Treeline Journal

Episode 23 | Stef’s Virtual 50k Race Recap

by Nikki Parnell — September 4, 2020


This week we hear about Stef’s virtual self-supported 50k! She was going to run the Fire Tower 50k in St. Croix State Park in Northern Minnesota. It became a virtual event but Stef and her family are up north camping with friends right near where her race was going to take place so she ran the course anyways. She had to navigate her way through an unmarked state park and her friend, Mary Jo, biked the 31 miles with her. They spent many miles tromping through bogs and shuffling over slow terrain, but were able to make up a bunch of time later in the race. They suffered together, worked off each other’s positivity and got it done!

We heard Mary Jo’s perspective for a couple minutes and it was so fun to hear about this first endurance experience for her! She’d never biked that far, let alone on tough, muddy trails and we were so impressed with how she handled it, pushed past her comfort zone and remained cheerful. Ultras are always a grand adventure — they are big efforts and unique experiences happen to you when you’re outside on your feet for so long. It’s part of the charm we all thrive off of. I was so happy that Stef got this long, hard run in, with a good friend by her side and her sweet, proud girls at the finish. What is better than that?! And I’d wager that this won’t be the last time Mary Jo dabbles in the ultra scene. Stef is going to hook her for sure!

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Show Notes:

Fire Tower Trail Races

Stef’s Shoes: Brooks Glycerin

Stef’s Nutrition:

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