Oregon

I watched this race with curiosity over the past few years. It is literally in my backyard. Go Beyond Racing has been organizing races since 2013 so they have it down. Each year they clear the single track trails of the winter debris right as the snow melts, which benefits us locals who don't run the race, because we use the trails for mountain biking all summer. And each year there is the debate of whether the trails will be snow free by the time the race rolls around. My race took place on a clear, sunny day with spectacular views of Mountain Hood (Wy’east) in the background.

I arrived in Parkdale for the morning check-in. After grabbing my T-shirt and number, I loaded onto a school bus and was shuttled up to the starting line at Bennett Pass. The overall direction of the course is down, running from south to north, which makes it the perfect first 50K. I felt confident in the terrain that consisted of some double track and luxurious soft dirt single track, that I had either previously run or ridden my bike over several times. What I didn’t feel confident in was how would it feel to run 31 miles? Would I be able to finish? Or even survive?

The course has a modest elevation gain of 4222' with much of that being in the first half. The gain is rewarded by 10 out of 10 views of Wy’east, which in June, still has plenty of snow and pops out against blue skies imposing over the valley. The Volcanoes of the Pacific Northwest are unique in that they arise from sea level, all the way to 11,000+ feet, and tower over everything around them. “Wy’east” is rumored to be the Native American name for Mount Hood although this is somewhat debated. There’s an interesting legend surrounding the formation of nearby volcanoes that describes a brotherly conflict between Wy’east and Pahto (Mount Adams) who both fell in love with Loowit (Mount St. Helens). The jealously between the brothers caused the Great Spirit to punish them and turn them all into mountains. Regardless of how they were named, the majestic presence of this Oregon icon is not debated. I talked to people during the race who had travelled from all over just to see those mountain views. If you come from a flat territory, there is nothing more spectacular than seeing a snow covered volcano.

Overall I felt pretty good during the race, although I did not know how to fuel or drink properly so I just winged it. I took my 22L pack, which was way too big and very annoying, but the temperature was cool enough that I survived the extra weight. I was just glad to be out running. Being my first 50K, I maintained a level of openness about all parts of the experience. I saw friends at aid stations and appreciated the fueling but I avoided sitting in the resting chairs as I knew sitting would be the death of me. I learned the fastest way to comfort was to get through the race. I used other runners to help pace me since I really didn’t know what pace was sustainable for an average person.

Finally, I reached the top of the Oakridge trail where, with two-ish miles left, I decided to take a chance and I let it rip. Ha! I mean rip to the point of calf cramping which was a new sensation. My calves told me they were done, no more ripping. This forced me to slow down, which was good, because Oakridge turns into a loose rocky dust bomb of switchbacks where one can easily fall. Finally, I made my way down and crossed the finish line, and then coincidently sat next to someone who I recognized meeting at a Mount Baker Crevasse Rescue class two years before. The Pacific Northwest is a small world! Soon busses arrived to drive us back to Parkdale where we were treated to burritos and drinks at the after party. I enjoyed sitting in the grass, feeling every bit of this 50K in my tired legs, not wanting to move until I was ready. I also enjoyed that my house was only 20 minutes away and that got me to move as I dreamt of my warm shower and eventually bed.

Being my first 50K I did not know what to expect, but it turned out to be a great race. Just finishing under 7 hours felt like an accomplishment, although again, I had nothing to compare it to. I ended up with a Wy’East Wonder drinking glass, which is given to the top three finishers in each age group. So that gave me encouragement to sign up for another race. Washington hear I come!