It was 96 degrees at race time in Asotin, Washington!I was lucky enough to accompany a friend on a week-long trip to Montana last week, and besides getting in some good high-elevation runs along the way, we found a race last Friday evening that perfectly fit into our travel plans on the way home.
We had scenic runs in Couer d'Alene, Idaho, Helena, Montana, and a spectacular trail run near Montana's Spanish Peaks (Note to the fine people of Couer d'Alene: a highway shoulder, no matter how wide, does not constitute a "trail").
On the advice of my friend's brother, a Bozeman, Montana native, we carried a can of bear spray on our trail run, only to encounter a huge herd of noisy young campers setting off as we returned. Their enthusiastic and excited chatter surely had any local grizzlies covering their ears and searching for more peaceful territory, and the bear spray was probably unnecessary.
A view from the Spanish Peaks Trail in Montana.In theory, the high elevation and heat should be great Hood To Coast training, but of course Hood To Coast is tough no matter how well-prepared you are.
Before we left Portland, we searched the internet for possible races, and were happy to discover one in Asotin, Washington (just south of Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington on the Snake River). The race was a fundraiser for the Lewiston, Clarkston, and Asotin high school cross-country teams.
We rolled into the park along the river a couple hours before the 7:00p start, discussed the potential effects of the heat (96 degrees!) and scouted out possible routes. We didn't see anybody that looked like runners or race directors, but we were early, and I expected a sudden influx of participants to pour in about an hour before race time.
Sure enough, a man with a folding table and orange cones arrived, and in typical fashion, the park suddenly began to fill with people in running shoes and shorts. The crowd was a nice mixture of local running stalwarts and high school runners.
Our guess about the course (an out-and-back from the park) proved correct, but heading north rather than south. We got in a good warm up along the riverside bike path, and felt a little better about the heat. The sun was just going down behind a large hill, and much of the path was in shade.
After a brief description of the course (which turned out to be around 3.45 miles) and one last check of the temperature on the school reader board (still 96!), it was time for the countdown and then we were off. I found myself in the early lead as we ran past the track and breathed lightly past the water treatment plant, but I could hear someone right on my heels and anticipated being passed at any second.
As we dipped down a short hill and joined the main path, my pursuer made his move and edged into the lead. I had expected it to be the fast-looking guy decked out from head to toe in Brooks, but instead it was a young high school runner in his team T-shirt and rubber studded cross-country shoes.
The first woman approaches the finish in Asotin.He passed me with confidence and looked strong and assured as he pulled away. I felt pretty good despite the heat, and the drop from 8000 feet in Montana to 900 feet in Asotin probably had a lot to do with it. But I figured he would continue to build on his lead, so I concentrated on maintaining my own effort and enjoying the evening and the scenic views along the river.
After awhile I spotted some cones up ahead and knew the turnaround was approaching. I gave the leader a thumbs up as he passed, then negotiated the tight turn myself and started back the way I'd come.
Before long I saw my friend approaching and she told me to relax and keep my turnover going, and I could catch the leader. I took her advice to heart and really did relax, and I noticed I was slowly gaining on him.
Soon I was close enough to read the back of his T-shirt, which contained a classic example of high school cross-country inspiration (perhaps adapted from Journey lyrics): "Keep on believing, never give in..."
Corny maybe, but until I read that I had been content to just push it on in and be satisfied with second. But my friend's encouragement combined with the T-shirt slogan convinced me to give it just a little bit more, and before long I was closing the gap and moving into the lead.
Even then there was still a way to go and I half expected him to pass me back at any moment. But with the park visible along a bend in the river, I kept working, and soon I was trying not to inhale past the treatment plant, running along the track, and then heading down the sidewalk toward the finish.
I gasped a "Nice race", grabbed some water and my camera, and staggered back toward the finish to cheer my friend in as she finished second woman overall, behind a fleet Asotin high school girl. We both felt the heat, and were pretty much spent as soon as we finished, but we both enjoyed the race and recovered quickly.
It was a perfect small-town event, and a lucky discovery that capped off a great trip.