Running for Boston

Like everyone, I was horrified by the Boston Marathon bombing last week. 

Across the country, running clubs and groups responded by holding group runs to reaffirm all that is good about running. And human nature. Our own Greater Bellingham Running Club had just such a run on Monday night. I was glad to wobble down the trail with my friends.

My best wishes go out to all who were impacted by this terrible event. I suppose that’s all of us. Run strong, Boston.

 

Washington D.C.

I made a trip back east to Washington D.C. and Virginia last week.  It is cherry blossom time again in the nation's capitol, and so I snapped a few pics.

The trip was a whirlwind.  First, I got delayed by 18 hours or so at Chicago O'Hare, finally arriving at 3:15 AM.  I made it downtown on three separate occasions in about four days--lots of time on the Metro. Hear hear for public transport. One of my favorite things about east coast cities is the subway.

Highlights of the trip included taking in a Braves-Nats game with my brother and a friend, getting to meet my new niece, and seeing the folks. The cherry blossoms and nice temps were nothing to quibble about too.

Running...well, I'm working on it. Ran tonight.

Flowers in the Valley

April is tulip time in the Skagit Valley.  The daffodils precede the tulips by a couple weeks. Fields and fields of them. People come from all over to see them.

It's been a busy time for me, as always. Work has my attention much more than my running these days. Still, I've found my way into physical therapy four or five times this past month. I'm learning all sorts of new stretches. I've made a friend with a foam roller.  I'm convinced more core work will be good for me, but this I've always known. I'm really hoping to get my left leg working the way it should.

The miles don't come as easy as they used to. I ran in the pouring rain through the Nookachamps the other day.  I found myself short of breath.  And wet.  I ran by a row of cows, eating their hay, with their ears punched with tags. I figured I'm probably better off then them.

I have my eye on some events in the coming months. The first one or two will be ugly, I'm sure. But I'll get there one of these days.

Happy spring!

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.