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Showing posts from November, 2013

Solo Sunday 13

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It's been a while since I've been out on Wildwood north of Germantown Road (since there aren't many loops up there), so I decided to venture up there for a shorter solo run (while Ann spent the weekend in Hood River for her birthday). My plan was to start at the Waterline trailhead off of Skyline Blvd, but there was nowhere to park. "REDO H2O" on the way up Waterline So I circled back and parked at the Germantown trailhead of Wildwood, ran down to Waterline, and up it to Skyline and then back to Wildwood and out all the way to the end at Newberry before turning around back to the car. A new one for me-- Waterline trailhead at Skyline Blvd That northern section of Wildwood was amazing. Recently groomed, free of leaves, mud puddles, virtually spotless. There were a few sections of ice in the shade, but it wasn't slick at all. There were lots of people out, especially with dogs, enjoying the rare November sun and peerless blue sky. Heavenly! Hel

Sunny Sunday 20 miler

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We ran on Sunday do to spousal schedule conflicts, which meant that we got to go longer. Twenty miles! Our friend Sally-- the monster who had never run more than 9 miles but joined us once for 15-- ran the first 10 with us. It was a gorgeously clear, sunny day. Clear view of St Johns Bridge. More impressive in person. One end of Maple-- we did all of it Tallest mushroom stems ever. Who picked them?! Saltzman - Leif 1.62 Leif - ridge 2.25 Ridge - wildwood .44 Ww - Saltzman 5 - total 9.32 Sally runs Saltzman back to car 1.12 for a total of 10.44 Ann and Susan 2nd half Saltzman - Leif .50 Leif - maple .23 Maple - ww 3.07 Ww - birch 6 Birch - 53rd .23 - total 10.03 Grand total 19.35

Bridesmaid run

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"wedding cake toppers" that Susan made It's my wedding weekend, and how do I entertain my out of town family? By running of course (and drinking beer). My step-sister, Gretchen and step-brother Noel had never been to Portland, so I was excited to show them where I spend most of my time running, especially Noel since he is a trail / ultra runner too. The first day everyone but Noel and I stuck to Leif, but he ventured off Leif with me for a few good climbs up to Wildwood and on Wildwood. Noel is from Texas, so Forest Park is pretty hilly for him, but he was able to keep his pace up. Dad, Gretchen and Stepanee on Leif Erickson Gretchen and Stepahnee Noel and me 1st day of family running On my actually wedding day the only one from the family who would get up and run with Susan and me was Noel. And since I wouldn't let Susan plan a bachelorette party and I didn't have any bridesmaids, we somehow ended up calling the run the "bridesmaid

Foggy solo 16

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While Ann glammed it up at the Nike San Francisco Women's Half Marathon  I experienced the foggiest run of my life. The fog was so dense that I kept having to wipe off my face and squeegee my eyelashes-- something foreign to me because my hat usually keeps my face dry from the elements. Driving on the Fremont Bridge... where's the bridge? The moisture in the air also imparted a very slick surface to the dry, packed dirt and leaf-covered rocks. It was so slick and difficult to see through fog and fallen leaves that I ran a bit funny on Maple Trail, trying not to slide on the narrow, banked sections. Lifting my feet higher and placing them more carefully took a big toll and I had some nasty sharp hip pain. It was also exhausting. Dense fog adds mystery It made me worry about the  Columbia Gorge Half  the next weekend, which is our one fast (for us) road race of the year. And then the potentially bodacious Silver Falls Marathon the next weekend... A log full of br

Nike Women's Half Marathon

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finisher's necklace Months ago I was offered a free entry to the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco , so of course I took it. My ego wouldn't let me sign-up for the half, even though I never thought I would run another road marathon. I had every intention on running the full marathon, I mean I had been training for a marathon after all. But after getting to San Francisco and seeing all the crowds at the expo center I started to freak out a bit, I think I have gotten a bit spoiled by trail races where there are a few hundred runners not 30,000+. Then I decided that I would just run the half and enjoy my time hanging out with my sister and friends in San Francisco.  start line The race started super early at 6:30am, luckily I was staying at the hotel right across the street from the start. I got to the start line a few minutes before race started, it was cold, the music was pounding and I was surrounded by 30,000 other women (and a few men) who had trained

Silver Falls Marathon

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A trail marathon in one of the most beautiful state parks in the country (and the largest state park in Oregon), filled with waterfalls-- who could resist? Not us. Ann was at her computer at the moment registration opened, and got us both entry into the Silver Falls Marathon . Ann running over one of many bridges It was cold. It rained lightly it rained harder, it hailed, it hailed bigger, and we had a few odd sunny moments. I was a bit disappointed in the beginning with the road sections, and some of the course crossed meadows and strange areas to connect trails. But overall it was very well organized-- the part with the waterfalls was at the very end, when you need the inspiration/distraction most. Stairs?! At least these are down... The mud was unbelievable. I landed in one mud puddle up to my knee. And for the first time ever after a race, I was compelled to rinse off my shoes (in the laundry sink at home). My feet were so muddy that washing them in the shower didn

Columbia Gorge Half Marathon 2013

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The Columbia Gorge Half (and full) Marathon started in 2009, and this is our fifth year running it. It's a race we won't miss because it's fun, casual, close to home, and the scenery combined with the time of year is spectacularly beautiful. A rainbow greets us after the initial uphill We were lucky this year-- dark grey clouds smoldered overhead, threatening rain, but it cleared up and we even had a rainbow. Even luckier, my dad came out from the east coast for his third running in the event. Beautiful views across the river This was the first year that the half marathon started in waves, and it made a big difference. There's a small pedestrian footbridge that sways into seasickness when the crowd tromps over it. It happened this year, too, but it wasn't as bad. The big, main uphill from the start to where the road levels off feels less steep every year. It's the long uphill after the turnaround that sneaks up on me! Sunshine and autumn color W