After my run on Saturday, I jetted off to a cabin on a lake for the night (yes, I really have been there three times in as many weeks and yes, I know how lucky I am). The following day, I finally got to do something I've wanted to do since I first heard about it: the Slug-n-Chug!
The Slug-n-Chug is a 4 1/2 - mile loop that starts on the lake and heads through town and back to the cabin. The "chug" comes from the fact that the first couple of miles are on a train track. I have no idea what the "slug" refers to.
You can just barely make out the train tracks on the left right above the water.
So on Sunday, a few of us were boated over to the train tracks and dropped off to do our very own Slug-n-Chug.
The train tracks were really cool, if a pain in the ass. These particular tracks haven't been used in a long time so we didn't have to worry about being run over (and if a train did happen to come, there was space to move out of the way), plus we got to run through two awesome tunnels. However, because the ties and the rocks between ties weren't level I had to land directly on each tie, and when you're moving (relatively) quickly they all start to blend together. I had to slow way down to make sure I was landing where I needed to.
After a couple of miles, we hit town and a vicious 2 - mile hill. This hill was unrelenting and, coming the day after another hilly run, killed my glutes. I was able to run nearly all of it, though, which I was proud of.
Forty-five minutes after I started, I finished the Slug-n-Chug by jumping in the lake. I was terribly overheated and hadn't brought any water with me, so that felt great. I also ran a good deal faster than I had planned because I got just a bit competitive with the other people I was running with. All in all, it was a great time!
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I've got an exciting few weeks coming up. First, I'm heading back to the cabin for a couple of days (I KNOW) and then driving down to the Bay Area to hang with my grandma. Then, she and I are both flying home to Alaska!! I'll spend two weeks there before flying back to California and driving to Eugene. I'm excited for adventures.
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I want to do this! Train tracks rock! And in a nice location? Not too bad. a 2 mile hill sounds a bit brutal, but a good workout, I suppose. So are you going to be gone next week? Because I may be stopping in town and was really hoping I could force you on a trail with me (or maybe a famous Eugene beer). But we can't make up our mind and may end up doing a staycation and working on the house instead. We are really great at making up our minds.
ReplyDeleteOh no, I'm gone until the beginning of September! Terrible timing! But, obviously, let me know if you ever make it here while I'm in town!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun place to run if you're sure-footed! I would probably land wrong on my third step and break my ankle. :) I hope you have wonderful travels and have a great time in Alaska. Post photos! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, I can guarantee some pretty great photos in the coming weeks (assuming, of course, that my super fancy camera - an iPhone - doesn't break) - Alaska makes it so easy!
DeleteMaybe the slug part is that you're supposed to run slow because you're running on the tracks? Or maybe you're supposed to slug up the vicious hill in town? I will find a meaning to the slug, doggone it! Either way, jumping in the lake sounds like the perfect ending to the Slug-n-Chug.
ReplyDeleteOh wait, I'll bet you're right on the hill. I actually asked about the chug part because even that eluded me (I can be a bit dense, although in my defense I thought it had something to do with beer which is your more typical chug run) but totally neglected to ask about the slug! Jumping in the lake was awesome but I did realize why people typically wear tight clothes/suits to go in - having all that material floating around you is annoying!
DeleteYou should detour your trip from Eugene to the Bay Area along Hwy 101 and stop to play with me (I'm near Eureka). :) Running on train tracks is hard, the ties aren't spaced the proper distance apart for me, so it feels more like bounding between them rather than running.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhh, I have a confession to make - we totally drove down 101 and through Eureka! I was actually thinking of contacting you but I was driving with a friend who had to get to California ASAP so there was no time for stopping! I actually think I might prefer I-5 (I know, I KNOW, I'm the only person on the planet who thinks it's prettier than 101, I make no sense) so may end up taking that back to Eugene, but I'll definitely let you know if I change my mind!
DeleteAnd yes, you put it much more eloquently than I could re: running on train tracks. It was annoying.