CCRC - Heritage Trail Run

Several members of the Columbia Gorge Running Club participated in the Heritage Trail Run (3.5 or 7 milers). Another great event sponsored by our sister running club, Clark County Running Club.

Stan, Gary, and Jan


Nicole Chaffin

Gary Daubenspeck

Jan Frasier
Esther Holman

Stan Holman
Louis Galatz

Jaimie Krigbaum
Madeleine Sellers

Race Report by Jan Frasier:
My usual running partner Jennifer St Clair, will tell you if I don't have my Extra Polar Ice gum, or Natural Ice lip balm, I can add a minute or so to each mile on our runs. Nicole Chaffin was happy to loop back to my car about a mile to retrieve my "security blankets" Saturday morning. We had plenty of time, since I had talked her into leaving Stevenson at 8am-thinking the run was at 9am. She knew it was 10am, but I guess she didn't care and we had fun chatting and watching everyone arrive.

The CC Running club director's were cheerful and helpful. They assign participants a number if you have been in their events before and I felt a bit elite to find ME on the list, since I have only started adding "runner" anywhere close to my name just recently.

My Columbia Gorge Running Club made a nice showing that morning. There were a few club shirts running around and I wish I would have spoke to a gal in one who I didn't know. Besides Nicole and myself, Stan and Esther, Louis, Gary, Madeline, and Jaimie stand out in my mind as I write today, but on to the course.

Jaimie's cousin, Jaimie, Nicole, and Esther

Of the two options 3.5 or 7 miles, I chose to do the 7-miler. My usual runs are 4-ish miles, but I usually feel strong at the end, so I wanted the challenge.

The trail was an out and back for both lengths. The wide and smooth trail goes along LaCamas Lake, is very quiet and peaceful. The turn around for the 3.5 was so tempting, but I had written "7" on my tag and couldn't change that now. The beginning and the end of the course were peppered with some short rollers and middle was very flat. I jogged along the first quarter and passed a couple of gals, feeling pretty good about that, but after the turn around for the shorter course I was passed a couple of times and then heard no other foot falls (or breathing) other than my own. This made me feel a little sad-'cuz I figured I was going to be last coming in.
No matter what anyone says, like "Well at least you DID it" and all that. It is STILL hard to be last! I plodded along and did get a bit of energy when my friends would come by, heading back, and give a smile or a "good job" or "WooHoo".

I ran the entire first half. I decided to "do intervals" on the second half. I would walk 100 paces and then run 200 or 300 and then walk again. I actually had fun with that, because if I was on a downhill I would take advantage of my long legs and really stride. If I was heading up hill and I was at my 200 or 300 paces, I would just push through to the top anyway. I lost track of counting sometimes, so I would just start over. All that kept my mind off the distance and I felt really strong even to the finish. (I think I will use that technique again)

Turns out I wasn't the last - after the half way turnaround - I came across 3 people with running tags on and that really gave me a boost! Since I don't have any special running technology or even wear a watch, I don't know for sure, but I "felt" I ran the second half faster.

My friends all cheered me in, at a time just under one hour and 21 minutes. I learned Esther had came in under one hour and that had been her goal of the day, YAY!

A good day was recorded in my mind's journal. I would recommend this course to beginners and to experienced runners for the same reason. It's mostly flat, so you can work on a good time. (But only if you remember your gum and lip balm!)


Jan Frasier