Flannagan's Run

Starting Line!

It was a cold morning, the temp at my house was a balmy 15⁰, but at least it wasn’t snowing. I ate pizza last night so my carbs were loaded. Ok, I know for a 5 mile run carbo loading isn’t needed. But hey, any justification for pizza.

I tried to loosen up and get ready. But mornings for me, they really aren’t my friend. I didn’t take my torsemide, last thing I needed was to need to pee mid-way through. My house is next door to the glacier so it tends to be one of the colder places to be. Luckily the race was in Douglas, one of the warmer, so it was 31⁰. Even better fortune, there was no wind!

The last time I ran this race 4 years ago it was a third up hill and a third down. With the fresh snow fall yesterday, I was really nervous. They changed the course this year, whether because of the fresh snowfall or something else I don’t know. I can say at first I was happy.

I walked several laps around the block to warm up. I can’t say it worked terrible well. But I wasn’t frozen either. So it worked some.



Got my toe up to the back of the pack and started off. I ran down the street and back toward the beach, still no wind thankfully. Back into the woods, down the trail and up the hill. Three loops through the woods up the hill. Then back to the finish line. I ran, it wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t fast. But I ran. I started dead last, it was a choice. I passed a girl on the hill and stayed ahead, so I wasn’t dead last anymore.

Funny thing happened as I closed on the finish line. That girl I passed was walking with her buddy ahead of me. She must have skipped the third time up the hill. They would sprint up ahead every time I closed in. Her friend was so very high school about it too, snarky looks and whispering best left behind in middle school. They did beat me by a few seconds. I wouldn’t have cared but the attitude annoyed me, so did the cheating.

I realize this isn’t a big “race” and she was only cheating herself. Blah, blah, blah. In all honesty they were half my age they should have beat me. I was pretty sure I was going to come in last before I got there. After all it is a snowy winter day, not a race most newbies would show up for. But to be beaten like that? Childish and cheating? Ugh!

But I finished, I did it. I ran! There are those who asked why the 5 mile run when there was a 1 mile option? Because cancer is an endurance race not a sprint. My sister doesn’t get to say, I only feel like fighting a miles worth. She and others like her are in for the long haul, they don’t get to turn back and walk home. DNF is acceptable. So even if I walk, collapse or crawl. I cannot quit. I will not quit.

Trail Running

My house from the trail last spring

Last night I did it, I took my first tentative strides of the year toward off road adventure of the year. I went trail running. To be honest in the interest of staying upright there was a fair amount of walking.

It started off as any regular week night run. Dega and I trotting along in some freshly fallen slush. Next thing I know my crazy feet are taking me to the banks of the Mendenhall River in the shade of the Tongass National Forest. The slush gave the trail a bit more traction than a few days ago. The previous rain and freeze had left the packed snow more suitable for bum skating than running.

Did you know you can get a cramp in the arch of your foot? I didn't before, but thanks to the mini "potholes" in the snow now I do. The trail was very lumpy and bumpy with just enough slick to make this terminal klutz question whether it might not be better to just slide home on my bum. Dega could channel his inner sled dog.

While I did not do the mileage I had planned, I think I did the time. Not sure somewhere along the run my Garmin ran out of juice. I think it may be a bit early for this girl to be a regular on the trails, I really can't afford to be sidelined because I have delusions of athletic prowess. I committed to run a race every month in 2013 for cancer, for my sister.  

I think my downfall was seeing all these great spring postings. Amazing views pumping up the joys of a trail run. I felt inspired. Excited. I am fortunate enough to live in a National Forest, seriously on two sides of my yard there are signs marking the boundary. There are paths that connect to the trails on both sides. I cannot tell you how cool it was to come out of the trees into my back yard. It was like being a little kid again descending from the "woods" of the vacant lot next door.

While I may not be hitting the trail again tonight, I think I may be hitting them again sooner than later. I live in an amazing place. I have the luxury of having trails right outside my door. Who wouldn't want to run them? Besides, Dega doesn't have to be on leash back there. Just gotta watch out for black bears. Ahh Spring can't come too soon.