Nookachamps Half

Ran the Nookachamps Half today. And walked it. It was the first time in a few years that I did the half. I was plenty slow. Rich came up and ran it too, running strong.  Mike showed up at the finish. Many of the usual characters were there, volunteering. I ran into Dean out by their place, which is out by Clear Lake. Great to see the Cross-Country teams doing their part. Thank you!

The weather was very mild. If I was fast, I could've ran fast. It seemed like there were more cars than usual. I probably shouldn't have listened to the radio, but I'm trying to bring music with me again, to help with the step to step motivation.

Afterwards, Rich and Mike and I headed to Calico, and then we drove around looking for birds. Bird nation represented--they were all over the place. We made it out to Edison and Fir Island.

A very good day.

 

Best of 2017

As I like to do here, here’s a list of the best of the trails the year offered:

1.    Equinox Marathon

Work provided me opportunity to visit Fairbanks in September, and it was gorgeous.  I ran, hiked, jogged, and walked the 55^th year of the Equinox Marathon, and came home with a finisher patch. The course was a mix of roads and trails, with a friendly 10 hour course limit, so walkers can do their thing. Fairbanks in September is gorgeous, with trees turned golden everywhere. I was lucky to see Tony there, and later that trip get together with he and Shawn. 

2.    The Big Island and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

We visited Kona in March for the first time.  We were fortunate to spend time with Aaron, Kelsey, Mike and Fran.  We hiked across a steaming crater in the National Park, as well as through a lava tube. There was the hike to the green sand beach at the bottom of the island, with Mike and Fran. Only sort of green, really, but different. I swam with the manta rays one evening, which is one of the coolest things ever.  Deb and I saw whales on a whale watching excursion. We briefly visited the tropical Hilo, snorkeled with the turtles, and ate too much poke. I also managed to fit in the Run for the Hops 10k in Kona.

3.    The Alaska Railroad and Anchorage

After the Equinox Marathon, I caught the Alaska Railroad from Fairbanks, through Denali National Park, to Anchorage.  The only running on this twelve hour trip involved running to take pictures of Denali and other sights along the way.  Another one of the coolest things I’ve done—it was the last ride of the season, and the fall colors were spectacular.  Denali, rarely visible, was out in full display. Afterwards, I spent a couple weeks in Anchorage, working.  The following weekend I ran the Oktoberfest Run to End Homelessness 10k on the Tony Knowles Trail, which is Anchorage’s favorite waterfront trail. 

4.    Needles 25k

The Needles 50k is a tough trail event in early summer, partially on the Cascade Crest 100 course.  The first couple hours are full on climb.  The views are amazing.  The 25k+ course was challenging enough for me. Tuckered, I was. I enjoyed camping out under the stars, and a good time with friends old and new in the running community.

5.    New Orleans

Deborah and I went to New Orleans for a conference. We got out in the French Quarter, and along the Mississippi.  The food was more memorable then the running (sticky weather!), but there was an amazing swamp tour with marshmallow-eating ALLIGATORS and a nice ride on a cable car through the Garden District.

5.    Easy Pass to Colonial Creek

I ran and hiked the Easy Pass to Colonial Creek point to point route for the fifth time, with my good friend Craig.  This is one of the finest slices of the North Cascades National Park a trail runner can find. We’ve talked about doing the route for a few years, and so it was terrific to share the trail.  I earned an Ultrapedestrian patch for the effort.  This trip will forever be remembered as that time I got chased by a bear.  A juvenile black bear—more brown than black---charged up on to the trail as we were running by, and scared me to pieces for a few seconds. Order was restored when we stopped, stared, and took a picture.

6.    Seattle Half Marathon

My good friend Breean and I ran the Seattle Half Marathon.  We’ve been running on and off together since the 1990s, and so just having the opportunity to once again toe the line with him was special. He roasted me, but I got across the finish.  I used to do the Seattle full every year.  Thanksgiving weekend is just not the same if I’m not running it—good to be back. The marathon and the half both have new courses, and while they are a bit tougher, I liked running through the new neighborhoods. As usual, I dropped a few too many coins at the Expo.

7.    Starlight Overnight

I went out east of Cle Elum and joined in the Starlight Overnight fun, doing only four laps--10 miles or so. Most of the time was spent on trail with friend Glen, and we talked up a storm with the headlamps on.  Good times.  I love the eastern Washington night sky, and everything about this event.

8,    Blanchard Mountain English Army Loop

For years, I’ve done the same loop on Blanchard Mountain, which is modeled after the old Blanchard 50k loop.  The mountain has become more popular, which I suppose is good, but I like my solitude. I found that again one weekend by revising my loop to include the English Army trail, and then went out and did this for a few weekend in a row. Those early morning walks/runs really stick in my memory. I hope the government figures a way to protect these woods. They’re good for my soul.

9.    Beat The Bridge

I did the Beat the Bridge run.  I clearly remember in 1986 going to Nordstrom on my lunch hour, to get a registration form for this race, and then convincing a few friends to run it with me.  Thirty-one years later, I toed the line with Deborah and slough of other family members. With that sort of gap between races, I have to throw this up on the list. And, I can still beat the bridge, which tells you its not too tough. This event does a great job at raising funds for the fight against diabetes.

10.    Orcas Island 25k

15 miles of trail on Orcas Island is always going to be a good day. Love Moran State Park, and Rainshadow races are a great time. Thanks James et al. Throw in a ferry ride and a few hellos to friends, and its all good. This event will always be a goodie.

I participated in a number of other events.  I ran my 14^th consecutive Baker Lake 50k, slow, but steady. Several local favorites, including Loggerodeo, Fowl Run, Have A Heart, and Nookachamps.  There were some half marathons—Birch Bay Half (Rich on the full); Berry Dairy Days Half; and Skagit Flats Half.  I ended the year with the Last Chance Marathon, my third long race of the year. That’s the most of those for me in a few years. Still slow though, way slow.

The year included other highlights.  There was a trip to Las Vegas with some great news, during a difficult time. We also flew to Washington D.C. for some work, tourism, and family time.  I was down in Portland for a few days, and saw MVP Russell Westbrook take on the home team Trail Blazers.  We went up to Vancouver for Jackson Browne, and down to Seattle for Joe Biden, a Prince tribute, and a few Husky and Mariners games. I went out to Easton for CC, and visited with BJ, Erica and others. It was a tough year for work, but I had work and was always busy.

My overall exercise discipline was poor.  As I get older, I should be more thoughtful in my approach: diet, training, stretching, mental. Have to do it. I am thankful for the fact that I am able to get out there, for all the great trails and places I see, and for all the great friends I’ve kept along the way. Onward to ’18!