Rock n' Roll Half Marathon - Las Vegas

We had reason to be in Las Vegas, and so I s5igned up for the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon Vegas. While I like smaller events, I had a great time jogging up and down Las Vegas Boulevard aka The Strip, at night. 

The course is straight forward-- down the strip, turn around, run the other direction, and then turn around one more time, finishing at night in the middle. I think there were about 15000 runners. The start line corral management requires showing up an hour or more before race time.

The run starts somewhere around  5:00 PM, and it turns soon from dusk to dark. Bands and DJs are et up along the way, booming out classic rock songs. 

I actually ran the first Rock 'n Roll Marathon in San Diego back in 1998, I remember mailing in the entry checks and registration, months in advance, and I think a travel agent handled the airline ticketing. I hurt my knee a week or two before, and had to walk half the event. The organizers failed terribly on water station management, making it a long day. After finishing, everyone got a ticket to see Huey Lewis and the News. Joan Jett and the Loving Spoonful too, I think.  I later went back and visited friends, and did that one again, and then a couple of these in Seattle, at least.

This was by far the best R 'n R production I've been too. The night time flip to the race gives it the edge, and the music was better. The race is now run by the Ironman people, I think.

My run went fine, I guess. I didn't care about time, and stopped a few times. Its hard to run a good time with slow people in front of you, with this many runners. But this was more run-sight seeing. My right ankle rolled. a week or two ago, and so it was crunchy, but some new shoes helped. I've slipped a little bit from a few months ago, but I'm running better than a few years ago.

The visit to Vegas was otherwise great too, although I'm not much of a Vegas guy. I suppose the eye opener to me is now most of the places I went too were pushing high end food by named chefs. Vegas used to be the place for cheap eats and drinks, and I imagine that is still true somewhere, but there seems to have been a change. That said, we had some great eats.

Conway Loop

 

The temperature was right below freezing when I got up, but the sky was clear, and it looked to be a good day. I didn't watch the news to find out; so much bad news. I haven't ran a 15+ mile run this year yet, I think, and so I decided to do the Conway loop.  This is a loop I've been doing a lot in the past couple years, of about 17 miles, which is flat and by the river and farms. This morning was a particularly nice one, with empty farm roads, frozen standing water, winter fowl, and long views. I ran pretty well for me, which is always nice when it happens. Nothing super fast, but steady.

Today also will likely mark the completion of my team's circumnavigation of the globe. Over 30,000 miles by ten runners, in less than 16 months. This effort has been a wonderful distraction from the world, and has pushed me out the door many days when I might not have gone out otherwise.  We have some bonus regions now to pursue, but I just might start all over again after these, if the powers that be allow it.

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.

2021: COVID, Virtual Runs, and the Skagit River

 2021 was another year with COVID limitations. I suppose things were better than the full-on lockdowns of 2020. I continued to center myself by getting out on long walks and runs around the Skagit Valley. Less events but more miles than ever, maybe. 

The outdoors highlight of the year was our 12 day trip to the Big Island. Something happens with Hawaii visits when they stretch beyond the first week. For a little while, it starts feeling like home, with mini routines setting in. Racing came back a bit, with a few innovations, like the rolling start. I continued with my virtual races, including a virtual New York City Marathon, the Great Virtual Run Across Tennessee, and the Circumpolar Race Around The World. These virtual events drew me back, time and time again, to the Skagit River, with new routes discovered from home. The River had quite the year, between low and then flood-stage levels, salmon runs, and heavy snow.

 

Here are some highlights from the runs, outdoors and events of 2021.

 

1.     The Big Island

 

We visited the Big Island from late April into May, and it was an amazing trip. Somehow we timed things just right, missing the surge of crowds which came a month or two later, as well as the surge in prices.  I ran every day in Kona, usually at 4 or 5 in the morning, before the sun came up, under the stars and Milky Way. We made it Volcanoes National Park and saw a much larger crater. Farm markets, local eats, crafts, and sunsets by the beach, every day.

 

2.     Circumpolar Race Around The World

 

The Circumpolar Race Around The World is a 30,000+ mile, 12 stage event, requiring teams of up to ten persons to log their mileage each day. My team started in 2020, and will be finishing up in early 2022. We keep a private group where we discuss our progress and encourage each other. The team has ten members: 4 Canadians, 4 Americans, and 2 Europeans. Each day after logging miles we can go to Google Maps and see exactly where we are. I’ve found this collaborative effort has helped me to lace up and put in 5 or 6 miles on many a day when I would not have, otherwise. There have been rainy runs, snowy runs, sunny runs, and many evening walks. I’ve spent much time looking at the Skagit River, the fields around the valley, and various neighborhoods.  I canceled my gym membership when the pandemic, and picked this up instead, and overall I think it has helped my health.

 

3.     Cutthroat Classic

 

I was glad to once again run the Cutthroat Classic up in the North Cascades. This rates high on the annual list, because I got to see several family members I hadn’t seen in a year or so, three of who also ran the race. We had great weather and views. This year there was a very odd rolling start—“start when you want to”—and it worked well for me, as I had the trail largely to myself for the first three miles or so, after starting late. Nice hat and after-race meal. Really special because Reese ran with us. Reese was a newborn the first time Holley and I ran this together.

 

4.     Snohomish River Run Marathon

 

Snohomish is the county just to the south of Skagit. My friend Eric suggested I run this one with him, and I was glad to, as I wanted to check out the area for running. The course is flat and lends itself to a pretty fast time, I think. The first half is an out and back on the Centennial Trail and the second half is basically an out and back on the River Road. Very pretty fall views of the valley to the south. I had a very steady day and my best marathon splits in some time. I almost felt like a runner.

 

5.     Floods of 2021

 

Northwest Washington experienced record flooding in November this year. In Whatcom County, whole towns were flooded. In Mount Vernon, flood walls had to be installed to hold the waters back from spilling into the town. And the walls worked!  On one night, I was unable to drive home on I-5, forcing me to take Chuckanut, and then turnaround twice before finding a clear route across the valley. The next day I ran the Skagit, witnessing the high levels.

 

6.     The Great Sedro-Woolley Foot Race

 

5.17 miles, again! Thankful for this Fourth of July tradition. Great to see many Skagit Runners, at a live event, after a year of shutdowns.  A very simple day.

 

7.     New York City Virtual Marathon

 

Back to Strava. I don’t use much technology in my running. I’m pretty resistant, I guess—I don’t want too much data, even if it would probably turn me into a better runner, especially if I paid attention. But, I’ve used Strava a couple times now, to do the virtual NYC marathon, and both those experiences have been great. The NY Road Runners app talks to me as I run, giving me encouragement and noting a few key points along the course. I love the NYC marathon, and so this is all endearing. 

 

I did the same course as last year—home to Conway along the Dike Road, half a turn around the outer edge of Fir Island, and then back to Mount Vernon via Rexville, Beaver Marsh, Kamb, and McLean Road. Or three bridges over the Skagit, as another way I think about it.

 

This year was a pretty tough run, actually. I had a sprained ankle, which was only slightly healed. The weather was bad, and I got soaked in the final four miles or so. Also, one of my “water stops” was closed, leaving me thirsty for the final 8 miles. But I hit my finish line, right by Mr. T’s..

 

8.     Snow Runs on the Skagit

The year ended with a serious freeze. Christmas had a bit of white, and then the snow fell down much more, with maybe a foot or so. The snow stuck around for a week, and turned to ice. I got out on the River Bend road and elsewhere, breaking tracks, watching birds, and freezing my nasal passages. The running wasn’t strong—it was more like slow cross-country skiing, but each day was beautiful. The Skagit Valley felt a lot like the Methow Valley to the east, for this time of year.

 

9.     Baker Lake 50k

 

My favorite race makes the list again. There’s a temptation to leave it off, because I do it every year, but this is a big reason why: its always pretty, and usually a good day out. I had no trouble with the distance this year, although it was mixed in with a five week period of Baker Lake, Snohomish River Marathon and the virtual NYC.  I think I was fresher for this one, though. It was a beautiful day, and for the first time I spotted red/green sockeye salmon, from the bridge at the turnaround.

 

10.  Centennial Trail

 

It was many years overdue, but for the first time I ran the Centennial Trail from north end and Nakashima Barn. Stan Nakashima mentioned an event out that way, and while I didn’t marathon miles in me that day, I got in a solid 11 and set myself up for a longer run to come, maybe this year. Great to see some friends out there, including Stan.

 

The year was short on events, because of COVID, but I got to get together with many good friends, as well as family.  We didn’t get out as much as in the past, but we took in the Aquasox and I won amazing seats through Global Citizen to see John Legend in Woodinville. He was amazing. No Mariners, no Seahawks, and only one true visit to Seattle. Pike Place was disorienting after so much social distancing. The family visits were the best of things.

 

Wishing all my friends and those who come this way a healthy and happy new year. 

Snow Day Run Along The Skagit River

Snow changes everything! Mount Vernon got hit with a bit of a White Christmas, and then even more snow the day after. The snow will stick around for a few days, due to persistent low temperatures. For me, this is not too disruptive, as I already had penciled in this week as a slow week for work. 

Snow in the lowlands seems to come around for a day or two most winters, but never sticks around long. I chose to take one of my usual running routes, next to the Skagit River. The road is closed to through traffic right now, due to a bulge in the dike from flooding a month or two ago. This means few cars--pretty much an open trail. I was able to make fresh tracks on the road--see the "S" above. 

The snow shows a bit of wind drift patterns--nature's designs. Below, a log is covered with snow, after washing up a couple months ago, when water levels were 10-15 feet higher. The air was crisp--and cold--and my little 7 mile jaunt on my normal route ended up being one of the good days outside. As usual, trumpeter swans, Canadian geese, snow geese, and more. 

 

Virtual New York City Marathon

 I once again ran the Virtual New York City Marathon this weekend. I did this last year when things were more locked down, This year, I able to land an automatic live entry for 2022, provided I complete a virtual 26.2 this year, within a two week window. I completed my run yesterday, in somewhere between five and six lonely hours.

Yesterday was not ideal.  Last weekend would've been better, but family matters come first. Also, a week after running the Snohomish River Marathon, I stepped in a puddle-hidden pothole on a run, and rolled and sprained my right ankle. This is the ankle that rolls so much that I'm not running as many trails as I used to. The cycle is somewhat predictable -- roll the ankle, do some stretches and take it easy--and get back at it in a couple weeks. However, that didn't work this time around, because my Circumpolar Run Around the World team was pushing out the miles to reach a goal this past week (finish Europe). 

The virtual NYC race gives you a two weekend to run, and in the northwest this time of year, it'd be ideal to miss out on rain and cold, which comes and goes. I ran out of time, and had to run yesterday.  The forecast was driving rain and 45 mph winds. Not a problem for a short run, but running alone with no support in bad conditions is a drag.

I got up early and got out the door at 5:20 AM.  It looked like the weather would turn worse mid-morning, and that's what happened. The first hour and half was in the dark, on flat country roads, but not too much rain, and not too cold. My course from home was the same as last year--Mount Vernon to Conway, a half circle around the outer perimeter of Fir Island, and then return via the backroads from the Rex. Three bridges over the Skagit.  Great route.  

The rain was sporadic, but came on hard towards the end. My ankle was not cooperative, which meant I favored my other leg throughout, making it a much harder run than it should've been. I also got to the Rex before it opened at 9 AM, and so wasn't able to re-stock up on water. I ran with a hydration pack, but hydration was nil for the final 8 miles.

The snowbirds are here, again. I'm reminded of T.S. Eliot's line, about measuring life in coffee spoons. It brings a smile to see these big birds fly in pairs over the house each fall, and then see them out in the fields on my runs and drives. Windy days are special, with some of the raptors soaring. The flocks of snow geese are more like hoards- a bit scary, if assigned ill intentions. Beautiful and National Geographic worthy, in truth.

The app is terrific. Great to get some encouragement at key points of the race--"crossing the Queensboro Bridge!" "Welcome to Central Park!" etc.  The battery in my phone held up, which was a concern for this not-so-Strava guy. 

Glad to get it done. Now I can think about returning to NYC for the run the five boroughs again. 

And then, I got up early this morning to watch the actual running of the marathon. ESPN2 had it on, and I was disappointed in the coverage, but enjoyed all the sights and history. They watered down the race coverage by doing features all the time, and missed some of the key developments. The announcer kept referring to Molly Seidel as Molly Huddle, an absolutely unconscionable error. But then Bernard Lagat's sister Viola Cheptoo came in second in a Central Park sprint to the finish, and Molly Seidel beat the American record, and all was good. Really enjoy getting up and watching this event.

Snohomish River Run Marathon

 

Adding the Snohomish River Run Marathon to the race list for this year. I got up early50 this Sunday morning, and drove south to Snohomish. I've been a little curious about running down in this area. I know there are a few long trails. This event included the south side of the Centennial Trail, downtown, and then a long out and back on the River Road plus a trail to be named later.

It was supposed to rain and be windy, but instead we got great, 50s degree weather. The trees are all changing colors, and there were views looking across the Snohomish Valley. Very pretty day for running.

I ran well for me. It must be that I didn't sabotage my day with bad eating the day before, and I've been running steady with the virtual runs. Finished at 4:22 or so, which is my best time in a long time. I kept it very steady at about 10 minutes per mile, and didn't really fall apart. Glad to be able to get out and do these things still.

My friend Eric ran too, and well, but we were unable to connect. One of these days we'll share some trail.

The marathon had about 300 runners. The half seemed to have many more. A nice red jacket, red shirt and big medal came with this event, which is celebrating its 10th year. The event is put on by the Snohomish Running Company, and they can use support--great effort was put into making this all happen, and keeping the participants happy. I particularly liked the frequent aid stations.

Downtown Snohomish has a whole lot of bistros, alehouses and such. Will have to visit again some time. I opted for Ivars in Marysville on the way home, followed by some RedZone on the couch.