Buenos Aires Marathon

Marathon number 144 and country number 33 completed.
I was lucky on this race because according to our Marathon Globetrotters club, this race had a 7 hour time limit.  Fortunately I have been trying to get to a 6 hour time.  At mile 18 some other runners told me the time limit for this race was actually 6 hours. I didn't really believe them, but to be safe I picked up my pace.  A couple of miles later, Kevin our Globetrotters president, caught up with me and confirmed the 6 hour time limit.  I ran with him and we both pushed as hard as we could and finished at 6:07.   One of our runners was picked up by the bus and unable to finish.  But Kevin and I did get our official times and medals.  I'm happy that I was able to get that close to my personal goal of under 6 hours.  I plan to train for speed so that I consistently am under 6 hours.

It was a nice race and great to spend a little time in Buenos Aires. My Garmin watch and my Nike app got a little carried away with the distance measurement.  I'm sure the distance was actually 26.2, rather than the 28 miles recorded by my GPS devices.

Dogsled Pass

Beautiful 9 mile hike today up the Craigie Creek Trail to Schroff Lake and Dogsled Pass.  It's been about 20 years since I've been up there and I'd forgotten how spectacular it is.  When we started out it was very cloudy and we figured we wouldn't be able to reach the pass. But by the time we reached Schroff Lake the clouds were almost gone  We reached the pass in bright sunshine and blue skies.  I did this trail with my hiking group friends.  It was great to have someone to hike with instead of going solo like I usually have to do.

Schroff Lake

5 Miles to Wolverine Creek

I went flying this morning then it started to rain.  After a few hours at home I just got restless. So, rain or not, went out for my favorite 5 mile run from home, to Wolverine Creek and up the hill.  I had a tough time getting to the top of the hill on the other side of the creek. But going back up the hill from this side was much easier than it usually is.  I made it all the way from the creek to home, without stopping or walking.  That's a good sign that all the hiking has been paying off, especially the big hills like yesterday's steep hike.

It's raining but the fall colors are wonderful.

50 States Trophy

I guess it's official now.  I'm officially a finisher of running a marathon in all 50 states.  Thanks to the Run With The Horses Marathon in Green River, Wyoming on August 17th.  I just got this in the mail today.

Fantastic Hike on Twin Peaks Trail

I hiked up but mostly ran down the Twin Peaks Trail.  The trail is quite steep, especially the top mile, so I had to tread carefully on the descent. But once back to the main trail it was a great downhill run. 
With the fall colors and cloudy skies today provided some of the most spectacular lighting I have ever seen on this trail.  I decided to go all the way to the top instead of stopping at the second bench where I generally will turn back.  From the top you can see views of both Eklutna Lake and Twin Peaks. 

Hike at Archangel Valley

One of my favorite places to hike, Archangel Valley.  Lots of fall colors are starting to show up.  Beautiful as always.

Eklutna Lakeside Trail

I didn't run today but did go on a short 2 mile hike just to look for some fall colors up at Eklutna Lake.  There isn't a lot of color out there this year because we had such a dry summer.  So many of the trees just went straight to brown and many of the leaves have fallen.  But there were still some beautiful splashes of color. It was raining a little but not enough to detract from the loveliness of  an autumn walk at Eklutna Lake.

Gold Mint Trail Run

I started out just hiking but found that the Gold Mint Trail is so wide and smooth now that I decided to run instead.  There are some signs of fall, but like most other areas, many of the leaves have gone straight to brown due to this summer's drought.  It's still just as beautiful and wild as always.  The farther in I went, the more it started to rain. But it was just a light misty rain.  I had to cut it short at 4 miles so I could get back to cell service to make a phone call.  But it was a lovely workout and run, even in my hiking shoes instead of my running shoes.

Beaver Houses

Just a Short Beautiful Hike

I've been so busy taking care of a gigantic tree that had to be cut down, that I haven't had time for other exercise.  Cutting, splitting, stacking then dragging branches. 
But today I had to get away from the house.  It is extremely windy with dust blowing all over the valley. But I went up to Hatcher Pass in search of any indication of fall colors.  Sadly due to this summer's drought and hot temperatures, most of the leaves have gone directly from green to brown and fallen off.  There are occasional spots of yellow, but they are few and far between.
I hiked the trail at the top of Hatcher Pass behind Summit Lake.  It was fairly calm on the Willow side, but once I reached the ridge, the wind from the Palmer side nearly blew me over!  It rained a little but not enough to get me wet.  I turned around at the highest point where it becomes a rock scramble.  I have been having some pain in my left ankle so didn't want to chance having problems up there, especially if it started raining hard.

It was just gorgeous up there as always. There are no trees that high but the tundra brush was a lovely golden yellow.