Superior 50k 2025 - Two Worlds Collide

Superior 50k 2025 - Two Worlds Collide

Credit: Scott Rokis just before the switchbacks

Superior 50k has been a quick trip before but this was the quickest yet.  From the time I left home until the time I got back was 32 hours.  

Two worlds collided for the first time and it was so much fun!

Many years ago, before I had any kids, when I was just a kid, my new bride and I moved to Dallas, TX (July, 2002).  I was fortunate enough to get a job as an instructor at a young baseball academy in Dallas called D-BAT (January, 2004).  Four years and two kids later we moved back home to Minnesota to be closer to home (July, 2008).  D-BAT has been a big part of my life ever since, even though many people in my life now don't know much about my experience or involvement with D-BAT in the beginning.

Shortly after moving back home and starting over, I ran my first Superior 50k (May, 2010).  Another kid, a few jobs and almost 30 ultramarathons later, D-BAT finally opened it's doors within commuting distance from my house.  They have since opened more than 180 academies worldwide. I was fortunate enough to be named the General Manager at D-BAT Chaska (February, 2025).  It has been a wild ride so far and every day my job is to serve, connect and lead in the Southwest Metro, Minneapolis.  I've said many times, there is no tired like D-BAT tired and I still think that to be true, even after many long distance endurance events.

This was my 12th Superior 50k finish and I hope to complete many more before my ultra career is over.  I did this one on pretty much no training, at least no long runs.  I relied on my fueling and strategy from Ouray last summer and it served me pretty well.

I got to the Mountain Inn around 4pm, checked in to event, mingled a bit and headed back to my room.  I hadn't drunk that much water in months but I hydrated like a boss!  The Knicks closed out the Celtics even though I didn't stay up for the whole thing.  I was in bed by 8 and up Saturday morning by 5:30 for a 7:00am start.  

​I went down to check back in with a cup of coffee and had all of my gear laid out from the night before.

My gear. Pro tip: Apply slippery substances liberally multiple times throughout the week leading up to an ultra endurance event to help prevent chaffing. Roll Tide!

The start is always fun and I haven't toed the line more underprepared physically ever but I was still confident I could find a way to avoid major incident and get back to Lutsen in one piece, primed for a solid recovery. 

I decided to not carry my phone or any way to tell time as I wanted to get lost in the North Woods.  My goal was to cover ground as well as I could and make it to the finish in under nine hours.  Spoiler alert, I made it in 7:47:54.

I felt pretty good on the road and got in line once we crossed the roaring Poplar River.  My plan was to blow through Oberg on my way out and stop at the 2nd aid station, Sawbill for a full refuel and that's what I did.  On the way back I blew right through Sawbill and stopped at Oberg for a full refuel.  I did not have drop bags.

Ouray taught me that I can travel long distances without refueling.  The temps were perfect for the 2025 edition of Superior.  During the week leading up to the event I mentioned a number of times that cold and dry would be ideal and that's what we ended up with.

For most of the event I was locked in on what I was doing and happy to be enjoying the woods running my own race.  With about 10 miles to go I locked step with a guy who was wanting to chat.  I chatted it up too and it was nice to have someone to talk to.  I wasn't really in the mood for small talk though and felt my guard coming down. 

I was starting to feel good about myself and I do believe that pride comes before the fall so I quickly took inventory and kept moving, at my pace, in my head.  Ten miles during a 30 mile race may not sound like much but on the SHT it could be three hours plus so to "feel good" at mile 20 doesn't mean much.  I've spent the last ten miles of this event in pretty rough shape before and it puts a damper on the ability to recover, something I don't have the luxury of now as GM at D-BAT.

I stopped at Oberg and fueled up with Tailwind and UCAN that I had left over from Ouray along with a full bladder of water and 100, 160 and C30 Maurten gels.  I needed almost everything I had and probably couldn't have planned out my fueling any better.

As I came up the road from Oberg Aid I saw Bill Pomerenky, the running realtor.  He's been directing traffic at Oberg since I can remember.  I told him I'd put a picture of him on my website.  Here it is Bill.  I paid 18 bucks for this!

Bill is in the yellow vest. Thanks Bill and it was good to see you out there!

I usually think about food late in a race but not so much this time.  I knew I would make it to the finish in plenty of time and many of you have heard from me before that I truly do cherish the end of long events.  It's hard to hurt.  That might not make sense and for some it's not actually hard so it feels kind of bad to write that.  I think what I mean is that it takes a lot of work to get to the point where I feel every step and every step is somewhat of a struggle.  I feel alive and cherish the moments I get to live in that headspace.  There is a clarity of mind that is difficult to explain and I look forward to it at the beginning of every event.  So, when I get there, I don't really want to leave, even though I do because it does feel good to sit down.  Maybe someday I'll get better at explaining that.

I was content to power hike it in when Aaron and Renee came by and picked me up.  It was so fun to share the last couple of miles with them and they spurred me on to get to the finish in under eight hours.  

Thanks for the finish line picture, Aaron!

Thanks Maria for insisting that I get my picture taken with the Superior wolf!

The event ended and after chatting with a few folks about the day and soaking up every bit of Superior Spring I headed to my car and started heading home.  There was mud, but it's been muddier.  It was hard, but it's been harder.  This year, Superior 50k was a part of the rhythm of my life.  Two of my worlds collided and it was like they were made for each other.  

The event was on Saturday.  Sunday I signed up for my next event, Devil on the Divide 50k.  That event will take place on September 6th in Empire, CO on the Continental Divide.  Then, just maybe Ouray 2026 awaits.  We'll see if I can figure out the altitude issues that have plagued me in high elevation events previously.

If you're ever in Chaska, MN, come see me at D-BAT Chaska.  I'd love to show you around!

Follow my training for Devil on the Divide at Jon Howard Athlete on FB or IG @_jonhoward.  If you're looking for professional coaching, please reach out.  I know what growth looks like both in business and life.