Monday, June 25, 2012

Summer In Juneau... Finally

It has taken quite some time this year, but summer has finally come to Juneau. I've been back here for just over a month and it has been mostly cloudy, wet, and cool. The snowpack in the mountains is still as deep as would typically be found in early to mid May, but the snow has now set up really nice and firm. This has created near perfect mountain running conditions. Combine this with 3 straight days of 75 degrees (or warmer) and sunny, and this past weekend was about as good as it gets for a mountain running binge. All told I was out running in the mountains for 26 hours in the past 4 days, with about 30,000 feet of ascent. Can't think of anywhere I'd rather be.

And of course, huge congratulations to Tim Olson, Ellie Greenwood, and the hundreds of other runners who had amazing races at Western States this past weekend. Some pretty impressive and inspiring stuff.

Here's a few photos/videos from my past few days:
















12 comments:

eric said...

gorgeous photos. it doesn't even look real out there. what is the difference in temp at sea level vs up where you're running in these photos?

bakasvag said...

very nice photos you look to be in very good shape.

Sarah Duffy said...

Hey Geoff,

I am a fellow AK runner and follower of your blog. I wanted to write and share a recent outing in this AMAZING AK weather we have enjoyed of late. We recently ran/climbed the Matanuska Peak Challenge route up Mat Peak. We have a mutual friend in Anne ver Hoef. She introduced me to the world of 100 miles. Amazing lady. A good chunk of the Anchorage running community came together to watch "Unbreakable" pre-WS100 and your performance and attitude was a topic of inspiration during our Mat Peak outing. We hope to make it to Juneau for your running camp one of these summers. Best to you. Here is a link to the outing:

http://duffyville.blogspot.com/2012/06/being-comfortable-with-being.html

Fairbanks said...

WOW! Not bad running weather. I used to get off my ship (deckhand) and run the rainy trails of Juneau with glee. I loved getting lost in my thoughts off the water and stretching my legs. Have to get back to run some of those AWESOME peaks in your photos!

Bryan said...

Let us hope those 3 days of summer were not it for 2012! It is good to see the pics to remember what is up there in all those clouds!

Bryan said...

Let us hope those 3 days of summer were not it for 2012! It is good to see the pics to remember what is up there in all those clouds!

Anonymous said...

Great pics! I love your blog...I check in often to read your posts!!!

Unknown said...

Geoff,

Curious to get your feedback regarding an issue I've been experiencing the past few runs I've done. I've been in Colo Springs for 10 weeks now (from Ohio) and had been feeling pretty good as my body adjusted. I did the Mt. Evans Ascent a couple weeks ago which begins at 10,600 and finishes at 14,150. I gave that race my total effort. Took the next day off before resuming some light running and the following weekend did a 12mi training run in 85-90 degree heat. Since then, my last few runs have felt like I took 3 steps back. Breathing is more labored, not as much energy, etc.

Any ideas on what's going on? I know you had dealt with some altitude/training issues in the past.

Thanks,
CJ

Unknown said...

My goodness that's a big place! I can't believe all the snow! Here in the San Juans there is nothing in the upper basins. kinda scary. Enjoy your summer in Juneau Geoff.

Sam Tilly said...

Geoff, these pictures are awesome. Are you running crow pass this year?

Sam Tilly said...

Geoff, these pictures are awesome. Are you running crow pass this year?

Unknown said...

Thanks for the inspiring pics and writing too, Keeps me going when I am away at work and running only an hour here and there, dreaming of the hills, but enjoying my mini escapes from work.
Running makes me feel alive and its always an inspiration to read about races and adventures,
Cheers