Solstice Run Galbraith style.

On a 15 mile run on the boring Interurban trail, we were talking about the summer solstice.  Brent Detta, Jason Gulley, and I thought it would be cool to do a no headlamp run on the day with the most natural light.  It just so happened that the Solstice was on Tuesday, the same night as the usual trail run.  Emails went out to the usual crew to spread the word.  Headlamps were allowed but highly discouraged, and their wearers could be mercilessly ridiculed, which probably isn't any different than any other run where everybody is probably going to get picked on anyway.
It wasn't until the prospect of post run beer was introduced by Detta that the run really picked up steam.  What run wouldn't be better with a good brew to finish it off.  Our final group was 9 guys and two dogs.  We headed up the Birch Street entrance, down Cedar Dust and then up The Wall and on the gravel all the way to the tower.  I launched a surprise attack after the last tight corner with about 100 meters to go to the top on a breakaway group of four and snagged the KOM (King of the Mountain) points from Wes, who put up an incredibly tough battle.
After a short rest and bathroom break, we headed through the little section of Wonderland and out into the old clear cut where the view is the most amazing.  Let me tell you, I don't know if I have EVER been up there when it was that beautiful.  The light was just right.  It was totally clear.  And with a better than 180 degree view of Baker, Canada, and Bellingham Bay and the islands, it was stellar.  I stopped on a stood on a stump and just soaked it all in, feeling refreshed more in a soulful way than any physical manner.
I lost track of direction as we came back down off of the high point.  We hit the gravel roads again, far too much in my opinion, and came out where the sculpture used to be at the base of the tower climb.  Eventually we ended up on the drastically thinned Intestine Trail, where Colin announced he had a 3/4 chub since they did NOT destroy his favorite trail.
I actually like all of the thinned trails.  Much lighter and open.  It just has a different feel.  But then there are the clear cut parts that are shitty and ugly.  I'm not really sure what to think when I go up there.  It was still enjoyable, as it has been the other two times I've been up there since they started destroying trees.  And I'll have to continue to go up there to run plenty of trail getting ready for Baker Lake.
RB probably got the most flack with all the weight jokes.  Lettuce Pimp got his fair share of chubby jokes also though, and I'm the stick man.  My new nickname could be skeletor if I keep to my current weight trajectory.
But as we came back down the ridge trail from the map-kiosk, I decided to let loose and fly down.  In the lower light, it was about as much of a speed rush as you can get from running.  I quickly gapped RB and the rest only to pop out into the next clearing and remember that it still was light, before heading back into the dense cover again for some additional excitement, but not without a ridiculous view of the sun setting to the west.  A couple rocks here, some switchbacks there, a root, a dog, and bam, you're back in the parking lot.  RB out front, Gulley in tow, the rest of the group coming down behind.
I brought the last of my Chuckanut Pilsner, but beer never tastes as good as it does after a long run.  An incredible run, with a great group of guys.  It has me really jazzed up for the Ragnar Relay with many of the same guys in another month.

Misty Mountains of Baker Lake

Yesterday, I traveled to Baker Lake to go scout the course for the Baker Lake 50k.  It was also the second attempt at running the trail for the Bellingham Fit winter trail group.  Our first attempt was abandoned due to poor weather.  Mother nature has NOT been nice this year.
For me, it was a scouting trip in preparation for the Baker Lake 50k.  I don't know whst possessed me to sign up for an ultra after not running for a year but I did it anyway.   Its got to be my love of running remote trails.  The further away from civilization, the better.

It was another wet morning to go along with Saturday's nine mile soaker. An early start got us to the trail head by 7:45. A gray day, with intermittent drizzle. Not unpleasant but also not great. The temperature was good for running though.

In my world it doesn't get any better than the gray must rolling in and out if the trees.  I know we are due for a sunny day, and the bright sun reflecting off of the lake would have been a welcome sight at the occasional overlook down to the water but the mist was great.
I was hoping to run about two hours since my goal for the race is to crack the four hour barrier. I took one wrong turn down to a campground and there were sections that were overgrown that kept me from really running at all so it was a slower trek than I expected.  I still managed about 2:05 for the run which is promising.  I'm not incredibly fit for the long stuff and I didn't push all that hard so I think I can run pretty fast out there come race day.  The rolling terrain suits my running style and strengths well. Baker Lake 50k should be a good race for me.  I had enough time after to do the washcloth bath and get pretty clean and smell less.  I ate my only food item, a banana and changed into some normal clothes.  It never did warm up or clear up outside, which was disappointing.

Holly and I walked back to the suspension bridge to take a few pictures and then to the first smaller bridge where we met the rest of the crew come in looking a little tired but everybody had a bid smile on their face.  It would have been nice to check out the Shadow of the Sentinels trial, but it wasn't meant to be.  

After a what felt like a terribly long ride home with some intermittent napping, we hit The Daisy Cafe for some amazing breakfast.  Veggie omelete, potatoes, toast, and pancakes.  An awesome day.  Ready to had back with some camping involved.