Honolulu Marathon

Here are some pics from the Honolulu Marathon. As good a reason as any to visit Honolulu and Oahu. I found the race itself to be tough, in part due to my fitness, but the course and running conditions are tough.

The race starts at 5 AM. To get to the start line, I had to catch a bus at the Honolulu Zoo between 2 AM and 3:45 AM. This was all a bit nuts for a marathon. Getting to the start so early was sort of project, forcing me to attempt going to bed in the early evening. The race finishes near the Zoo, which is also near where we were staying in Waikiki, and so that worked out really well at the end. I just walked back to the condo after the finish.

The 5 AM start is nice insofar as the first two hours are in the dark. There is a big fireworks show with the start, plus lots of music. 

The race had about 27,000 participants, I think. One of the five biggest in the US, I believe I heard. The race draws a strong contingent from Japan and is promoted by Japan Airlines. Honolulu is well aware of the tourist impact of the event--the race was a top news story in the days coming up to it, race day, and the day after, which was kind of fun.

The race is extremely welcoming to walkers. They say they do not close the course. Some people take more than 10 hours completing the course. 

Even though it is dark, it was warm at the start. I was sweating in the first few miles. The first six miles circle around Honolulu downtown, including by the palace, city lights, and down Waikiki's main drag. After that, the course is something of an out and back to east Honolulu, past Diamondhead. Many of the water stations are self-serve water systems, which I took full advantage of, dumping water over my head routinely. There's a tough climb at mile 24, but it was a walk for me, as well as most around me, I was basically back of the pack for the runners and ahead of the many, many walkers.

At the finish line, they promise a malsada (doughnut), but I skipped the lines on that, and picked up my finisher shirt. They have a great expo with all sort of aloha running products, but the race shirt is handed out at the finish. 

This race is scheduled near Pearl Harbor Day. We were able to see the parade on December 7th, which local schools, veterans, and others really turn out for. 

I found this race to be tough, both on the course (due to heat and course design) and as far as the start time. Glad I did it though--its a pretty cool event. I think what I liked most was how much the city comes out for it, and the absolutely zero pressure to finish before any deadline. 

Hawaii is of course beautiful. I'll probably add a post here of other things we did.

 

Kalakaua Merrie Mile

The Kalakaua Merrie Mile is part of the Honolulu Marathon weekend events. I did the marathon last weekend, but on the day before, my wife and I walked the "Merrie Mile".  

The Marathon is the big deal for the city on marathon weekend, with some 25k+ runners and walkers. It is one of the big ones. The Merrie Mile is a very cool event of its own. A one mile race--an out and back on the main drag of Waikiki, Kalakaua Avenue. This street parallels the beach and the big ticket hotels, as well as all sorts of restaurants and mid to high end retail stores. 

Good vibes, all the way, with lots of music. People can corral at the front and run their best mile, or hang at the back with the people in dinosaur and Pokemon costumes, and walk it out. We were in the latter crowd, and had a great time. At the finish line, medal, coconut water and malasadas, on the beach. 

After the regular crowd finishes, the event holds a prize money mile race for elites. The elite women are given a head start--29 seconds, I think. The elite men then chase. A man was the winner--the results are reported in the news, but they all flew. Matt Centrowitz, the gold medal 1500 winner, was in the group. Both sides of the street were lined with participants cheering. Good way to start the Saturday morning.

New York City Marathon

I had the great pleasure of running the New York City Marathon again last weekend. It was a hot and humid day by NYC standards, and I sweated a ton during the race, and had to walk quite a bit in the final six miles. I was just glad to be there.

The race is increasingly difficult to get into. I got in after purchasing a guaranteed slot last year, contingent on my completion of a virtual NYC marathon, which I did on a rainy day here in the Skagit. 

Race day started at 6 AM or so, by catching the 1 Train from Columbus Circle down to Battery Park, and then catching the Staten Island ferry. I had great views of the Statue of Liberty on the way over, with a boat full of runners. The wait time for busses to the start line took too long, but finally I made my way over there, and got to the start line with the last wave of runners to go, at 11:30 AM. The winners had already finished by then, as per the messages on my phone from the NY Road Runners application.

After the anthem, our waves went, and the first two miles in on the Verrazano bridge, quiet, far above the Hudson. From the bridge, if you know what you're looking at, you can pretty much make out all of New York City and the race course itself. You can also look elsewhere, and see things like Coney Island, the Statue of Liberty, the Trade Center, and boats, planes and copters, everywhere. The NYPD presence was strong too.

Then, twelve miles through Brooklyn, most with people out cheering everywhere, bands playing, stereos bumping, etc. My favorite part was up in Williamsburg where both sides of the street were narrowing the lane for runners, and the spectators were yelling, "NO SLEEP IN BROOKLYN" along with the Beastie Boys, super loud. As tired as I was from the heat and sweat, moments like this tended to get me pumped up.

The Queensboro Bridge was a quiet climb, but then it the crowds started up again, around mile 15, and were there most the rest of the way. I was just shuffling by this point, but taking in the sights of Manhattan. The Bronx section was short, but loud and proud for people of the Bronx. Then, the final five or six were back down through Manhattan and into Central Park. I was ready to finish by the end, but the Central Park ending was terrific.

The finish was around 64th Street or so on the west side of the park. There's a long walk after that, and it took me over a half hour to make it through all the post-race sections, but finally I met Deb. After a few cramping experiences, we had a post-race Italian supper.

The NYC marathon is quite the production. It basically takes 4 or more hours to get to the start line, and there's an hour on the backside as well, more or less. It is way worth it, as there's nothing quite like this event. New York comes out for it, and the runners are from all over the world. I feel fortunate to be able to have toed the line--my second time now. I find this one pretty special.

Baker Lake 50k

 

Baker Lake 50k was warm this year, with local temps somewhere in the 70s, approaching 80. Not in ideal shape, I sweated a lot, and I was very glad to have packed a bag of table salt as an almost afterthought. My legs cramped going out and then coming back, but the salt seems to fix that, although the feet still took a pounding. I came in at 8:50, which was much slower than last year. I was content to walk much of the way back, but the engine wasn't running that smooth in any event. I really struggle in the warmer days, but at least the course is mostly shaded.

The views of Mount Baker were amazing. One of the good days. I did the early start, as normal. Maybe 15 did that. Many familiar faces. Great to say hello to many long-time running friends. I get out there less than I used to. Appreciate Terry, Delores, Richie and NW Ultras for putting on the event in such great fashion. Also really appreciate seeing Tim and Stanley at the turnaround, year after year.

There was a huge cedar tree across the trail at Mile 12 or so. I had a tough time scrambling over it the first time. I had to crawl under another downed tree. Also, saw a snake. The old growth lining this trail is amazing.

I bought an ankle velcro brace the night before and decided to wear it. I think it helped. I've taken a pole to protect my ankle with added balance, but this was better. Twice my right heel high centered on a rock and the ankle started to roll, but held.

My 19th year. I expect I'll try to get 20. After that, hard to say. Its my thing, I guess, although a number of folks return year after year. Honestly, the 25k is sounding better and better, as I get older. I found the return side this year to be pretty hard, although slowing down always works. Glad I did it, despite my hemming here.

I hung around after the race longer than I ordinarily do. Great to spend some time talking with friends and have some good eats. I took a lot of pics this year, and so post some here. 

Skagit Flats Marathon

 

I did a smoky hot Skagit Flats Marathon today. I am now on the couch, happy to have done it, and pretty achy after running a half last Sunday too.

The Skagit Flats Marathon, Half, and Five Miler are sponsored by the Skagit Runners, and supported by the local cross-country teams of Skagit County. This is the 45th year. Many many thanks to these volunteers who go out every year and put on a terrific event. Their smiles and good cheer made my day, through a tough effort in the smoke. This is my running club--glad to be a member of a running club. Some years I volunteer--last year I was at the 13 mile turnaround--but I've really wanted to do the full marathon, which now is on a different course than in years past. Glad I did it.

I mentioned the smoke twice already here. We've had a pretty good summer, smoke wise, as compared to recent years, but the fires took off this weekend due to tinder conditions and a strong breeze. They closed Highway 2, because it was really bad out that way. Skagit was pretty dark yesterday, but a bit better today. We even had a bit of rain this morning, but the smoke persisted, and this guy felt it quite a bit, especially in the second half of the run, when the heat turned up a bit too. 70s to low 80s today.

I love the flats. As I've written here, I've taken to running around the flats quite a bit in the past couple years, passing farm field after farm field -- corn stalks, potato fields, pumpkin fields, berries. Workers showing up early on a Sunday morning--farming is business that requires dedicated attention, 7 days a week. Which reminds me--my tomatoes could use water.

The first half went ok, and the second half not so much, but I kept a trot most of the time. Hard to know when the smoke was really taking me out, but I'm sure it was. The news says the conditions were the worst in the world in Seattle, and I don't think it was that bad here, but I probably should've ran the half or taken a pass. Running in smoke is now smart, so dumb me won out over smart me this morning.

And I'm glad, nonetheless. The couch is good now, and I'm catching up on football, after the 8 minute drive back home from the start line. 

Remembering 9/11, this day.

Rock and Roll Washington Half Marathon

 

A Labor Day weekend down south, visiting family and running the Rock and Roll Washington Half Marathon.

I've ran many Rock and Roll races at this point, and for me the biggest difficulty is getting down the day or two before the race to pick up my number for the race. I get roped in usually by an email solicitation or perhaps a great registration rate from the year before, but then realize it will take two trips to the Seattle area to complete the mission. 

This year, the Huskies were playing the night before the race, 7:30 start time, so I went with family to the game. So nice to go to the game in shorts. The band and all the good vibes of a season opener were there. The Huskies took care of business, which is not something anyone takes for granted these days, but they were 21 point favorites against Kent State. New coach, new era, hoping good things.

I think I got 4 hours sleep, maybe, on a couch, before leaving at 5 AM or so for the 6:30 race start in Bellevue. I was interested in running this race in large part because I liked the course, which would show me roads I haven't been on in decades. I lived and worked in Bellevue at different times in the later 1980s, and so have memories of many streets, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Of course, much will have changed, and it has, but many of the streets and buildings are still the same.

The course started down by Bellevue Square, and did a big square, heading north, east, south, west, and back north again. Basically, out towards 520, up Bel-Red towards 156th- Crossroads, south towards Lake Hills, and then back downtown, if any of that makes sense. The course was pretty hilly for a half marathon, especially heading east. I liked it, but if I was seeking a personal record, I'd pick a different course.

Weather was good--pretty sunny, but it was early, and so not truly a factor. 8000 runners, so crowded at times. The finishing stretch was a bit too crowded when they got it down to one lane with intermittent traffic coming towards runners. Not enough gels on the course, for the entry fee. Great water stations, great volunteers, and the music is always fun.

This was a training run for me, pretty much, with aid station support. I finished in 2:22 at an easy pace. Feel fine today, which was the goal, especially with the short night of sleep. I only saw one person I knew, which shows how things have changed. Afterwards, celebrated a birthday at a breakfast brunch, and then we made our way back north.

Desolation Peak Lookout

Desolation Peak has long been on my list of to do's, and in an effort to get "something done" this summer, I went up there last weekend with Mike. We took the short route, reserving a ride out and a ride back on the Ross Lake Resort Water Taxi. It made for a long day, and the climb was tough, but I'm still smiling about the whole thing, a week later.

Mike met at our place in Mount Vernon at 5:30 AM, and we had an 8:00 AM pickup reserved at Ross Lake. It was a little close, time wise.  The drive to the Mile Marker 134 lot is about 1.5 hours from the home. Then there's a mile hike down to the lake.  We stopped in Marblemount and were at the parking lot around 7:35. Then, without thinking or reading the sign, I led us down to the dam, when in fact we were supposed to be at a dock area on the lake. It all worked out, but I thought I messed the day up there, as we were jogging back to correct the error.

The boat is $150 each way, which would've been stiff, but we got to share the boat with three other hikers, knocking our cost down. The trailhead is far up Ross Lake, near the Canadian border, and so we had a terrific boat ride through the north Cascades, noting all the people camping on shore and islands, some on multi-day canoe journeys.

Desolation Peak is a somewhat renowned peak, as it was home to the beat author Jack Kerouac for.a summer or two in the 50s. He wrote a book called Dharma Bums, which discusses the lookout life, Ross Lake, and the Skagit Valley at great length. His peer Gary Snyder stayed at the lookout to the south, on Sourdough Mountain, a favorite hike of mine, and one which is easier to get to.  I say "easier", only in reference to the trailhead. The hike up Sourdough is a tough one.

As is Desolation Peak, too, I found. The first 2.5 miles or so are under shade, but after that, the exposure to sun is strong. I brought plenty of water, as the guidance said, and we refilled up at the last crick, about 2.25 miles in.  Others were really struggling with the heat and climb. It was probably an 80-85 degree day. 

Above the treelike, the views really open up, particularly with southern views down the lake towards Jack Mountain and its unmistakable glacier (Noha...). A few boats on the lake looked like vehicles viewed from a plane.

It took us about 3 hours to make the 4.8 mile hike to the top.  Near the top, the 360 degree views open up, with the Pasayten to the east, Mount Baker to the west, Ross looking south, and the Canadian range to the north, and most notably, Hozomeen Mountain. Hozomeen Mountain is the four pointed peak in the pics below--it is a spectacular mountain sight. 

The lookout was open, and Jim, the caretaker was there. He has been living in fire lookouts for some 30 years, I think, and has been at this one for several years. The Seattle Times ran a story on him a few weeks back, and there is a video featuring him about the lookout life. I felt a bit honored to meet him, because of the special life he leads.

The hike down was easier than going up, but boy, I was not that flexible and I was guarding my footsteps, so as not to roll ankles. I think I need do more of this mountain hiking and work on my agility. Use it or lose it, I guess.

My pics don't do the views justice, but they give an idea of things. I should've cleaned the lens a bit, and maybe worked a few filters. Gone are the days of 12/24/36 shot rolls. 

A great day with Mike, and so glad to have finally got up on top of Desolation Peak. As a North Cascades guy, its something I feel I should've done a long time ago, but nice to know there's always a new trail to go explore around here. Maybe next time I'll do the backpack version, which is about 50 miles. Camping on the lake would be good stuff.