Polar Paws "25k" Winter Trail Run - Saturday, January 24th, 2024

 After a winter with very little wintriness to it, I wondered if we'd have another snowless Polar Paws like 2023.

Friends, it was NOT

We were a little late getting going and arriving at Long Point Eco Adventures - after spotting a couple of coyotes on the way down, trotting through farm fields beside the road - especially since the last bit was not as clear as it could have been from the snow the day before.

All-wheel drive and winter tires for the win!

It wasn't exactly predicted to be the nicest day, either: 

I really hoped they were kidding about that wind

Instead of the same building behind the aid station from 2023, this year our race headquarters was in the observatory at the back of the property.

I foolishly did not go upstairs to check out the actual observatory

The Marsh Patio off the back had a lovely vista looking out to Lake Erie, though.

Not that the day invited hanging around to enjoy the view

The races were scheduled to start at 10am (5k/10k), 10:05am (25k), and 10:45am (5k/10k with dogs), but things got delayed due to technical issues: the RaceRoster registration info didn't push over to Race Director Eric's tablet, so each participant needed to give their email address when picking up their kit. We all got a gift pack of Sue's wonderful soap and lip balm, plus a ticket for lunch afterward (chili and a beverage of your choice), but a couple of volunteers had been unable to make it, so poor Heather was all on her own trying to sort out dozens of racers all on her own. The line snaked its way through the tiny space in the observatory building, and the clock marched onward, so Eric decided to push all race starts back by 30mins to ensure no-one was left behind.

And maybe it would warm up a little?

The sun peeked out from behind the clouds, and I managed to convince myself to ditch my down coat and insulated skirt so I'd be ready to go...after one last portajohn stop. At 10:30, the 5k and 10k participants lined up at the tent by the Crazy Cat Adventures flags for the start of the first events.

..and off they went!

Five minutes later, I was trying to get myself to the back of the pack for the 25k start, and when Eric said go we all set off at a trot through the parking lot. An employee had been out with the groomer to break a trail to the big picnic shelter that housed the aid station, but the moment I left the packed-down parking lot my right foot slid away in the loose snow and I nearly fell!

Tank waving as he has no idea I just wrenched my SI joints badly a mere 200m into the race

The back of both hips screamed at me as I entered the trails, and it became abundantly clear this would not be an easy day. The snow was too cold to pack, so it was like running through loose sand: I could feel my quads tiring as I trudged up the first tiny incline, just half a kilometer into the race.

I knew it wasn't a hilly course - I'd call it mostly flat-to-rolling - but there were a couple of bits that might get sketchy in the loose snow

With very little to encourage me, I figured I'd just do my best and hope I could make the 5-hour cutoff time. Yes, I know 5 hours sounds generous for 25km - most people could walk that quickly - but my body is kind of trash and the tough conditions might make it more difficult than you'd think.

Bottom line: my best really isn't very good, and certainly not fast

The woods were beautiful with their load of fresh snow, though, and I let everyone past me so I wouldn't hold anyone up while I walked and stumbled and took photos.

The sun and I both made an effort, but results for both of us were kind of weak

While the forest provided excellent insulation from the rising wind, there is a section of trail that comes out to the verge of a road, with just a narrow band of trees separating you from an open field. The wind whipped across that field and through that little strip of woods, then straight through me as I ran toward it and then around the curve to parallel the road.

Note all the broken and fallen trees beside the trail

Really, there were fallen trees all over the course - the last year had not been kind to this tract of timberland, and every deadfall wore a thick layer of fresh snow.

At least most of them did not obstruct passage

As I ran and walked along, I recognized parts of the course from the year before, though the marshmallow-like coating gave them a very different appearance from 2023.

Top: Jan 21st, 2023
Bottom: Jan 20th, 2024

There was also an additional obstacle introduced for this year:

Approaching it, I was thinking "man, that looks really low.."

Going under it the first time was...ok. 

..but I wasn't at all sure how I'd manage the requisite deep squat and lean to clear it on my 5th lap

The nice part about being really slow is that you get plenty of time by yourself to enjoy the pretty woods.

..which would occasionally dump some snow on me when a gust of wind would penetrate

There are some flat stretches, and I'd try my best to run those, but man it was a workout in the shifting snow underfoot.

I also wanted to get a look at some of the gorgeous views

The scariest bit of the course comes at about the halfway point: a steep descent from a ridge overlooking Lake Erie.

Fortunately, there were some trees on the left side - I'd glissade down to one, grab on, re-direct, then glissade to the next

I say that like I'm freakin' Kilian Jornet, gracefully drifting down the slope at the speed of a running deer: in fact, I am timidly and awkwardly sliding like I'm trying to snowboard while having forgotten a vital piece of equipment, and wondering if I'm going to die in the process.

Each time I'd approach the top, I'd tell myself that "butt-sliding is always an option"

Having survived the descent, I tried to get my legs moving again, especially after getting passed before the 3km mark by the leader in the 10k doggo race (who - let's be clear - started 10mins later than I did).

I bet I have nicer photos than he does, though, so I've got that going for me

I was still moving forward, anyway, and at least my hips/lower back didn't really seem to be getting any worse. It was still early on, and the winter wonderland around me was lovely.

I'd never want to live where I couldn't go meandering through snowy woods like this

There were definitely some unsettling spots due to the conditions, though - like this section on the edge of a steep drop, where some footprints on the left demonstrated just how unstable the snow was.

I didn't actually wish to fall off

There was also a little humour lurking on the trail - I stopped to take a pic of the hilarious little snow hat that corniced the top of one of the trail marker posts, and just had to laugh at the trail name.

Oh, the universe does love a joke at my expense

I couldn't do anything else about my sore back, and I hadn't been able to feel my toes at all since a few minutes before the race started, so what could I really do except chuckle a bit?

Oh, and eat cookies

I finally made it back to the small section - only 100m or so - where there is 2-way traffic on the course, and Agnes (who was out marshaling) made sure I was on the right track for the final loop.

Which also had its own little obstacle

Soon I came to the hairpin turn and climb up the ridge that I knew were close to the end.

It's not very big, but it is a touch steep, and does seem to grow a little each lap

I saw Sue with her camera near the top, and tried to look like I had any business being out there.

Rather than the true basket case I am

The last stretch runs along the very back of the property, with the woods falling away down a steep slope to the marshland bordering Lake Erie below.

Not much further now

You go past the glamping pods that are available year-round to those who wish for a little comfort in their camping experience.

One of these days we may have to come and stay - maybe bring our cross-country skis!

Eventually I made it back to the start/finish, where Heather marked my lap on the tablet.

All of the volunteers were wonderful!

Checking my watch, it had taken me about 55mins to complete the first lap...which did not bode particularly well. Tank was kind enough to refill my little soft water bottle - the only one I have that doesn't leak and fits in my jacket pocket nicely, so I couldn't just leave one with him to fill while I was out on a lap, costing me some time. I thought I might be able to move a little faster if the snow packed down for the second lap..

However, it did not.

My lower back was grumpy, but it was still holding in, so I just tried to trundle along as best I was able. I barely saw another soul on this lap, though I did actually pass a couple of people who were walking the 10k.

Yes, I was moving slightly faster than people who were making no attempt to run.

I also got a couple of photos of spots that I'd liked but not snapped on the first lap, either because I'd missed my chance or because of other folks around me doing so.

I'd known I'd have other opportunities with it all to myself

The wind had mercifully stayed lower than forecast, so the snow load was largely undisturbed even on tiny branches and twigs.

It was surprising, considering how unstable the snow remained underfoot

I once more managed to glissade down off the ridge without falling, dying, or breaking anything by running into a tree.

But got mildly snowjobbed by this laden evergreen branch hanging over the end of the second big footbridge

I ate one of my homemade salted maple crisp rice squares and another cookie as I trucked along, noting that I should probably pick up some more food from my drop bag at the aid station before my next lap as I only had 2 crisp rice squares left, and they're only maybe 50cal each.

Much as it looked like everything was covered in marshmallow fluff, there were no trail snacks to be found

I saw Sue again near the top of the final climb, where I'd noticed a dead tree last year that just sort of hangs over the trail - I'd have thought they'd have cleared that out as a safety hazard, but I suppose they figured it was securely enough wedged that it didn't pose a risk.

So I clowned with it for Sue

Arriving at the start/finish once again, I checked my watch and...another 55min lap. This was not bueno: if I was already at 1h50m for two laps while fresh, I had no reason to think I'd be able to keep up the same pace as fatigue set in.

Which it assuredly would, since my longest run in the prior couple of months had been about 13km

So, I had no choice but to try to actually act like a runner instead of just some lazy feral trail creature. After filling my bottle once again at the aid station (and completely failing to pick up any more food), I put my phone away to stop taking photos, and pushed myself to run whenever there was a flat or downhill spot.

Except down what I heard another runner call "the ski hill", where it was still very touch-and-go (or more like slide-and-grab)

I don't know if you've ever had to chase a cut-off for an extended period, but it is stressful.  While fretting and sweating, I smacked the back of my right hand off a tree beside the trail as I ran, making my knuckle sore. However, I was making decent progress - I worked hard on that lap - until I came to this tiny little rise in the last loop of the course after the 2-way traffic section.

Yeah, that one - just past the "tire swing"

As I went to step up with my right foot, the snow gave way and my leg slipped backward, wrenching my poor SI joints again and setting my lower back on fire. It was at this point I began to wonder if I'd even be able to make it through two more laps; another slip like that, and I might not even be able to walk myself out.

But, there was only one way to find out..

I kept moving - trying not to let anything seize up - and was even able to keep running a bit. My efforts had paid off, too: as I came through the start/finish a third time, I saw 2h40m on my watch, which meant I'd cut that lap down to 50mins. This gave me a bit more breathing space for the cutoff.

But I'd have to keep running whenever I could

I did actually manage to pick up some more food while getting my bottle filled at the aid station again, having only eaten 1 crisp rice square on my third lap. The duck under the fallen tree went ok on lap 4, and I ate another Oreo, still trying to move efficiently but not pushing quite so hard now that I was relatively sure I'd come in under 5 hours.

The snow was finally starting to consolidate a little in places, too.

I actually got to thinking back to the old days of Frosty Trail, when I'd sign up for the 3-hour trail race and never quite made 25km (the closest I came was 24.4km in 2017, back when I thought I might be a real runner): there was always a 6-hour as well, and I never felt sorry that I had only signed up for 3 hours.

Yet here I was, past 3 hours and still with more than a lap to go, and I smoked my hand on that same tree again!

In an interesting development, I actually passed someone - I wished him well as he let me by, and assured him that he'd probably be passing me again within a few minutes. Oddly enough, though, he stayed behind me for the rest of the race. The weather turned as well: my ears popped repeatedly as the pressure dropped and the wind increased, making it much colder than it had been for the first 3 laps.

Not superb, as I was soaked in sweat from my efforts on my third lap

I wanted more than an hour and a quarter on hand for the last lap so I could walk a lot if I needed to - as a matter of fact, if I'd brought a synthetic insulated jacket that I could throw on, I might have just walked it in period if I had time.

But I only had the jacket I was already wearing, and my big down coat back at race headquarters, so I'd need to run enough to stay warm

I saw Eric at the start/finish as I transitioned from my 4th to my 5th lap, and he confirmed I still had around 1h35m left as I'd taken about 53mins for lap four. The last one paid for all, so off I went to get this thing done.

After Tank - pictured here with Eric in a shot by Sue - filled my bottle for me once more

I'm not going to lie: the last lap was a struggle. I munched another cookie early on, but I'd already been moving for ~3h35m and only eaten 3 Oreos and 2 crisp rice squares in that time: about 260cal, or 74cal/hr. The usual minimum recommendation is 200cal/hr, so I was well behind.

Map of the course - you can see the 2-way traffic section, where the trail approaches the road to the north, and the final loop that doubles back along a ravine

Elevation profile for the 25k - not hilly, but not really flat

Had the course actually been 25k, I'd have finished in about 4 hours.

..but I wasn't even halfway through my final lap yet.

I took the opportunity to say goodbye to all the sketchy bits I wouldn't have to do again, like the "just run it and hope for the best" downhill to the first big footbridge.

Steeper than it looks, and very narrow with a dropoff to the left

I somehow did not paralyze myself ducking under the low fallen tree for the fifth time.

Though it did not - and let me be clear about this - feel at all wonderful

To add insult to injury, the wind blew in snow flurries - the icy flakes sticking to my face and making my skin freeze as I continued to traipse along as best as my wounded carcass was able.

The tips of my mittens froze solid, too, as did the bottom hem of my jacket.

You definitely could not ask for better course marking, though: everything was well signed and flagged, so even a lemming like me need not worry about getting lost.

Crazy Cat Adventures arrow signs and the ubiquitous trail race pin flags

I got down the "ski hill" for the final time without incident -  the snow had actually started to pack a little, so I was able to mince my way down without needing to glissade.

Looking back up it from the bottom - you can see how sliding runners tore through the snow to the fallen leaves below

I finally managed to get a photo of a stump so heavily corniced by snow that it looked like a mushroom.

Don't you think?

The sun had completely given up any semblance of shining, but I knew I was nearly done.

After smacking my poor knuckle off that same tree again 

I finally made my last pass by the glamping pods, turned the corner just before the observatory, and was greeted by cheers from Heather as she gave me my finisher's award.

A maple leaf-shaped bottle of maple syrup!

Unofficial time: 4h30m34s for "25k"

(actually nearly 28km by my watch)

The technology issues persisted, so there are no official results

(Garmin data is here)

Oh, and it turns out I wasn't last! Not only was there the one fellow I'd passed behind me, another lady finished after me as well. I realized that after I got inside the observatory, and was able to see how badly my jacket had iced up.

I had felt the ice on the back when getting my bottle out of my pocket

I hadn't realized it had iced up at the front, too

Other than the technology problems, this was a perfectly organized and executed race - the volunteers are amazing, Sue's photographs are included in your entry, and all proceeds go to support the Simcoe Humane Society. There are tons of cute dogs, too! Not to mention the chance to see some of the beautiful trails at Long Point Eco Adventures.

Not only do they have loads of walking trails..

..they are also part of the Turkey Point Mountain Bike Club trail system

So, if you're looking for a great way to spend a snowy Saturday in January, you could do much worse than to get involved in the next Polar Paws.

Even if just to take in the view