DOFB » Seattle

Seattle Turkey Trot 2011

admin — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 18:39:09 +0000

I have finally decided to run another race and this one is going to be more of a fun run than a race. It is the Seattle Turkey Trot which is in run in Ballard on the morning of Thanksgiving Day, November 24th.

Besides being a good way to burn off calories before the big eating bonanza, this Turkey Trot benefits the Ballard Food Bank. More than 1,000 Ballard, Magnolia and Queen Anne households receive food, hygiene items or emergency financial help each week from the Ballard Food Bank, so this is a very worth cause.

Here is some additional information on the Turkey Trot and how to sign up.

What: 2011 Seattle Turkey Trot
When: Thursday, November 24th, 2011 – 9:00 AM
Where: Above Golden Gardens Park (32nd Ave NW and NW 85th St)
Why: Help support the Ballard Food Bank!
Who: You! Sign up now!

Beat The Bridge 2011 – Join Me

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 23:53:57 +0000

After a long winter of eating, travelling, some sleep and more eating I have decided to start a serious running schedule again, which means, a race. For me, having a goal race is the best way to get back into running shape and this year I have decided to run the Beat The Bridge race in Seattle. Beat The Bridge is an 8K race that also serves as a fundraiser for the Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). The event actually consists of an 8K run, 4 mile Family Walk, One Mile fun run and a Diaper Derby (I may have to see this). The fun parts of this race are a challenge to beat the University Bridge before it is raised and then somehow complete an 8K and cross the finish line in Husky Stadium. The bridge is at the 2.0 mile mark of the race for those of you who follow the Imperial System.

Beat The Bridge finsih

Part of the training that I would like to complete is financial training. I am looking to raise funds for Juvenile Diabetes and would appreciate if you readers could make a donation to the cause. Click here to make a donation in my name to JDRF and help me along in raising funds for a good cause and getting back into training shape.

Details on Beat The Bridge 2011

Back to Lake Union 10K – 2010 edition

admin — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:39:21 +0000

I know that I promised to start writing again, so thought I would try to kick it off with the Lake Union 10K here in Seattle. August 22nd 2010. I ran this race last year and for an inaugural race is was pretty well done. If I could give one word of advice to the race organizers is please get a speaker system or some other method to project your voice. A little bullhorn will not work.That being said, I liked the race a lot and plan to run it this year. My results were pretty weak last year and am hoping for a slightly better result this year, maybe break a 7:45/mile pace.

For those that are interested in running the race I believe registration is still open here in Seattle and you can also register online via Active.com. All the information for the race can be found here http://www.lakeunion10k.com/

Good Luck and hope to see everyone out there. Lake Union is a beautiful place here in Seattle and one of of my favorite running routes

Lake Union 10K – The results

admin — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 19:48:01 +0000

Well it was not as bad as I thought, but I am still out of real running shape and need some real work. Here is a little detail of the Lake Union 10K which I finished in 48:33 a 7:47 pace

* Mile 1 – A little tight at the start, but a nice first mile. Will never understand why people who are slow and know they are slow must start up front. Mile 1 done in 7:36

* Mile 2 – Starting to feel pretty good. Group spaces out and there is now room to run. Find a nice little pace group to run with.Think everyone in the group has a Garmin, we all beep at the end of Mile 2. Mile 2 7:30

* Mile 3 – Crap, here come the hills and a little wind. About halfway through the climb I realize I may have bit off more than I could chew. Starting to fade. Mile 3 7:55

* Mile 4 – These hills will not let up. As we enter Eastlake there are a couple of hills that are short but lung searing, way too steep for a residential area and the shape I am in. Mile 4 7:52

* Mile 5 – Finally some flat areas and I am starting to kick this engine in. Actually feeling good and chasing some girl with an awesome tattoo on the back of her neck. Mile 5 7:30

* Mile 6 – I may have gone a little too early on my final “kick”. Look to finish this in sub 7:00 but cannot muster the energy. 7:03

Overall this was an awesome race and am very happy to be back in the game. Looking forward to a few more fall races, hopefully a half-marathon

Lake Union 10K

admin — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 23:31:38 +0000

Pray for me, tomorrow is my first timed race in about 14 months, the Lake Union 10K here in Seattle, WA.

The course map does not indicate the hills involved in this race, which while not lung searing are a pain in the ass.

While in the past I would look to run a sub-40:00 10K, I am hoping I survive this one and run this in under 50:00 minutes.

Lake Union 10K

Ski Helmet Safety

admin — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 03:20:46 +0000

Sorry it has been so long since we have been updated the blog, I guess the winter season has been tough on everyone with work and winter activities.
My winter activities have been exclusively on skiing the Pacific Northwest, where I have been skiing, Crystal, Mount Baker and Stevens Pass. All places are around a 2 hour drive from Seattle and are so good for being so close to a metropolitan area.
The one item of gear I picked up in the beginning of the season is a ski helmet. I have never skied with a helmet before but after hearing of all the injuries that occur I decided my noggin was worth the $$$ for a new ski helmet. I settled on the Giro G10 which I am happy to say is an excellent purchase. It is light, has vents and keeps my head extremely warm, and had vents when I need to cool off. And once on the mountain I noticed that a majority of skiers and boarders wear helmets now, not just the little kids.

The reason I was called to action today to write this post is reading the news that Natasha Richardson, the actress was apparently injured in a tragic ski accident and suffered a traumatic brain injury. It is horrible news and hope she is fine and that this does not happen to anybody out there, and the two best methods to avoid this are to ski safely and wear a helmet.

Mount Si Hike – North Bend WA

admin — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 01:45:56 +0000

While the weather is still beautiful here in Seattle, I am on a mission to try to get as many hikes in as possible. My target today was Mt. Si (sigh) in North Bend, about a 45 minute drive from Seattle

Mount Si

The Climb: 4,167 feet (1,270 meters)

Distance: 4 miles from the parking lot to the summit plateau.

Vertical elevation change is about 3700 feet and starts at about 700 feet.

I had received warning from locals that the Mount Si trail gets extremely crowded as it is one of the best hikes close to Seattle and not to expect the place to myself. Luckily the locals were wrong and Mount Si was not empty, but the track was not packed and everyone moved off the trail to let my pass as I half sprinted up.
The dash to the top was great as the trail is somewhat narrow, but steep with a lot of switchbacks. As I got to the top I was a little worried about the clouds, but as you can see from the pics below, the clouds threatened but then cleared as I got to the top of Mount Si.
Overall this is a great hike and a little challenging up and down. 4 miles up is not too bad , but the 4 miles down are harder than you think and legs got a little soft for the last 1/2 mile.

Rattlesnake Ridge and Rattlesnake Lake

admin — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:15:18 +0000

Today I finally had my chance to get out into the Cascade Mountains and hike in a beautiful location and only a 35 minute drive from Seattle.
My trip was to the scary sounding Rattlesnake Ridge , where I did not see any snakes but did see some beautiful scenery.

Hiking Time to Rattlesnake Ridge: 1 hour
Miles: 4 Round trip
Elevation gain: 1,175 feet

Seattle Running Routes

admin — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 21:07:35 +0000

It has been a tough couple of weeks settling into the new city but I have still managed to get a few runs in every week. The good news about running in Seattle is that the weather has been ideal for running. Every morning has been overcast and mid-50′s with no humidity. As far as running conditions go it does not get any better. The bad news is also the weather, I would like some sunshine when I run. The people here tell me it will be beautiful every day starting July 4th, but I am still a little skeptical.

Ok , on to the fun stuff. Hills!!! Seattle is extremely hilly and will whip your ass if you are not ready. Some of the hills are so steep that it is not really safe to run down them, because there is a good chance you will launch off. These are the small lessons I am picking up the hard way and keep thinking to myself that if I ever qualify for the Boston Marathon I will be ready for Heartbreak Hill.

As for were to run in Seattle, I have not done a lot of exploring yet but my two favorite places are Volunteer Park and Interlaken Park. These are just minutes from my apartment but once you enter you feel like you are far away from the city. Found some pics online that will have to do until I bring out the old Sure Shot.