The Great Sedro-Wolley 5.17 Mile Footrace

Another Fourth of July, another Loggerodeo 5.17 mile run. Weather was perfect, and spirits were good. I ran about the same as I did last year, which isn't good, but that is an improvement over my run last week.

I've been running this event on and off for over a decade. It is flat and fast, going through neighborhoods along the parade route, with folks lining both sides of the street, watching from their lawn chairs. There is a 2 mile and 5.17 mile option. The 5.17 mile race goes slightly outside city limits, taking a road by farmland, and then along the Skagit River and by the fairgrounds. Pretty fun as you finish up to see people selling balloons and flags from grocery carts, and others selling burgers and hotdogs. Afterwards, a parade of rodeo queens, chainsaw artists, and John Deere tractors follows.

As always, great to see the turnout, and so many friends from Skagit Runners. Thanks to Terry, Delores, Kevin, Stan, Brannon and to all the other volunteers from the Rotary Club. Service clubs like Rotary really make a difference in communities.

Raced out of there to watch the second quarterfinal match of World Cup. Hooked, as usual. We finished the evening on the Skagit River, watching fireworks over Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. Happy birthday USA!

March Point 10k

I ran the March Point 10k last Saturday. I think this was the 20th running of the event, which is a regional classic of sorts. The 10k starts at the Tesoro refinery, drops down a hill, and then you basically circle the hill, running for a few miles on the waterline. There is a big hill in the second mile, pictured above, which is a bit of a grind. Wind can be a factor.

Afterwards, a great awards ceremony, with hot dogs, drinks, and chips for everyone. All for about $12, if you pre-register. Great to see many Skagit Runners friends out volunteering, running or both. Took my time on the course, jogging and walking, dealing with a bit of lower back pain. Glad I showed up--so often, showing up is what counts. Gave me a great start to the weekend.

Boston

Work took me to Boston last week.  While the work side of things kept me very busy, I managed to catch some Beantown highlights.

Boston is great running town. Of course there's the Charles River and the Boston marathon course. Walking down the street at lunch, I saw people putting in intervals on the sidewalks. Running is part of the culture.

Boston is also a sports town. While there, we managed to catch a great day game at Fenway, which was tied 0-0 after nine, but ended on back to back homers in the 10th for the home team.  They love their team and stadium, and its easy to see why.  Very cool to luck into such a great game. Favorite moment probably was the 8th inning sing-a-long to Sweet Caroline. Still and always a Mariners fan first, but Fenway is special. Also toured the stadium and took batting practice in the visitor's clubhouse.

The photo of the strawberries below is from the Copley Square Farmer's Market. $30 for a flat of strawberries just shows how fortunate we are out here on the west coast, as far as berries and farm treats go. Delightful little market, with the typical mix of the usual and the surprises that each farm market can offer.

I ran the Charles River a couple times, including a Fun Run event associated with the work conference, along with my friend John.  We lost, but since it was for funs, everyone's a winner.  The finish line was the same as the Boston Marathon's, but everyone was pretty much gone by the team we got there, due to various detours and walk breaks.

Hiked the Freedom Trail.  A must do in Boston. It's only about 3 miles.  Started at the Boston Commons and then hit all the historic highlights. The Trail is curious mix of the old and the new, with early Puritan churches tucked in with Starbucks. The Quincy Market, the North Church ("one if by land, two if by sea"), Paul Revere statue, the Harbor, the U.S.S. Constitution (aka Old Ironsides)---all great tourism and history.

Had some nice stops along the way at Ye Old Union Oyster House, the oldest restaurant in the U.S., and canolis in the North End (aka Little Italy). The Oyster House was a favorite place of JFK's.  Great chowder.  And the North End is probably my favorite place in Boston, with amazing Italian food of all types. The canolis are just incredible--we went to Mike's Pastries and later to Maria's Pastries. Both have been voted best in Boston.

Dog Island 10k

The running isn't going all that great these days, as a stiff lower back, a continually defiant hamstring/hip, and good eaten' seem to conspire against my improvement.  Still I throw myself out there, this way and that. Summer definitely helps.

The Dog Island 10k on Guemes Island is a good plan for a Saturday in June. Guemes is right across from Anacortes, and has a real idyllic feel.  It sits in a bit of a rain shadow, and so it seems the wildflowers bloom in greater variety.  The saltwater views of Cypress Island and others are full on San Juan. Nice to sit on the shore and watch the water.

Good to see Terry, Stan, Dean and so many others for helping out. Thank you Skagit Runners! The race is in its 17th year, and is a fundraiser for the Guemes Library.  Hope they get some good books--everyone needs an island and a good book, now and then. Great event.

Kauai

We recently spent a week and a half in Kauai with friends and family. An amazing trip and a terrific shared experience.  In our time there, we kayaked the Wailua River and hiked through tropical forest to a waterfall. Waterfalls are everywhere on Kauai. We took a helicopter ride around the island--80% of the island is only accessible this way. Flying in a helicopter is cool enough, but on Kauai it's on a whole other level.  Very worthwhile, despite the price (which varies). We also did a boat ride up the Na Pali Coast, where we was saw whales, spinner dolphins and bottle nose dolphins. Snorkeled a bit on that trip too.  Toured a coffee plantation and farmer's markets.  Lei Day was May 1st--we caught an amazing craft competition--lei making is an art. Waimea Canyon and Kalalau Lookout were in the mix too.  I gave surfing a go at Hanalei Bay, though this Kahuna was bad news on the board.

Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area

Made it down to the Skagit Wildlife Recreation Area a week or two ago with friend Rich.  The rains have the water levels up very high.  The birds are going nuts.  A pair of eagles in a big nest. Herons zipping about.  Eagles sitting in trees right above the trail. Canadian geese in the brush. Strikingly beautiful for being so local and such a short walk.

Spring is here...time to start making some bigger plans.

Woolley Half Marathon

I ran the Woolley Half Marathon today.  It was a start and stop affair for me, as I couldn’t really get a steady run going.  Tightness in my stomach, shortness of breath, and inflexible muscles pretty much set that scene. Happy to have ran it, just the same.

The course is a flat out and back, with half, full and 50k options. As Sedro-Woolley is 15 minutes from my doorstep, it’s an obvious Saturday morning workout, and I’m thankful to Terry, Delores, the Krells, and everyone else for putting it on. Great to see Stan out there on the course at Mile 4.  Good to see Kevin, Heather, Ras and many others too. Great hot dogs and chilli afterwards. 

There was a pretty stiff headwind going out, but we managed to avoid any rain. 40 or so degrees. I enjoy the course a lot—there are farm animals on either side of the trail, views of the North Cascades in the distance, and an occasional creek crossing. Lots of birds in the Skagit right now, including swans, eagles, ducks, and gyrfalcons. Everything looks a little wet and brown.

There are a lot of events this weekend. I wanted to do something, but struggled a bit in choosing between Ebey, Fragrance Lake, and doing my own thing. In the end, I kept it close to home, with a simple course. Hopefully I’ll inject a bit more discipline in my life, and start picking things up. Regardless, running is so personal for me. I’m happy to limp along, lost in my thoughts and music, looking at trees, birds, whatever. Saturday morning restoration after a long week.

I ran with music today. This was a first in quite a long time, for what used to be standard operating procedure. (Still no watch though.)  I got one of those Apple devices for X-mas—what are they called?--and finally I gave it a play.  I had a big smile when Jackson Browne’s “These Days” came on. “Don’t confront me with my failures, I have not forgotten them.” One of my very favorite songs, checking in randomly via shuffle. Nice to be plugged in again on the trail.

Now, a little bit of House of Cards, Season 2.  Recommend.