Rocks, Roots, and Surrender: Rolf’s Superior 100

Written by Executive Director Rolf Lowenberg-DeBoer

On Saturday, September 12th, I finished the Superior 100 trail race in 36 hours and 4 minutes. It was a difficult year for everyone who participated. There was plenty of heat and humidity on that Friday. It poured rain with loud thunder and bright lightning. We also had high winds to contend with. 59% of people who started the race finished; 41% dropped out at some point during the race.

Time on the Superior Hiking Trail is what I like to call deep time. Sustained moments in wild places where time seems to not only slow down but to lose its meaning, at least temporarily. My race was a pilgrimage of sorts. A time to be out there and lose myself for a while. A journey of pain and suffering where I came out different on the other side. I tend to look at these opportunities as spiritual experiences in the wild places. I can choose to do something difficult and hopefully build some resilience in the process.

My calves and quads started to cramp early, around mile 13 or so, due to the heat and didn’t stop until about the 42-mile aid station at County Road 6. I knew right away my goal of going sub-30 hours was out the window. I quickly pivoted to a more realistic goal of finishing as best I could. I was alone for the first day and then all night until Saturday morning. I loved the night adventure. I just love being out there fully immersed in the woods. It was a time of profound reflection on my life, a time of meditation and prayer, and a time of wondering about the mystery of it all. In the morning, a good friend offered to pace me to the finish for the final 26 miles. His sister and her husband offered to crew.

There are spots where the Superior Hiking Trail is pure rocks and roots! What a way to connect with the Earth on her terms. I am completely humbled every time and reminded of the concept of surrender. It’s one that is somewhat foreign to many of us these days. I am so grateful for the deep time out there. I’ll be reflecting on the experience over the next few months!

Is there a place where you find that idea of deep time?

Where time seems to slow down, or stop altogether?

Or maybe when you forget about time completely?

I don’t need to travel to the Superior Hiking Trail to find that…I’ve had these moments in my garden, sitting there in the sun next to a little statue of St. Francis of Assisi. I’ve had these moments hiking at Tamarack Nature Center and walking my dogs around the neighborhood.

We are surrounded by stunning natural beauty in Minnesota. There is water everywhere. There are prairies, hardwood forests, boreal forests. There are so many natural places that are worth our attention to care for and steward for the long term. Because I spend a lot of time on the Superior Hiking Trail, I plan to continue to give financially and also to volunteer my time to do some serious trail maintenance.

What natural places do you care for and support in Minnesota?

We’d love to hear!