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| The west shore of Hagg Lake, Oregon |
Upon waking up at 5:30 a.m., I showered and dressed in trail race gear to include my Brooks Cascadia IV trail runners. Little did I know the degree to which these shoes would be needed in the hours ahead.
After a bagel and a cup of Mt. Hagen's best instant java, J, the girls and I loaded up and headed for Hagg Lake which is located some 2 hours west of Boring. The temperature was about 28 degrees when we left the house and as we approached the lake, it hovered at about 30 degrees which, with the thick fog, created icy roads. I hadn't been to Hagg Lake for several years and as we approached, was a bit surprised by its enormous perimeter. The thought of running completely around this lake got me thinking - no deeply questioning, if it was a good idea. Remember? A lake's primary purpose is to draw crowds for fishing and swimming - not running....in the winter....in the mud.
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| Runners gather before the big race |
We arrived at the race staging area after a short walk from an adjacent parking lot. This walk along the lake's main trail gave some cause for concern as the terrain was wet and slick - a sign of events to come.
Having picked up my race packet on Thursday, I was able to bypass the sign-in and spent the time leading to the start huddled with the girls, and a few hundred other runners, next to propane heaters placed in the staging area's large gazebo - the sight for the the start and finish lines.
At 8:55 a.m. the race announcer directed all runners to the start line. At precisely 9:01 a.m. the race start was announced and we were off. The race included a beginning two mile "out-and-back" which involved running up hill along an old gravel road. Once we returned to the original start line, I shed my hat and Ipod as it became clear that both would be distractions to the muddy trails that would require my full attention.
The race involved, after the "out-and-back", a counter-clockwise run around the lake and well established hiking trail. The prior week's weather included everything from snow and rain to some windy conditions. The first three miles of trails gave me a very good idea of what the day would involve. Mud, clay, standing water, slope, decline, roots, rocks and fallen trees were present and obstructed my path and goal of running a 9 minute mile pace.
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| Start of 2011 Hagg Lake 25k Trail Race |
After the beginning three miles of challenging trail, the course followed along the paved road and across Hagg Lake's dam. At the north end of the dam the trail picked up along the lake's north shore. Here is where the real test began. The trail became less trail and more of a slushy path. Standing water was present during most flat sections and the hills were slicks of wet, slippery clay exacerbated by the previous day's 50k trail race.
When climbing a steep section of trail with four other runners at about mile 8, I fell for the first time in a race. This occurred as a runner was trying to pass me on my right. I stepped quickly left to allow the pass and slid down with my left foot from the inside bank into some standing water. Losing my balance, I slid onto my left side, scraping the area left of my knee cap on some submerged rocks. I never felt any pain until after the race and was up running again within seconds. I would later find a resulting laceration as indicated by torn skin and blood.
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| Thrills and spills at mile 8 |
The last three miles of the race provided my body with a test of stamina and pain of which I've never experienced before. It was where cold, wet feet and burning thighs met steep, muddy hills. I became lost in concentration. Every step required my attention in order to finish the race with confidence and without another spill. I focused on both the trail in front of me and a group of 3 other runners who were about 100 yards ahead. I challenged myself to catch and pass this group and managed to pass two of them with about one mile to the finish line.
At the finish H and E gave me high-fives and J went to work on trying to clean the cut on my leg. I finished in 2:22:08 at a pace of 9:10 per mile which, given the conditions, was very satisfying. I placed 55 out of 267 runners.
The 2011 Hagg Lake Trail Race was a challenging experience that I will not soon forget. Hands down, it was more difficult than running a marathon. It tested my stamina, will, pain threshold and brought me to that place of "play" which I experienced as a young boy running through Willamette Valley woods in search of adventure. I want to return to that place soon.
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| Nearing the finish line |
