Flattop Trail

Last week, one of the docs suggested a hike to Flat Top for amazing views over Anchorage. Suggested earlier, rather than later, because the trail could become treacherous after the first snow. Well, it was snowing on the day I planned to go, so not a great day for a hike. Figured it would just have to be a hike for a different trip. I was pleasantly surprised when Flinnster suggested we make a go of it on Sunday. It was supposed to be a clear, beautiful day. Do you have snow pants? Nope. Heavy gloves? Nope. Good, warm hiking boots? I have running shoes. Flinnster had spares and hooked me up.

Sunday morning, woke up, late as usual and headed out to get geared up. After FlinnsterXY made me an amazing cup of coffee, we headed out for breakfast. As we headed up to the Glen Allen Trailhead, we noticed a lot of snow on the ground and I was grateful for the gear. Toilsome Lane, etc. Got to the trailhead and I changed into snowpants in the parking lot. It might be too warm for long-johns, jeans, AND snow pants. Also grateful for the walking sticks.

Trailhead with FlinnsterJr's Flat Stanley

The hike started at elevation and went up from there. The first part was through trees and then came to an open area called Saddle 1 with great views. On this part, we met a family with a nice lab and then a MinPin that was running up to play with the lab and then back to some person we didn't see below. The trees were fantastic. Some were flocked. Some were frozen.

We came up to the trail split. I think the family with the lab took the Blueberry Loop. We headed up. Goal was peak.

Views from Saddle 1

 I thought it was already tough. I was winded from the climbing

On our way to Second Saddle, we encountered a guy coming down. He told us it was slippery and the stairs were treacherous. We thought these were the stairs. And, yes, it was important to watch your step, but not particularly treacherous. 

At this point, we began walking near the edge of the ridgeline.

We reached Second Saddle and found the "Best Dang Bench in the World." I also finally got my formal introduction to Jackie. I think after tasting my nose (very snotty), she loved me.

 OK ... so these were the stairs (or at least some of them) that were treacherous. There were several more of these before the rock climb to the summit.

This is the goal. It doesn't look so tough, right?

A little more "flat" hiking and we came across this sign ... UMMM, OK. The regular summer trail was obviously not visible. There were two options in the packed snow ... left seemed to maybe be switchbacks, or straight up. We chose left. Despite the "not recommended for pets, Jackie had no problems.

It really did get rough here. Many times we slipped and had to hands and knees a bit in order to find some traction. We came across this lovely spot. We saw Jackie and her pet person up ahead and debated. Keep going? It's just probably another 100 feet or so to the top. So close, but so far. We decided on 15 more minutes and see how far we make it. 

 

Within 5 minutes, Jackie's person was heading back down. He didn't make it to the top. Not geared. Very slippery. And he does this trail often. We decided we probably wouldn't make it either. Turned to go back down and realized that down would be as tough, or tougher, than up. Quickly, unceremoniously found a faster way down. 

We came across another hiker on the way down and he also decided not to summit today. He was faster than us, and remained upright. Very chivalrous of him to slow down and keep us in sight until we got off the steep area and back to flatter ground. He was making sure we didn't get hurt or stuck up there. Wish I knew his name so we could thank him. 

Found this cozy little rock cave. Wonder who lives here? 

At this point, it was destination home. Flinnster had afternoon obligations, so we hustled. We did stop to say "hi" to this cutie-pie. She loved me ... or at least she was very interested in the banana bread in my pocket. Felt pretty successful making it back out. Worked up quite a sweat in the cold. Didn't realize I look like I'm wearing high-waisted mom jeans in my snow pants.

Apparently, sometimes we were moving so slow that Trusty Garmin thought we were stopped. Actual distance recorded by Flinnster's "find me if I'm lost in an Avalance" GPS tracker posted us at 3.49 miles. And it took us longer than 45 minutes.

Zombie Half Marathon--Anchorage 2014

BRRR!!! It’s Cold!!! I left San Antonio at 90-degrees and landed in Anchorage at 34-degrees. I had been doing really well with my running training this year, but I wasn’t sure what would happen in the cold. I’m a fair-weather exerciser. But, I looked up some events before I arrived and planned to get in a run before it got too cold. I even packed a costume to wear for the Zombie Half. Day after I arrived Flinster invited me for a 1.6 mile Munchkin Trail Run. It was cold and my lungs were screaming. Running in the cold was going to be tough.

Thursday after work, I drove downtown and signed up for the Zombie Half Marathon put on by the Anchorage Running Club. Figured, I could walk if I needed too. It would be a great way to see some beautiful areas of Anchorage. I planned to start with the walker wave, because I knew I would be slow…slower than usual, anyway. After picking up my shirt at Skinny Raven (cool name for a running store … or any store for that matter), I drove to REI and bought some light thermal liners to wear under my outfit. 

Saturday morning, I thought about the possible error of my ways. It was cold. I put on my liners and my kit and headed out. The race was point-to-point and I solicited the generous help of one of the other docs to pick me up at the finish and drop me at the start. Not only did she agree, but she stayed with me to let me hang in her warm car until the start. 

9 AM and the “walkers” were off.  Nice start time. J Good thing I joined the “walker” wave as most were running and most were faster than me. I set up my usual walk-run interval and settled in for a few hours. I have to say, it’s absolutely beautiful here. We ran through Chester Creek Trail to the Coastal Trail ending at the Kincaid Park Chalet. I use the word trail lightly. It was all paved trail, but did wind through beautiful wooded areas with spectacular views.


Mile 2—No longer so cold. Glad I didn’t wear the balaclava because now my neck is warm and the thermals might be a bit much.

Mile 3—Stopped dead in my tracks by this amazing view.

Mile 4—First water stop, with zombies and tombstones. I topped off my water. Surprised that I was drinking more than in the ghastly heat of Texas, but it is dryer here.

Mile 5—Now that’s a strange feeling. Never got a calf cramp before. Must be the cold. So, back to the plan of walking the rest of the way.

Mile 6—I’m cold again. Have to figure out a walk-run interval that keeps me warm, but doesn’t make the calf cramp get too bad.

Mile 7—First runners passed me at almost exactly the time I expected them too. Is he seriously wearing only running shorts and a singlet?

Mile 8—Amazing views of what I think might be Denali? Turns out to be the Alaska Range I don’t know, but it’s beautiful.

Mile 10—Low flying big planes at the end of the international airport runway. Can’t see the runway, but the planes seem like they are about to touch the trees.

Mile 12—At the end of my walk interval and time to run. I will start running at the top of the hill just around the curve … not  yet, more hill … more hill … more hill … more hill … just around the corner and I see the finish line … at the top of more hill. At this point, I have to at least run the finish, right?

Aaaannnndddd, done!!!! Medal received, thank you. My official time is about 10 minutes slower than my Garmin time, but that’s probably about right … 10 minutes worth of stopping for pictures.  Now to my car before I start getting cold.

I heard a few people complain about the lack of aid stations, but I wasn’t disappointed. It was clear on the website that there were only 2 and had only water and Gatorade. For a local trail run by a running club, I wouldn’t expect a lot more. Less than 1000 runners and it’s expensive to have aid stations every mile.

 And again, thanks InkNBurn for making me a semi-celebrity.  At the beginning, I caught some people surreptitiously taking pictures of my outfit. Lots of “great costume” comments to my face and whispered behind my back.  Got a high-five from a passing faster runner for my “cool outfit.”  My favorites of the day … “Now, that’s just bad-ass.” “Best skeleton costume all day.” “Cute wiggly bony butt.”

RioSA 2014

I Don't Hate Running

There, I said it. I can't say "I love running" or even "I like running," but I don't hate it anymore. A big part of why I don't hate it is that I have found some amazing people to run with. Even if I don't run with my training group, I know they are out there and I don't hate it anymore. 

This weekend was my last chance for a long run with my training group from iRun. We were supposed to do a long slow distance of 10 miles, but I wanted to do the RioSA Half Marathon in San Antonio. There were lots of reasons to do this as my LSD ... It's the inaugural race and it was going through beautiful parts of the city ... Pearl, Zoo, Witte and Children's Museums, Brackenridge Park, Tobin Center, River Walk ... flat ... pancakes at the finish ... swag ... I do like the organization that puts on this race ... and SpaGirl, Alamo 13.1, Illuminations, Cocoa Women's Half and the new Missions Half. They are well organized, low key, fun themes, good swag, fun finish parties, and free photos. So, several of my friends from the running group decided to come out and run with me as a "send off" of sorts. Powerbroker and I did the half marathon distance and the others did either 5K or 10K. This was the longest, by 5K that either Powerbroker or I have done in a really long time and her first half since a medical setback. Glad we could do it together. 

So, we all signed up in the final week. On Saturday, I picked up my swag and bib and Powerbroker picked up everyone else's bibs.                                                                                                                  Sunday morning, Powerbroker and I drove to the Pearl and met the rest of our group. Took a photo and then the usual ... chatter anxiously. The men in the group decided that we women are too embarrassing to be around and headed off their own directions.                                                                                                                   Walked to the start area. Prayers were said. I love the way the organization does the National Anthem ... all the participants sing. A little costume contest for the Pajama 5K and 10K and then we were off in one large group. We decided ahead of time that we were each going to run our own race and that's what we did. It was supposed to be a LSD, but sometimes, with a crowd, it's hard to keep it slow... well ... I'm slow, but that's different.                                                                                                                  The run was beautiful and the people were friendly. There were water stops it seems everywhere. Never a shortage, but I carry my own, so it doesn't affect me. Still nice to see. Mile 1 flew by and so did mile 2. This was going to be fun. About a mile and a half and there was the turn-off for the 5K. My usual thought ... "I could turn there" ... popped into my head. A few miles later and we were running past the finish line for the 5K ... and I SMELL PANCAKES!!! MUST RUN FASTER!!!!  

                                                                                                                  The crowd thinned a bit here and we were spread out further. Shortly after we passed the 5K finish, I got this text. Helen finished her FIRST RACE EVER!!! and Cheryl finished her second 5K mere weeks after major surgery. These ladies ROCK!!! I adore their finish photo. Look familiar? They did that pose just for me. I love these ladies!!!                                                                                                                   

The 10K point was around a track which was pretty awesome. Of course, by the time I got to the track, I wasn't feeling in the mood for a 400m sprint, and we didn't do it. It was a good split though and Powerbroker and I were feeling pretty good still. We were keeping our 5/1 run/walk interval to keep the LSD and to keep energy for later. About this point, both of us felt the need for snack ... beans for her, Gu chomps for me. Vegan, you know? Seriously!!! Got our energy back and kept moving forward. Along the Riverwalk ... always beautiful ... up and around the Tobin center. WOW!!!  

Around mile 7, we started our bizarre distance calculations ... four miles and we're almost done, 'cause only 2 miles after that. At the 9-mile ... one more mile and it's "just a 5k." About here Powerbroker made me snort ... bluetooth in, cute policeman ahead ... I was too tired to notice, at first ... and very loud ... "hot guy alert." I turned around and said "OH." Beautiful man smiled ear to ear. The following conversation got us to mile 10 when we were tired again. This is the longest we've gone in a year ... I had 2 Gu in my pocket ... Shared my favorite, salted caramel, with Powerbroker and had Expresso Love myself. She got more energy out of the deal than I did. About a mile and a  half out, I was cooked. 

One of the Speed Demons in our running group came back to run us in. I tried, I really did, but I NEEDED my walk breaks. Powerbroker always gets barn happy towards the finish, I just want it OVER RIGHT NOW!!! In the final half mile (but I couldn't see the finish, so I wasn't sure I had enough energy to pull it off), I took my final walk break. Speed Demon and Powerbroker kept encouraging me to keep up the run. I kept saying "I need my walk break." I told the Musician about it later, he said "Oh, you're a Union Runner." OK ... that was funny, you gotta' give him creds. 

Powerbroker waited in the finisher chute ... jumping up and down like she had to pee ... and we finished together. AND, IT WAS MY PR!!! BY 3 minutes. If I hadn't taken those last two walk breaks, maybe even another 30 seconds faster. 

Took our finish photo. Found those pancakes. Blanca received her first San Antonio medal since moving here from Miami. Julie just started running 3 months ago and decided to crush out her second race (first was color run) on a 10K. 

This is an aside and I get nothing for the plug. But, I have to admit, I sort of like getting attention at races. I'm never going to see a podium and so attention for my outfits feeds my ego. I ALWAYS get a lot of attention when I wear my InkNBurn gear. Today was no exception. I had TONS of compliments ... doesn't it make me look buff? ... and TONS of people tell me "I HAVE TO GET THAT." It's not just that they have really lovely and cute outfits, but they are also super comfortable. It was a bit warm for the tights, but the capris and tights and skirts are really soft and comfortable. The shirts fit just right. People who wear InkNBurn always recognize each other and give shout-outs and high-fives ... like a little club. But, if you like the muscles, I told lots of people they have to order NOW ... limited edition and limited quantities made for Halloween.