For Ken Weiblen, successfully completing an ultramarathon boils down to preparation and synergy among members of his team. That’s why in addition to his supportive family and friends, Weiblen counts Dr. Ryan Wagner of ThedaCare Orthopedic Care as an integral part of his circle.
An ultramarathon is any footrace that extends past the standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles. Such races often range from 31 miles to 100 miles and longer.
Completing such an event is no small feat. Preparation includes plans for proper nutrition, training routines, planned gear changes and more. For Weiblen, that’s all a bit easier with Dr. Wagner providing sagely sports medicine guidance.
“In general, as an ultra-runner, you probably know an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine doctor pretty well,” Weiblen said. “Dr. Wagner is just awesome. He really listens.”
Dr. Wagner said he delights in assisting Weiblen with his ultramarathon efforts as much as he enjoys supporting all his patients’ physical activities goals and aspirations.
“Each patient is unique and, like Ken, each has a different story to tell,” he said. “I strive for patient-centered care. Taking time to listen to patients like Ken helps create a strong relationship which allows for a greater understanding of their end goals.”
Chasing Goals
Weiblen, a Sherwood resident and a sales consultant for American Orthodontics, said he always felt driven to work toward something.
In junior college in his home state of California, Weiblen played basketball for a Division II school. At 5 feet 9 inches tall, though, he joked that he didn’t see a long-term future for himself in the sport.
From basketball, Weiblen’s passion turned to running. Competing in shorter races quickly led to a desire to run marathons. After realizing that goal, he set his sights on qualifying for the Boston Marathon.
Weiblen checked that goal off his to-do list after running the marathon in 2009.
While training for the Boston Marathon, Weiblen’s mother was being treated for cancer. Shortly after he completed the marathon, his mother died. As he grieved his mother, something within him shifted. Marathon training became a grind that lost some of its joy.
“My mom and I were very close and I needed time,” he said. “I needed something different.”
Around that period, a friend introduced Weiblen to 50K races. He visited the Grand Canyon and completed a Rim-to-Rim run of approximately 28 miles. Runners begin at the canyon top, descend to the bottom and climb back up.
The race took more than five hours. Although Weiblen relished the experience, he said he still needed more. A 50K, which is about 31 miles, felt too close to a marathon, he said.
“I was like, ‘What’s next? I need more time,’” he recalled. “This was coming from the perspective of, I love running, not that I want to compete.”
Soon, Weiblen began running longer distances. It proved cathartic. Putting in miles helped him grieve.
“More than anything, I love the process of training. You just have to figure it out,” he said. “It allowed me to run for miles on end and work through stuff in my head.”
He soon discovered ultramarathons.
“I did my first 100 and it was absolutely brutal,” Weiblen said. “But I was hooked.”
Weiblen soon set yet another goal for himself: securing a spot in the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. The California race is the nation’s premier 100-mile running event.
Achieving this goal required hard work and a bit of luck, Weiblen said. That’s because Western States has approximately 350 spots. Each year, anywhere from 12,000 to 18,000 runners enter a lottery for a slot. Weiblen secured a spot for the 2024 race.
Arriving at the Apex
The event was every bit as challenging and gratifying as Weiblen anticipated it would be. His team included his son and several close friends. Their support and encouragement kept him going. Plus, he was armed with his usual preparatory tips from Dr. Wagner.
Things went mostly as planned, except for a bit of an inconvenience – blisters on every toe.
“Ninety miles of blisters,” Weiblen said, laughing. “It was as bad as you would think it would be but I just kept telling myself, my son’s here. I waited 10 years for this.”
Crossing the finish line with a time just shy of 29 hours made everything worth it. Weiblen’s son ran the last mile with him and friends lined up to celebrate him.
“It was so emotional,” he said. “I just couldn’t ask for anything more. It was amazing.”
Weiblen has now completed a dozen 100-mile runs. During those events, he experienced all sorts of issues ranging from shin splints and plantar fasciitis to trips and falls.
When injuries arise, Weiblen taps into the expertise of Dr. Wagner who has helped him through runner’s knee, shin splints and more.
“Probably the most common issue that can arise with long-distance running, especially ultramarathon training, is overuse,” Dr. Wagner said. “To help with such issues, I typically recommend cross-training, incorporating rest days and gradual progression with training.”
Dr. Wagner said sports medicine specialists and physical therapists can help athletes like Weiblen work through overuse issues, training optimization and exercises that can help strengthen weak muscles to improve form. They also emphasize the importance of fundamentals like good nutrition, plenty of sleep and incorporating rest days.
Weiblen said he appreciates Dr. Wagner’s personalized, collaborative approach.
“Dr. Wagner takes a lot of time and asks lots of questions,” he said. “It’s not, ‘This is what we’re going to do.’ It’s, ‘Here’s what I suggest.’”
Collaboration with patients like Weiblen and the ability of his patients to set and meet their active lifestyle goals is a huge satisfier, Dr. Wagner said.
“In general, helping patients like Ken enjoy doing what they love is what drives me and makes me tick,” he said. “It’s why I love doing what I do.”
For Weiblen, that means a lot.
“There’s more of a comfort coming in to see him because I know I’m not going to get the standard treatment,” he said. “I’m going to get someone who understands what I’m going through.”
ThedaCare offers several options for Orthopedic care. Visit ThedaCare’s Non-Surgical Orthopedic Care Program to schedule an appointment or explore care options.
