The Win of Finishing
By Molly Zaker
Justin departs from the speedway, trekking poles in hand, to tackle the day’s challenges of his first ultra. Photo credit: Coates Photography.
WAUSAU – Despite the challenges of the day, IRONBULL Ultra Trail’s final runner of the day, Justin Gaiche, discovered overcoming fear and committing was the biggest hurdle in his journey. "Just signing up is harder than the race itself," said the first time ultra runner. Justin’s journey into the world of ultra running began as a hunter who embraced the physical demands of trekking through wild terrain. So, making the IRONBULL Ultra Trail, a rugged course with guided bushwhack sections and 7,000 feet of elevation gain and loss, was a natural fit for Justin’s first ultra.
Once Justin signed up, he started doing the work, and slowly realized that he was capable of more than he ever imagined. Despite increasing his runs, Justin still hesitated to identify himself as a runner. It’s a sentiment many in the running community share—people who run several times a week but don't see themselves as athletes. “I’m using it as a tool for the other thing that’s my biggest passion—hunting,” said Justin. “But I tell you what, it gets a hold of you.” Justin’s goals in running were originally about staying fit for hunting, but he found himself embracing the sport with each step he took, captivated by the sense of accomplishment and the welcoming running community.
First time ultra runner, Justin Gaiche, was inspired by his wife, Nicole, who also took on her longest run ever at the IRONBULL Ultra Trail in the 15K event. Photo credit: Coates Photography.
As a youth he was a football player and as an adult, he ran a local 5K here and there, but the real turning point came during the pandemic when his wife, Nicole, inspired him to lace up his running shoes once again. She had never considered herself athletic, but underwent a transformation. She began with setting a goal to run her first 5K. Along the way, she fell in love with hiking and the trail community and went on to become a Thousand-Miler, hiking all 1,200 miles of Wisconsin's Ice Age Trail. And she couldn’t stop there. She went on to tackle the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim hike and is currently attempting to hike every trail in Wisconsin’s state parks. “I’ve never had a passion before, and was always envious of those that did,” said Nicole. “It took me until I was 40 to find mine, but now that I have I’m making up for lost time and can’t wait to see what other adventure the future holds.” Watching her dedication sparked something in Justin, and soon they embarked on parallel fitness journeys. Although Justin was initially motivated by his wife, Nicole began training for the IRONBULL Ultra Trail 15K held concurrently with Justin’s ultra. The trail running community, the couple discovered, was far more inclusive and encouraging than other competitive environments they had experienced. As a lifelong hunter, Justin was used to a culture where success is defined by results—landing the biggest game or winning a fishing tournament. But running, especially ultra running, offers a different perspective. "Outdoor Life magazine isn’t calling the guy who shot a spike buck," he jokes, reflecting on how rare it is to celebrate the person who finishes last. But in ultra running, he realized, finishing is a win in itself. Even though he was the slowest finisher in his first ultra marathon, the camaraderie and mutual encouragement among runners made the experience fulfilling.
The Trail Sisters approved event includes a near equal split of men and women. Photo credit: Coates Photography.
The journey to that 50K race was not without its challenges. Two months before the race, Justin was sidelined by intense hip pain that left him questioning whether or not he should even compete. He considered withdrawing, but with cold therapy, prayer, and determination, he was able to toe the start line.
Although temperatures approaching record highs challenged Justin Gaiche, he discovered his greatest challenge was overcoming the fear of committing to his first ultra. Photo credit: Coates Photography.
On race day, Justin woke up with an unexpected sense of optimism. Despite his minimal training in the weeks leading up to the race, he felt ready, armed with a carefully planned strategy to tackle the rugged course traversing Rib Mountain. But as with many races, things didn’t go perfectly. He battled nausea and dizziness on the unseasonably hot autumn afternoon, symptoms that forced him to sit for over 30 minutes on the trail, unsure whether he would be able to continue. But once again, his determination prevailed. In the midst of his discomfort, he found joy in the trails he’s come to know. Even after navigating them more times than he could count, seeing them on race day put them in a different perspective. “The biggest thing was seeing the trails in such a positive light in the last mile in reflection of finishing,” said Justin. He finished the race, not in record time, but with a deep sense of accomplishment.
For Justin, the journey stretched far beyond running or hunting through personal growth, resilience, and proving to himself and others that with the right mindset, anything is possible. And now that he’s swallowed a full dose, he’s looking forward to setting future goals in the sport.
As Justin reflects on his journey, he emphasizes that anyone can do it. “If I can do it, you can too,” says the ex-linebacker, genuinely believing that everyone has the potential to achieve great things. “The only person holding you back is you,” added Nicole. Their story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the strength of community, and the importance of always striving to get better in the trail community.
Event Details:
- Date: Saturday, September 28, 2024
- Location: State Park Speedway, Wausau, WI
Perhaps the Midwest’s most rugged 50K, the IRONBULL Ultra Trail boasts nearly 7,000 feet of elevation gain and loss. Photo credit: Coates Photography.
Course description:
The 50K course consists of two loops, which each start on private property snowmobile trail exclusive to the event connecting to Rib Mountain State Park through the woods during fall colors. After a short bushwhack section, park trails include a mix of runnable double track, technical singletrack, and even bouldering sections on the ski slopes, which boast the highest vertical drop ski runs in the Midwest. Racers can also embark on a single 25K loop or a beginner-friendly 15K course option.
Banner photo: Runners take off at sunset from the race track using private properties to connect to Rib Mountain State Park. Photo credit: Coates Photography.
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