Hi, I’m Cat! I recently just completed the OMR SLAM which consisted of three, 100 mile races over the course of 4 months. The races included Kettle Moraine 100, Midwest States 100, and finally The Hennepin 100. They are directed by Michele Hartwig of Onery Mule Racing. Each one is uniquely special with its own set of challenges and terrain, but as I got further through the race series, I realized each one had what I began to realize was the comfortable feel of an OMR race: wonderful volunteers, amazing aid stations, and very well organized to set all us runners up for success.
At the beginning of 2024, I had decided to sign up for Kettle Moraine as my main 100 miler and began training. I thought I would like to do at least two 100 milers this year, but I did not have a solid plan as to what was going to come after Kettle or what kind of time I would have to accomplish this. My husband and I are farmers: raising cattle, grain, and 4 children. Kettle takes place at the beginning of June, so as my training ramped up in the spring, so did farm work. All of a sudden, we were in the middle of calving, planting, driving kiddos around to their sporting events, AND trying to find time for runs. Some days I would have to split my long runs into two, running some in the morning and then later in the day as my schedule allowed. There were days I asked myself, “What were you thinking trying to get ready for a 100 mile race at this time of the year?!” I was very thankful once it was time to taper, I had made it through the training! The race itself was SO much fun, even though it did not go smoothly for me (as most 100s do not), but I was able to adapt, and with the help of my wonderful friend Lily who paced me for 38 miles, I pushed through to the finish. Yay!
Then it was time to figure out, “What’s next?” I was talking to Lily and mentioned I wanted to try for Hennepin in the fall, however there was a waitlist and I was not sure I would get in. Lily then told me about the OMR SLAM: since I completed Kettle, I could sign up for Midwest States and then round it off with Hennepin. After talking it over with my husband, we decided to go for it! If not now, then when, right? I continued training and navigating this new territory of not being fully recovered, but attempting to maintain my fitness, and work on building strength to get me through the next two races. Midwest States was by far the most technical and slow-going race of the three. Rocks, roots, mud, and downed trees made for a very challenging 32 hour trek through the woods of Wisconsin. This was not a PR course, but it was INCREDIBLY beautiful up there and worth experiencing at least once. Hennepin rounded off the series with a flat and fast course. I was able to complete it in under 24 hours, which was a first for me!
I am very thankful for the opportunity to see what my body can do when pushed to its limits and all the people that supported me and helped me achieve this goal. Now, as we are deep in our harvest season on the farm, I will give my body a little rest before I move on to some new goals in 2025!
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