Well , first lets get the ugly out of the way, after 25 miles of roller coaster of hills & above average temps for June in Wisconsin I was was toast. My usual friend from the heat (Nascious & dizzy feelings ) I was gagging on everything but water, and did a heck of a lot more walking to see if the dizziness would go away & it never did. I arrived at the 50K mark ( 7:53'ish ), which was also the turnaround for the 100K & 100 milers. I told race officials " Stick a fork in me I am done. " I was lucky enough to hitch a ride quickly w/ a few others who had called it a day also at that point.

Okay now for the real details. Those Cheeseheads put on a pretty dang good race, about 200 or so total runners for both races. The race is run in the Southern unit of the Kettle Moraine state Forest , this area was cut out by the Glaciers more than 10,000 yrs. ago & is just beautiful. The course consisted of Flat meadows into pine forest of super tall pine trees w/ lots of soft pine needles to run on , then into ski trails that were a roller coaster of hills, none long , but very very steep & neverending , then into long meadows of grass & wildflowers , then into more rolling hills cut by the glaciers. More beautiful pine forests after that.

The 100mil'ers & 100K'ers turnaround at that point went back to the start . The 100K'ers finished at that point & the 100Miler's went back ouit in another direction to do an out & back of 38 more miles.

The course was well marked w/ white arrows , although you still need not to be daydreaming. Great aid stations stocked w/ excellent Volunteers, oh yeah , great ultra snacks also.For some of the course being out in the middle of nowhere it was amazing you would all of a sudden come across a small group of spectators in camping chairs relaxing & cheering for you.

This is my 3rd. time running the Kettles 2 in the south & 1 in the Northern unit. They kick my A$$ every time, & I will sure be back for more , I love this part of the country. The above average temps & periods of Sun were tough but it seemed like everyone took it in stride & did not complain, at first. Great job Cheeseheads. The DNF rate was very high in the 100K as well in the 100 Mile, although the 100 Milers had the option of outing at the 100K mark, many did. I did not get to bring home one of those mini finishers copper kettles, maybe next year ! They did have nice Long Sleeve Hi-Tech shirts w/ the course elevation profile on the back, thanks for the reminder, haaaaaa !

I did run into The Grand Slam man from Austin Tx. Sammy Voltaggio doing the 100 Miler, he passed me on the out & back looking fresh! Sammy was one of the tough ones that finished the whole thing. How does this cat do it all the time.

Good race even though I bonked & great to meet new people & the Pizza was "Oh so good " that next day back in my home town of Rockford IL. ! Time for a break, then hit it again in the late Fall!

See you at the Races !