Hagg Hybrid Marathon!

The biggest thing on my mind this past week was whether I'd be able to complete my first marathon at the Hagg Hybrid around Henry Hagg Lake in Oregon. The knee trouble I had been having kept me down and out of regular training for the last couple weeks leading up to race day, and I wasn't sure whether I'd be able to go or not.

On Wednesday of this week, I had nearly made up my mind to not even bother showing up at the race. However, after thinking it through a bit, I figured I ought to give it a shot so I wouldn't always ask myself, "What if?" about whether I would have been able to actually finish the race.

Here's how it all went down! I'm borrowing from an email account I wrote for a fellow runner in Provo:

I mostly rested those last two weeks before the race, running only twice (five and nine miles). The pain was present both times running, and I was feeling very pessimistic about my chances of finishing the race. I stretched, rolled on a foam roller and even had a massage targeted at those affected areas (at your suggestion), but felt like I wouldn't be ready for the race. At one point, I decided that I wouldn't do the run for fear of permanently injuring myself. But within a short time of making that decision, I went back on it and decided to give it a try so I wouldn't be able to ask myself "what if?" from choosing to sit it out.

The day of the race (Saturday) I got up early, had a quick breakfast of a bagel, a banana, and some milk, and I got in the car to make the 75-minute journey to the race location. I felt okay, and I had been specifically praying that my leg would hold up and I wouldn't have major complications, but that I'd be at peace with whatever the outcome.

Henry Hagg Lake

Hagg Hybrid Sign

8:00 a.m. arrived and the race began. The first half of the race was on asphalt with rolling hills, surrounding a beautiful lake in Western Oregon (Henry Hagg Lake). The first mile or two felt a bit rusty and labored. This was probably due to having done so much resting in the final weeks leading up to the race. But by mile three, I felt invigorated, calm, and ready to run. My spirits continued to rise as I reached the mid-point of the race where the road transitions to trail and I hadn't felt any significant discomfort or pain in my right IT band area. I was on track with my pace as well.

Driving across the bridge before the race. I ran over this bridge twice during the race.

The second half of the race was extremely challenging. The dirt trail was very technical, with roots, rocks, and low-hanging branches all around. The dirt was very hard packed and was covered with deep ruts left by mountain bikers from the rainy season when the trails were muddy. Now that it's been dry and hot for a couple months, the trail was nearly hard as rock! My ankles took a beating, as they would occasionally roll on the uneven terrain. The rolling hills continued, and many of these hills were much steeper and difficult to navigate.

When the hills were steep, I had to slow down to a "hike" rather than a jog, but up until mile 14 or so, I hadn't broken my pace. With more than half the race finished, I was very optimistic about my chances, and my heart was full of gratitude that I had made it this far without pain. However, the steep hills and difficult going made me worried that the uneven strides and frequent starting/stopping would aggravate my injury.

My bib was lucky number 13!

My pace slowed down significantly, the temperature continued to rise (it was in the 90s on Saturday, which is unusual for this time of year in the Pacific Northwest), and the distance between aid stations seemed too great. I didn't have a handheld water bottle or Camelbak with me, so I was left to struggle through a couple of very challenging legs between aid stations.

At mile 18, I passed the point of my longest training run but felt like my energy was still good. My phone battery had started running low a mile or two before, so I stopped listening to podcasts and wouldn't have a chance at that point to turn on music to try to keep me motivated.

By mile 20, I felt like I was in a desert. My energy was low, my legs and feet were very sore with every stride, it had been a mile since the last aid station and was another 1.5 miles until the next. I was out in the open now, exposed to the noon-time sun, and my left knee had shooting pain with nearly every stride. Somehow I pushed through and made it to that next aid station where I was able to refuel with water, Gu, Gu Brew and some fresh oranges. They tasted so good! While I was there, a car pulled up and a couple of volunteers jumped out. They had a plate with some grilled cheeseburgers, intended for the volunteers manning the aid station. Seeing those burgers and knowing that I was only a little over four miles from the end gave me the motivation, and a few minutes later I felt the fuel from the recent stop kicking in.

Amazingly, even though I expected them to be extremely challenging, the last few miles weren't the hardest. My phone finally died at 24.4 miles, and shortly thereafter I tripped over an exposed rock and crashed off the side of the trail into some scraggly bushes with those sticker things in them that ended up all over my clothes. It was startling to be suddenly on the ground. I spilled both of the small cups of water I had brought with me from the final aid station!

I pulled myself up, brushed off the dirt and stickers as best as I could, and kept going. Finally, the white tents near the finish line came into sight and I climbed the last hill into the parking lot near the boat launch where the race began and ended. I crossed through the finish line, overcome physically and emotionally, and I gladly accepted the black finisher's mug they had for me there. Never has a small piece of ceramic represented so much work and effort! My time wasn't fast (5 hours and a few seconds), but I had done it!

The Finish line. A glorious sight!

A beautiful day for a run!

My trophy mug!

2014 Finisher!

And I chalk it all up to divine intervention through an answered prayer and a miracle!

After it was all over and I had enjoyed a tasty grilled cheeseburger and a cold drink, I hobbled to my car and got my fresh, dry clothes. I walked down to the dock and to the edge of the water, where I stepped into the water on the really muddy shore. My feet sunk into the mud up to my ankles, and I was careful not to go very far into the water for fear of not having the strength to easily get myself unstuck. I splashed water on my upper body and cooled down a bit before walking back to the restrooms to change into the clean clothes and head home.

The shore of Henry Hagg lake

By the time I got out of my car back at home, I felt nearly paralyzed with stiffness! But I was home and had completed the most difficult physical challenge I've ever had!

I don't know whether I'll let marathon running become my new life passion and hobby. I doubt it, but I may decide at some point to try a second one. If I pick a nice level road course, I'll surely get a PR and maybe have a bit less harrowing experience. :)

But I feel great! Three days removed, my muscles are still very sore, but I'm mobile and able to get up and down stairs much better now than on Sunday when I woke up!

msh

Hungry for a Huge Ham Sandwich

Today's lunch was really good. I made myself a toasted ham sandwich and had some tortilla chips and fresh salsa on the side. If we hadn't had leftovers from dinner tonight, I would probably have the same thing tomorrow.

In other alliterative news, I received some radical road rash while running rapidly tonight. It was really dark, so I totally missed the uneven bump in the sidewalk and took a really hard fall. Apparently my left knee took the brunt of it and started bleeding.

After washing up, it looked loads better and a simple bandaid took care of it. Thanks to Suzanna for fixing me up! Unfortunately, it cut my run a bit short for the night, as I felt like I'd better just head back home to take care of it. 

msh