Baker Lake 50k

This year's Baker Lake 50k was a bit chilly, but clear, with some of the best views of the lake and Mount Baker I can remember. I suppose the crisp, fall air will do that sometimes. Above is a picture I took, after the race, from down the road from the campground. By then, the clouds had formed, but earlier in the day the sky was the same blue, and the mountain and other high glaciers were unobstructed. The view from the Noisy Creek turn was the best.

I ran the early start, as I've done for the past five or more years. I prefer the early start because I get done earlier, and there are less people on the trail. This was my 15th Baker Lake in a row. I think it may have been my 100th marathon or longer distance event as well. Markers on the trail, I suppose.

As always, Terry, Delores, James, Chris, Toi and others from Skagit Runners put on an exceptional event. Simple, beautiful, and affordable. The finish line goodies included burgers, pulled pork, soups, beer, soft drinks, and plenty of choices for the veggie folks. Lots of familiar faces on the trail--all smiles, coming and going.

New this year was additional water bottles at Noisy Creek, about 10 miles in. I think this is a great add, since there is a water cache also at Maple Grove, about 4 or 5 miles in.

I wasn't fast, and I found the back 15 to be slower and more drawn out than usual. I think that may have simply been because I was wrestling with whether to go down to Kirkland afterwards for an event. My time, while not fast, was an improvement over the past four years. This probably is a reflection of more road running on my part this year. I got knocked off track in August, which is understandable and ok. Going forward I'd like to work on losing weight and running steadier. For me, running and trails are part of who I am--and whether up or down--I'm just glad to be able to continue to be out there.

On the drive in, I finished up listening to Scott Kelly's book, Endurance, about his year in space and his journey to becoming an astronaut. On the way home, Bob Marley's Legend. 

Skagit Flats Half Marathon

I ran the Skagit Flats Half Marathon on Sunday.  I think the first time I ran this race was in 2002 with some school friends. Still ticking, still clicking.  The event is becoming a real favorite of mine, because it is so beautiful, it is so local, and because I can come home and watch the first week of football afterwards.

The race starts at Burlington-Edison High School, and is an out and back through the Skagit Valley, finishing back on the school track. The event has been around 41 years now, and my friend Stan has ran the full just about every one of those years.  I originally signed up for the full, but switched down when I realized it would've been a bit too much for me, going into the week.

I ran a 2:27, which is both faster and slower than I would've liked. I was running a bit quicker until August, but my training has fallen off.  Now trying to get back to basics. It was a good day out there, just the same. Thank you to all the cross country teams and Skagit Runners for putting on a top notch event, like always. You are the best.

Lake Padden Relays

Saturday found me at Lake Padden, running four loops, as part of the Greater Bellingham Running Club's annual Lake Padden Relays.  This is fundamentally a relay race, with lots of high school and college students forming teams, as well as local running clubs.  The overall distance is 10.4 miles, or 2.6 miles per lap.

Lake Padden and its trails are a much loved local destination for Bellinghamsters, and I personally have been running this same trail since as far back as 1991. When I first moved to Bellingham, so long ago now, I lived with roommates not too far down the road from Padden, and in the morning before work I ran the lake regularly. I wasn't participating in events so much back then, but I did have a passion for the trails, which Padden offers.

I've done the "Iron" portion of this event a few times before. Usually I miss this event because Labor Day weekend is prime time for high country activities. I ran this year somewhere just south of two hours. I can remember once running the four laps in 1:20 or so. Times change, but at least I'm out there.

August was the hardest of times for us, as some know. Running has always been a deeply personal endeavor, as is my time on the trails. I find some sort of restoration in these activities. They are my normal.  Things are looking progressively better, and so having the confidence and time to get out to this even yesterday was absolutely terrific. I'm also pleasantly pleased to see that my fitness, which was improving, hasn't completely fallen off. It was good to see old friends toeing the line, volunteering, and just observing, on a nice, clear morning, at a familiar spot.

No pictures, I'm afraid. But do visit Lake Padden, if you never have. It won't test your endurance, but it is a special spot. I will have to get back up to speed on the pics sometime this fall. I've been a bit waylaid, due to a software update, and other changing tech, that I haven't spent enough time dealing with.

Thanks to all who stop by, and thanks for your friendship--means so much.

The Great Sedro-Wolley Footrace

Another Fourth of July, another Great Sedro-Woolley Footrace!

This year was gorgeous, with clear sky and nearly 80 degrees out. Highlights for me were seeing Mark, Carolyn, and Stan, old-timer ultra-running peeps. The shirt is also pretty cool this year, with a picture of some people tuckered out after their all-out race. This race is so fun to see everyone dressed up in red, white and blue. I'm running a bit more consistently these days, and so I was pleased to finish 8 minutes faster than last year. Still slow, but I'm able to keep a steady, slow run, without busting too many capillaries, ventricles, and aortas.

Afterwards, we just hung out at home, barbqued, watched the amazing Mariners, and I read a book. A most excellent holiday, all in all.

March Point 10k

We're really fortunate in Skagit County, and Whatcom County too, to have a great number of longstanding races to choose from each year.  If I don't have anything else going on, I'll often turn out for a local event with not much forethought. Such was the case with the March Point 10k this year, out by Anacortes, which I basically decided to run on Friday night.

I got up at about 5 AM to make coffee and watch the first of three World Cup games. Belgium v. Tunisa, and Belgium looks very good.  Then off to the race, which is about 15 minutes from home.

The course circles March Point. It has a tough climb up N. Texas Ave, between miles 1 and 2. The final three miles are on waterfront, as is the first mile. There's a terrific barbq afterwards, with hot dogs, drinks, salads, and other goodies.  A half marathon was added a few years ago, which I'll have to try some time.  The half does the loop on the Point and then throws in an out and back on the Tommy Thompson trail, a converted rail trellis to trail over water.

I saw two eagles in a tree at mile 4.  No camera, alas, but the would've made a good photo. They're probably still there. No need to move along.

My running is improving.  I ran a 1:03, which I know is not fast, but its improvement for me.  I seem to be getting in consistent runs since I scheduled marathons at the end of the year. Hopefully improvements keep coming--probably will.  While I don't have great aspirations, I'd like to get so a basic six to eight miles moves by pretty steady.

Berry Dairy Days Half

A quick update here to record the fact that I ran the Berry Dairy Days Half Marathon yesterday. I took a few pics of the river, some cows, and some berries, but I'll have to add them later.

This run has become a favorite of mine, as I've done it four or five times in the last as many years. It's well priced, and I can roll out of bed at 6:30 and catch the early start without any real rush. Home by 11 AM to get on with things.  I like the early start, because I'm slower these days and because there are only about 30 starters with me.

I was pretty happy with my run. I ran a 2:25.  While not impressive, I'm seeing improvement, in that I can run a whole half without stopping. I've been out running four to six times a week lately, in preparation for some fall marathons.  In this one, I was able to run the second half of the half about as fast as the first half. I started slowly, which probably has a lot do with not sleeping or eating right beforehand. Eventually, though, I was able to find a pace and keep it.

The last six miles are really nice. The run goes out on the dike along the Skagit, comes back, and finishes on the Berry Dairy Days parade route.

It was great to see Dean and Ruth afterwards, Stan beforehand, and other friends supporting the community. Strawberry shortcake before heading home.

Spokane River Run 25k

No pictures, and that's too bad, as there were plenty of spring-time sights at the Spokane River Run 25k this weekend. There were points on the run, particularly in the last 5 miles, where the trail was on a ridge, overlooking the valley.  There were balsam root plants in bloom--the short yellow sunflower plants. The rugged pine trees and soft trail were picture worthy.  Somebody though ran without a camera, and so next time, I suppose.

It's always good to get over to eastern Washington this time of year.  The peaks in the distance still show snow, but spring is apparent everywhere.  It's not too hot to run, and the weather is usually a bit better than what you'll find on the west side.

I enjoyed the "Challenge Course," which advertises a 1900 feet elevation gain over 25k. There is a slightly easier 25k as well, and the event also offers runners the choice of pairing the two courses for one 50k. Maybe next time.  Every mile is marked, which is a bit of a change, but kind of nice considering my condition.  There were three aid stations for the Challenge Course, which is plenty, but I carried a bottle of water and some gels. 

The event is a local benefit for the Garfield A.P.P.L.E. program, which offers enhanced benefits for Spokane students. The event had a real community feel to it. The tech shirt even features a student drawing. I ran with a good friend, who in turn ran with a bunch of peeps he knew.  I didn't actually run with them--but friendly faces before and after a race is terrific.

As for how I ran....well, slow, but I've done worse. I thought I'd hike a lot, but the soft trail was very inviting, and so a steady trot was the outcome. My hip, knee, and stomach are still in the opposition party, but I will continue to campaign for a better me.

The drive, by the way, was long. I managed to listen to the whole audio for Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology, a full PJ concert (Charlottesville '13), and some talk radio. RIP Art Bell.