Physical Therapy

I’ve had a couple sessions of physical therapy in the past month.  This is a long time coming. The goal is to make me whole. The pessimist in me is reminded of that Greek story where the guy has to  push a rock up a hill, as a punishment, but the magic rock always slides back down. King Sisyphus.

Anyway, the goal is to figure out what’s going on with my left hip, hamstring, and knee, and then chart a course for improvement.  So far, the focus has been on lower back muscles, and well as abductor stretches.  I’m hopeful for improvement, and I think the sessions have been great. I need to show a bit more discipline in carrying out the prescribed stretches twice a day. Will do.

Always room for improvement.

On Saturday, I ran and hiked a circuit around Blanchard Mountain.  Spring is near here, with a limited amount of snow up by Lilly Lake.  Winter took it easy on the Northwest this year, I’d say.  Sunday I spent in the gym, with a mild workout.  I’m not sure if I should be upset or happy with the slight aches in my quads.  

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.

Eagles in Edison

Saturday mornings in February are just grand in the Skagit.  Got up a little late, grabbed a cup of coffee at S. Bucks, and drove up Chuckanut for a hike/run in the C-nuts.  A misty morning--good conditions to be out.  Ran into Grant and his brother in different spots, and a few others, all training for Chuckanut.  While not a good run for me, it wasn't horrible either.  I managed to run all the way down without having to pull up.

The highlight of the morning were the eagles in Edison.  About a half mile past Edison, on the Farm to Market Road, there were about 50 eagles in the trees above the slough.  The picture captures one group, but there were groups like this in several trees.  Presumably, they are feeding off a salmon run.

I saw that the painter Alden Mason passed away this past week. His work is in the Seattle Art Museum and other galleries throughout the Pacific Northwest and points farther.  I was taken once by a painting of his of the Skagit Valley, where I understand he has ties. RIP Alden. 

Orcas Island 50k

Thanks to Rainshadow Running for another great Orcas Island 50k!  I only made it 14 miles or so, as my left leg stiffened up too much to run, and I was reduced to hiking and shuffling down the last few hills. I'm ok with it--it was a good morning, with great weather, on beautiful trails. I take it for what is, not for what it's not. And, terrific to see so many friends that I haven't seen in quite some time. Smiles everywhere, with great food and music afterwards. A top class event.

Next up:  scheduled for the Fort Ebey Trail Marathon--I may run the half instead. I hope to get some physical therapy scheduled this month.

Panama

I took a crazy fast trip to Panama this past weekend.  The trip was work related, but I got a day to go check out the Panama Canal’s Miraflores Locks, as well as the old town of Panama City.  Saturday night, I went out to a wonderful little restaurant in Panama City, with friends, and had a 10 course meal of Panamanian food home cooked for us.  In this case, Panamanian food included mango wontons, fried plaintain cups filled with marinated beef, tamales, sea bass, and other fine treats.  The 80 degree sun and beach was terrific, when I wasn’t in a meeting.  The travel though was a bit overwhelming, at 17 hours door to door.

Panama is an exciting place right now.  Twelve years ago or so, the country took control of the Panama Canal, and they are not looking back, while experiencing break neck economic growth.  Since there’s only one Panama Canal, it seems like things will keep going that way as long as there’s shipping. There's a real tension between old Panama City and new Panama City--a sharp contrast in wealth and poverty can be observed, from one block to another. The wealth seems to be winning, with redevelopment projects everywhere.

Unfortunately, I didn't have time to really get into the rainforest, or any long runs. Still, walks on the beach and near the neighboring woods produced sightings of diving pelicans, white egrets, swarms of snails on rocks, some large iguanas, at least one green parrot bird, a dead blow fish, and other stuff completely out of my northwest world. Another trip to Central America is just going to have to happen--you can't help but trip over all the biodiversity down there.

 

Chuckanut Ridge Run

I made it out to Chuckanut Ridge on Saturday for a nice winter run.  The valley was shrouded in a persistent fog, but up high it was crisp and clear. I ran into a few runners, presumably preparing for Chuckanut. I spotted a pileated woodpecker (the big one with the red head), a couple sapsuckers, some witch's butter (above), and a frozen Lost Lake. A winter view of Mt. Baker.

My run was pretty much a hike to the top of chinscraper, followed by a nice amble along the ridge, with a mix of running and hiking back by Lost Lake. Big icicles hanging off the ledge as you approach Lost Lake, and frozen, dusty white ground on that side of the ridge. Nothing impressive running-wise, but just the same,  a really good morning. Time on the feet.

Congrats to all my friends running in far-flung places this past weekend. Such amazing stories!

Nookachamps Runs

Instead of running, I helped out at this year’s Nookachamps Runs.  The Nookachamps Runs start and finish at Skagit Valley College, five minutes from my home, and is one of the older running events in Washington.  About 800 runners showed up to run either the 5k, 10k, or a half marathon.

This year was perfect running weather. The night before was one of the colder nights of the year, but there were clear skies come morning, with temps in the thirties. Several friends showed up to run or volunteer, and so it was a good time hanging out. Afterwards, I got in my own run around town.

Good news--I made a bit of progress this past week with my left leg troubles, by finally getting into to see my doctor.  I've been putting this off too long. He went through all sorts of range of motion tests, and then prescribed me physical therapy time. He noted with age the loss of elasticity in some muscles, and the increased need to stretch. Basics, I suppose, and I suspect there’s more at play than this, but I’m giving myself a gold star for finally seeking outside professional assistance.

1/2 Marathon Winner

Stanley - pulling tags