Greg -
Yesterday was cool and rainy - absolutely perfect running weather. Jack and I arrived about fifteen minutes before the start. I'd estimate that there were roughly five people running the full marathon and maybe ten to fifteen running the half marathon. The remaining twenty ran the 5K, Jack being one of them.
Jack's final time was 34:35 for the 5K - not bad considering that he's only run farther than a mile three times in his life. The marathon course included a two mile trail section that wound its way through the rain forest at the south end of town. I'd heard about the trail before but had never hiked it - it was spectacular. My shins gave me no problem whatsoever and I felt great throughout the race. One of the timber crew members was also running the half. The rest of the crew was there to cheer us on and would drive from viewpoint to viewpoint to cheer us on again throughout the race. They were also at the finish and rewarded us with my favorite carb source......a cold beer. The race organizers then shuttled the runners back to town. Jack and I then showered at the bunkhouse and headed back onto the road for a full day of work.
It's rained quite a bit over the last few days and it continues to fall this morning. Today, Jack and I drove down to the far end of the island. I love this trip as it passes through some of the most remote country on the island. On the way, we encountered a black bear who was walking toward us on the road. We stopped and turned off the engine and watched him slowly meander toward us. He was about fifty yards from the truck when we caught his eye - he stopped, stood up on his hind legs to get a better view, and then shot off into the brush. On our return trip, I almost ran into a bull moose standing in the middle of the road. I scrambled to get my camera and was able to get the picture pasted below. We've been lucky with our moose sightings - many of the potluck attendees have seen only a few moose on the island.
Only one more week in Wrangell - it's hard to believe that our time here has nearly come to an end.
Yesterday was cool and rainy - absolutely perfect running weather. Jack and I arrived about fifteen minutes before the start. I'd estimate that there were roughly five people running the full marathon and maybe ten to fifteen running the half marathon. The remaining twenty ran the 5K, Jack being one of them.
Jack's final time was 34:35 for the 5K - not bad considering that he's only run farther than a mile three times in his life. The marathon course included a two mile trail section that wound its way through the rain forest at the south end of town. I'd heard about the trail before but had never hiked it - it was spectacular. My shins gave me no problem whatsoever and I felt great throughout the race. One of the timber crew members was also running the half. The rest of the crew was there to cheer us on and would drive from viewpoint to viewpoint to cheer us on again throughout the race. They were also at the finish and rewarded us with my favorite carb source......a cold beer. The race organizers then shuttled the runners back to town. Jack and I then showered at the bunkhouse and headed back onto the road for a full day of work.
It's rained quite a bit over the last few days and it continues to fall this morning. Today, Jack and I drove down to the far end of the island. I love this trip as it passes through some of the most remote country on the island. On the way, we encountered a black bear who was walking toward us on the road. We stopped and turned off the engine and watched him slowly meander toward us. He was about fifty yards from the truck when we caught his eye - he stopped, stood up on his hind legs to get a better view, and then shot off into the brush. On our return trip, I almost ran into a bull moose standing in the middle of the road. I scrambled to get my camera and was able to get the picture pasted below. We've been lucky with our moose sightings - many of the potluck attendees have seen only a few moose on the island.
Hey Jack - Where's your list? I was expecting to see at least a few of the items posted today. You don't have to wait until you have all 100 nailed down to post some, do you?
ReplyDeleteOh and by the way - those pictures are amazing. I sure am glad that I learned to enlarge them. They're so much better bigger! Much more detail, like, you can see the blood on the fish in the bear's mouth. That bear on the bottom looks quite huge. Are these bear pictures from Anan?
Oh and by the way - WAY TO GO!!!!!! Finishing the half marathon and 5K races, men.
ReplyDeleteWhat Joy said (about your running feats) (feats - get it?!)
ReplyDeleteLove you!