Cook Park Marathon

Published July 5, 2019

Early to bed, 7am marathon start. Sleep does a body good.

Mentally loose, bit nervous. Hadn’t marathon doubled since 2016. Breathe. One day at a time. Today – this day – is marathon day. Friday, Cook Park Oregon.

30 minutes to Tigard, another run-perfect day. Overcast, cool – and FOREST. 180 turn from yesterday’s waterfront views. 6 laps on trail, surrounded by Pacific Northwest hardwoods. Reverent, stunning, hushed. Like entering an Old-World cathedral.

What are you gonna run? Shooting for 4:45. That’s how it began. Maniac Gregg. Local who’s also finished 100+ races, more halves than FULLS – a Maniac celebrity. HUGE personality, ends every race same UPBEAT attitude. AND he’s pace consistent. Whereas I’m all-over-the-place, Maniac Gregg steady/constant. Mile 4, mile 24. My lucky day.

Group PIC-a-palooza: Quadzilla alum, Maniacs, 50 Staters. Last minute instructions from our RD – another Maniac celeb, Steve Walters. Goal to stay strong; 4 loops with run company, walk the last two – but ultimately, get it done, ice the legs, rest & relax for Day 3.

Group start. Two laps easy with Triple G (dude’s reusable cup moniker).

Added Heather, Lap 2 & now we were 3. Mom from Vancouver. Also Sauvie Island ran. Also Quadzilla entered.

Listened to the two trade stories. Both with weekly run groups, opposite sides of the Columbia – Gregg in Oregon; Heather, Washington. Positive, upbeat individuals. Was upfront & honest. Most likely going dark after 4 laps. But for 4 laps, love your company 😊

Maniac Race Director = great trail snacks. Feasted on Bugles, Cola & orange slices, while saying my goodbyes. Come on, we’ll start slow. One more lap. Never say never.

Flat lower half, hilly second half. Lagged couple yards back. Another mile. Another Garmin buzz. Lap 5 done. Swig of Coke, more Bugles. Fueled & ready. 22 miles in.

Lower half steady, struggled on the back end – not breaking our trio. Super strong Heather; she’d never stop. Push, push, push. Focused, mute quiet – but no negativity, no tunes either. With Triple G on board, who needs headphones? LOL>

Two-tenths to go. Tapped ‘em on the back, gonna sprint this out. Got caught up in the moment. Race placed 9^th 10^th 11^th. Quadzilla Day 2 done. High 5; see ya tomorrow.

Shower, couple Ziplocs of ice. On the legs…in the car. GPS set: Seaside, Oregon.

Chowder, salmon & an hour ‘long Oregon’s Pacific Coast. Notta lotta leg rest but whatta life memory. Post-race road trip!

Day 3 destination: Vancouver, Washington.

K R HAGA has completed the 2019 Cook Park Marathon in 04:48:59!

Lap      Lap Time             Lap Pace              Chip Elapsed Time

1             00:43:14              00:09:54              00:43:14

2             00:44:29              00:10:11              01:27:43

3             00:47:15              00:10:49              02:14:59

4             00:52:57              00:12:07              03:07:56

5             00:51:36              00:11:49              03:59:33

6             00:49:25              00:11:19              04:48:59