Remembering my Xela

Yesterday marked one year since I lost Xela. I hiked up into Ram Valley to remember her and spread her ashes. The last hike Xela and I did together was into Ram Valley, and while there I made her sit on a rock outcropping for quite some time so that I could photograph her in the low, soft, winter sunlight. It was on that same rock outcropping that I spread her ashes.

The day yesterday was much like the one a year ago ... perfectly blue skies, a fresh dusting of snow and gentle orange sunlight. My friend Matt came with me ... it was very nice to have the company and support. Zippy and Matt's dog, Peak, also joined the entourage. As we hiked down out of Ram Valley, back to my cabin, the sun set over Cook Inlet to the west, and full moon rose from the north. Very peaceful and beautiful!

Marvelous Mile Hi

Today Zippy and I went out for a couple of hour jaunt along Mile Hi ridge ... a fresh dusting of snow, perfectly blue skies, biting wind and the place entirely to ourselves. Lovely! Still no skiing to be had anywhere, but at least it's starting to feel like winter.

A 'beary' interesting morning run

Zippy and I met a meandering bear this morning - while out on a run on the trails behind my cabin. I knew a grizz had been hanging around the area, so for most of the morning, I made a ruckus, shouting various combinations of "hey, hey, hey" and "hey-ho" into the frosty morning air. But as I closed in on the last five minutes of the run, my mind began to think about what I needed to do to get ready for work, and as a result lapsed in my noise-making efforts. Zipster and I were floating along quite peacefully, when we looked up to see the big bear, with blond highlights, strolling right down the path toward us. I did a 180 degree twirl with the focus of a prima ballerina, and Zippy and I made our retreat back the way we came, in search of another path. Zippy is really good around large wildlife, several close moose encounters this summer haven't so much as sparked a bark, and he hardly noticed the bear. The bear didn't really pay us much attention either. It sort of looked up when I called Zippy, but then quickly returned to its morning stroll.

Conquering Crow

Running Crow Pass was the closest I’ve ever been to dreaming while I was awake. My vision focused only on the trail, and everything in the peripheral became blurred and ephemeral – in the same way a fish-eye lens distorts a photo. Time stood still and spiraled away uncontrollably. Rather than a fluid, connected, continuous sense of my being, my conscious mind beat in and out like a strobe light. Thoughts became short and staccato: “Fireweed. Root. Mud. River crossing. Water. Gu shot. Keep moving. Ladder. Steep hill. Untied shoe. Branch. Bird. Raspberry. Rock. Bridge. Whoo hoo!”

The feeling is the most insane form of sanity. It’s the razor sharp line between total freedom and bodily captivity. It’s discovering that the secret to running is not training, eating or sleeping – although those help. No, the secret to running is knowing that at any given moment you have a choice. You can either allow the full feeling of the moment to wash over and energize you, or you can succumb to the thudding pain coursing through your feet, legs, torso, arms and head. If you choose the former, you find moments of oneness with the trail and yourself ­ – and ultimately the reason for taking on 24 miles of rocky, rugged, ridged terrain.

Coming across the finish line with a time of 4 hours and 11 minutes - good enough for a fourth place finish among females. Next year it would be super cool - and doable - to shave off 11 minutes and go sub-four.

Pure elation

A hug from my neighbor and fellow runner Hugh at the finish

Hosing the mud off my legs

(A BIG THANK YOU TO DANIEL SHEPARD FOR THE PHOTOS!!!!)

Monday on Magnificent

On Monday we, the running crew, headed up toward Mount Magnificent ... another crystal clear day with views to boot. Zippy's best bud Bruno also joined the two hour-ish outing.

Quite the view!

My Monday running group on Mile High Ridge. I live in the valley in the background ... middle left side of the photo. And on Thursday we did a three hour traverse over the mountains pictured slightly above and to the right of my head ... good times. We're headed out to Eklutna Lake tomorrow to go the distance.

Photo courtesy of Jane

More photos from Saturday's run

Images courtesy of Ron Nicholl

Rockin' and Runnin'

A few months ago I got it into my mind that I wanted to run ... Yes, I've always been a runner, but I decided I wanted to do it everyday and train for some longer distances ... This decision coincided with Zippy's appearance in my life ... so I've not only had motivation, but also someone to hold me accountable.

This morning Zippy and I went out with some fellow runners for a 26-mile run. It was my first long run of the season, and it felt great ... really great. I enjoyed every step of it, even the long, grueling, last uphill mile. We left from the Eagle River Nature Center, which is a stone's throw from my cabin, and headed up toward Eagle Glacier ... breathtaking scenery and a beautiful sunny day.

Now I'm even more excited about the races I have planned for the summer ... mostly longer distance mountain races ... cheers to lots of great days on the trail still ahead!

(Photos courtesy of Jane)