Running With Musk Ox

I ran along the Sagavanirktok River while my friend, Dawn walked.  I almost ran right into a musk ox grazing on the edge of the trail.  I decided those horns were pretty big so maybe I'll back up slowly and head back where I came from.  We both did go back and took more pictures, but at a safe distance shielded by a rock pile and some concrete blocks.  The woolly beast didn't seem too concerned, but I don't think we were fooling him any by hiding behind some concrete blocks.  I know he was thinking "I can still see you!"

On the way back towards the car we had a couple of caribou running along with us a bit farther away.  It was nice to have some four-legged company on my run today.  It was raining a little and we decided to cut the adventure a little short to give the musk ox room to graze in peace.

I just added 4 miles to my total this month.

Sagavanirktok River and Franklin Bluffs

 

Morning Run Around Colleen Lake

I had things to do this afternoon but didn't want to miss out on my run.  The fog cleared just as I got off work this morning.  It was only 34 degrees but totally calm.  That was such perfect conditions, I had to take advantage of it.  I could tell I was kind of tired from being up all night at work.  But I had a pleasant run around the lake.  It was beautiful and calm. I've run over 81 miles this month.  I'm still hoping to get to 100 before I leave for home.

5 Fabulous Miles Around Colleen Lake

I ran around the lake today for the first time in a couple of weeks.  It was a beautiful day, about 46 degrees but kind of cold into the wind.  Most of the lake is still frozen.  It seems late for there to be that much ice. My legs were a little tired from yesterday because I really pushed myself on the Fun Run.  So I was a little slower today and took a few phone photos.  The side of the road is pretty soft right now, so it's not as nice of a surface as the places down the road where I have been running lately.  But I still love the route around the lake best because it's such a nice view.

PBOC 5K Fun Run

A windy but beautiful day for another North Slope Fun Run.  I went with my friend Dawn and ran the race twice while she walked. It was 49 degrees but the wind made it freezing cold, at least while running directly into the north wind. This will be my last fun run here because I'm leaving the job at Deadhorse.  I may drive up some summers, and maybe catch one if I time it right.  The runs are fun, even though I really run alone.  Most people do walk but the ones who run are much faster than me and leave me in the dust!  I got in a nice 6.62 miles tonight.  I've done a lot of 10Ks this month and have run over 71 miles so far while here for June.  Hoping to at least reach 100.  I have a week left so that shouldn't be too difficult.

At the start with Dawn

Along the Sag River Again

Today was a beautiful day about 60 degrees and sunny. On the way down to the running spot there were thousands of caribou on both sides of the road.  At one point they all ran across the river because a truck drove by and startled them.  This week has been amazing for seeing the caribou herd.

I ran a little over 6 1/2 miles. I actually got hot for the first time this month out running.  It was fabulous out there in the sunshine.

Pump Station 1 5K Fun Run x 2

We had another fun run at Pump Station 1 today. It is my favorite of all the fun runs.  I love running along the pipeline. It was a beautiful day too.  I had planned to do the morning run but it was only 28 degrees and so foggy I was worried about finding my way back to my quarters, so didn't think I felt like dealing with that all the way out to Pump Station 1. But tonight was wonderful.  Just the right temperature and not a lot of wind.  46 degrees.  Unfortunately they ran out of T shirts so I was only able to collect one for my efforts.  But I just give them away anyway. 

Along The Pipeline

We discovered a new pathway out to the Pipeline.  It's certainly a lonely empty route, but nice and straight.  Not nearly as many birds as the trail along the river.  But there was one very upset raven who didn't like me in his space.  Perhaps there is a nest out there on the tundra somewhere.  I managed to get in 6 miles, while my friend Dawn walked a little over 4.  I was feeling a little slower than yesterday.  I have reached 50 miles this month so far.  A little behind my usual mileage goal. But rain was coming and we managed to beat it. It's pouring now as I write this.

Some ice still out on the ponds

7 Mile Run Along The Sagavanirktok River

Another spectacular day. 45 degrees and just light winds, no clouds.  A perfect day to run on the side road by the river with my friend Dawn. Dawn was walking and enjoying the scenery while I was running and scaring all the birds off!

Sagavanirktok River Run

A beautiful day for a run on the pipeline access road along the Sag River.  I ran while my friend, Dawn walked.  I ended up running a little farther today simply to end up finishing back at the car at the same time she did, since she was walking.  I did 6.44 to her 4 miles. But I wasn't really moving very quickly because I was easily distracted by so many birds along the path. It was a beautiful sunny day, but still not terribly warm.  38 was the temperature when we started out and it was a little windy, especially in one direction.

 

       

Pump Station 1 Fun Run X 3

We had a fun run today out by Pump Station 1 of the Alaska Pipeline.  It was freezing cold this morning.  I had to drive out there so didn't get there until 6:30. So I only had time to run it once this morning.  But I went back tonight and ran it twice. I think this one is my favorite because you get to start at mile zero and run along the pipeline.  It's very pleasant.  It was really cold, even though it wasn't very windy.  This morning it was only 29 but tonight it had warmed up to 35.  I ran a total of about 10 and a half miles.  The T-shirt is pretty cute with caribou running along the pipeline.

Morning Run

Evening Run

5 Miles Along the Sag River

It was another beautiful day so I had to get out and run.  I decided to drive on down the road and look for wildlife then find a spot to run down there.  I did see quite a few caribou but they were a little too far away for interesting pictures.  I pulled up by a gate to the pipeline access road and ran on that little side road. It was a really fantastic place to run.  Totally isolated from the highway, with lots of birds and fortunately no bears.  It followed the river so had a nice peaceful view too.  I ran most of the 5 miles but at one point I grabbed my big camera and held it while running and walking and scaring the birds more than photographing them.  One ptarmigan in particular was enjoying teasing me by landing close-by and taking off the minute I raised the camera.  A couple of Canada Geese were enjoying the same game.

5 Miles Around Colleen Lake

Finally a beautiful day!  40 degrees and sunny.  Still pretty cold and windy while running towards the north east.  But really a nice day to be outdoors instead of indoors looking at the fog.  The lake is still mostly frozen but there were a couple of swans and terns flitting around. 

I always feel better when I get in a run.

Midnight this morning

Sunny Run 25 Miles South

I've had enough of this fog!  So I decided to drive about 25 miles south and see if I could find some sunshine and a place to park.  I found a little side road and parked, then marked a 1/2 mile  route on the Haul Road.  I ran back and forth 5 times and logged 5 miles in the sunshine, and of course the wind and cold.  But at least it was sunny.  Back up in Deadhorse I am back in the fog.

5 Miles North Slope

It's been so windy and cold and foggy that I haven't felt too motivated to get out there and run. I also had a cold for a couple of days.  But today I decided I needed to get out there regardless of the weather.  It was in the low 30's and blowing really hard.  But I did get out and run 5 miles along the little trail that runs down towards the river.  This will be my last month to work up here in Deadhorse so I don't want to just bide my time and be lazy, thinking I'm leaving soon. I'm hoping to finally have more time to be able to run and increase my speed.  I want to be able to register for marathons with 6 hour time limits and know I can finish!  I think that is a possible goal.