“Who goes on Aspire trips?”
It’s a question we hear often. The truth is, the runners who show up for our trips come from diverse backgrounds and bring a wide range of running and mountain experience with them to the trails.
We all relate to mountain spaces in unique and personal ways. We are excited to add some depth to our response to the “Who?” question with a series of Aspire trail runner profiles. We enjoyed hitting the dirt and building friendships with these runners on our trips, and we think you’ll enjoy hearing their stories!
Name: Doug McKeever Age: 73 Hometown: Bellingham, Washington
Which Aspire Trip(s) have you participated in?
North Cascades Traverse 2020
Describe your experience, background, and enthusiasm for running and/or wilderness and backcountry experiences?
I’ve been a trail runner since 1986, when nearly all runners were sticking to the roads. I enjoy introducing runners to the trails. Have finished lots of ultras including Hardrock (1993) back when we really didn’t know if it would kill us! Grand Slam finisher in 1994. Co-founder and original co-director of Chuckanut Mountain 50 km. Honored as a ‘Living Legend of Trail running’ by Trail Runner Magazine in June/July 2001 issue, not because of my race prowess but due to being a pioneer in wilderness trail running in Washington. Volunteer at Rainshadow Running events and many others. Climbing instructor and guide, with 79 ascents of Mt. Baker as of 2018. I enjoy sleeping on summits and visiting existing fire lookouts and sites of former lookouts.
What questions, concerns, or unknowns did you have going into your trip?
Will I be able to finish each day’s stage at my advanced age.
How did you prepare for your trip? Given your experience would you prepare differently, if so how?
Training daily with gradual buildup, but not trying to ‘compete against the past.’
What is your favorite trail snack?
Salmon jerky and RX bars!
What story or description would you give to represent the group dynamic on your trip?
I was the slowest of the group…not surprising since I was the oldest by a decade and a half….. but everyone in the group had absolutely no ego. The camaraderie and supportive attitude was so good! Also, everyone in our group was very fit and had no apparent trouble doing one big day after another. If someone wasn’t used to big downhills, he or she would likley be stiff and sore the next day.
What was the most difficult moment or a surprising episode from your trip?
I have run the Hannegan/Chilliwack/Copper Ridge loop five times previously (decades ago), but I forgot how rocky the trail going from the Chilliwack valley-bottom woods emerging onto the Copper Ridge subalpine is! Same with the descent from Whatcom Pass to Graybeal Camp….. it isn’t a smooth easy path! Either the trails have gotten rougher, or I was a lot faster 30+ years ago, or both are true (yes!)
What advice or thoughts would you offer to someone considering signing up for an Aspire trip?
Do it! The North Cascades Traverse offers spectacular scenery and challenging trails. Aspire as a company is absolutely first class in every way.
We welcome any insights or stories that illustrate the diverse people, abilities, and backgrounds that describe our community and how people experience our trips.
As far as encouraging each other, on the final 7 or 8 miles of the last day a woman in her 30s in our group was mildly expressing her disapproval of “one more hill” to climb, followed by yet another. But when we reached a long downhill she disappeared ahead of me, and I am (or used to be) a good downhill runner. When I remarked to her in camp, admiringly, how she had taken off after muttering earlier, she gave ME credit for her motivation. How so? During the seemingly endless rolling hills on Copper Ridge when she was lagging a few steps behind me, mildly complaining, I said “If an old geezer like me (in my 70s} can make it, a ‘youngster’ like you certainly can!” (I used the term ‘youngster’ not in a derogatory way, but simply for encouragement). She said that encouragement is why she took off like a rocket on the home stretch.
That’s how this trip went. We were each mutually supportive while doing a challenging thing.
“You Have More to Give, Doug”
Editor’s Note:
Doug is the subject of a comeback film titled “You Have More to Give, Doug“, documenting his return to racing after a 10 year hiatus. Watch the film by Nick Danielson and 8 other inspiring trail running films at the Trail Running Film Fest‘s Year End Show. Tix available here!
