(February, 2017)
As winter enveloped Seattle in February I was able to keep somewhat in form through some treadmill workouts at the local health club (ProClub). Over President’s weekend I opted not to snowboard in Utah with the girls and instead signed up for Terry Sentinella’s Woolley Run – my first crack at this flat course up in Sedro Woolley. I had spent the week in Anaheim in warmer overcast weather and was able to run nearly every day there, but was still feeling some rust in the joints. Even though I took off earlier than planned I made it up to Exit 232 and east just about 20 mins before the start of the race. There were a few familiar faces and after a very brief set of instructions, we were off on a chilly but dry morning.
I ran the first few miles with Scott Sebelsky and traded notes on recent races. He also was beaming with delight over his recent laser surgery on his eyes – an action I have been putting off for years. Something to consider. We hit the first aid station and I was feeling fine so moved ahead by myself and started pumping out some 8:30ish miles. The scenery is nicer than say Centennial trail or Burke Gilman – lots of farmland and views of Stevens Pass in the distance. I didn’t see anyone ahead of me but knew there were a few who had sprinted off. The race offered Half Marathon, Marathon, and 50k all starting at the same time (pretty normal for smaller races in PacNW). As I neared the 10-11 mile mark a bearded gentleman named Walter caught up with me and helped me find the detour where a bridge had washed out. We were only on the main road for 1-2 mins and reverted back to the trail. As I hit the 13 mile Aid Station I began seeing a couple of guys coming back at me, just a few minutes ahead. Walter continued on as he was doing the 50k in preparation for Chuckanut (very popular hilly 50k held in March). I checked my watch and had done the first half in 1:53; ok but not great. Still, I was in good spirits and thoroughly enjoying this long training run.
As I worked my way back over the countless small bridges I began to pass people headed back from their early starts. Ahead I did see the 2nd place runner in a black shirt and we traded spots at the 6.5 mile turnaround. I was slowing but still plodding along. By the time we reached the last Aid Station around mile 21.5 I had caught up again to the 2nd place runner and saw the leader fueling back up. As planned I sprinted past without stopping as I had enough liquids for the last stretch. Suddenly, at mile 22 I was pretty sure that I was now in first place for the marathon. It was a bit of false praise as the faster runners had opted for the 50k plus I wasn’t burning the course up. But it is good to put yourself in this competitive mode every now and then to see if the adrenaline still works. And it did. I checked at mile 23. and then mile 24. My lead was growing a bit but I didn’t have too much cushion. By the time the trail switched back from gravel to asphalt I was striding longer, crossing the finish line just over 3:55 and about a minute ahead of the next runner. Terry confirmed I was running the Marathon and hadn’t started early and then rewarded me with a coffee mug made by a local artisan and a wonderful stuffed Woolley Mammoth. My third Marathon win and the best prizes yet!
Next Up: A run trail run up on Whidbey Island at the Ft. Ebey State Park. But the week between races was filled with aches and pains. First, my left knee became sore as soon as I got out of the car after the Woolley race – not during the race but an hour afterwards. I really need to do better at post-race stretching and cool downs vs. just walking to my car. I tried a slow run on Monday but was contorting my body in strange ways to avoid the pain so stopped after 100 yards and took a few more days off. On Thursday my lower back began having spasms especially as I was going up and down stairs. I was doing my best Mr. Magoo impressions and hobbled about a bit more on Friday. By the end of the day it had calmed down some and I did a couple of laps around the block without it seizing up so decided to make a go of it.
Saturday morning began with a series of mishaps. I left early and made the 7:00 ferry but upon arrival in Clinton the Nissan would not start -dead battery (?!). The ferry crews have magical devices to jump most any vehicle so helped me get going again, but that was looming in the back of my mind as I drove the 25 miles or so to Ft. Ebey – where I realized I had forgotten the Discovery Pass, so had to pay $10 for a day pass. My luck changed a bit as I got one of the last parking spots near the starting line and began the ritual preparing for the race. It was another cold morning so the gloves and hand warmers would be needed. I had downloaded some new tunes (Jean Michael Jarre electronic beats, Gerry Rafferty) and toed up at the line with just the Marathon runners here.
The first 3-4 miles I was taking it very easy to make sure not to jar my back or knee. Fortunately I had positioned myself well at the start so didn’t have people passing me on the single track up on the cliffs. The first Aid Station was right about mile 4 and I was starting to get into the run; grabbed some bananas and oranges and headed off to the back section of the course. There were a couple of climbs here – still a few people ahead of me and close behind me. There also was an occasional 50-100 yard stretch in non-rock fire roads (my favorite). I began seeing some of the formal State Park trail signs. Alder Lane was fun – thin trees close together forming a tunnel for a good 1/2 mile stretch which curves quite a bit. More long straight stretches to mix up the views some. I was nearing the 2nd Aid Station about mile 9 when a pink streak rushed by me – the lead Half Marathoner who had started 30 minutes after us had already passed. A few more would continue by over the next few miles.
The last 4 miles or so take you back to the cliffs and along the coast line. For a small section the faster runners were running against us as they had finished a lollipop section. This takes you back to the start (showing you where the loop ends but then directing you down in the other direction). A short but very steep climb awaits you in an exposed area. Then the lollipop ends and you head back into the woods for another mile or two and to the other side of the Ft. Ebey start line. I finished the first loop in 2:45, a tad slower than I had wanted but still overall elated that I was injury free and running in a beautiful location without major wind or rain. I said hi to Mike Mahanay who was there supporting his wife in the Half, dropped my gloves, put some more Vaseline on and head back out.
Immediately I was passed by a couple of women as I made the decision to down a Cliff Bar. I was now alone on the 2nd loop and taking my time to enjoy the surroundings. I reached the first Aid Station reasonably fast although had a stiff Achillees which was hurting on the climbs. I ended up passing both women in the middle sections and grabbed a bit more food for the final lollipop. It was noticeably windier the 2nd time so I kept running and power hiked the steep section which really is not that long. The last section was enjoyable and I clocked in at 5:55 – over 40 minutes slower than last year but in one piece and I happy camper. I was also happy that the car started up right away and I made it to the 4:00 ferry and home without further incident.
The Commentaries of Shawn Aebi 