January Miles: Centennial Trail, Fairhaven, and Skagit River

 

The weather has been mixed for running in January, as is the norm. We've left behind the snow and ice of December, and traded that for rain, cold, fog, and dark. I keep getting my miles in as my virtual team pushes through Texas to the southern border, but it doesn't feel like that here.

Last weekend I decided to head down to the northern terminus of the Centennial Trail in Snohomish County and do a couple out and backs. The trail was not that busy and plenty flat.  My run was a bit of a struggle, as I just had a shot the day before. Not too remarkable, but glad to have the get up and go sufficient to get some miles in. In non-COVID years, last weekend would've been the Nookachamps Runs, I think.

During the week, when in Fairhaven, I've been running out to Bellingham and back over the water. The picture above is of the lights of the Taylor Dock, which heads out to Boulevard Park. This is now a fixture in the Bellingham trail system, and as I write this I'm reminded of when I used to have to wander the railroad tracks to make it down to Boulevard. The dock is pretty cool--on a sunny day, the mountains of Vancouver's north shore are clearly visible, and some nights I can see the ski slope lights up that way.

Today I did my normal loop out along the Skagit River. Very, very foggy, with limited visibility. A good morning nonetheless. Hoping to have a steady year with the miles.

Race Beneath The Sun

Early June presents so many different terrific race and backcountry options.  I chose to run the Race Beneath The Sun 5 miler this Saturday morning, hosted by the Greater Bellingham Running Club (GBRC). The sun didn't cooperate, but we didn't get rain, so it was a fine enough day.

This 5 mile race starts and finishes in Fairhaven Park, in the exact same place as the old start/finish for Chuckanut.  It's mostly suburban trail.  After leaving the Park, there's a little downill towards Fairhaven, that has everyone running a step quicker. What goes down must come up---there's some work to do, to complete the course, including the C. Moore Loop. It's sort of cool to take that final turn, and finish just like the old C-nut. Not as many people watching though--I think less than 100 did the race. I'll take the small event any day.

I finished somewhere north of 47 minutes, which is about 9 minutes slower than the last time I did this race, some ten years ago.  I remember the course pushing me that day too. There is slight improvement as compared to last weekend, but I still fought shin pain and shortness of breath a bit, causing me to walk in 10 yard stretches a few times.

My plan is to keep doing smaller and shorter events right now, and work my way up to the longer distances.  I'm happy for now to try to focus on diet, core, and consistency.  I need to stick with the PT exercises better.  There will be some longer races down the way, but these short events are fun!

Good to see so many GBRC friends, like Rick, Polly, Julie, Dave and so many others volunteering. This is club running at its local finest. Thank you volunteers. My best to all my friends running elsewhere this weekend---Cougar Mounatin, Vashon Island, the San Diego 100, and wherever else. Run strong, be happy.

Running for Boston

Like everyone, I was horrified by the Boston Marathon bombing last week. 

Across the country, running clubs and groups responded by holding group runs to reaffirm all that is good about running. And human nature. Our own Greater Bellingham Running Club had just such a run on Monday night. I was glad to wobble down the trail with my friends.

My best wishes go out to all who were impacted by this terrible event. I suppose that’s all of us. Run strong, Boston.

 

Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon

Bellingham’s Lake Padden Trail Half Marathon may be around for a while.  I really really liked the course, and though I’m not much of a racer, the course itself seems perfect for folks who do want to run trails fast.  Lots of ups and downs—all enough to set a burn in, but nothing too steep or technical.  Fall colors don’t hurt either.

I run Lake Padden all the time—have ran around it for more than twenty years, as once upon a time I lived right down the street. Often I stop there after work for a lope.  The loop around the lake is rather pedestrian—good for strollers, slow biking, and running.  Further back, behind the lake, there are single track trails full of mud, roots, and rocks.  Plenty of short legitimate climbs and drops too.

About 300 people signed up for the race, which is really big by trail running standards, especially for a second year race.  The winning times, by Dusty and Jodee, were really fast.  Plenty of other fast people in the top 20. Competitive.

And then there was me, in the recreation class.  I was a lumbering back-of-the-packer.  I have a sore throat, to add to the hamstring issues. But I was really happy to be out there. That’s two races now for me in the last month.  Progress.  Mainly though, just good to be out.

We were fortunate to find a dry window in this rainy weekend.  It was pouring before and after.  I think it hailed before I drove up. And lots of friendly faces out there racing—Chad, Chuck, James, Charlie, Dylan, others. Strong performances, all. Al did a phenomenal job putting this whole thing together. His dedication to this race is unparalleled. And he had a lot of help and great sponsors, all for the cause of Rebound, a worthy charity for local kids. Great also to see Dean, Ruth, Heather, Kevin, Terry, Delores, and others volunteering, as always.  The NW running community is tops. So, a great morning.