Category Archives: My Own Running

I’ve blatantly stolen the title of this post from Anton Krupicka.  Over on his blog, Riding the Wind, Anton writes about running up through Bear Creek Canyon in Colorado Springs.  I’ve never run Bear Creek, but I’ve run in North Cheyenne Park, on the next ridge over…and, it was on some of the finest signle track that I’ve ever traversed…very isolated, up above 8,000 feet.    So, Anton’s blog caught my attention.

However, what really caught my attention about this blog was Anton’s preference for Bear Creek vs. Pike’s Peak (Barr Trail) given the relative remoteness of the former.    He writes:

There are two things I love about running to Jones Park: 1) I very rarely see anyone. 2) Even though it is at 9100′ (and only 8 miles from my doorstep), the network of trails up there has only begun and within another 5-10 miles of running I can be as high as 12,300′. I understand that Pikes Peak’s Barr Trail has all the history and fame–and this certain race that is contested on it every August–but for me it’s hardly worth it to run over there regularly in the summertime because of the literal crowds that are on the trail.

That post got me thinking about some of my own favorite runs…those that are less heavily travelled than some other nearby, more-popular routes.  For example, I much prefer doing small, continuous loops around Ravenna Park than Green Lake, right near my house.    I see very few people in Ravenna, while there are hundreds (or thousands) on any given morning/evening around Green Lake.  

I tend to run north on the Burke Gillman trail (toward Bothell) vs. running south (toward Freemont).  Why?  Because there are fewer people on the trail in that direction. 

Similarly, I find myself running at Cougar and Squak mountains regularly, while generally avoiding Tiger mountain.  Why?  For the most part, it’s because Tiger always has a ton of people hiking up/down it at any point in time.   

Do you find yourself doing the same?  Are we runners all just a bunch of anti-social humans?  Would love to hear your thoughts…

I’ve spent the last month or so trying to figure out what’s going on with my knee.   I’ve had pain in both the MCL & LCL.  Not sure what I even did to it…not sure what I need to do to recover.  But, a month with very little running hasn’t seemed to help much. 

 I’ve been refusing to admint that my injury is anything serious…but, in the back of my mind, I think I knew that it was.   Hence, I didn’t feel like running…didn’t feel like watching running…and didn’t feel like blogging about running.  By simply just admitting that I’m injured, however, I feel re-invigorated to write again…so, sorry I haven’t blogged in a while, but — I’m back now…and anxious to write about Chuckanut & look ahead to the Rainshadow 50K.

2009 Race Schedule

·         I’m planning a late spring/early summer Ultra

·         I’m participating on a very competitive co-ed team – the Stonemill Streakers —  at Hood to Coast in August

·         I want to have a big race planned for late fall/early winter

I do have some winter/spring races planned to help build up for a spring 50K.  Those races include the following:

·         Bridle Trails 10.4 Miler (mid-Jan)– I ran this race last year finishing just under 1:15.  Would like to run about the same time this year, as I feel my fitness isn’t quite where it was at this time a year ago.  

·         Lord Hill Trail Run 11, 22, or 33 miles (early Feb)– Not sure if they’re doing this run in 2009, but if so, would like to run 2 loops this year for a total of 22 miles.  I love this no frills event…and I love running at Lord Hill. 

·         Des Moines Creek Park 3 Hour Run (late Feb) – I’ve never done a timed run like this, but I’ve always wanted to try one.   3 Hours seems like a good distance. 

·         Either Squak Mountain ½ Marathon or Sun Mountain 25K (mid-April)

I ran Squak last year, and it was sufficiently tough with 3300’ of elevation gain, most of it in the first half of the race.  I struggled to break 2:20 for a ½ marathon – ouch!  

The Sun Mountain race is a new one, put together by James Varner & Alison Hanks, two well-known local ultrarunners.  This looks to be a great race, so may try and fit it in my schedule.  The 2250’ of elevation gain seems to be tough, but also very runnable.  

·         North Face Endurance Challenge 50K (June 6) – This is a big race, and one that I’ve heard great things about.   I like the fact that there are frequent aid stations, as I tend to go through a lot of liquids during long runs…I sweat like a pig.   I’ve only run one 50K before in my hometown of Punxsutawney, PA and I struggled over the last 10 miles only managing a 5:22.     I hadn’t really been doing long runs so, I’m confident I can PR even though this run promises to be much tougher.  

I guess I better get my butt out to the Tom Cotner workouts at Green Lake on Wednesdays…and to the Seattle Running Company Sunday morning runs.  It’s the new year – and my 2009 resolution is to get in shape enough to put a hurtin’ on some folks, rather than the other way around as it was in 2008.  

What’s your new year’s running resolution?