Chicago

Last week I had opportunity to visit Chicago for the first time. I only got to run once, out to and around Millennium Park and Soldier Field, but we made it all around the town, as these pictures will show. A really fun town to visit. Very easy to get around via the trains and bus system. Highly recommend the Art Institute of Chicago, even if for an hour or two. Some of the great paintings of the world are there. Also, the Hard Rock Hotel was lots of fun--a free electric guitar comes with the room. And, Jackson Browne with Sara Watkins at the Chicago Theater- par excellence.

One of these days I'd like to do the Chicago Marathon, which I can tell would be great, with all the amazing architecture and the lake front. Much to like about Chicago.

P.S. For those who know, yes, that's my Yankee Hotel Foxtrot "outtake" cover photo below.  Taken from a water taxi in the Chicago River.

 

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.

Fall

Fall is here

Dark mornings, darker nights 

Corn is high, apples are cheap 

Pumpkins and spooks about

Run!

Baker Lake 50k

The 2012 edition of the Baker Lake 50k had absolutely incredible weather. A little chilly in the morning, the day quickly warmed up. For once, the bridges were all dry--I think there are 50 or 60 bridge crossings overall, usually all a little wet. Mount Baker was visible all day along the trail--it seems like there were more viewpoints this year, perhaps due to some trail work.  The trail itself was clear. Trail running doesn't get much better than this.

This was my first 50k of the year. I did it because I always do this race, but I didn't run well, and I didn't run at all for portions of the return trip of the out and back. I was tired, muscles hurt, and the digestion didn't work properly. I knew it would be this way. I am so happy just the same to have thrown myself on the trail, and on such a beautiful day, and see what would happen.

Great to see so many friends. Everyone so friendly. It's been too long since my last race. Hard to believe the race didn't even have a race fee this year (though I did make a donation), particularly with the soup and other post-race fare, and aid station goodies. Dave and Jeanette Dutton and their family put together such a wonderful time with this event. Special props to John Bandur for his 10th Baker Lake finish. Made me smile to see John sitting next to the Baker Bear, above, after the race. Also, Stanley Nakashima on the trail, doing the sweep. You know you're ultrarunning in the PNW if Dave, John, and Stan are on the trail.

I can write a book on how not to prepare for a race. The night before, I was in Seattle after a work thing, and had tuna tartar and bone marrow at RN 74. Just weird. Mix that with coffee and GU, and my stomach never felt good during the day, or today.  Some day I'll prep smart. Today I feel whooped, sort of like the Baker Bear above, but I'll bounce back and if I can get this left leg of mine working right, I'll be hitting events more, once again.

Driving out, I saw a bobcat cross the road. 

The main thing to remember about this year is the weather--maybe the best ever, with the best ever views of Mount Baker. I could see the crevasses of the glaciers, climbing up to the peak. This race is a gem, and always my favorite.

Sahale Arm In September

Saturday snuck up on me this weekend, fast, after having been gone for part of last week. There are so many great places to go run and hike in the North Cascades, but I didn't make Saturday plans until Friday night.  Rather than come up with something new, I cannonballed up to Sahale Arm and checked out the fall colors.

You just can't go wrong with Sahale Arm.  It is one of the prettiest trails you'll ever hit. No exaggeration. An out and back, going up to 7800 feet, it can take you through several microclimates, which was the case on Saturday. The trail up to Cascade Pass was covered in clouds. Sort of cold.  Clouds then were streaming over the pass, like a waterfall, the wind blowing at a chilling clip. Only a few 100 meters higher, and the sun came out. From above, I watched the clouds pouring through.  Higher still, and a different chill set in. I spent much of the day above the clouds. Glad I brought an extra layer.

The fall colors have arrived. My friend Seth went up here a couple weeks ago--it should be interesting to compare pics.  The views of the Cascades are normally spectacular, but as one or two photos below show, there is a haze in the air now from the forest fires in Eastern Washington.

I saw a full flock of ptarmigan.  I chased a grouse down the trail for 100 yards.  No bears this time around. I once saw seven bear here on one trip.

I made it up to the Sahale Camp, 5.7 miles in, 5.7 out. Up, then down. The distance is deceiving, as this is a slower hike/run, due to the sights and pitch of the trail.  I jogged much of the way down. Listened to U2's Achtung Baby on the drive home, twice.

Montreal

This past week I traveled to Montreal for work-related purposes. When I go to a new city, I always bring my running shoes. Love doing the running tourist thing.

One day I ran through McGill University’s campus, aka the Harvard of the north, and then up to Mont Royal, the hill in the center of Montreal. Montreal is a really old city. Jacques Cartier first came to Montreal in 1535, and climbed this same hill with some natives to take a look around. In 1611, a trading post was established, making Montreal a contemporary of North American expansion with the settlers of Plymouth Rock and Jamestown.

Montreal takes its name from this hill. That is, Mont Royal = Montreal. The hill isn't that big--I just can't rise to calling it a mountain---but it has a number of nice single track trails weaving up to and around the top. Beautiful views of the city, the river, and bridges to hinterlands.

Afterwards, I ran to the Musee des Beaux Artes, aka the Museum of Fine Arts.  Everything is in French in Montreal. The museum has some great modern art, as well as some terrific Inuit statues. And it was free! And open to persons in running shorts.

Another run took me into and around Old Town, Montreal.  Here, I ran along the waterfront, joined by friend John. We passed the Molson factory, a site of some distinction.

On a third run, I again ran around Old Town, ending up in the Notre Dame cathedral, which was stunning, with its statues, stained glass, organ, and architecture. Very worthwhile. Probably my favorite tourist highlight.

Montreal is a most excellent town. I loved that French was the primary language. I managed, as I’m sure do all who visit. Plenty of nice places to run, eat and visit.

The Beer Mile

James V. had a birthday run at Battersby Field in Bellingham recently.  Happy bday James!  I don’t know where he came up with this, but in celebration, he proposed “the Beer mile.” 

Racers have to drink four beers, one at the start of each lap.  At the word “Go,” drinking begins.  The biggest guy was the first one off and running, chugging his beer faster than gravity’s pull.  Perhaps the trick is to poke a hole at the bottom side of the beer cans—hadn’t thought of that until now. 

Now, I don’t drink.  I wish I did sometimes, and this was one of those times.  But I don’t. So, I opted for Vernor’s Ginger Ale instead, fixing on the close match of Vernor’s for Varner’s, and then there's that whole fake ale thing.  Ginger ale may seem like a competitive advantage, but in the end, I did not improve my ultrasignup ranking with my unleaded effort. I was ready to retch with the best of them on Lap 4, just like everyone else. 

Women ran and drank faster than men at this event, it seemed, though the first couple finishers were guys.  I noticed on the fourth lap one gal wasn’t running straight. 

The beers on Lap 1 go down quick—the drinking slowed down for many on the next three laps.  Dan went with three beers of one type, and then a bell lap beer of another type. Strategy? Apparently, the King of Beers is good---I think that was James' fuel choice---but Chad went with the foreign beer-in-the-back-of-the-fridge plan. Bottle v. can. Lots of things to think about, if you want to get serious about this.

Candice and another guy kept the time.  Thank you volunteers!  There was an official’s timekeepers table, running cones, and everything.  Maybe 15-20 competitors.  There are all sorts of particulars about the beer—needs to be at least 5% alcohol, no wide mouth bottles, etc.  There are other rules too, like if you puke, you have a penalty lap.

I sweated really weird afterwards.  My pores were just dripping liquid.  My eyeballs didn’t seem to line up straight too.  Otherwise, recovery seems ok.  Battersby Field was a worthy location.  Near enough to the police station to flaunt the Law a bit. Weeds growing on the track.  Not all tracks need to be oval, anyway.

I didn’t get to watch James finish.  He was still nursing his bell lap beer, along with Brandon, when I had to go.  He may or may not have been DFL, which as I left I thought is a cool way to handle it, getting to hang with your friends a bit longer.  Still, I doubt this was a conscious strategy.  Lucky for James and Brandon, there were no sweeps or cutoffs. 

Next up, the 100/100.  100 beers, 100 miles, one week.  Got this one from Peter.  I’ve heard it can be done.  Never stop challenging yourself.