2/15-16/2020
Little did I know that this would be my last race for over a year. Hagg Lake double took place shortly before covid hit the US and the country shut down. Before life as we knew it changed. Looking back, I’m thankful for such a fun weekend of running shenanigans.
Hagg is a chance to get covered in mud and enjoy some time with running friends. Nothing too serious. I carpool with Andrea early Saturday morning and I only get us a little lost. Plenty of time to pick up race bibs, make a last minute bathroom stop, and find some more friends. The sun is barely up when the race starts.
As usual, I start off way to fast. I cheer for my friends on the short road out-and-back. Time for the muddy single-track trail. Between prior races and training runs, I know the trail relatively well. From the road section to the dam is relatively flat with a few rollers – I take advantage of this as a chance to run. The slip and slide has even been re-enforced with gravel. After traversing the dam and trying to pound the worst of the mud off my shoes (a pointless exercise), I’m back on the single-track heading to the Go Beyond aid station. Always good to see friendly faces.
The next stretch of trail is a bit more rolling and the mentally tough part of the loop. I try to keep pushing, knowing the second loop will be muddier and therefore slower. It’s with relief that I reach the second aid station. Take a bit of time to collect myself before continuing with the (roughly) four mile section back to the parking lot. The trail has been slightly re-routed to higher ground to avoid the pig pen. Kind of crazy as the pig pen is a classic part of the Hagg mud experience. However, I’m not going to complain about avoiding ankle deep mud.
Loop 1 complete and on to loop 2. The trail is muddier after a hundred or so runners have been through. The 25k runners have also dropped off, only needing one loop. Run when I can and hike when the trail gets a bit too slippery. After being diagnosed with osteoporosis last year, I’m nervous about slipping and falling on my back.
I’m thankful to make it back to Todd and Rene’s aid station. From here out, I keep my focus on the ground and my footing. There’s minimal variation in this section of trail and I try not to focus on the amount of time between the miles clicking off on my watch. When I reach the second aid station, I can feel the fatigue from the mileage and the extra toll of staying stable in the mud. But I’m close and really need to keep moving. It’s a balance between that competitive instinct, fatigue, and my desire to stay upright. I could try blaming my slowing pace on a desire to conserve energy for day 2 but I never manage to seriously consider day 2 while I’m running on day 1.
The trail ends at the parking lot and I can see the finish line. I’m more than ready to be finished and want to make sure I don’t get passed in those last few hundred yards due to no finish line “kick”. My legs are feeling okay but I’m not in 50+ mile shape yet (which ultimately won’t matter). Time for some hot chocolate and cheering my friends as they finish.
The day 2 alarm doesn’t sound as early as day 1. Struggle into my muddy trail shoes and this time I don’t get Andrea and I lost on the drive to the start. The sun is up and there is only one loop to complete today.
The race directors send us on our way and I already feel better. My legs are tired but every step is one step closer to finishing. The road section is much shorter and we’re quickly back on the single-track trail. The mud is slick, particularly in open sections away from tree roots. I want to push the pace, but I also really want to avoid falling on my back. Extra thankful that the slip-and-slide has fresh gravel.
Crossing the dam, I need to remind myself that I’m not half way there yet. Head down and keep moving. My worries about slipping force a slower pace and additional hiking. The trail weaves to and from the lake. There’s relief in reaching the final aid station. The home stretch. Once again grateful to be traveling above and not through the pig pen.
It feels good to have Hagg Mud year 3 in the books. Two more years to a personalized growler. But that’s not what brings me back to Hagg Lake year after year. It’s the supportive running community which celebrates all runner’s races from first to last. Which celebrates pushing your limits to see what you are capable of. Which celebrates a chance to laugh and talk and enjoy each other’s company that is in no way linked to career progress.
I’m so thankful to the Hagg Mud race directors and volunteers for putting on an amazing event. So thankful for my training partners who have become good friends. Someday we’ll be training and racing together again.
Trail Distractions 