Preview : Ice Age Trail - Waushara County
Notes on my upcoming adventure
Each year I plan some sort of a running adventure around my birthday. In past years, that plan was conceived in prime Arizona running weather. Moving to Wisconsin and getting older has made my birthday run more challenging. This year, my plan was to run the Frigid Fox Ultra Trek in the North Kettle Moraine. That race was cancelled so I found myself wanting to pivot to a different winter ultra adventure. One of my ongoing running projects has been to run the entirety of the Ice Age Trail in county-length segments. Waushara County consists of 42 Ice Age Trail miles, so my 37th birthday run will be 42 miles.
Weather
When I start my run at 4:00AM it will be 17°F/-8.3°C (feels like 10°F/-12.2°C)
When I finish my run it will be 25°F/-3.9°C (feels like 20°F/-6.7°C)
No snow or rain forecasted
Light snow on the ground
Terrain
The mileage consists of roughly half roads and half trails
Ice Age Trail Segments
Deerfield Segment
Bohn Lake Segment
Greenwood Segment
Mecan River Segment
Wedde Creek Segment
Chaffee Creek Segment
Start and End Points
I will be running across Waushara county in the north to south direction. My starting point will be the Raisin’ Cain restaurant on AA and Heffron Rd in Heffron, WI. My finishing point will be 1/2 mile south of the 3rd Ave parking lot on 3rd Ave in Westfield, WI.
Plan
Leave the house at 1:30AM. Drive to Raisin’ Cain and park truck in their lot. I cleared with the owner that I may park in their lot. Start running. I will call Dad when I have 2 hours remaining, allowing him enough time to drive from his house. He has a set time that he plans to be at the 3rd Ave lot, so my call will only move that time slightly up or back depending on how the run is going. I will run past him in the 3rd Ave lot, with 1/2 mile still to go to hit the southern border of Waushara County. He will follow me to my finish, and pick me up to take me back to my truck. Once we get back to Raisin’ Cain, a beer will be consumed along with a pizza to-go. I’ll make it home before Lola wakes up from nap. Afternoon and evening will be with my wife and kids. Great day!
Fastest Known Time
It always feels weird to submit an “OKT” or Only Known Time as a “FKT” or Fastest Known Time. Alas, I have done it a few times. I recognize the two aren’t really the same. I think there is something pretty cool about being the baseline, though. I will be submitting this effort, if completed, in an unsupported style. Basically, it means you carry everything with you from beginning to end. For more on the Fastest Known Time styles and guidelines, check out https://fastestknowntime.com/guidelines
