Tag Archives: Cougar Mountain

Is Running at Cougar Mountain Easy?

Posted on April 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

Since moving to Seattle over five years ago, I have struggled to understand why so many folks seem to head out to Cougar Mountain to run all of the time. As an example, the Seattle Running Club uses Cougar as their default venue for their Sunday AM long run. There is nothing inherently wrong with Cougar…in fact, it is a great place to run with lots of rolling hills, miles of singletrack, and even some nice waterfalls along the way (see picture of my dog Achilles checking out one of those water features). And, of course, Cougar Mountain is easy to get to, in close proximity to Seattle (just 15-20 minutes from downtown).

But, as the first (furthest west) of the Cascade foothills outside of Seattle, it lacks the major climbs of Squak and/or Tiger mountain, which are just a few more minutes up the road. And, with the exception of the West Tiger Mountain 3 trail (which often has so many people on it that it seems more like a rails to trails then a mountain trail), Cougar is the most regularly populated of the foothills known as the Issaquah Alps. So, with it being more populated and having much smaller hills, I’ve struggled to understand why so many runners (really good runners) go there to train.

Over the last few months, however, I’ve come to understand why…because it’s easy. No, not easy, in terms of flat and an easy run. Quite the opposite…every run at Cougar is deceptively tough. Before you know it, you’ve logged 2,000+ feet of elevation gain on an 8 or 10 mile run. I mean easy to get to…easily accessible on a weekend or a weekday. I mean easy to just head out and run…lots of different direction to go from either the Red Town Trailhead or the Sky Country Trailhead. I mean easy to go lose yourself for 10, 12, or 14 miles by yourself…without having to worry about being too far from people if you need help in the event that something would go wrong (I’ve broken my arm and busted open my head really badly on trail runs in the past, so I do consider this stuff).

Given how easy it is, I’ve found myself getting out there more frequently – at least once on the weekend and more recently at least once during the week as well. And, I can feel myself really getting fit from it. It’s tough running at Cougar…yet, it’s easy. And, that makes all difference.

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Finally — back running with SRC at Cougar Mountain

Posted on August 1, 2011 | Leave a comment

As I’ve mentioned numerous times on this blog, I’ve struggled with a hamstring injury for much of the last two years.   It really prevented me from enjoying trail running.  I could do short trail runs (~5 miles), but any long runs on the trail would leave me on the sidelines for days or weeks.   Needless to say, this was incredibly frustrating.  I finally said “screw it” and  paced fellow IUP runner Adam Lint for the final 6+ hours of Cascade Crest 100.  That run through the night up in the Cascades was the only truly enjoyable run that I’ve had in several years. 

Finally, my hamstring is healed.  I owe this largely to my wife, who really helped guide me through some physical therapy to get it healed and strong again.   I’m still cautious, but this morning, I ventured out to the Seattle Running Club sunday morning run at Cougar Mountain for the first time in years.  I had a blast.

It was a small group – just 6 of us today following White River yesterday.  The weather was rainy & foggy (great for running…crappy for every other summer activity).     We did the normal loop, only did it in reverse hitting De Leo’s wall near the beginning instead of the end. 

Still being cautious with my hamstring, I cut it short in an effort to keep my total time around 2 hours.   All said and done, I logged 12 miles in 2 hours with a total elevation gain of 2,151 feet.   One of the things I really appreciate about Cougar is that the elevation gain doesn’t come in one big climb, as it does at Squak or Tiger mountains.  Rather, Cougar is a bunch of ups and downs with nary a flat section of trail to be found:

It was great to get back out and run with a group of people…and great to go hit the trails at Cougar.   Looking forward to the August & September runs, when we often get up into the high country of the Cascades (e.g., Denny Lake, Kendall Katwalk, and the Enchantments).

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Running in Winter

Posted on December 28, 2010 | Leave a comment

The east cost is definetly getting it good from a Nor’easter.    Places like New York City have gotten feet of snow, virtually shutting down the city.   

I definitely enjoy running in the snow.  It always seems so quiet and peaceful…the only sounds  being your own breathing and the sound of the snow crunching under the weight of your footsteps.   When we lived in Pittsburgh, I used to love running through Frick Park in the snow. 

Winter in Frick Park - Pittsburgh, PA

There’s not much snow here in Seattle…ever.  At least not at sea level.  In case you haven’t heard, we just get cold rain in the winter.   Running in 38-degree rain isn’t peaceful like running in the snow.   On days like yesterday, when there are 20-25 mph winds, it not only isn’t peaceful…it’s down right miserable.    But, it looks like there is a chance that we could get some snow in the Cascade Foothills (Cougar, Squak, Tiger) in the middle of the week:

The snow level on Wednesday is supposed to be at 1,500 feet…so, that’s promising.   We’re getting feet of snow in the mountains (Cascades & Olympics) right now, so hopefully, by the time it turns sunny on Thursday, Cougar Mountain will look like the photo to the left.   While running in the snow may not be the best option for me at the moment, given my still sore hamstring…it sure would be tough to pass up a peaceful run through several inches of snow in the mountains.  I’ll get to try out my new microspikes (thanks Mom & Dad) for some extra traction.    As much as I would enjoy running in the snow, I’m confident Achilles would like it even more.  So, we’ll just have to see how things play out from a weather perspective.  Worst case, even if it doesn’t snow, a few sunny days of running  would be great…especially on days when I’m not working, so that I can head to the foothills for a run and several thousand feet of climbing. 

If all of this “talk” about running in the snow has gotten you in the mood to head out the door and put in some miles on the powder, you’ve got two options:

1.) Get on your gear and head out (if you’re on the East Coast…shouldn’t be a problem finding snow.  If you are in the Northwest, there is plenty of snow up at the passes :) ). 

2.) Check out this video of Anton Krupicka posted on Running Times called “The Runner in Winter.”    The video has some great, great footage of the front range just outside of Boulder, Colorado.    Here’s a sample image I took from the video:

If that video doesn’t make you want to get out in the snow and go for a run, then you’re pretty much a hopeless cause and should just pack your running shoes away until May. 

Happy trails…whether or not they are snow covered.

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First Race of 2010: Cougar Mountain 5-Miler

Posted on May 25, 2010 | Leave a comment

Just as my racing season started late this year, this post is late.  It’s been well over a week since I kicked off my 2010 trail racing season.   On May 15th, I joined nearly 250 runners at Cougar Mountain to run the first of 4 races in the Vasque Cougar Mountain Trail Series. 

The Cougar Mountain Seris is sponsored by Vasque as part of their Vasque Project initiative.  A brief overview of this initiative from the Vasque webiste is as follows:

The Vasque PROJECT is our effort, through sponsorship of trail races across the US, to foster trail running competition, community and stewardship.  Vasque employs a rigorous selection process in order to partner with the best race series in vibrant running communities.  These partners are selected because of their dedication to providing runners with the ultimate race experience and also because of their dedication to giving back to the community and environment.

I love the Vasque Project.   I think it is great that Vasque is giving back to the trail community…and I think they’ve done a great job selecting the Cougar Mountain series as part of their project.  The McCoubrey’s, who organize this race for the Seattle Running Club,  are the kind of folks who epitomize the notion of fostering trail running competition, community, and stewardship.   And, the Seattle Running Club (SRC) has always  been great about giving back to the community.  $15.00 from every race entry goes ot the King County Parks and the club regularly sponsors “trail work parties” at Cougar as part of their ongoing commitment to making seattle a great trail running city.  

Oh yeah, and I finished the race in 40th place.  Not great…not bad.  My time was 41:10…which is certainly not stellar, but also not bad for a start to the year.  Running just over 8 minute miles at Cougar isn’t bad for a starting point.  Obviously, I’ve got a long way to go to run fast by Fall…but, I’m on my way.   Martin Rosvall ran a stellar 32:00 flat for this course.  That’s simply flying.   Full results from the race can be found here. 

Let the racing begin….

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Kicking off the 2010 Season

Posted on May 11, 2010 | Leave a comment

I know…this post seems a bit misplaced.  Here it is — May — and I’m just posting for the first time this year, and I’m just kicking off my season.  If you are like me, then you are probably saying WTF?  

My running has been incredibly sporadic.   Like many of my colleagues at work, I’ve been heads down getting ready to launch Microsoft Office 2010 this June.   If you are interested, you can download the free beta version of the product here (it’s very good…I’ve been running it for months).    And, while there is still much to be done before launch, I’m starting to get that itch to hit the trails more reguarly and start logging some miles.  

The last few years, I’ve been only running 30 miles-ish per week.   Not enough to get into any kind of meaningful shape.  Not doing enough miles to build strength.  Not doing enough workouts to survive on footspeed.   Last year was, perhaps, my worst year of running ever (or at least since high school).   I bombed running Hood to Coast Relay.  It sucked.  I ran leg #8, which meant I had to contend with a major hill on Leg #20.  Normally, a big hill on a dirt road would be ideal for me.  Not last year.  I ran as hard as I could run, and managed to beat my wife’s time from a few years’ prior but just a few seconds.    Not good.  Not good at all. 

That was last year.  Now, I’m getting ready to kick off my 2010 season with a 5 mile trail race at Cougar Mountain this coming Saturday.   It’s part of the Vasque Cougar Mountain Trail Series, sponsored by Seattle Running Club.   5 miles is incredibly short compared to what I am used to, so it it will be tough.   I’m hoping for a really rainy, mud-filled course to slow down some of those tracksters who tend to show up for the shorter Courgar races.  Regardless, I’m really looking forward to getting out there and runing hard.    And, I’m looking forward to starting my 2010 season.

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I’m Back Running Again…

Posted on April 17, 2009 | Leave a comment
Cougar Mountain, Foothills of the Cascades

Cougar Mountain, Foothills of the Cascades

…as I mentioned before on this blog, I’ve been battling a knee injury (torn MCL).    I’m not completely healed, but it’s good enough that I’ve been able to start running again.  It’s amazing how much of a difference running makes in all of our lives.  

Last evening, I met up with Kevin Murphy, a younger runner who moved to Seattle fairly recently.  Kevin ra in college for Montanna State, and has some great stories about trail running in and around Bozeman.  We ran at Cougar Mountain, and were able to log about 9-10 miles before it started to get dark.    

It was fantastic to get out on single track again.  My knee is pretty stiff/sore this morning, but I’m feeling like a few days running on flat ground will do the trick.  I’m running again…on trails…it’s a good day!

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Running at Cougar Mountain

Posted on April 15, 2008 | Leave a comment

As most trail runners in the Seattle area know, Cougar Mountain is a great place to go for a long run.  It’s the perfect blend of very runnable singletrack trail coupled with some tough climbs that are enough to keep you “honest.”   I’ve never gone there and done a longer run (90+ minutes) and not had it put a hurting on me. 

As you may know, the Seattle Running Company puts on a series of races — the Cougar Mountain Trail Run Series – each year.  I ran the 10 mile race there last year and struggled mightily (aka, walked) much of the last 3 miles.    

This past weekend, I was able to get out to Cougar and do that same 10-mile loop…on a training run…by myself.  I finished more than 10 minutes faster than I did last year, and felt strong at the end.  While I realize it’s often different come race day, I was encouraged that I’ve made that much progress over the past few months.  Needless to say, I’m looking forward to a great summer/fall of running.

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