Fort Ebey Kettles Half Marathon

Ran and hiked the Fort Ebey Kettles Half Marathon out on Whidbey Island yesterday. This is a terrific rolling course. The race works out perfect for me, being about 40 minutes from home. The views off the bluffs of Whidbey Island towards the Olympics are as good as anywhere.

We had wind all day, but it never really rained. Appreciated the later start--actually got to have a cup of coffee at home before starting out.

Rich, Linda, and Jamie were there. Rich and Linda ran the full; Jamie ran the half.

Step by step, trying to get back into shape. My third event in the last five or six weeks. Hoping I can get my legs swinging the way they need to.

Fort Ebey Kettles Half Trail Marathon

I trotted through the Fort Ebey Kettles Trail Half Marathon yesterday, put on by NW Trail Runs. A bigger turnout than I expected.  The trails themselves were eminently runnable. Lots of short ups and downs. The course starts along the bluffs, and then winds through endless single track, reminding me of the Lake Padden Half, but with Pacific coast views. Rustic trail signs mark many turns—“Princess Run”, “Escape”, “Roy Evans”, “Kettles”.  Very northwest, and absolutely gorgeous.  Weather was good—a little brisk starting out, but I felt fine.

My leg didn’t really cooperate, and my fitness is not there, but I’d say I ran a bit better this week than a couple weeks ago at Orcas. Nothing to rave about, but trotting worked here and there. I signed up for the full originally, but wisely stepped down to the half.  I enjoyed myself—got the cardio and muscles working. The full is two loops of the half, and there are also 10k and 20m options.  

I’ll just keep trying to progressively build up. Food. Core. Stretching. Consistency. I have physical therapy scheduled this week.  We’ll see how that goes, and keep it all real, and have fun.  

The Fort Ebey bluff trail is a terrific trail for the winter time. The trail is right on the edge of a 500 foot bluff, looking down at the ocean.  Besides being beautiful, this is a historic site in Washington State. In college, I had to read a book called “Land Use, Environment, and Social Change: The Shaping of Island County, Washington” by Richard White, a UW professor and awarded of the MacArthur Grant. The book is an environmental history of Island County and makes great mention of Ebey’s Landing and this area of the island.  

Great to see Rich there, and to meet Connecticut Brian—who won the half, in record time! Good time at the Skagit Brewery aftewards. Also good to see Chris too! Many others—Eric, Michelle, Ras, Kathy, Wendy. Just a really fine day! Congrats to all who ran or volunteered this weekend--I know it was a full weekend with the BTRS Frangrance Lake Runs and the ever lovable Woolley Runs in Skagit. No shortage of organized events these days--very fortunate.