MOUNTAIN PULSE

August 30, 2012

Hot Stompin' Jeezus, I ran me a MARATHON!!!!

2 weeks ago. 26.1 miles, Bitches. The Moose's Tooth Marathon of the Big Wild Life runs! The longest distance run in my long-time goals of running. I've wanted to take part in official runs, races, and marathons since I was a teen begging my friends to run with me in the Town Journal Run in Upper Saddle River, NJ. Can I say "run" ONE more time here?! RUN, RUN, RUNNY FUCKIN' RUN!!!!!

Miles ran it, too. We agreed we were just going to run it to finish and not worry about time. And that we would stick together. It was glorious. And HARD. Almost akin to childbirth. At least the labor part. But almost as empowering at the same time! Ass kicking painful....TOTALLY due to my not training consistently. After jumping from running a 13.5 run to a 21 mile run-and running that 21 totally in my Vibram 5 Finger shoes-I started to experience posterior tibialis pain. Then I was off to the beach in NJ, looking forward to running every day. But that TP pain acted up and I had to rein it in. Once home in Alaska, I switched to running in my "transition shoes" and the pain went away. I was ready to get in some good runs before the marathon! And then the cold kicked in. No running for me. So, race day a week later-with my hacking cough-proved to bring on some funky pain after mile 12. That SUCKED. We ran quietly for the most part...not like the gab-fest on our 21 mile run. Basically, everything from my pelvis down ached. I still had a great time though...barring any weird sudden injury or wildlife attack, there was no doubt in my mind that I would finish. Well....maybe a little doubt here and there. But with Miles, chatting briefly with fellow runners, the perfect weather (overcast and 50-ish), the views, music and spectators along the way, and our friend, Martin, joining us to run the last 2 miles, I was able to keep running to the finish. Which I crossed hand in hand with my hunny. 5 hrs and 14-ish minutes. Our friends and kids cheering us at the finish line! Pain, beer and pizza ensued.

"Ready to run another?!", I was asked. At the time I thought, "maybe I'll stick to the shorter races!" But by the next day, I was planning for the next marathon! With the exception of my top of feet pain, I was fully recovered from soreness within 3 days-much to my surprise! But since then, I've started to suffer from "runner's knee" and still have TOF pain in my right foot. I am now seeing a physical therapist to get straightened out, so to speak. I feel like both a sloth and a racehorse behind the starting gate. I just want to RUN. To train RIGHT this time, to IMPROVE and run pain free and happy, by goddess!

Scenes along the route:

Scottish Hiland band playing on the hill

Across Westchester Lagoon

Random forest rocker playing his Hello Kitty guitar!

Miles has killer calves. That bugger ran the whole thing in his Vibrams with NO probs!!!!!

WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anchorage from the Coastal Trail cliffs

Whimsical rock sculptures in the river

Martin joining us for the finish gave a boost to our hearts and kick to our steps. His childlike enthusiasm for our first marathon was infectious!

Coming in to the finish...

HELLS yeah!!!!!!

BEST feeling, crossing that finish line!!!!

Refueling...

July 6, 2012

Russian River- Day 4, BEARS!!!!

4 am. They'll STILL be asleep when we get back from fishing!

Hooray for telephoto lenses! What an amazing morning THIS was!!!
Up early once again, Miles and I took on the nasty and congested "top of the sanctuary". This tends to be the spot above where those bastard fish lay protected and waiting for their chance to dash up stream. It's usually a bottleneck of fisherfolk, but we got there early enough to get decent spots. But, of course, not a lot of fish coming up. At least the people we fished next to where all very friendly and courteous. One of my clients from work actually appeared on the bank across from where we were fishing and it was fun to bitch about lack of fish back and forth to each other.
And then that humongous Grizzly sow and her cubs appeared. Stealthily and almost soundlessly through the brush behind us and into the river. Thanks the gawds that the people on the opposite bank saw them and yelled out. The family of 3 headed up the river a bit and then crossed, engaging in some bear-like shenanigans-diving under water to find salmon carcases, gnawing on tree stumps and learning to share. We were all quickly dispatched further up the river when mama and cubs came back down river and crossed again where we were fishing. Miles had caught a nice red and we had to leave it sitting there in the water on it;'s leader as the bears approached. We were sure they would find it and happily imbibe... Man, was Miles bummed! We stood watching them and taking photos as they got closer and closer to our fish. Surprisingly, the old dead carcases seemed more appealing to the bears and they just bypassed Miles's fresh red altogether! They were soon far enough away that we had our spots back in the river. It was an awesome experience standing there in the rushing water, feeling it's strength, waiting for salmon, all while watching 3 grizzly bears go about their day. UNreal....

The rest of the day brought us heat and sun, fun, and more friends joining our camp.

FISHING SPOT: Top of the sanctuary

FISH: 1 red, 1 trout

WEATHER: Overcast in morning, GLORIOUS clear blue sky the rest of the day

DINNER: Seafood night...halibut with lemon pesto, pan fried trout, coconut curry seafood stew-shrimp, calamari, muscels, clams, halibut....

Miles in action and one of my clients fishing the opposite side!

~sniff, sniff....mmmm fish tail!!!!

Omm nom nom nom!

Fishing and bear watching

A very alert eagle enjoying a salmon breakfast

Willa's Lego rendition on the Enterprise

OMG. Naners stuffed with Peanut Butter Cups and marshmellows, then roasted by the fire!

Jack's ALIVE!

Banana boats gettin' melty!

July 2, 2012

Russian River- Day 3

An even earlier morning of fishing. We got up at 4am and opted to hike down to the confluence to fish the Kenai River. Our friends, Buzz and Leeann joined us. It was nice to get there before the ferry started bringing over more fisherpeople from the other side of the river. Not much going on in this river either. We snagged quite a few but just weren't able to get them in. Some foul hooks, too. I did manage to catch a dolly varden that we snacked on later in the day. Buzz and Leeann's day on the Kenai was cut short when he fell in and topped his waders trying to pull in a red. And the damn thing got away...
Lot's of fun back at the camp though. I took a snooze and Miles went back to the Kenai with some of the others to try again. When I saw him returning I asked him if he limited out. "Yeah. On PATIENCE!" was his reply! Oh, well, there's always beer and a jam sesh by the campfire...

FISHING SPOT: The Kenai river

FISH: 1 Dolly

WEATHER: Overcast

DINNER!: Steak with blueberry chipotle sauce, fire roasted veggies and artichokes, roasted potatoes, and campfire bread. 'Smores.