Let's get the flock out of here (Guest post by Grayson Goose)

Why are we here? It's a large, open area, surrounded by a metal structure that we can see through. There is black, bouncy stuff that you can't eat, but it's fun to poop on. Inside that is the "grass". It's the worst-tasting grass I've ever tried. Yet our leader, Gabriella Goose, led us in here. Maybe it was just because we could. Usually, there are no openings, and we have to jump or fly over the metal structure. But today, there's an opening, so we could simply walk in. Since the grass tastes so awful, we just stand on the black part and poop away.

Garrett Goose begins honking. I quickly discern why. One of those big human things is coming toward us on the black surface. He (I think it's a male because he isn't wearing a shirt. And because human females are too smart to be out here on such a hot morning) seems to be "running" between the white lines, even where the black surface curves around. "Everyone, he's not stopping. Better get out of the way!" I honk. We do, but a few of us hiss as he goes by. I wonder if he knows what we're saying in goose-hiss talk. I suggest to Gabriella Goose that perhaps we should vacate this area and go somewhere with edible grass. "No, she says. Instead, let's poop on the black surface some more."

A couple of minutes later, the human comes at us again. This time, he's "running" a little bit faster. It's still not what we would truly call "fast", but I suppose it's all relative. Once again, we honk and hiss and reluctantly get out of his way. I get a better look, and I notice that he doesn't have any hair on top of his head like most humans. He also seems older. And slower.

Gabriella Goose finally begins to guide us back out through the opening. I guess she satisfied herself that we had pooped enough. Tasty grass, here we come! But not before that human comes by yet again. Now we've already begun to filter out, but Garrett Goose and Gavin Goose fly up and over the metal structure.

It feels so good to get away from that guy. "Hey, Gemma, pass the clover."

Grayson Goose

Brunswick Half-Marathon and Run for Roseann

Roseann Peiffer (formerly Roseann Perchinske) ran with us before she moved away about fifteen years ago. I remember that she was training for her first marathon, along with several other friends. She was recently killed in a tragic accident - hit by a car while she was doing something she loved, biking with friends. Today, we held a Run for Roseann event to remember and honor her, for those who knew her as well as for those who did not. I decided to combine the Run for Roseann with the Summer edition of the Brunswick Half-Marathon. 

Roseann's family and close friends showed up, even a couple from Toledo. Together with a bunch of us local runners, we wound up with a huge turnout. Most folks ran around Brunswick Lake, but some of us ran the Brunswick 1/4 Marathon course down to Plum Creek Park and back. There were fewer of us (five in all) who ran a second 6.55-mile loop to complete a half-marathon.

Dan Stock ran fast, and he knew the route, a dangerous combination. He finished first. Chadwick Sunday was just in front of me most of the way. Until we got to the second 1/2-mile loop around Plum Creek. He ran counter-clockwise, whilst I did it clockwise. I spotted him halfway around and tried to give clear directions for getting back. Alas. He got slightly lost anyway. This enabled me, Dan Number Two, to finish second in the race, just under 1:56. Chadwick came in a couple of minutes later, with some extra mileage on his Garmin. Maureen Oblander and Katherine Kinsey completed the race by tying for First Female honors.

Fun stuff. Now, I've got to get serious about this half-marathon stuff. I have four to go before the end of the year.

I may not be my usual speedy self today

I warned the group about the demise of my speed as we were beginning the Hinckley 9-mile loop yesterday. The reason was that I've been running a lot. When you run a lot, you can't always go as fast as you'd like. Why have I been running a lot? I'm trying to whip myself back into shape after getting fat, slow, bald, and ugly during my recent travels. I hope there are no more questions. We have to talk about today's run.

About a year ago, Brunswick Middle School began opening its track to the public on Sundays. I've occasionally done some Sunday running there. Today is Monday, but, I thought, maybe the track will still be open from yesterday. Guess what? It was!

After a few very slow warmup miles, I started my 25 or 6 2 4 workout. It entails 25 laps total to add up to 10,000 meters or 6.2 miles (the 6 and the 2). The 4 means... I dunno, but I'll think of something. So that's 20 x 400 with 100 recoveries to make up the 10K. The 400s aren't all out; they are at about 10K pace. The recovery 100s aren't totally slow - you have to keep moving. When you add it all up, your overall total time should be worth noting, at least as much as the repeat splits.

Several years back, I began to realize that I don't do many 10K races anymore, so there isn't much sense in training for them. But I do still run 5Ks. Thus, I cut this workout in half. It's now 10 x 400, instead of 20. Everything else is the same. I do several such workouts a year. Today's (27++ minutes) was extremely slow, but at least it was something. 

Something of substance.

The second time I was attacked

It was the second attack in a week. This time, I had taken advantage of an early arrival into Skagway by hitting the roads in the small, Alaskan panhandle town. Once again, I heard the raven ruckus (they may have been crows; I'm not sure), but mostly ignored it. Until, that is, it became louder and more menacing. That's when, once again, one swooped down at me, causing me to wave my arms and yell at it. It flew away, but the ruckus continued. Another runner (we were the only people about at 6am) witnessed the attack, and we talked about it as we ran together for a while. "Where I live, they get out of your way," he said. I agreed. The ravens just sat back and said, "Nevermore will this bald guy again bother us."

The other time, I was in Vancouver on the morning before embarking on our Alaska-bound cruise. The same darn thing occurred. I wish I could understand why they didn't like me. Maybe it was something to do with a bald head jogging by? 

My running on board the Sapphire Princess was less eventful. The Promenade Deck goes most of the way around the ship, and there are around 3 laps per mile. I say almost, because you have a choice whether to go up and down a flight of stairs (which are sometimes closed) to make a complete loop, or turning around to make a big 'U,' which is what I mostly did. It wasn't the greatest running, but at least I got a few early-morning miles in. Nothing spectacular.

Once the cruise was completed, I did some running in the Denali National Park area. The scenery was awesome, especially along the Nenana River. The running was only so-so, though.

After Denali, it was back to Anchorage for the first time. This trip was complicated, with several return stops to this beautiful city with many fine all-purpose trails throughout. This was my best land run so far, but it was only six miles. Had to get moving on, you know.

In Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, I did some excruciatingly slow running back and forth on the only road around. I also did some hiking and running to and from the car parking area. I was glad to feed the mosquitoes some of my DNA. They needed it more than I.

Then, there was Kotzenbue. We only spent one night, but I managed to get a North-of-the-Arctic-Circle run in. It's not a large town, and I ran the length of it before heading up the small hill to the East. That's where the skeeters got me. Nice view up there, but I quickly came right back down to town.

Kotzenbue

By the time we arrived back in Anchorage for the third time this trip, I knew my way around fairly well. Had some time, so I finally got a long run in. I've already mentioned what a wonderful city Anchorage is for running, and I still feel that way. Except more so. This run was 18 miles at a half-way decent pace. Most was on the Chester Creek Trail and the Coastal Trail. Seen along the way: homeless people, a black bunny, numerous attacking seagulls (yes, now they are after me), a bald eagle, a train at the station, bunches of skeeters, no sighting of Denali, no hassles.

Long run in Anchorage

I did three additional runs in Anchorage, all on these same trails, but none were as long as that 18-miler. 

If you would like to learn more about this here Alaska trip, check out the travel blog post. 

It will be good to get home and to get serious about this running stuff.