We're running for the trails in our new KEEN trail runners, and we're sharing trail run reports from KEENers around the world – like this ultra-trail race log from Niki, a senior supply planner in KEEN Canada who recently competed in a 50K race just 18 months after she started running (!!!).
"I started running after my second child was born as a way to get more exercise and try to feel more like my pre-baby self again. At that time, it was hard to fit longer workouts into my schedule, so I loved that I could easily go for a run any time of day, with my daughter in the stroller if needed," Niki says. "As a busy mom of two with a full-time job, running is typically my only alone time in a day. It's when I do my best thinking, find calm, and make time that is just for me."
My Trail Race
Location: Sulphur Springs Trail Race in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Distance: 50 kilometers
Shoes worn: KEEN Seek trail runners
Hydration: Hydration vest with water & electrolytes
Race snacks: Energy gels and candy, plus PB&Js and pretzels at aid stations
I first ran the Sulphur Springs 10K in May 2024, and I chose it because it was close to home, a gorgeous trail, and very well known in the Hamilton area. When it came time to make the jump to the 50K, I knew this would be the perfect race to choose! It is a challenging course with a great community of runners and a very organized race weekend.
The course is a beautiful 20K loop in the Dundas Valley conservation area, so you’re surrounded by nature and forests the entire time. For the 50K race, you first complete a 10K loop, and then 2 laps of the 20K course. There is plenty of elevation (1230m in the 50K!), so although there are some nice flat stretches, you certainly feel the hills in this race!
My Training:
It was hard, a big adjustment for daily life and our family at first. I had only been running for about a year and a half at the time, but I had recently completed my first marathon and my confidence was high. It was challenging to make the time to push my weekly training volume up even higher (thank goodness for a treadmill in the winter with sick kids!). Although the number of hours was tough to juggle, it felt amazing to accomplish each and every one of the workouts during those 20 weeks.
Favorite Part:
The best part was that finishing feeling!!! The Sulphur Springs race finishes with a tough hill, and seeing my friends, husband, mom, and kids at the top was a feeling I will never forget. My mom used to be a marathon runner (she even qualified for Boston!), and hugging her while we sobbed with joy and pride was such a special moment.
Toughest Part:
The hardest part was by far, absolutely no question, the hills. I live close to the race course and was lucky enough to do plenty of training runs there, so I was no stranger to the elevation. But those hills after 35km was a challenge unlike anything I had experienced in training.
Personal Takeaway:
I think the biggest thing I learned is that I have an incredibly strong mental game. Physically, I went through lots of ups and downs during the race, but my mind stayed strong the entire time. I knew that I could do it, no matter how hard it felt, and I just had to keep moving forward one step at a time. I certainly learned that having a strong mindset is crucial for tackling longer distance races.
My Shoes:
I was lucky enough to test out the Seek trail runners for the race, and they felt amazing. I had only worn them for a few shorter training runs, so I brought extra shoes along in case I needed to make a change. But they were so comfortable the whole time! They have great cushioning and support while also allowing me to run fast on the flat stretches. I am thrilled to report I finished that race blister free!
Other Gear:
I brought a hydration vest with water & electrolytes, packed with sunglasses, my cell phone, some energy gels and candy for fuel. Sulphur Springs is known to have amazing aid stations, and they certainly did not disappoint! They were frequently placed, and I relied on the aid stations for bigger snacks like PB&J’s and pretzels to keep me going. We were lucky enough to have great weather that day, so there was no need for rain gear or any extra layers. It was a perfect spring day to go play in the woods! There is a bag drop location that you can access after each lap, so I brought extra shoes & socks, blister bandages, Tylenol, and Vaseline to have on hand just in case.
Pro Tips:
Definitely try to get out to the course for a training run if you’re able to do so! Knowing the course and what to expect ahead of time was so beneficial in helping me feel prepared and strong on race day. If not, just make sure to mimic similar elevation in training. Get out to your local trails to practice on the terrain, or pop some serious incline onto your treadmill! And don’t skip your strength training! Strength is crucial for tackling the hills. Pace yourself! If you’re doing a 50K (or longer!) you’ve got a long day ahead. Don’t go out too fast, and try to keep some energy in your tank to finish strong. Trail runners love to walk the hills and run the flats so don’t be shy about taking walk breaks! And lastly, fuel is your best friend. Eat eat eat!!
