Fort Ebey Kettles Half Marathon

Last Saturday I ran the Fort Ebey Kettles Half Marathon, for the third time I think. It was a terrific morning to be out, with an early chill and later warming up into the 50s. That's about the best you can hope for in February. I like this event, because it puts me on Whidbey Island by the ocean, and the trails are really runnable.

Morning coffee at home with Deb. The race starts at 10:10 for the second wave, which gives folks a lot of time to make their way up to Fort Ebey from southern ports of call. For me, its about a 50 minute drive, and a beautiful one at that, with the flats of Skagit, Deception Pass, and Whidbey roads along the way.

On Monday, I was scheduled to go down to Seattle for a litigation training, which is actually kind of intense. So, for most of the run, I was switching between thinking about my running flow and then how best to present an opening statement for a company defending a specific sexual harassment claim. I didn't get to pick my side--they split the participants up. Anyway, for much of the run I was basically talking to myself, rehearsing statements. This is unusual, as typically when I run I'm not thinking about much more than observing the nature around me.

Maybe that all helped me keep the run going, as I ran an improved pace over the last time I did the event in 2015 or so. I can't remember--I probably walked a bunch that time. All was going well, but frustrating enough--I rolled my tricksy ankle with a quarter mile to go. So now, I'm typing with a still sore ankle, one week later.  A bit of concern with Chuckanut coming up in a few weeks. I imagine I should see a specialist, or a physical therapist, and maybe I will, but I think I'll take up some stretch band exercises, and make sure there's some ice in the freezer.

Skagit Flats Half Marathon

I had the pleasure today of running the Skagit Flats Half Marathon. I originally signed up for the full--like last year I think--but stepped down to the half, having just ran the Labor Day Half six days ago. My legs were still tired.  This two-pack of halfs emphasize flat and fast.

The weather was overcast. We had a memorable lightning storm the night before, and the skies were still cloudy. The course is country roads, although this year there seemed to be a few more cars, which probably was because the MS Ride was happening on other valley roads the same time, and drivers were cutting across the valley to support their riders. Or not--just a guess.

I ran the second half faster than the first half, as I reached the turnaround a bit behind the 2:30 pacer, but ended up finishing at 2:23. Slow, but it was encouraging to be able to run steady for the final six.

I volunteered on Saturday at the packet pickup, which was enjoyable. I liked seeing all the runners come in, focused and ready to go. It sort of reminded me of what a great group runners can be, overall. Many thanks to all the good people of Skagit Runners for putting this run on for its 42nd year. It takes a lot of effort and people, and year after year the club delivers. It's a nice thing to be a part of.

Labor Day Half Marathon

I seem to be going for a bit of nostalgia and memory with some of my hike and run choices of late, as I've gone back to some oldies but goodies a number of times. Today I ran the Labor Day Half Marathon with Mike. This race is one of those annual traditions in the Seattle running community. I first ran this race in 1997, and got my personal best for the half on the course, which is flat and fast.

The course now starts in Redmond Town Center, which didn't exist back then, and after circling the Redmond area, basically goes out and back to where the wineries are in Woodinville. The course is as I said flat--it probably has an elevation gain of about 10 feet, plus or minus. The trail parallels the slough, which may have a more formal name these days.

I liked the idea of running this race again, because this is where I grew up. As I told Mike, I can remember biking down this trail as a teenager, to visit Redmond for auto parts and outdoor gear. In particular, I remember carrying a drive shaft to my car in one hand, as a I pedaled my 10 speed to B&B to have something machined. Another time, my cousin and I tried to raft the slough, which I guess they now call the "Samamish River". For me, it will always be "the slough". I think we made it from Marymoor to 60 Acres, before going to shore and begging someone to call a family member. No current. since I actually pulled out of a river earlier this year.

My run today was a little odd. I went in thinking I wouldn't run hard--I seem to do this a lot, despite the fact that the run is technically called a race. Mike and I ran the first two miles, which was pretty cool, since I knew Mike was going to run faster down the way.  I keep a pretty steady pace, but I seemed to be sweating way too much--one of those sweats where you think all the weird minerals are coming out the pores. Magnesium, chlorophyl, whatever. There was a bit of sun and UV, so that might've been it. I slowed down the slow bus a few times, but I was pretty steady. I finished in 2:22, which is actually faster than I've been running of late. Much room for improvement, but I'm running a bit more these days.

Mike and I saw some sort of big fish in the slough, making ripples, and then watched a heron go after it. This all went down in a matter of seconds, but was pretty cool.

One of the things I liked about the race was all the t-shirts, with runners representing all sorts of places. I saw Maui, the Big Island, Brooklyn, Club Northwest, Finn Hill, Poulsbo, and so on. This is an event for people racing, and the winning time was under 1:10. Picture of leader below.  They also had lots of eats at the end, a nice shirt and medal, all for a pretty good price.

Afterwards, I visited Mike's place, and then my cousin Paul's, before making the pilgrimage up I-5 through the returning-home Labor Day traffic. Listened to Field Notes to a Catastrophe, by Elizabeth Kolbert, about global warming. Not a rosy picture.

Skagit Flats Half Marathon

I ran the Skagit Flats Half Marathon on Sunday.  I think the first time I ran this race was in 2002 with some school friends. Still ticking, still clicking.  The event is becoming a real favorite of mine, because it is so beautiful, it is so local, and because I can come home and watch the first week of football afterwards.

The race starts at Burlington-Edison High School, and is an out and back through the Skagit Valley, finishing back on the school track. The event has been around 41 years now, and my friend Stan has ran the full just about every one of those years.  I originally signed up for the full, but switched down when I realized it would've been a bit too much for me, going into the week.

I ran a 2:27, which is both faster and slower than I would've liked. I was running a bit quicker until August, but my training has fallen off.  Now trying to get back to basics. It was a good day out there, just the same. Thank you to all the cross country teams and Skagit Runners for putting on a top notch event, like always. You are the best.