Todays Workout

Did not end up being quite what I expected... 

This bridge is new, you used to have to wade the river.

I have been a bit of a slacker when it comes to running lately.  Mostly due to work (excuses), which  caused me to pick and choose what I would do with my very limited free time.  The weather has been pretty unfavorable, so I chose to omit running.  Not a good choice, ask Matt.  The beginning of this week had him telling me I needed to go run because I was becoming too much of a handful (it is true).  Plus, I do have a couple of races coming up that I should try and train for.

Fresh tracks!

I headed to Capitol Forest this morning to put in a 4 hour run.  I wasn't entirely prepared for what I was faced with when I got there.  We have gotten a bit of snow in town, so I figured that there would also be snow on the trails.  I just did not anticipate there being so MUCH snow.  At lower elevation the trail was in really good shape and the running was smooth, however, as I headed up the snow got deeper and deeper.  This made the going pretty slow.  In the end I did a lot of hiking punctuated with some running. 

It's deep, I swear

In the end this run ranks pretty high up as one of my favorites.  It was a beautiful day to be in the forest.

Happy runner

MIA

I have been a bit bad about updating the blog lately, but I have good reason.  My computer crapped out on me and Matt isn't capable of updates.  So, everything had to go on hold until my new computer (MacBook Pro) showed up today! 

As I type this Matt and I are watching Terminator 2 and I have to admit, the young John Conner and I have a very similar hairstyle...

Last Saturday we went to the coast for the last clam dig of the year.  We were successful with both of us havesting 15 razor clams (the limit), plus I got to wear the sweet Grundens I got from the Gralewski family for our wedding!

Home made pasta and clam sauce

Today I went to the knitting class that Matt signed me up for as a valentines day gift.  I loved it, we learned how to make  a hat.  It if wasn't for my new computer showing up I would probably already be done.  I am sure I will be close by the end of the weekend.

Orcas Island 50k

Saturday brought with it my second 50k, Orcas Island.  While preparation was the name of the game prior to running Cle Elum, that was not the case leading up to this one.  After Cle Elum I got somewhat lazy.  I would run 3 miles once or twice during the week and do a long run of ~8 miles on Saturday.  To ramp up my milage I did a 17 mile fat ass three weeks ago and a 20 mile race the following weekend.  There you have it, my training for Orcas, not very impressive...

I left Friday afternoon to make the drive to Anacortes and catch the ferry to Orcas.  While on Orcas I (along with many other runners) stayed in the bunkhouses at Camp Moran. Friday evening brought with it socializing and some wine drinking to prepare for Saturday.

Pre-race wine

Post-race beer

Saturday Morning:  I woke-up early to eat something and prepare for the race.  I opted for the early start to ensure that I was done in time catch the evening ferry.  Going into the race this was my only goal, finish in a time that would allow me to be on the Saturday ferry home.  Not very ambitions, but a goal none the less.

Below is a look at my thought process as I progressed through the race:

• Mile 1-6 - tired, legs tight.  Why am I doing this again?  Maybe I should just drop...
• Mile 7-10 - okay, I can do this
• Mile 10 - what the HELL is that?!?! (see elevation profile)  Thoughts of sitting on the side of the trail and moping. 
• Mile 12-29 - happy, enjoying myself.  This is why I run.
• ~Mile 30-finish: the longest 2 miles of my life...  Seriously, they just kept going.

Cascade Lake

Powerline trail.  This picture does not do justice to how steep it was.

Almost to the top of Mt. Constitution.  If it had been clear you would see the mountains.

Trail

New friends!  Olympia Trail runners Julie and Dave.

In the end I am quite pleased with how I did.  I managed to knock ~40 minutes off my time from Cle Elum,  on a course that had ~1000' more feet of climbing!

Time: 7:46:06
Pace: 15:01
Elevation: ~8000'
Aftermath: 3 toenails ready to fall off

Unfortunately Matt wasn't able to come along, he is still in pretty rough shape...

Week in Pictures

Run with the puppies at Capital Forest - recent logging

Dal with naan (not pictured)

Mountain Bike Polo!!

Still not feeling so hot...

Old Bike Show - lugs

Old Bike Show - 50th anniversary campy

Line o' bikes

Weekend Plans

I am getting read for the Orcas Island 50k this weekend.  I am looking forward to this race, mostly because it is located in the San Juan Islands and I have not yet had a chance to see them.  Matt is signed-up to run the 25k, however, whatever ailment he has is continuing to plague him and it doesn't look like he will be up for the run.  Hopefully he will still be able to make the trip with me, at this point even that is up in the air. 

I don't know what to expect out of myself this weekend.  I haven't run much in the past few days.  I got a news insoles for my shoes and the first time I wore them they did some serious bruising to my tootsies.  So, I've opted to decrease the mile I put on my feet until Orcas in hopes that they will feel better.  If not there is always Vitamin I.