Hagg Lake 25k Race Report

I guess I'm an official trail runner.

Yesterday was the Hagg Lake Mud Run, and like its name would imply, it was a slog. And while I knew going in to the run to expect mud, I had no idea just how much mud the course entailed. I had the optimistic hope that the relatively dry February we've been enjoying would have dried the course out, but even with the relatively "good" conditions, it was tough. If you are considering this run, know that there is going to be a lot of mud no matter how dry it has been. Still, it was a lot of fun, and I had the biggest grins when I let myself go to splash through the really mucky parts.

The race starts off from the Sain Creek Picnic shelter, and it was fantastic to wait for the race to begin under the large heating lamps. Some of the 50kers were on their way through for their second lap as we waited for the start; it was cool to see how strong they were at that point. We could all only hope we'd be looking that good as we finished. The start is low-key; no big countdowns or anything like that, just a simple whistle and we were off for a quick out and back to make sure we got our mileage for the 25k. It's a short, steep hill for the out and back, which is great to warm up and work out some of the nervous energy - you can drop off clothing on the way back past the shelter. My gloves may still be sitting underneath the trees there . . .

And then you are off around the lake. Up and down and up and down and up and down and ... well, you get the picture. Slip, slide, jump from solid ground to solid ground. Climb up to the road, back down to the lake, and up again. Running across the dam was a welcome rest for the legs - solid, flat ground, but you see the hills coming. The first aid station is actually about 6 miles into the course for the 25k; you have to remember where you're at because there is are only two mile markers on the course.

It was interesting running on a trail like this; people will line up and you'll run in rhythm, but I worried a lot about being in the way. People seem friendlier on the trails - lots of "good jobs" from the people who pass you, slower pauses at the aid stations. It was a great vibe.

After the first aid station it seemed like ages until I made it to the second. Lots of exposed running, which was actually getting warm in the mid 50's weather we had yesterday afternoon. The signs along the way were entertaining, especially the reminder sign - "And you paid for this!" which brought a big grin to my face. At one point I remember looking across the lake and seeing the picnic shelter we started at, only to crest the hill moments later and see how much of the lake was hidden to the right.

More up and down and up and down, jump, slide, spin in place, slog, slog, through the mud. This is the point when the cool mud started to feel good on my feet. I started to slow on the hills, sometimes not being able to get good footing and having to go in to the bushes on the sides to get traction.

In the middle of this section, you see a sign that says "7.1 mile around the lake." This doesn't count the out and back, so if you see the sign and you aren't thinking clearly, you can get pretty discouraged that you aren't getting anywhere and you've been out running a long time. It's actually about 8.6 miles in total distance.

At the second aid station at Tanner Creek, I was suddenly energized to see my little brother getting some water. I had caught him! I burst in to the station and shouted, "I'm coming for you!" but then he let me know that his calf was pulled, and he was really struggling. That's not the way I wanted it to be. (I'm sure that I will never, ever be able to truly compete with him in a race if he is healthy.) We talked for a bit and I offered to run him in, but like the competitor he is, he told me to go on. At this point, there is about 4.2 miles left, and they are probably the longest ones of the race.

Somehow I thought the trail would get easier as we got closer to the finish - that somehow it would be drier and flatter, possibly even downhill. No. It's not. It's more hills, more mud, more everything, and it was a long, lonely haul back in. I had lost the people I had been tailing after the stop at the aid station, and I didn't catch anyone until the last half mile.

The sign that tells you to "PUSH!" because you have one mile left is so welcome, but the last little bit through the open fields with the thigh high divots is a mental battle. When you finally hit the parking lot and the trail you walked to get to the start, you are flying again, and all too soon, you've finished.

The finish was fantastic. The smell of roasting hotdogs greets you, and there are space blankets to warm you. They were well stocked with soup, soda, chips and cookies, as well as energy drinks from the sponsors. Because the race has some great sponsors, they have lots of raffle prizes. The shirts were terrific - the women's was a true women's long sleeve technical shirt - one that I know I will be wearing. Overall, a great, well organized race that was well worth the slightly higher entry fee.

If I have any advice for those who are running Hagg Lake for the first time, I would say make sure you've got good trail shoes. The better suited your shoes are to the mud, the better off you'll be. Also, make sure you've got socks that can get wet. Even on this dry year, my feet were soaked. I can only imagine what the course like if it is wet. Don't worry about trying to run the course for speed - it's going to be slower than the roads. The hills and mud are a one-two sucker punch combo. You'll get a great workout just by completing the distance.

This trail running is a different experience than a road run, and I loved it. I'm ready to try another one, but I think I would like to try one on a dry trail...

My results:
2:29:58 (9:41 pace)
Overall place: 60