Running with data (and Dave and Ben)

Map and profile of Saturday's run

Recently, I received a GPS watch as a gift for anniversary #1 from Meg. It's been quite fun wearing the watch, downloading the data, and looking at the topography of each run. Even a quick 5 miler around the neighborhood features short climbs that I'd never considered. I look forward to gathering more data about each outing to get an even better feel for the terrain in and around Anchorage. In the future, I hope to know as much about the routes near home as other outdoor enthusiasts living in Alaska. Perhaps inspired by this video, I've become more intrigued recently about getting out and "mapping" the surrounding terrain via trail runs. The data featured here is from a trip over Powerline Pass with Dave and Ben this weekend.

Hatcher Pass Marathon

Passing Summit Lake at mile 24

Support crew Ben & Laura fresh off the Yukon River

The scenery was reason enough to run the course

After several weeks of training it was finally time to run the first annual Hatcher Pass Marathon on Saturday. With a course profile resembling a very difficult treadmill program, I knew I was in for a doozy on my first full marathon. I was aiming for an 8 minute per mile pace and kept on target for more than half the race, arriving at mile 16 in 2:08. Then the course really started to climb. With the help of my support crew - Meghan, Ben, and Laura - who provided plenty of feed options (Ben even ran alongside for a few of the steepest miles) I was able to hold off a late challenge from a fellow racer just below the summit. When I crested the pass the sun was shining on the last mile - a steep descent to the finish where I crossed the line at 3:50:45. Although I ran slower than my goal, I learned a lot about long distance racing . Like labor, I have nearly forgotten the most painful parts of the race (e.g., when my left hip flexor refused to flex at miles 17-20) and look forward to another long trail race.

Happy Birthday Kevin!

I cannot believe that our handsome world traveler is twenty-one years old today. In my mind you will always be Baby Kevin...Happy birthday, Kevin. Wishing you a year filled with joy and adventure. We love you!

more from Cordova

strange bird

up close and personal with Child's Glacier

Miles Lake

enjoying one of Harry Need's glacier-tinis after setting up camp

Wisconsin Lumberjack

Bruce in his element during our visit home to the farm over Memorial Day.

Garden Metamorphosis

Then (May)...

...Now (jungle garden)...

Cordova Holiday

Vanagons lined up for the ferry

Cordova harbor under partly sunny skies

Childs Glacier & the Copper River

Old ice baby

Over the Fourth of July holiday we joined several friends for a trip across Prince William Sound. Two couples have recently acquired Volkswagon Vanagon camper vans and were eager to get them on the road, or sea as it were, to camp. We drove to Whittier in the Vanagons and sailed aboard the M/V Chenega, a high speed ferry, to Cordova. Arriving in Cordova we sampled the local cuisine (oysters and red salmon) and drove the 50 mile stretch of road to Childs Glacier where we camped for two nights on the banks of the Copper River. The Childs Glacier towers more than 200' above the River and was quite active during our visit. The Glacier moaned and cracked, sending thunderous kabooms across the valley each time house-sized pieces fell from its face into the silty Copper River. We spent most of one day watching the Glacier calve, cheering each time a large piece came crashing down. More pictures to come...