Campus THEN and NOW Series - Part 8: Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trails

Caitlin H.

October 25, 2009 - 8:32 PM

It would be hard to do, but if I had to pick just one location to be my favorite in the city of Eugene, it would probably fall somewhere along the Ruth Bascom Riverbank Trails. Usually when the going gets tough here, I head out to the trails which line the Willamette River to regain some focus and sense of peace. The trails connect to plenty of city park space, an amazing playground that is without-a-doubt, hands down, the most amazing playground I've ever been to, some duck ponds, shopping areas and the downtown area of Eugene.

For me the trail system is a crucial part of what makes Eugene feel like home. I have a very strong sense of place out there walking along the banks of the Willamette. I think part of it is the sheer beauty of being along the water, the breathtaking trees, the Owen Rose Garden , and another part of it is how central the trail system is for my functioning within the city. I pass along the riverbank trails to get to school. Often I'll take the trails out to the Valley River Center shopping mall or downtown. Many days I walk, run, or bike along the river just because I can.

Saturday morning I started my day off right with an early rise and then out to hit the pavement. I registered for a 5K run through the park as a part of the 3rd Annual Monster Mash, an event put on by Slocum as a research fundraiser. I was running the event as training for the Eugene Marathon I want to run this spring. My goal was to practice letting people pass me and allowing that to actually be ‘okay.' I'm kind of competitive (which is really me saying I'm incredibly competitive) so allowing people to run past me is mentally a challenging thing to do. I also wanted to practice the feeling of racing against people, and knowing what it felt like to race with myself from within a much larger field. I don't have a lot of experience with these kind of long distance events so it is an important part of my training schedule.

Eugene truly is "Track Town USA" and events like Saturday's race help defend its rightful title. The race was wonderfully put together. Eugene police protected runners for the short stretch they were on the city streets, and once we were in the park volunteers lined every corner making sure participants stayed on course...and offering them a place to stop and "trick-or-treat." I know, it sounds absurd, but seriously, we could trick-or-treat while running the race. This Monster Mash was a kick-off for the Halloween holiday. Lots of participants dressed up in Halloween costumes, which could be judged for prizes, and people were encouraged to bring their dogs along for the race as well (some of them also in full costume). This of course, delighted me to no end, and I spent possibly as much time thinking about dogs in costumes as I did thinking about the race.

In the end I finished in the top half of the field and proudly completed my 5K before rushing off to eat lunch and watch the UO football game with some friends - many thanks to those who came out to support me running!! I was so pleased after completing the 5K (and determined that I need to continue to train more) I signed up for a 10K event coming up in a few weeks. This will also be along the riverbank trails, and proceeds will be a holiday fundraiser through EWEB's Customer Care program.

Before my time in Eugene is up I'll be out on the trails more times than I'll be able to count. I'd like to get out there again before the last of the leaves fall from the trees and to see the last few bright reds and oranges before they finish changing colors. Having the city of Eugene designed to integrate the river and the devotion to public space leaves me with some room for thought about city development. As a matter of fact it is one of my areas of focus I'm considering for grad school. Grad school applications are getting pushed back another day however. Before I can get back out enjoying Eugene's green spaces, or finish up any applications, I need to go ace a geography 311 midterm. Best of luck on your midterms if you have them! And if you don't...I'm sure you remember what they felt like. Keep praying for the rest of us.

Myself along the trail system feeding ducks

Coburg Rd Bridge at night from the riverbank trails 

One of my favorite picnic spots along the North Bank of the river 

a festive dog for the event 

Before the race with the Halloween decorations

 Myself at the start line of the Monster Mash race