Inside and Outside

I started running outdoors but first it started to snow, then it started to rain, then in started to rain and snow.  But that didn't bother me so much.  It was the 2 inches of mud that had collected on each of my shoes so that it felt like I was running with 10 pound weights on each foot.  After a mile or so, I decided to turn around and head for the treadmill.  I ran another 4 miles on the treadmill and was able to do some sprints and really push myself.  I think that was a better workout.  Then I did some lifting with the various machines there in the new fitness center at the Prudhoe Bay Hotel.  That felt pretty good.  Trying to take off a few pounds and get some strength as well as pick up some running speed.  This should be a good month for that.  I might be doing a lot of it indoors though if this nasty weather continues.  I think summer is over here on the north slope of Alaska.

Run For Cancer

Finally I found a Team In Training event that doesn't conflict with my work schedule.  I just signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon on February 2, 2014.  Here is the link to my new Fundraising page. I'm glad to finally have a Team In Training event in my future.  I feel kind of lost without one.  This one should be interesting.  Hopefully I can pick up my pace to something more reasonable than my last few.  At least this one has a 7 hour time limit so I should have no trouble making that one.  But I certainly don't plan on taking that long.  But the most important thing isn't my running performance, but the cause.  I really want to see an end to cancer in my lifetime.



Reykjavik Marathon

What an incredible country Iceland is!  I just drove the entire Ring Road and drove completely around the island, enjoying all the sights I could reach along the way.  Beautiful volcanoes, and glaciers, and erupting geysers.  It is fantastic.  I had to be back in time to pick up my race bib for the Reykjavik Marathon so I got back on Thursday night and spent Friday taking it fairly easy.  Just a trip to the expo and a drive up to Gulfoss Waterfall. 
The weather was not the greatest for the marathon.  Mostly raining and very windy. I was pretty cold most of the time.  But maybe the cold made me speed up.  I was nearly one hour faster than last week at Big Wild Life.  But I was still far too slow. I have really fallen behind in my training, partly because of my sprained ankle from the Kilimanjaro climb.  I can see that once I get home I will have to get busy and really hit the training hard so I can increase my speed for the Nike Women's Marathon in October. I can spend September really pushing myself while working up in Deadhorse.

I loved Iceland though, even with its wind and rain.

Blue Lagoon

Jokulsarlon

Anchorage Big Wild Life Marathon

What a struggle!  I probably made a really big mistake by climbing up Government Peak yesterday because I could tell I was still really tired when I reached the start line of the Big Wild Life Marathon this morning.  I was doing ok for about the first half but really slowed down later on.  I think I only made it because of the help from the lady who was the sweeper!  She ran with me and encouraged me for quite a few miles. I did finish and got my medal.  I am hoping I will feel a lot more energetic next Saturday when I run the Reykjavik Marathon in Iceland. I will be flying out to Iceland later tonight. I bet I sleep all the way there too!

Government Peak Climb

What a wonderful and strenuous climb today with the Walkabouts hiking group.  It was so beautiful and spectacular and the steepest hike I have done in a very long time.  I am exhausted, but the view and the exercise made it all worthwhile. I will pay dearly for this adventure though because I am running the Anchorage Big Wild Life Marathon tomorrow.  I wonder if I will survive!

Government Peak View

Ran and Paddled

I hit the 5 mile run up and down Wolverine Road to the creek, up the steep hill and back again.  After that went for an awesome kayak trip about 9 or 10 miles down the Knik River.  Not quite as much of a workout and it only involved my arms, but what a lovely day in the sun.

Along the Knik River

Ran the Hills

I ran my favorite run up and down the hills for 5 miles along Wolverine Road.  It was so hot I thought I would melt though.  But I did enjoy the sunshine.
After my run I flew up to the Knik Glacier with friend Mark.  How gorgeous it was up there!

Lake George & Colony Glacier

The clouds finally cleared enough this evening that I did one more flight with Mark.  He has needed to do this for about 6 years.  His father had requested in his will that his ashes be scattered over Pioneer Peak with Mark's mother's ashes.  It was a beautiful night so we took off again and flew right over the peak and scattered the ashes over the bowl between the North and South Peaks.  What a lovely place to rest in peace.

Pioneer Peak