I ran up to about 2,000 ft. today (just above tree line) and was blown away by the beauty of the mountains here. I have seen the view I saw today hundreds of times but it still looks absolutely amazing every time. On days like today it is hard for me to believe that this place really exists. It is without question the most majestic and luring landscape I have ever been immersed in.
I'm still taking it pretty easy on the running front. I did 19 miles on Sunday and it was a fun run, but I was still feeling fairly tired from racing 8 days prior. After yesterday off I felt really good today, but only went for an hour. I'll probably go pretty easy again the next couple days, but by the weekend I intend to get out for 4+ hour runs with my snowshoes up into the mountains here... we'll see if I can actually wait all the way until the weekend though.
13 comments:
I'm going to need to stop reading your blog while you're in AK. I tend to move around quite a bit and find myself thinking, "Alaska, hmmm, yes, Alaska."
Have a great visit.
Tim
Hi. I moved to Juneau over the summer. I took up running in order to stay active in the long, dark, otherwise idle winter evenings. I'm a beginner, so for now I'm working on building a running base. I'd like to run some 5k's when the spring and summer hits. I want to try trail running but I really don't know where to go! Do you have any suggestions on trails that might be fun for a newbie? Or maybe even pavement routes? I welcome your suggestions. I live downtown and want to keep my run's there and perhaps douglas for now. One goal is to build up a route that incorporates the valley. I know to an ultra runner that's a laughable distance, but for me those 9ish miles it takes to get from downtown to the valley is a big goal!
Winter in Alaska was always my favorite time of year to run. I miss that place so bad.
I am heading to the Beehive State in a few days and cant wait to run in the snow again. Living in a place with zero seasons is getting old really fast and having a year round tan just isn't natural.
If I were on the Alaskan Tourism Board I would be sending some cash your way Geoff
I've been a lot of places on this planet and I can confidently say that AK is the only place that no matter how many times I return it still takes my breath away. I love it there. Congrats on getting back for a visit. Juneau is awesome.
Running the last 5 days in shorts, in the sunshine, on snow free trails, in the mountains (if you consider Green Mtn "in" the mountains), in Boulder is pretty awesome too!
But yes, Alaska certainly sounds like paradise.
Enjoy.
Man, I haven't been to Alaska since I was up in the Saint Elias Range, a year ago. You are sure giving me a good case of Alaska fever. Thanks for the great post. Enjoy Alaska, you are right about the landscape, it's just awesome.
hey geoff, i saw this link and it reminded me of your iditarod races and the sled building.
this is a champion set-up for sure. it'll let you run away from the laughter at the starting line.
http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/outdoor/monowalker-hiking-trailer/
I am spending my first winter in Alaska and I am wondering how you run above tree line with snow shoes.
Are you following snow machine trails or "power hiking" ..I find it very difficult to build a running pace in deep snow.
I really love your blog entries , I would love to read about some of the gear and techniques you use in the winter. What kind of precautions do you take for avalanche?
Thanks
Geoff, I would love to see what you were experiencing and looking at. While I'm sure that pictures don't do justice, would you have pictures of where you ran (above Tree Line?).
i wish i carried a camera with me more. i guess i just need to get a better small camera. i did a 5 hour snowshoe "run" above tree line on saturday and the pictures would have been amazing. unfortantely they're all just in my head.
Erik, i'm definitely being generous calling my snowshoe outings "runs." there is some running involved down low and when the snow is really firm, but a huge portion of a ridgeline outing this time of year is just hiking. i was out for 5 hours on saturday and probably was only actually running for 2 hours of that time.
Nice article in Running Times...
Geoff Roes is so nasty, if the Nome diphtheria outbreak happened today the Iditarod would be a solo running race and there'd be a statue of Roes in Central Park.
Post a Comment