sugar. Don't get me wrong: I love my cookies and candy while racing, and munched my way through 20 gummy peach slices, 8 gummy worms, 4 gluten-free Oreos, and 4 of my homemade maple crisp rice squares throughout the course of the day. It's nice to break it up with a little something salty, though, and since I'm allergic to potatoes I can't indulge in the chips that are so common at aid stations.

Fortunately, the scenery is allergen-free.
This is the furthest point on the trail that was currently open - the rest of the Essens Loop has yet to be cleared of storm damage, and the Abes Loop (the longest at ~15km) has not yet been touched.

So, back we went with our new buttons to prove we'd done the out-and-back (I wonder how many people might not have got one..?), looking at the last kilometer from the other direction..

..which I quite enjoy, as you see things you miss when you only go one way.

While it felt like the way out on Essens was all uphill, the way back proved that was a lie. Soon enough, though, we were passing the giant root ball of a fallen tree that had welcomed us when we set off from the fork in the trail.

Ok, neither Dee nor Nat is what anyone would call a big human (except in heart), but that root structure is a good 10'/3m high

Back to the Clutes Loop, the sign on the tree and the arrow at ground level both indicated a right turn to continue along the loop.

It is worth noting here that future years of this race are unlikely do do the Clutes Loop - Race Director Jeff hopes to use the full Abes Loop by 2024, which will make this race measurably more difficult

We headed roughly west, crossing a wooden bridge that spans a creek that drains into Clutes Lake

Where we met another runner who was unsure if he was going the correct way, which we confirmed he was

I still can't believe what a gorgeous day we were gifted!

Between the weather and the colours, it was a stunner

The rest of the Clutes Loop is no joke, either.

Not quite as challenging as Essens, but with its own rugged beauty

We met up with the other end of the Essens Loop, with a closure sign strung across it by the park.

I didn't need to be told - that fallen tree would be a nightmare to try to climb through

As we ambled along the Clutes Loop, I continued putting food in my face while watching my step.

It was the only way to stay upright

It seemed to be taking awhile - not that we were in any hurry - but then some signs began to appear.

I'm almost certain that didn't grow there

That 400 metres, though? You'd never believe how long it feels

Though it's so lovely you may wish it never to end

Eventually, a glimpse of tent and the cheers of volunteers will filter through the trees

Which made me happy, as I'd once again run out of fluids.

Note that this year's course only saw us do about 5.5km between the water drop (at which I hadn't filled) and AS2 - in future years, if the full Abes Loop is open and in use, it will be more like fifteen or more kilometers without aid, over rugged trails that prevent most people from picking up the pace. 

A hydration pack with at least a 1.5L capacity is strongly recommended for 2024 and beyond!

I got my bottles filled at the aid station, and both Dee and Nat filled with water and had a few snacks before we continued on along the dirt park road. We thanked the volunteers, who told us we had about a 4.5km out-and-back to do, then we'd return to their aid station before heading back toward the main park.

Reloading - Nat was also able to clean out the scrape on her knee and put a plaster on it

 I'd thought that the trip through the Hardwood Hills campground was actually a lollipop-style loop instead of an out-and-back, based on what I'd seen in the pre-race email and from talking to Jeff at race kit pick up the evening before, but I couldn't be sure. I'd just follow the signs and flags like everyone else!

Nat ran away on us again - that little dark speck is her at the top of the big hill up to the Hardwood Hills campground

When I say big hill, I mean it's about the biggest one on the course.

The climb up to the Shield Trail might go on a bit longer, but it's not as steep

From the moment you enter the campground - passing the closed gate, as this has not been re-opened to visitor traffic yet - the devastation of the storms is impossible to ignore.

I had heard from park staff last year that it looked like it had been clear cut, but I was still unprepared for the visceral reaction this brutal deforestation evoked

The campground sits on a bit of a plateau, and I trotted along, getting some space on Dee - Nat was way ahead, so I had some time to try to get myself under control emotionally. It had been decades since I'd been out to this section of the park, but I remembered it being thickly forested.

Some portions retained a good measure of their former glory

Others, however..

This is not the way I wished to see this

There was one welcome sight, though: just as I realized I'd needed to pee again for awhile, a pair of vault toilets hove into view, and the door of the first yielded to my touch - unlocked! I availed myself of the luxury of a proper wee (with toilet paper and everything!), then popped back out to find Dee had caught up. She was concerned that we'd missed a sign as it had been more than 2.5km since we left AS2, and the "out-and-back" was supposed to be 4.5km.

We hadn't seen Nat coming back our way yet, either

However, I had noticed a big auger at a fork in the dirt road (where signage had urged us to the right, around 17.5km) before we climbed another hill within the campground - as we ran down a hill toward a meeting of roads, I saw the same auger again, which confirmed that we'd done a loop. A little further yet, we caught up to Nat, and reached the gate through which we'd come.

There she is, heading around the gate

Now on the park road again, we saw another race sign:

Sounds good!

Well, mostly - I was a bit leery of how badly beaten up I might get running down the big hill from the Hardwood Hills campground. I'd messed up my back pretty badly (i.e.: could barely walk for a couple of days) a handful of weeks before raceday, and things were still a little sore and unpleasant at times. Banging down a steep hill might be a bit too much for it, so I tried to take it as carefully as I could. This meant I had to just run whatever pace was comfortable, and I ended up getting away on Dee and Nat a bit as I just let my legs turn over however they felt best.

We hit the 20km mark near the bottom, at around 4h20m

We passed both AS2 and the water drop as we headed back along the dirt road toward the Shield Trail.

 

Which was NOT - contrary to what any race signage might have you believe - all downhill!
(And if you spot a dark speck, that's one of the 60k leaders heading out toward his second Clutes/Essens loop)

The way back along the dirt road felt very long, but somehow my legs had got the hang of this running thing - and my back wasn't complaining too much - so I trotted along pretty consistently. I'd joked with someone before the race that I had 15k to warm up and 15k to actually run, but here I was now passing 22k and finally trucking along quite well.

Maybe I just didn't want to look at the storm damage anymore, as it was highly evident along the road as well

I was getting away on Dee and Nat now, but would stop periodically to let them catch up.

And, of course, to take some photos of my beautiful friends

My watch said 4h51m by the time I rolled back into AS1 at around 23.5km, ready to take on the Shield Trail once more.

With just my hand bottle filled again, and a few sips of cola for a caffeine + sugar hit

I'd discussed with Dee and Nat that I'd like to do the Shield Trail counter-clockwise on our second go, for a few reasons: first, that we'd see stuff that we might have missed going clockwise on the way out; second, that we'd do the rockiest section first, before too much more fatigue set in; and third, that we'd have a longer downhill off the end of it, with less of a climb up to begin the loop.

They both said they were just happy to follow me whichever way I went, so we took the right-hand fork when it appeared and ignored the "wrong way" sign

I hadn't anticipated so many other people being on the trail while we were out there, all of whom were going in the other direction: most were 30k runners that had done the noon start, with a handful of 60k runners on their second lap, plus a few hikers.

Almost every single one of them, though, asked if they were going the wrong way!

I explained that we'd had the option to do the Shield Trail in reverse on the second loop - that it had actually been the original intention, but they thought it would be too confusing (which was proving to be the case even with most people not doing it!), so let people choose.

Orange arrows are outbound - yellow arrows are inbound.
The royal blue dots are the aid stations, and the paler blue dot is the water drop.

I was getting away on Dee and Nat again a bit through the rocky section, but when I tried to stop to wait for them the few remaining mosquitoes in the park tried to swarm me, so I had to keep moving to keep them at bay.

To be honest I was partly happy I wasn't doing the 60k because I wouldn't want to be here at sunset due to mosquitoes, and would be rather unhappy about trying to negotiate this in the dark.

I was happy to move quite slowly, though, as it turns out there really isn't a soft option for direction on the Shield Trail. 

It's just a rooty, rocky, side-sloped beast no matter which way you choose to tackle it

I did have to run some, though, as it turned out Kendra was still hanging out with her camera.

5hrs in and still just enjoying the heck out of the gorgeous trails!

The side slope felt sketchier moving counter-clockwise when it was death-to-the-right versus death-to-the-left, but I can't honestly gauge whether that was because I was a little more fatigued or if it's just a side preference.

Regardless, I ended up putting a hand to the uphill beside me for a sketchy bit, and would have been happier if I'd had a pole or two

Soon we descended down to water level again, for the shoreline traverse of Bon Echo Pond.

I quite enjoyed the different perspective that the counter-clockwise loop offered

The boggy spot had got a bit more mooshed up by the passage of runners' and hikers' feet since our traipse through in the morning.

..but was still perfectly possible to get through with dry feet.

Coming toward the end of the loop, I realized that I'd forgotten there was another rocky section (though slightly less boulder-laden) before you reach the doubletrack.

Right up to the very end

Soon enough, though, I hit the doubletrack and began to run. I wanted a bit more water for the final ~3k (as I was out again - it was much warmer than the first time 'round, the high for the day being a summerlike 22c/72f), so I didn't feel too bad about leaving Dee and Nat to make the descent to the aid station in their own time, as it would take me a few moments to replenish my hand bottle.

It's not completely downhill from the end of the loop if you go counter-clockwise, but it's relatively flat and runnable

I found my honey waiting for me at the trailhead, and cruised in to get my last bit of water.

I may have also stolen one final smooch, though I'd be back out to this AS after I finished to volunteer until the end of the race

Once Dee and Nat were with me again, we ran along the road under Hwy 41 until we reached the entrance to the new trail back to the woodyard.

Looking very ad-hoc from this end

This, again, was quite slow going. While my legs had plenty of life left in them, the uneven ground was still strewn with rocks and riddled with hidden holes, so I walked most of its ~750m length.

I didn't need to snap an ankle now

Soon we reached the woodyard, then out onto the paved road.

The left-right jog, in reverse this time - turn at the multi-coloured teardrop flag

Another look at the stunning fall colours

We veered left off the day use road, back onto the Bon Echo Creek Trail.

Where I'd barely been able to run for more than 10sec at a time in the morning

I was still feeling quite peppy, though it had now been six and a half hours since we set off.

You know you're an ultrarunner when you feel better at 29k than at 2k

Now that we had it to ourselves, I was able to better take in the lovely scenery of the trail.

Without getting in anyone's way, or having to step aside to let people pass

Nat and Dee talked about how we should all finish together - the three skirts - as we'd spent the whole race together.

I was totally down for that - it had been a fun day with them!

Soon the end of the trail hove into view, with our first glance at Mazinaw Lake since morning.

It still seems weird to me that a race in Bon Echo doesn't include a single view of Mazinaw Rock

Coming off the trail, I settled into an easy trot, but was quickly annoyed when an uncontrolled dog came running straight toward me - I wasn't sure if I could avoid kicking it, as it came right for my legs. I swerved as best I could, saying to its pursuing owner "This is not an off-leash area", to which she retorted that yes, it was. In either case I was too far past her now to continue the discussion, and headed in to the finish.

The chute was in view

I ended up coming in about a minute ahead of Nat & Dee, partly because I was rolling along pretty well on the final grassy section, and partly so I could set myself up to get a photo of them coming in together.

They're the real rockstars - I was just their goofy tour guide

Official time: 6h51m44s @ 13:45/km

59/63 O/A - 29/33 Women - 11/12 W40-49

(Official results are here - Garmin data is here)

(This was at the turn-around on Essens, just after we pinned on our buttons - let's just call it our finish photo together)

I got my medal and grabbed my bag - plus an Orange Crush, which I haven't had in years! - and got the obligatory post-race pic.

The wind had really picked up - I was glad we weren't trying to paddle today!

With all my gear from the start/finish, I started the walk back to our campsite so I could change out of my wet gear and grab a shower at the comfort station - I'd providently left toiletries and a towel at the campsite (since Tank had the car at AS1), plus my bag of clothes was in the tent.

I took a couple of shortcuts, but followed a good chunk of the Shoreline Trail

As I was leaving the race site, though, I saw the sign: "Dogs may be off-leash in this area". Whoops - I felt really foolish, and wished I could have apologized to the lady whose dog ran at me. 

She wasn't there when I was walking back, but Mazinaw Rock was in all its glory

Changing out of my sweaty kit after the ~2km stroll back to camp, it was like I'd barely run at all: my feet emerged from my shoes with nary a blister or hotspot, and just a bit of dust from the dry trails. I found a spot of blood on the back shoulder of my shirt where a days-old mosquito bite had been rubbed raw by my vest, but it wasn't painful and I had no other chafing at all. It felt strange to finish a race with a still-functional body, and without much real fatigue. If I'd needed to do another 10km, I wouldn't have flinched.

As it stood, though, I had volunteering to do after I got cleaned up!

Tank came to pick me up - I messaged him when I was getting dried off, and we both arrived at the campsite at the same time - which worked out well, as that meant I could grab a packet of instant noodle soup from the car to make some hot food. I had the stove at camp with me, but nothing to put on it without the vehicle! I made the soup plus a cup of hot chocolate, and carefully sipped while Tank drove us both back out to the aid station. As it happened, there were very few runners left on course by the time we got there (around 6pm, with the race cut-off at 8pm), and within an hour the last one was finished.

So I mostly just sat in a chair at the AS and yelled "WOO" a lot

When the last runner was done, we packed everything up with the help of the two other volunteers, and loaded the perishable foods (that we didn't want to leave in the open for animals to get into; that's not good for them, or for the park) into our car to drive back to the day use area.

Seeing this beautiful young deer beside the day use road on our way

The sun was setting by the time everything was torn down and loaded up in the van, and the day's heat was rapidly slipping away.

The thin cloud cover made for a gorgeous sunset, but did nothing to trap warmth

Back to the site after thanking the volunteers and organizers - all the wonderful people who work so hard to put on these fantastic events, chopping wood and carrying water so we can go play in beautiful places - to make dinner and light a fire.

We got great firewood at the park this year, too - nice and dry, but doesn't burn too quickly!

It was gone midnight by the time I got to bed, but I awoke long before my alarm in the half-light of morning. Since I needed a trip to the comfort station, I ended up wide awake, so made myself a cup of hot chocolate and went for one last walk to the boat launch.

I didn't even have time to steep a cup of tea - I'd have missed it

No mist this morning - it was too breezy for it to form

Then it was back to camp one final time, to make breakfast and pack up. I can't think of a more wonderful way to have spent an extra-long weekend, and I look forward to next year, though I know the course is likely to hold far more challenge!

When the campground roads of the Hardwood Hills are replaced by the Abes Loop of the backpacking trail

I don't know about you, but I'll be there with poles on!

There seems to be some delay

We appreciate your patience 

 Hope to have the Monster of Mazinaw race report for you next week..

C'est Bon

After three years of waiting, Monster of Mazinaw is finally a go!

With views of Mazinaw Rock that will make these cliffs along the Grand River look like nothing

I've been looking forward to this since it was first announced in 2019, as Bon Echo Provincial Park is one of my favourite places in the world. While I'm registered for the 60k (the longest distance available), I plan to drop to the 30k - it will still let me see the whole course, but hopefully won't be quite as hard on me.

The trails around here aren't the only things that have taken some damage

I suffered a minor back injury in late August - just as I was starting to get back on my feet after Tally - during a hockey game. Some physio got me feeling much better, until the very last play of another hockey game.

The first injury happened early in the game, and I was able to keep playing; this time, I could barely get back to my feet after collapsing to the ice. I managed to very carefully get to the dressing room and change out of my gear, but on Saturday I could barely walk and the pain was relentless. I tried my inversion table, my TENS machine, stretching - nothing would settle it down. I finally resorted to some strong anti-inflammatory drugs we had on hand from when Tank broke his hand in February, and those gave me enough relief to exist without constant whimpering.

It would still be a couple of days before I'd attempt even a tiny run again

This particular injury seems to be more persistent than those I've had in the past, partly because I think it arose from some changes in the way my pelvis and spine interact after some chiropractic treatment the week before the hockey game in which I was originally hurt. Trying to unwind a chronic issue that's been going on for several years doesn't necessarily come without consequences, and I still have a lot of stiffness and soreness when I get out of bed each morning.

I have, however, successfully managed to play hockey again since without exploding!

So, given that the 60k course will just be 2 laps of the 30k loop (that will essentially cover all of the open trail in the park - most of the Abes & Essens backpacking trail is still closed due to damage from the derecho and tornado in late spring of 2022 which cancelled last year's race), I think the right thing to do is drop to the 30k. I won't have to worry about time cutoffs or darkness, so I'll have plenty of time to enjoy the course and take loads of photos, and I will hopefully emerge a little less beat up at the other end.

It will be a mix of camp roads and really gnarly trails

We'll actually already be in the park by the time you read this - I'm writing in the car at midday on Thursday as we drive up, with hopes to get out for a paddle on Mazinaw Lake tomorrow (when the post is scheduled to publish) and maybe a hike of the Cliffside Trail. 

Which will also put our local trail views to shame, lovely as they are

All being well, I won't wear myself out or damage myself too much before the race, and then afterward I hope to be able to join Tank at Aid Station 1 at the head of the Shield Trail to cheer on those who are brave enough to take on a second lap of Bon Echo's rugged beauty.

Me, though? I've got a hockey game the next day..

..so I'll be taking it easy.

If you're one of the 250 of us lucky enough to have a spot in either the 10k, 30k, or 60k, I'll hope to see you out there! If not, I'll be back next week to tell you all about it.

May the forest be with you

 We weren't going back this year..

..but who could resist?

A new experience this year: rather than helping out at AS2 with Merle & the gang, we were asked to take on the challenge of heading up AS4 - the first aid station on the 50mi & 100mi course, just 3km from the start (also the final AS for the 50k, with 3km to the finish). We arrived Friday afternoon to go find our spot, where the forest/race staff had dropped off the supplies of hard goods.

We set up the 10x20 pavilion tent, 3 tables, rubbish bins, plastic chairs, plus our own tent - our luxury accommodations for the weekend.

After picking up our bins of perishable foods (that needed to be stored in our car overnight to avoid them being raided by critters; we had to set up camp first to have enough room in the vehicle), Tank headed off to the pasta dinner and I hung out at the AS to make my own dinner.

Fortunately I'm pretty well versed in camp cookery (and kept it really simple)

I may also have spent a bit of time working on another item for Tanker's chosen aid station theme..

..which then got hung up in the pavilion tent.

I made a little addition to Tanker's usual aid station sign, too..

You'll never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy..

It went up along with some other signs I'd made the weekend before, unsure of how they'd end up placed.

This one went up in the tent beside Tank's sign

This one went up at the turn off the double-track trail on which we'd set up the aid station

..and Admiral Ackbar warned runners not to fall for the allure of Clay's tent, pitched up the trail from the AS

We all turned in pretty early Friday night, with Tank and I rising at 4:40am to get a pot of coffee on and start laying out the rest of the decorations and goodies.

The sun wouldn't rise for almost 2 more hours

Clay looks for his coffee mug to be filled after all the snacks were laid out

The first 100mi runners showed up around 6:15am, followed by the 50mi runners around quarter past eight - we were well ready to meet all their needs as they headed off for the longest stretch without aid.

10km to the water drop, then another 6km past that to Nancy at AS3

When the last of the 50mi runners had come through, I cooked up a mess of bacon & eggs for our volunteers.

The good stuff from our farmers' market

It came up to be a beautiful day in the forest - sunshine from a clear blue sky, and warmer than most years.

Drop bags ready for runners - looking down the doubletrack trail

We of course had to get some photos with those of us who chose to participate in the theme.

Myself, Tank, and Clay

Garchun and Maryka showed up some time before race photographer David stopped by - he loved our Star Wars theme, and got our group photo with all the present volunteers.

Clay, Maryka, some dork, Tank, Baldish, Heather, and Bonnie

After the 100mi and 50mi racers had come through on their second lap, I decided we probably could spare one person for a couple of hours. I changed out of my Boba Fett dress and into some slightly spandex-ier garb, then went out to play.

I'd get to see totally different trails than I usually do!

Instead of the trek across Krista Trail, Ben's Trail, Redstone Vista and The Pass, I'd get to finally see Dog's Ear and Wild Woods Walk, plus run Poacher's Trail for the first time in years.

Wild Woods Walk has some neat art installations along it, though I hear they can take on a very Blair Witch-y vibe after dark

I'd missed the little stone bridge on Poacher's

It really was a gorgeous day, even bordering on hot!

I arrived at AS3 - the same spot I'd visited last year, just from the other direction - and hung out with Julie, Jamie & the crew for a few minutes while filling my water bottles and munching on some gummy candy for the return trip.

It's not an easy trail, but it is a beautiful one.

I'd taken quite awhile to get over, having stopped by Base Camp briefly as I was hoping to find a runner (who I found on my first trip across Poacher's, and was able to report on to his somewhat anxious wife), so I took a bit of a shortcut back to AS4.

Once more through the rugged beauty of Poacher's

A quick stop to gaze at beautiful MacDonald Lake

Instead of turning left at the end of the East Road, I turned right - while desperately hoping the racer behind me wouldn't follow me! - and trucked straight out the North Road.

Past lovely Chessel's Pond

By the time I returned - a little more than 10 miles, and just shy of 3 hours later - our chicken dinner had been delivered and Tank had lit the fire at AS4.

We were going to try to keep it a little more conservative than past years

Chris and Liana had also showed up to help overnight, and as darkness fell Tank got another pot of coffee on to get us - and the runners - through til morning.

We also had big ziploc bags of Julie's 100mi soup, made hot veggie broth, and cooked up grilled cheese and bacon through the night

Things are pretty quiet out there - we didn't even get to hear any wolves howling, and the raccoons left us alone for once - but there was good conversation around the fire.

With the occasional runner joining in

I tried to nap in the late evening, to no avail - I just couldn't fall asleep. By 5:30am I was very dozy, though, and crawled in with Tank for about an hour of blissful unconsciousness. I awoke to hear that the last runner had just come through, at 6:35am, and we were good to start packing up. Chris and Liana had already left, then Bonnie & Baldish set off with the remaining drop bags for base camp.

Clay, Garchun, Maryka, Tank, and myself got the tent down and everything else tidied up to be picked up by the forest staff, then Tank and I packed up our own tent as well

We'd had some plans to stay another night in the forest with a friend, but a few circumstances came together to urge us home, so we stayed at base camp until just after the buckle ceremony and then hit the road.

Bidding the forest adieu for another year

Volunteering at an aid station - especially one in a beautiful place, and overnight when the runners need help the most - is such a rewarding experience, and I strongly urge you to give your time when you have the opportunity. These races don't happen without countless hours of work by those who just want you to have the best race possible, so why not give the other side of the aid station table a try?

If you're lucky, you might even get to hang out with your best friend all weekend!

See you on the trails!

Hiatus

 It's a really busy time right now.

It's been a tough week

Audit season meets end of quarter after our co-op student's term ended, so I had to take back over all the work that the intern has been handling for a few months now. We're getting another, but not until next week..

..and he won't be useful until I train him, which will take at least another two weeks.

So it's been long days at the desk lately, without much sleep - especially since we did some volunteering last Saturday at the Foxtail Hundred from around 8pm til 4am.

Including a minor flash of PTSD for me on arriving at the trail centre

Next weekend will be another sleepless one, in the Haliburton Forest this time. Due to circumstances beyond our control, Tank and I have had to take over running AS4 at the 3k mark of the 50k, 50mi & 100mi course (don't ask me why the aid stations are labeled in the reverse order runners visit them).

I just work here - I don't actually know anything

Since I'll be training our new co-op student all week before driving up to the forest early on Friday to  set things up (including the tent that will be our home for Friday night and hopefully a refuge for a nap or two through the weekend), the blog is going on hiatus for a bit. You get a break from me, I get a break from trying to come up with something worth reading, and hopefully we can re-convene mid-month for some giggles.

Or maybe just hang out with a fun-gi?

In the meantime, I hope you all have an amazing long weekend - sleep an extra hour for me, ok?

I'll be on the move!