Orcas 25K

Me, Tamara, Marie, Jenn, Sydnee (photo from Jenn)

Orcas, as always, was beautiful. The morning began with fog wafting through old growth forest, eventually burning off under a brilliant sun and blue skies. We were back on the original course (after a course change last year, due to snow), so it was all the way up Mt. Constitution and back down. We had gorgeous views across the Sound of Lummi Island, Mt. Baker and Bellingham, and down forested slopes to the water below. Jenn, Sydnee and I spent much of the day talking and laughing, hiking up, up, up and running down, down, down. We crossed frozen trails of snow, planting our feet in the knee-high holes of those who'd gone before, we ran on trails carpeted with green bits of fir, down rock strewn, washed out trails and over rumbling creeks. It is, by far, my favorite race.



Puget Sound, Lummi Island, Mt. Baker (photo by Jenn)

The stars in Eric's eyes forced a slight change in our plans, causing us to leave Orcas on the 6:15 ferry. The line of cars seemed to be mostly runners, and we enjoyed the hour wait. The hour and twenty minute ferry ride was a blast - the boat was filled with runners and it seemed as though we were in the midst of a post-race party. I'm sure we missed a great time back on the island, but the ferry ride made up for it! We got home around 10:15, unloaded the car and went straight to bed.

Sunday morning we were up and down the road by 8:00 for Eric to run the infamous Valentines Day Marathon - his crowning run in a series of 13 in twelve weeks, and bringing him to SEVEN maniac stars. There's much to say about this series of marathons, and not much of it is positive. Many of the early starters made it past the halfway point before encountering an aid station. Now, on the one hand, it is always a caveat that if you start early, you'd better be prepared to go without aid (as a frequent early starter, I know this). However, it is usually set up before runners are too far in. Knowing Eric was pushing exhaustion after the extremely challenging Orcas 50K, I was out there to give him support. I had a two gallon jug of water and food. I ended up using all my water supporting runners - first I had them drinking from the jug, then I rinsed out Eric's paper cup from Starbucks and had the runners sharing that. Finally, just before Eric made the halfway point, the aid stations were set up. Eric got a second wind and finished strong - I'm guessing negative splits. Seven stars!

And last, I'm getting Lasik eye surgery next week. I'm spending ten days in my glasses, an old prescription. I'm also using some that Eric had, which is about the same as my old prescription. Life's a little blurry around the edges right now, but in a week and a day it'll be crystal clear!


Seven Star Maniac and me in my temporary-glassed glory. (photo by Matt Hagen)