Scramblin' at the Peterson Ridge Rumble

I signed up for the Peteron Ridge Rumble on a whim.  I was feeling good building up for the Badger Mountain Challenge and figured I should try and get in one last race before the birth of our second child in early May.  At the time, 40 miles seemed like a great idea.  I'd do the Badger Mtn. 50K as a buildup for the Rumble.  Then I ran the Badger Mountain Challenge.  It took me about a week to work out the soreness from the effort, so I only had one week to build back up into regular running.  Some people like to taper before races, but I just wanted to get back onto a regular routine of running everyday, so I just ran easy with my high school track team the week of the Rumble and continued to bike and swim as often as possible to work out the residual soreness and to decompress my muscles and joints.

What started as a great idea became suddenly more complicated when my crew of my wife (who is 8.5 months pregnant) and my six year old son, got sick.  We had planned on driving down to Portland for a checkup with the Dr. and a high school track meet and then driving back the scenic way through Sisters, OR, the site of the Peterson Ridge Rumble.  But when they came down with colds I wasn't sure what to do.  I didn't want to leave them home, but I also didn't want to get sick.  I also needed to be with my team at the meet.  I felt conflicted and wasn't sure what to do.  It is at times like these that I am keenly aware of how fortunate I am to have married someone who understands me and is more intense about competition and coaching than I.  She simply said, I needed to go to the meet and I needed to race because  1. I already signed up for it and 2. It’s not like me staying home would somehow make them better.  All she really wanted was time to sleep, so by not having to make the long 10 hour trek to watch the meet and crew for me she would be better off. 

Two of my many athletes who ran PRs at the Willamette Falls Invitational in Oregon City.  Photo by Gary Lind.

I accepted the orders and made my way to the meet where my athletes ran some gutsy races and inspired me to race the next day.  The route from Portland to Central Oregon was one I had never before traveled and I was happy to see some new places.  That all changed, however, when I started seeing the snow advisory notices and then the snow, snow plows, and gravel.  I went from feeling inspired to feeling too tired and too worn out to tackle the eminent snow.  By the time I reached the hotel I had reserved for the family it was around 10:00 pm and I decided to just call it a night.  I had hoped to find a place to eat dinner, but I was tired from being on the road and at the track all day so I just hoped that the orange juice, Trail Butter and pretzels I had been munching on would suffice. 

I didn't sleep well because I never sleep well when I’m away from home.  I know some people look forward to a break from their families, but for someone who prides himself on being fiercely independent, I have become rather dependent and really do a lot better with my family.  I was having a hard time getting excited about racing.  Logistically, it is a lot easier and a lot more meaningful when I get my family involved.  I felt guilty for being in such a beautiful place without them.  When the snow started to fall I accepted the fact that perhaps it was best that they had stayed home.  Now, it was up to me to run the race and try to win it on my own. 

The first good sign was that when I awoke (or finally decided to crawl out of bed because it seems like I spent a lot of time just watching the clock during the night) there wasn't snow on the car to scrape off.  The next good sign was that I had packed a pair of pants and a jacket at the last minute that I could run in.  I had also packed a couple pairs or Swiftwick compression socks as well as plenty of PowerBar Energy Gels.  My trusty Pearl Izumi E:Motion N1 Trails were ready to go, so all I needed to do was prepare my drop bags with handhelds filled with PowerBar Perform, gels, salts, and an Ultra Aspire Surge hydration vest in case the trails were technical enough that I would need it.   

After signing up, I contacted the reigning champ and course record holder of the Rumble, Max King, and asked if he'd be doing it.  He said that he would be running at Lake Sonoma with the rest of the who's who of ultra running, but reminded me of the target of 4:20 - the time he had run the year before.  This shows how out of touch I am in terms of what is going on in the sport. Still a newbie.   

I really had not planned on going after the record, but once my legs started feeling better after Badger and I had consumed enough Zinc lozenges to avoid getting sick I began thinking it might be a possibility.  Then I read the following message on the course website a day or two before the start: 

The past couple of years, I’ve been short-changing the 40 milers a bit in the mileage department. I feel bad about that, so this year there will be a minor course change at the beginning of the 40 miler. Racers will run up the trail for the first mile like normal, then upon reaching the dirt road (Brooks-Scanlon and Edgington), instead of turning left like normal, you will turn right on the road and loop back to the start line via Edgington (please run on the right). Going through the start area would be a good place to drop jackets, hats, gloves, etc. You will then run up the trail again, and when you reach the dirt road this time (Brooks-Scanlon and Edgington), you will then turn left like years past. So instead of 4.8 miles to the first aid station, it is now 7.1 miles.

Thank you, Sean, for keeping us honorable.  So I figured the record was out of the question, but thought the 40 mile distance itself would still prove a hearty challenge.

Start of the race by Glenn Tachiyama

The race started off pretty quick.  I left a handheld at the start and just tried to get to know the people around me as I worked my way into a comfortable pace.  Some were interested in talking.  Others, not so much.

Start of the race by Paul Nelson.

By the time we made our way back to the start I was in 2nd or 3rd and we were trailing the leader by a considerable distance.  He was moving very quickly up front and I really wasn't sure if I could speed up enough to run him down.  I took a quick detour to grab my water bottle before resettling again with the 2nd place runner.  Over the next few miles I moved into 2nd, but the leader, John Merrill of Ashland, OR, wasn't letting up any.  In fact, he appeared to be extending his lead.

Pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face after so many solitary miles.  Thanks for being out there, Glenn!

I continued pressing as we made our way into the serpentine single track, through the first and second aid stations.  Some of the early starters started coming back to us as we approached the third aid station where I would pick up my hydration pack and ditch my jacket and pants.  About a minute out from the turn around, the leader, John, started coming back down the trail.  He looked strong and comfortable, but I hoped that once I got warmed up and rolling, I'd be able to run him down.

Loving how protected & responsive my Pearl Izumi E:Motion N1 Trails have performed on technical terrain.

It took a bit longer to get my size 14 feet out of my pants than I had anticipated, but once I got my pack on and my clothes packed away, I was back on the trail and in race mode.  I felt like the first 15 miles were merely a warm up and I finally started feeling the competitive juices flowing.  After a few miles, I passed by my friend and one of the photographers out on the course, Paul Nelson, and asked him how far up the leader was.  When he said only about a minute, I knew I would soon catch him.

Doing a little plyometric workout through the rocks.  Photo by Paul Nelson

 Before long, John and I were running together.  I learned that he was a competitive mountain biker, and had, in fact, raced a MTB race on the same trails we were running on.  Although he is relatively new to the trail ultra scene, his MTB background lends itself to transitioning well to the sport.  Before long he began feeling the early miles and began to fade.  I felt comfortable and continued to move ahead.

As we made our way out of the first big loop we got back on a dirt road and I wasn't sure where to go from there.  Fortunately, Ian Sharman was sweeping the course and I recognized him and was able to ask for a bit of directional assistance.  Only in Central Oregon do you randomly run into  world class athletes volunteering along the course.

Trying to keep my size 14s from getting caught on a rock.  Photo by Paul Nelson.

I made my way into the second loop and was moving well.  So well, in fact, that given the fast early miles by John in which I was uncustomarily (this year) giving chase I thought that I might be able to still get the course record - even with the extra miles at the start.  And then it began to snow.

Admittedly, I don't have the best eye sight, and with the snow coming down I was squinting to keep it out of my eyes and inadvertently missed a turn from the fire road onto single track.  I continued down the fire road for a couple of minutes.  I went through one fire road intersection and then another and was surprised that they weren't marked.  Eventually, I realized I must have missed a turn, but I wasn't sure how far off course I had gone.  The snow was coming down.  I was getting worried.  It is at these points in a race (about 32 miles in) that you realize what you are made of.

Rolling through the pine needle trails.  Appreciative of Glenn Tachiyama and his ability to capture good times on film.

Unfortunately, I learned that I'm weaker physically and mentally than I had thought.  I started thinking of the last snow cave I built as a teenager.  It caved in on me during the night, only heightening my disdain for the cold.  I stopped running.  I looked around and called for HELP.  No response.  Another plea.  Nothing.  I turned around and began running back up the hill I had descended.  By the time I found the turn I had missed I was ready to pack it in and ask for a ride back to the finish at the next aid station.  I assumed at least a couple of people had moved ahead of me and that given the short distance back to the finish (about 6-8 miles) I probably wouldn't be able to regain the lead.  By the time I got back I figured I would have gotten in the stimulus I had paid for and I'd be alright with that.  I just needed to get back to my family and quit playing in the woods.

I couldn't believe I was thinking of DNFing.  DNFing sucks.  I thought about facing may family and my team upon returning and having to say I quit.  I gave up.  Things got hard and I just threw in the towel.  I think that would crush my son.  He thinks I'm invincible.

Fortunately, I caught John a few minutes later.  I asked him how he was doing and what place he was in.  He said 2nd.  So I asked if someone else had passed.  Not to his knowledge, so he still thought I was leading.  I told him he was in the lead, promptly passed him, and was on my way to the finish.

Thanks to my Swiftwick Merino Wool Compression Socks and Pearl Izumi E:Motion N1 Trail shoes my feet still felt good after putting them through the ringer for nearly five hours.  

I made my way back to the track for the finish.  It was fun trying to kick after slogging through so many slower miles on the trails.  Hurdles were set up near the finish and I instinctively tried to hurdle them.  Not a good idea.  My hamstrings are still sore...

Kicking toward the finish.  Photo by Paul Nelson.

All-in-all the race was a lot of fun.  The proceeds benefit a great cause - the Sisters Cross Country Program. As a coach of youth runners and volunteer race director of a few local fun runs we put on throughout the year to beef up our meager team budget, I can only say that what Sean Meissner does for that program is impressive!

Finally meeting the legendary Sean Meissner.  Was really happy to participate in this event that benefits youth running.

The post race meal has to be one of my all time favorites.  My stomach wasn't ready for much food at the time, so I took my plate of smoked salmon, black beans, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and spinach on the road with me.

It was nice meeting new friends and visiting with those I've run with before.  I'm a simple guy from a small town and I wouldn't consider myself particularly social in most settings, but there are few places I'd rather be and fewer people with whom I would rather be than on the trails with trail runners from all walks of life.  I really love the ultra community.  This past week as I reflected upon the devastating tragedy at Boston and the reactions of so many about it, I thought of all the good people who have anonymously volunteered and cheered so that I could enjoy this sport.  Long, grueling, draining runs have the ability to deplete us to the point where we truly appreciate the more essential elements in our lives like water, food, family, and friends.

The four hour drive home went surprisingly well.  However, with track meets and work it might take me a while to recover from this one.

This will be my last race for a while.  Now, it's time to buckle down and get ready to welcome a little baby girl into our home and into our lives.  I'm scared to death, but I figure if I can still escape every once in a while and run through the woods, we'll be alright.    

Badger Mountain 50K Challenge

I've wanted to do the Badger Mountain Challenge since Brandon Lott first started the event a few years ago.  Despite its relative proximity to my home in northeast Oregon, this was the first time I was able to do it.  In the past, I've either had high school track meets to attend, road races to run, or illnesses that prevented me from toeing the line.  But to be honest, I am glad I waited until this year to prepare myself mentally and physically for the challenge.  

Race director Brandon Lott recently completed the 350 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational, pulling a sled behind him for days on end through snow and ice.  Thus, the Badger Mountain Challenge's race distances of 100 miles, 50K, and 15K in mild spring weather over a few hills are merely a warm up for him.  However, he didn't use the term 'challenge' lightly when he deemed each of the race distances as such.

Now, I'm not claiming that the race is anything like the Barkley Marathon, but for someone who considers himself a local, the terrain and technicality of the 'trail' was certainly beyond a typical training run for me and has to rank among the most challenging courses I've run anywhere.

The string of mountains to ascend and descend in the Badger Mountain Challenge

The 50K course was simply up and over three 'mountains' in the Columbia River Basin and then back up and over them again.  Badger Mountain has some well groomed cinder trails and a nice community park where the race started and finished.  On the other side of the mountain are vineyards and orchards with plenty of rolling service roads.

View of the course from the trail on Badger Mountain 

Candy Mountain is not as well known or manicured.   There was much less single track and a lot more jeep track.  In the flat areas, the rich volcanic soil in the area is optimal for cultivating countless varieties of produce.  On the not so flat areas, like those upon which we were running, the volcanic rock is perfect for keeping you on your toes and running with the ever-present knowledge that should you fall, your hands and knees will become hamburger.  

Red Mountain had some jeep track, but also had plenty of scree to give you a great plyometric workout. Between Candy and Red Mountains is a rather sandy area with some ATV tracks and a small body of water known as Lost Lake.

While the total elevation of any of the 'mountains' is nothing substantial, there really weren't any switchbacks for Candy or Red Mountains.  We just went straight up and straight down and then turned around and did it all over again.

The turnaround was to the south of Red Mountain.  We ran out for close to 16 miles until we got to a pile of rocks with a large flag which signaled we had to drop down the face of the mountain through the sage and scree to aid station #4.  After bushwacking downhill for about a half mile we turned around and climbed back up through the sage and scree of Red Mountain and descended toward Candy Mountain.  

This is what my Garmin showed for the elevation profile

The course was well-marked with pink flags and ribbon and orange spray chalk.  The simple out and back nature of the course with distinguishable landmarks lent itself to be relatively easy to navigate and get back on course if one didn't see the markings for a bit.  There are a lot of trails and tracks on and around the mountains so it was possible to occasionally mistake the redneck recycling (florescent orange clay pigeons, broken bottles, and shotgun shells) strewn about for course markings, but it was also pretty easy to reorient oneself toward the next mountain.  I admit to getting off the beaten path a few times, but it didn't ever really amount to much more than the more direct route and it was not due to lack of markings.  

The race brought me back to my younger years when I didn't sign up for races expecting the race director to all but run the race for me.  I liked the laid back, rugged nature of the event and certainly hope to return and do it again.

Due to the relative proximity of the course to my home (about 45 minutes away) I was able to do a preview run of most of the course a few weeks prior to the race while the rest of my family did some shopping in Tri Cities, WA, the closest metropolitan area to my home in Oregon.  The markings were not out at the time of my preview so I simply ran with a map and tried to get a general sense of where the course went.  Having run the course now, I realize that I didn't take the exact route on my preview run, but I took essentially the same ascents and descents and was able to get a pretty good idea of what to expect.

On my initial run through, I was surprised by the amount of basalt along the course and realized about 10 miles in that I hadn't worn the right shoes.  My wife wasn't going to pick me up for another three hours, so I just continued slowly forward and tried to cover as much of the course as I could.  After the preview run, I was more than a little concerned about what shoes to wear in competition.

It just so happened that I was in the process of looking for a new shoe and apparel sponsor.  One of my criteria for the new company was that the shoes needed to be light and responsive, yet cushioned and protective enough to support me on technical terrain like the stuff I would be running at the Badger Mountain Challenge and other races in the coming year.  I made my debut as an ultra runner in a pair of hybrid road/trail trainers and until this year I've pretty much tried to be a road runner in road shoes trying to tackle technical terrain without much success.

This year I wanted to see what I could do if I had the right shoes on my feet and placed a greater emphasis on training specifically to race on trails rather than haphazardly hopping in trail races as an means of getting in a long run without getting my water bottles stolen before I got to them.

At the time of my preview run of Badger I was corresponding with Scott Jaime about joining Team Pearl Izumi.  From my very limited and non-competitive cycling experience I knew that Pearl Izumi made really good gear and the best pair of biking shoes I had ever owned.  I also knew that they had some fast ultra guys.  I also like their marketing campaigns encouraging people to among other things, "Run like an Animal."

I was not the least bit concerned about the quality of the company nor the products they made, but I was concerned about the size options of the shoes.  I wear a size 14 and a lot of companies either don't make my size at all or don't make my size in performance shoe models.  Generally, those that do make my size don't make shoes specifically for technical trail running and racing.

Scott assured me that the new Project E: Motion line of shoes would more than meet my needs and that the N1 Trails would be ideal for the upcoming Badger Mountain Challenge.  A few days later I received a pair of N1 Trails and N1 Roads in the mail and the rest is history.

On my first run in the N1 Trails, my friend and training partner, Marty Beauchamp, asked me what I thought of them.  I tried to not to pander, given his Colorado ties, eye for design (he has a degree in fashion and knows the reputation the precedes the Pearl Izumi label), but I really couldn't hold back:

 

"I think these are the best shoes I have ever worn!  The attention to detail is unparalleled!  Check out the tongue.  Not only does it have the single loop in the center to hold the tongue in place, but there are two additional slits at the top through which the laces pass to reduce slippage, unnecessary movement or rubbing after stream crossings, and keep sand and rocks out.  The heel to toe drop doesn't feel forced - it's actually natural like they are meant to be.  The upper fits like a sock and is designed like an XC racing flat, but there is still enough sole underfoot to provide sufficient cushioning and protection from the occasional rock or root.  I'm not the least bit surprised that these shoes were worn to set the WS 100 record and countless other stellar performances since."

Now, I'm not one for hyperbole.  I don't make the statement lightly, that the N1 Trails are the best shoes I've ever worn.  I've run a lot of miles over the last two decades and worn shoes made by just about every brand out there.  In fact, I didn't want to commit to a company before trying the latest performance trail shoes on the market, but after a pretty thorough sampling, given the way I felt both while running in the N1 Trails and after running in them, it wasn't hard for me to join Team Pearl Izumi.  

In addition to the EM N1 Trails, I also received part of the Team Pearl Izumi kit that I was able to test at the Badger Mountain Challenge.  The Pearl Izumi Ultra Split Shorts are a great pair of light weight performance shorts that have enough storage space to hold all you need for a long race or training run.  The two side pockets comfortably hold flasks of gel or gel packets close to the body without bouncing around because they are sewn to the liner.  The rear pocket can hold another couple gels and salts as well as an MP3, small map, key, or anything else you might want to pack along with you.

Near the start heading up toward the trail at Badger Mountain Community Park with Ben Bucklin

Like most races that start in the early hours of the morning, it was still a bit chilly so I started wearing my Team Pearl Izumi short sleeve and Team Pearl Izumi long sleeve tops (Fly In-R-Cool SS & Fly In-R-Cool LS), a beanie (PI barrier hat), and some Swiftwick compression sleeves and socks (Aspire Twelve).  As the sun came up and the temps began rising into the 70s I gradually shed most of my layers.  

Thanks to the custom fit feel of the N1 Trails and tailor design feel of the Swiftwick compression socks I was able to remain upright the entire time (which hasn't always been the case) and honestly didn't even notice my feet.  They felt great the entire race and when I was done I didn't find any blisters or hotspots.  Despite running through lots of sand and loose rocks the state-of-the art lacing system in the N1s kept the debris out and kept me comfortable for the entire distance.

Descending Badger Mountain en route to the finish

Finishing in record time

Due to the increased temperatures I consciously drank more than usual.  By the first aid station I had already eaten a PowerBar Energy Gel and downed nearly an entire 12 oz bottle of PowerBar Perform.  I continued downing gels, salts, and electrolyte drink about every 30-45 minutes.

I couldn't do any of what I do if it were not for my ever supportive wife, Jen, my son, Cairo, and my mother, Julie.  They are a knowledgeable and patient crew and even act like they enjoy trying to race me from pit stop to pit stop.  I am happy that this is something that we are all able to enjoy and that it gets my son out of the house and away from the computer.

At the finish with Cairo and Ben Bucklin from Spokane.

As soon as we finished up and got some food we made our way to the Columbia Court Club for a refreshing swim to begin the recovery process.  I enjoy this form of exercise because it is both relaxing and soothing and, again, because we are able to do it as a family.

Now just a little more than a week to get my body ready to roll again at the Peterson Ridge Rumble 40 mile run.    

Return to the Roads

After a hard effort at the Hagg Lake 50K I took the week to recover and then made my first return to the roads in over a year to add some much needed threshold work to my winter training.  After Hagg I took a day completely off from running, did some light swimming, aquajogging, and mountain biking with some easy running mixed in.  The Saturday after Hagg I accompanied my friend and long run training partner, Rian Beach, to Richland, WA to participate in the second annual Tri Cities Half Marathon.

Rian has had a profound impact on my running over the past few years.  Doing my long runs and long workouts with him has been both fulfilling and beneficial.  We were actually rivals in high school, but we reunited at a local fun run, the Salmon Walk 10K, a few years back and have been training together as much as possible ever since.  It was actually kinda funny the way we were reacquainted with one another.  My brother and I started out pretty fast down a hill pushing infants in jogging strollers.  The strollers probably helped on the descent, but when we had to climb back up the hills pushing them it got a bit more difficult.  When Rian tried to pass my son, Cairo, removed his shoes and began throwing them at him.  Rian kindly reached down and picked them up, thinking that perhaps it had been an accident.  Then Cairo started throwing snacks, granola bars, gold fish crackers, etc. and Rian finally got the hint that Cairo was far more competitive than the guy pushing the stroller.

My brother, Thomas Rivers, and I pushing our kids at the Salmon Walk

Rian lives in Pendleton, about 35 minutes away.  For much of the winter of 2010 we drove back and forth to each others towns to run with each other on the weekends.  Both of us had completed a couple of marathons, but we both felt that what we needed to dip under the 2:30 mark was consistency in our long runs.  We both got it during that winter.  Most of the time I'd be dragging the last few miles, but Rian insisted on dropping sub 6:00 miles the last few miles of our 18-24 mile training runs.  This stimulus had both psychological and physical benefits.  That Spring I PRed by over 5 minutes at the Eugene Marathon.  With his help, I was able to complete a number of marathons under the previous ceiling of 2:30.

Rian and I cooling down after the Wheat Field Half Marathon & 8K in The Dalles, OR 2010
Photo by Scott McMullen

It was that first winter of training with Rian that actually got me interested in running trail 50Ks to extend my training runs even further.  Now, it is my turn to try and help him make similar jumps in his racing.  Due to a coaching conflict, I won't be able to join him at Eugene this Spring, but I'd like to be able to run with him as much as possible between now and then.  So when we heard about the Tri Cities Half we decided to go for it.

Rian and I running up Dead Man's Pass in the Blue Mountains outside of Pendleton

Then we heard that it would be cold and windy.  Really windy.  Oh well, we'd adjust our goal.  We initially talked about trying to run 1:13 or 1:14.  Neither of us have been doing much in terms of speed, so we figured that would require a solid effort at this time of year, but we also thought it would provide a solid stimulus for our future aerobic development.  However, with the wind it was pretty tough to hit any sort of even splits.  The course was horse shoe shaped - started by going north about 3 miles, turned east toward the river, turned south into the wind and ran along the river about 3 miles and then turned around and retraced the same path.  The wind was at our backs about half of it and in our faces the other half.  So it really didn't seem too tough to go out in 5:20s with the wind to our backs for the first three miles, but once we turned into the wind it was more than a challenge to stay under 6:00 per mile.  Our initial time goals had to go out the window and our goals of winning, breaking the previous course record, defeating last year's champion, and getting a good workout in were still attainable.

Photo of the Start courtesy of Mark Harper, KAPPTV

We ran together for the first three miles or so.  After the initial blitz, I was bigger (taller and wider) than anyone else in the lead pack so I just tried to get as much wind in my sails as possible on the way out.  On the way back it seemed to have the opposite effect - the wind seemed to slam into my barrel chest and held me in place as others made up considerable ground.  We were still pretty close together at the turnaround.  Rian and I had opened up a gap on the others, but third and fourth were still in striking distance.  I tried to use the tailwind to my advantage from miles 6.5 to 9.5 and tried to drop the pace again to give me a cushion when we got back into the head wind from mile 10 to 13.

Swiftwick Aspire Twelve compression socks - perfect for the cool , windy weather.

Between the warm up, the race, and the cool down I would be running about 18 miles on pavement which is about 18 miles more than I typically run on pavement on any given day so my upper legs and lower back were not reacting well.  Thanks to the Swiftwick Aspire Twelve compression socks, my feet and lower legs were able to get the rest of my body back to the finish with no cramps and no hot spots or blisters.  I was still a bit sore from the effort the week before so the last few miles into the wind were more about focusing on form and trying to run as efficiently as possible.  The socks helped me stay focused on form and not on my feet.

Me, race director, Miguel Reyna, and overall women's champ,  Erica McElrea
Photo by Rian Beach

It turned out that both of us were able to beat the previous course record.  After fueling up at the PowerBar station and downing a few bananas we cooled down with the 2012 champ, David Hurtado (who is an engineer that coached soccer at the same school where I coach cross country and we shared a few athletes).  We looked for a healthy post race meal option, but the only place that was open that early was Zips so we had no other choice but to eat greasy hamburgers.  Protein is protein, right?

I've done two races this year and set course records at each.  I've got my first mountain bike race of my life this week at the Echo Red2Red XC and let's just say I don't expect the streak to continue, but I do plan to have a lot of fun and enjoy one last ride before I am on the road every weekend at high school track meets.

Sometimes a great notion

Shot of Hagg Lake near the Start by Michael Lebowitz

In 2011 I took up 50K trail runs as a means of occasionally extending my long runs beyond the three hour mark and assuring that my water bottles wouldn't be picked up by others before I got to them.  Honestly, all I really had in mind was becoming a better road marathoner and if it meant I had to drop a few bucks on entry fees and travel to secure training partners and the necessary aid I'd do it.

Photo by Michael Lebowitz, Long Run Pictures

Then it happened.  It only took one race, the Hagg Lake 50K, and I was hooked.  The unknown world of trails captivated me. I was quickly on to the next one.  Went out hard, bonked hard, crawled back home...  Yet, rather than deterring me from doing more, this experience and many other newbie mishaps kept feeding my desire to do more - to familiarize myself enough with the terrain and the technique and my gangly body that I could navigate the trails the way so many others did as they flew by me on the rooty, rocky descents.

In most races, my aerobic capacity covered my ineptitude on the trails.  Despite the fact that I was either unable or unwilling to try and compete with the stars, I was able to manage relative success in the new milieu.  However, I decided that this year, if I'm really going to 'race' on trails, then I had better figure out how to prepare for the technicality and I had better prepare to actually 'race', embrace the red line and hang on, rather than do everything in my power to avoid discomfort.

Creek leading into Hagg Lake near first muddy climb.  Photo by Micheal Lebowitz.

I knew that if I hoped to be more competitive on the trails I needed to switch things up a bit in my training.  I needed to train on more single track, more hills, and more rocky, uneven terrain.  So this winter I made a conscious effort to train on more winding, technical trails to learn to navigate them with less hesitation and reservation. I needed to actually start racing and stop seeing trail runs as simply training runs.  Until I flipped that switch in my mind, I wasn't going to be able to compete on the trails even at the level that I had on the roads.

Shots of the lake by Michael Lebowitz

The stars aligned at Hagg Lake and I was able to begin 2013 the way I had hoped.  My training has been going relatively well.  I am healthy.  Work (teaching and coaching) hasn't been any more stressful than necessary.  My family is healthy and happy.  So what could stop me...

Start of Hagg Lake 50K with the legendary Joelle Vaught.  Photo by Micheal Lebowitz.

I woke up the morning of the Hagg Lake 50K to find that my GPS watch had not charged, was frozen, and would not respond.  I wasn't hungry enough to eat any solid food so I just had lots of orange juice with lots of pulp.  Based on the results from the past few years and the list of entries I was favored to win which in itself would be a nice way to start the year.  Word got out that the weather had been nice and although the mud was supposed to still be present around the perimeter of the lake it would be runnable (other than a few sections on the back side that still weren't draining properly).  After running the course the two previous years I felt confident that I could push the pace longer than I previously had.  I also knew from recent training and racing experiences that I could grind through discomfort as long as I was fueling properly.  I could run fluidly for at least three hours at a relatively high intensity on varied terrain.

However, I did not intend to lead from the gun.  Jason Leman and I ran side by side up
the first hill to the turn-around of the out-and-back and I planned on running with him for a while, but on the descent my legs were longer and I didn't want to put on the brakes and tie up my quads early in the race so I just let gravity pull me down and hoped to use a bit of the momentum to recover from the climb and propel me through the first loop.  I figured I'd see him once we got into the technical stuff.

My family (wife, son, and mom) were there to cheer me through the start/finish area where I was able to ditch a jacket.  They circled the lake providing me with PowerBar Energy Gels and PowerBar Perform at each of the aid stations.



The aid stations were close enough to one another that I was able to forego carrying a bottle or bladder and just drink at each aid station as I would in a road marathon.  I'd switch out the wrappers of the gels I'd eaten and replace them with new ones and wash them down with a swig or two of PowerBar Perform and a salt cap.


The fact that my GPS wasn't working was actually a boon.  I wore a simple chrono watch and just made sure I was eating a gel at least every 45 minutes and salt at least every hour.  Rather than basing my pace off of a predetermined standard I simply had to go off of feel.  I tried to stay at threshold effort.  I didn't have a HR monitor to tell me what zone I was in or the GPS to tell me the exact mile splits, but I simply tried to run out of my comfort zone without going anaerobic.

The Mountain Hard Wear 3/4 tights I was wearing have a good sized pocket in the back that held my gels and salts and used gel wrappers close to the body so that I couldn't even tell they were there until I needed them or needed to dispose of them.  The flap rather than zipper made the pocket easily accessible without compromising the security of the contents.  I used them on a few long runs this winter and will definitely use them again in the cooler races this winter and spring.

The Swift Wick Aspire Twelve compression socks wicked away the ankle deep mud and moisture (as much as a sock can) and enabled me to focus on the course and my body rather than blisters and hot spots.

For the first time in a long time, I felt like a kid in a candy store and not simply because I was consuming copious amounts of chocolate.  I bombed the root laden hills and didn't worry about twisting an ankle or crashing and burning.  While I still had to use my hands a bit more than one would normally use them in a road marathon to brace myself from falling or support myself across the slick bridges and tight turns (and a couple of times to pull myself up some muddy hills), it was actually a lot of fun to feel free and competent on the trails.  My winter of trail training, cross training (MTB on similar surfaces), and accumulation of races (trail and road) all seemed to come together for me.

Photos by Michael Lebowitz, Long Run Pictures

By the start of the second lap I knew I was on pace to challenge Max's course record, but I was also tiring and my quads and hip flexors were tightening up.  While Max's course record was a goal of mine going in, I actually entered the race with a number of goals and wanted to be sure that I fulfilled as many as I could in order of priority:

1). Be grateful & try to communicate gratitude to race and aid volunteers, RDs, spectators, photographers, other participants, and my family/crew.
2). Be nice to everyone - treat others the way I would like to be treated - which is exactly how I have been treated by my fellow trail runners
3). Have fun and make some new friends
4). Take risks
5). Don't get too comfortable
6).  Fuel wisely (gels at least every 45 minutes and salt at least every hour washed down with PowerBar Perform)
7).  If conditions permit, improve on last year's time
8). Try to PR on the course (3:46 from 2011)
9). Race to win - win or lose, at least give myself a chance to win

10). Shoot for the stars (Max's record) and if I don't get it, maybe I'll get Andy Martin's longstanding #2 all time mark of 2:41

Hagg Lake 50K Top 10 through 2012

Name	Year	Age	Time
Max King	2010	29	3:26:54
Andy Martin	2010	35	3:41:53
Ruben Galbraith	2010	25	3:42:00
Neil Olsen	2008	40	3:43:26
Ryan Bak	2012	30	3:45:03
James Kerby	2001	37	3:45:56
Jacob Puzey	2011	28	3:46:08
Andrew Schupp	2010	29	3:46:54
Stan Holman	2002	36	3:48:20
Lanny Gower	2009	47	3:48:56

Nearing the finish and hoping my watch was right and I could finish without slipping and falling.  Photos by Michael Lebowitz of Long Run Picture Company.

Photo series by Michael Lebowitz of Long Run Picture Company

It worked out.  I achieved each of my goals (though I did startle a few people wearing headphones as I tried to pass:(  My apologies.

To be fair, had Max or Ryan Bak or Andy Martin or any of the other speedsters who have raced Hagg before been present, the course record would have been broken by even more.  When it comes to Max I have decided that you can pretty much replace his name in all of the Chuck Noris jokes and they are usually even more true with him.  I am humbled to have had such a fun day and honored that I was able to run faster than I ever have over 50K.  Hopefully, my new-found confidence can propel me into more solid performances in 2013 and a more fulfilling life as a trail runner.

This day would not have been possible without the endless support of my family and the generosity of so many volunteers along the course.

Race directors, Eric and Kelly Barten, Todd Janssen, and Timing Team NSPIRE.  Photo by Michael Lebowitz

Special thanks to race directors Eric and Kelly Barten and Todd Janssen and the NSPIRE timing crew for putting on such well-organized events, slogging through days of rain and mud so that we could enjoy a couple hours of fun in the mud, broadcast our progress in real time to our friends through social media, and enjoy scrumptious meals at the finish line.  They set the bar extremely high for all races and race directors and hope they know how much we appreciate their attention to detail and desire to make each event that they do an experience that participants will remember and cherish for a lifetime.

State of the art timing, tracking, and broadcasting system by NSPIRE.  Photo by Michal Lebowitz

Also, special thanks to Micahel Lebowitz and his crew from Long Run Picture Company.

While Michael Lebowitz is usually the guy behind the camera, Paul Nelson got a great shot of him before the start.

Between Michael, Eric, Kelly, and Todd it is hard to imagine a trail race I've done where all or at least most weren't present and in some way involved.  They have helped me fall in love with this sport and they are a big reason why I want to keep doing it.  I look forward to participating in more events directed, timed, and photographed by them in the coming years.  If you are looking to do a well organized, well managed, well timed, well marked, well captured event I'd encourage you to look at the list of races that these great people direct, time, and shoot.  Click on the links below or to the side for a complete list of races.

Special thanks to all of the volunteers who made the event possible and the sponsors who continue to make this sport great.  Thank you to a new Oregon based company, Trail Butter, for having your amazingly delicious, hardy, healthy Trail Butter available to sample and purchase after the race.  We had a long drive home and needed something to eat with our Dave's Killer Bread and apples.  Your Ozark Original Trail Butter hit the spot.  Hopefully, we can get it into some stores out in the sticks where I live.

Special thanks to my family/crew for helping me along the way.  I think Cairo gets as much of a thrill out of the races as I do.  He is fascinated by the maps and the strategy and my mom pays close attention to detail.  She wants to be sure I have the right concentration of electrolyte drink, gels, water, salt, and anything else I might need.  Jen, who is currently six months pregnant, ran before the race and then drove two loops around the lake to beat me to each aid station and assure that I had what I needed when I needed it.  

My main man, Cairo.  Photo by Michael Lebowitz

Strategic map drawn by Cairo of the course and each aid station and what he would give me at each spot.

Special thanks to the people and companies that support my passion for running and the outdoors, particularly PowerBar who have helped me with my nutrition in training and racing and support the events that I direct as fund raisers for the high school and middle school cross country teams I coach.  

Nothing like hot soup and grilled cheese to warm you up after the race.