The Back of the Pack
A Race Report for the Hagg Lake Ultra, 2004
By Bob Lynes (AKA "The Beast")

In my generation and in my place on the planet in my early years, it was customary to allow at least an extra half hour when heading to some far destination. In those days, while men were men and cars were cars, etc., the tires were no good and the roads were even worse. Thus a prudent person factored in some extra time to change a flat tire or two. Such training served me in good stead on the morning of the Hagg, for I was early and was treated for much of my journey with a pleasant view of Mt. Hood showing off, while some guy with a red brush painted the sky. You fast folks who screeched into the Sain Creek lot just before the race probably missed the best part of the day.

Driving to the start was the only time that I was ahead of almost anybody. On the out-n-back, I was almost last at the top, and it didn’t get much better all day. Somewhere about half way through the first loop I heard, very briefly, a sound behind, and felt a kind of a rush as he, the first 25k runner, blew by me. Shortly after came many more, all of them practically flying from my perspective. Some were running at a pace that was five minutes per mile faster than mine. Almost all of them spoke as they went by. Way to go. Keep it up. Lookn good. On your left and thanks. Is it the trail that brings out the best in people? Absolutely nobody yelled, “Track.” Some people even called me “sir.” Wow! Neat stuff. And it is marvelous to be with such fast fast people, even if it is for just a short time.

The second lap was peaceful and lonely for a few miles. Fortunately some some kind folks came up behind me and regaled me with stories that kept me moving. Strange how it is that others can keep one from thinking about oneself and that pain that is really not, after all,significant.

And the end. The finish was still standing. Some good people were still dishing out the hot soup. Wonderful.

After giving the whole thing a few days of thought, the only really negative thing about the whole day was the fact that the race director ordered me to write the race report. If you have read it to this point, I’m sure you will agree with me that it is such a bunch of stuff and conclude with me that I got even with him:) [Editor Note - Bob found out that he had to write a race report when he went to read it on the web page and saw that I had assigned it to him]

The Beast finishing his fourth Hagg Lake Trail run