This past weekend, I had a chance to get out and run at Bridle Trails in Redmond. I hadn’t been out there for a while and forgot just how much it makes you feel you are in the middle of nowhere, despite being right in the heart of suburban Seattle.
As always, it was muddy & mucky and just plain fun. Unlike most times I’ve run there, there was about 6 inches of snow & slush this time. I struggle to run 9 minute miles on a course that I usually cruise 7 minute miles. I also learned that my dog, Achilles, is much better running through the mud & muck than I am…he hammered me the entire way.
I’m looking forward to participating in the Bridle Trails Winter Trail Running Festival put on by none other than my favorite running store, Seattle Running Company. There are three races to choose from – 5.2 miles, 10.4 miles, and a full-out 50K. One of the things I love about these races is the fact that they start at 3:00 PM…which suits me well as I hate running in the morning.
I’m guessing Greg Crowther will be out to run it again this year. Every year he shows up and just flat out smokes the 50K race. In 2007, he broke 3:20, running a course record 3:19:40…that’s smoking. Especially when you consider that the six-person 50K relay record (which includes Scott Jurek, Uli or Trish Steidl, and Scott McCoubrey on it) is only 10 minutes faster.
Anyway, hope to see you out on the Bridle Trails on January 10th…it’s a great way to kick of the new year of racing!
