State #26 Anchorage, Alaska

June 22nd 2016

Can we really be halfway through another year.  One thing I know for certain...TIME really is fleeting especially the older I get. The first half of the year ends in Anchorage with state #26. 

I am officially over the halfway mark of the crazy quest to run a marathon in all fifty states. I mention to my husband that twenty-five states is enough for me, but he is adamant about completing the goal; therefore, the journey continues. Going into our Alaska trip, I am not at my running best. The old body is tired and I am indulging in unhealthy food way too much.  After my fall at mile 14.5 at the Eugene Marathon on May 1st, I take some time to recover. 

P.R. pace until my wipe-out...finished with a 3:50!

Too much time recovering (elbow, knee, ankle) leads to too much eating which leads to weight gain which leads to an unhappy runner.  I think of my battle with food as a vortex.  Just as I think I am making my way out, I spiral all the way back down to the bottom.  Donuts and hot dogs are something I rarely eat, but if  I eat those foods it is safe to say I am probably at the bottom of the vortex about to fall into the abyss.

 Even though the year starts out with healthy eating, once we begin to travel in March and April for a few double marathons, I start to slip. Needless to say, the fall in Eugene puts me over the edge. Now, I must do what I always do, "begin again!" My fitness theme song seems to be best summed up by the song lyric, "so far away." My goal is to finally be at my goal weight by my birthday at the end of the year. It looks promising there for while but, now I must find the drive and discipline to start again and stick to it while the goal seems so out of reach and far away.  July 1st is my half-birthday which Rubio's (one of my favorite places to eat) kindly reminds me with a two-for-one burrito coupon.  Thanks Rubio's! Instead of beating myself up for my failures...I will try to learn from my mistakes, even though they are the same mistakes I repeat over and over again...making July 1st (Resolution Day!) Maybe it will be the year I finally reach my birthday goal weight~But really WHO am I kidding! Check back at the end of the year to see if I succeed!  

And this is why the goal is far away...

Day 1

After a red eye flight, we take a nap in the airport until the rental car place opens at 5:30 a.m. and by 6 a.m. we are on the road to Whittier. The views along the way are beautiful with snow capped mountains, lakes and the tidal bore. There are only four of these spectacular tidal bores in the world. As we drive by people are surfing the continuous wave! To get to Whittier by car, a thirteen dollar toll must be paid before waiting in line to share the one lane (Anderson Tunnel) into the tiny seaport village. 

Waiting our turn to go into the tunnel

There are glacier tours out of Whittier, but we elect not to take one. After exploring the tiny village and snapping a few pictures we hurry back to the tunnel to get back while it is still open for the return direction.

Whittier

Portage Glacier is the next stop for a one hour boat ride.  Before the ticket office opens we hike the Bryon Glacier Trail.

The boat ride out to the glacier is the perfect amount of time to see everything without feeling stuck on a boat for too long. A park ranger informatively explains as we cruise along.

The water is gray with no sea life in the water due to lack of light and oxygen.  As the water pours into the lake and travels downstream, eventually fish and sea life cultivates. 

The tip of the iceberg apparently there is another ninety percent of ice below the surface of the glacier. 

The ice fell into the water (calving) in three different places while we were there.  Crazy paddle boarder is up close for the action.

The goal for our trip is to see and do as much as possible. I do not see myself going back to Alaska. I definitely seek warmth as my soul prefers warm water destinations. Lucky for us, we arrive during a heat wave with unusually warm weather. On our way back to Anchorage we stop in Alyeska, a little ski resort town. Mountain biking to a trail I read about is the goal. However, when the bike owner gets a look at us he recommends cruiser bikes and a paved trail. Rather than be insulted~at him sizing us up as maybe in over our heads~we wisely elect to cruise. With only a few hours of sleep and exhaustion as our physical state coming into the trip, the graying older couple take a gentle bike ride.

When the sun is up at 4:30 a.m. and doesn't set until after 11 p.m. it makes for a long day! Even with lots of daylight left we check into the motel for a rest. The room is on the second floor and we lug all our crap upstairs. After 26 states you would think I would learn to pack light by now! Nope, I still bring a boat load of stuff I don't need. Over the course of every trip I lose things~but not really~just panic that I lose or drop the watches, my purse or my favorite jacket~search for it~and always find~the lost item! I create my own drama for extra fun on every trip. Typically, air conditioning is not necessary in Alaska, but we sure could use it, the motel is hot! Good thing we are conditioned to hot weather sleeping. We are kindly provided a boxed fan and our airplane neck pillows are used as an extra pillow in our bare essentials motel room. After some down time we hit the two day expo located at the college and are greeted by enthusiastic volunteers.  

 After a quick trip to Moose's Tooth Pizza (tasty) we are sleeping by nine.  

What a popular place! Wait time is over an hour, but we find two empty seats at the bar!  

Day 2

I know my husband desperately needs sleep and I try to stay quiet, but I am awake by 6 a.m. Eventually, he is up and we are off on the next adventure. Earthquake Park is a must see for my husband. As an engineer he is fascinated by anything geological. We rent more bikes and decide to ride twelve miles down the Coastal Trail and twelve miles back. The road to the trail is a steep downhill and I wisely walk my bike down.

Can you see Mt McKinley...way over there?

We only make it to mile 6 before turning around. If it takes an hour to ride six miles, the marathon is going to be tough tomorrow!

After our bike ride we explore the area north of Anchorage. Biking and hiking is not the most ideal way to rest up and prepare right before a marathon, but that is how we do it! Next, we seek out a trail I read about online. By the time we find it, we realize it is not a typical touristy hike but once we make it to the top we discover the two easier paths to the top.

My shoes are covered in dust from the powdery dirt at the beginning of the hike...

What a climb to get up there, but the reward is a gorgeous view of Knik Glacier. Nothing like exhaustion before a marathon run. Good thing we plan to enjoy the experience with no times goal expectations other than to finish it. While in the area we drive up to Wasilla to see the Iditarod Headquarters. We hold the puppies and see the sled dogs. It makes me sad to see the dogs hooked up on chains.

The plan for the day is to visit six places. On the way back into town some of the places get crossed off the list. I guess the goals are too lofty. The last hike of the day is a short walk up to Thunder Bird Falls. It is easier than the first hike of the day with lots of shade and lots of other visitors. Eagle River and Lake Eklutna will have to be discovered by other Alaska vacationers.

The sun lasts longer than us. After a busy active day the sun continues to shine without us. We grab a quick burger for dinner, shower, lay out our clothes for tomorrow's run and pull down the shade to block out the light. This is one marathon I am not looking forward to running. A bad diet and tired body equals one tough run to push through.

Race morning is an easy drive to the local high school with plenty of parking and a short walk to the start. Volunteers are directing runners while loud music pumps the crowd of  excited runners. We even make it in time for the group picture.

There are plenty of bathrooms with little to no lines and a bag drop.  We talk with a local about the area. He recommends things we should do for our remaining time in Alaska. Interestingly, he tells us he is moving to Louisiana in four days, but he wants to get in one last run. We end up sitting near him at the bar in Red Robin right after the race. We ask him how he did and give a cheers to another race completed and wish him well on his relocation. 

It is always nice to reflect on a run after it is over especially while drinking a beer at the bar. Today's run is definitely a challenge of fighting through aches and pains. The first few miles of the race require sheer will. My body and mind are ready to be finished before I even begin. At mile 2.6 I am ready to stop. I seriously consider walking. I have not felt this way about a marathon since 2012 in my darker days. I am feeling every step. I tell myself,  "just keep going and soon there will only be 2.6 miles left to run."  It is a crazy phenomenon that happens during a long distance run. In the beginning it feels like it will last forever but eventually the mind takes you to other places and suddenly you are "almost there."  It kind of feels like life. One day you are young and the road is long but in the blink of an eye the finish line is in sight.

The struggles of the beginning miles are eased with scenery, conversation, and mental distraction. Lately I have run without music, but it may be helpful during the tough miles. Once we turn away from the busy highway, I start to come to terms with my pain. I cross a bridge and strike up a conversation with a fellow Maniac/Fifty-Stater from Philadelphia. It is her 26th state too. Talking with other runners make the miles pass quickly. The next gal I meet is from Olympia, Washington.  She is vacationing with her mom. We talk about the Maniac Club and our running goals. It is nice to hear other runner's opinions about races they have done in other states. The gravel is hard on my knees and the distraction of conversation helps. I recognize a runner I met last June in Wyoming. I poke her on the shoulder which gives her a fright! She is about to complete her 49th state for her organization, Girls with Soles. She sent me a copy of her book "Finish Line Feeling" last year after chatting under a large shade tree after our run in Idaho. She runs with a purpose to empower girls. I admire her drive to help girls find their strength and power through fitness and friendship. Thanks Liz for the conversation it got me through the tough middle miles.

I also share some miles with a gentleman running his first marathon. He lives in Seward, but is from southern California originally. He grew up in Huntington Beach my parents old stomping ground. We talk about how property values have escalated exponentially and "if only" we had those properties today they would be worth big bucks. He tells me running a marathon was never on his radar.  He lived many years in Maui before moving to Alaska where he woke up one day and decided to run marathon before he gets too old and can't. What better reason is there. The thing about running though is it is something people can do in all stages of life.

The last miles are through a wooded area along a river and lake. I feel stronger with each mile.  As I run by two young shirtless dudes I hear one guy say, "We are getting passed by an old lady!" The realization hits that I am the old lady and yet I am still able to leave them in the dust. With two miles to go I think back to the first difficult miles and find it hard to believe that I am almost done. With almost every goal getting started is the hardest part. I see how we get immersed in our experiences and how fleeting and precious our time is, almost like our lives, when we are in the thick of it we often don't look up until the journey is almost complete.

I think I will finish strong until I reach the final hilly mile. Is it the race director's way of getting the last laugh to end with a climb~not my strong suit! Once I hit the park the ground levels out and I am thrilled to once again cross the finish line.  

Anchorage is celebrating Summer Solstice with lots of activities. Lunch is followed by a shower and a rest. Our motel is actually on the marathon course and we take a little recovery walk down to mile 24.

Mile 24...paved scenic pathway

Later in the day we go back to Moose's Tooth Pizza, but there is a huge celebration going on with a band and an outdoor party. The parking is impossible and not worth the effort. We find a coffee shop near our motel and share a french dip and indulge in delicious triple berry pie with ice cream.

The morning after the marathon we are en-route to Seward.  We stop at Flat Top Mt. and attempt to climb to the top.  Finally all the jackets I pack come in handy.  It is much cooler today with the threat of rain.  We begin the hike to see how far we can get before the rain.

This is the easy part of the hike, before we hit the pathless relentless rocks and call it a day.  On the way back down we understand why there is a bench labeled, "best damn bench!"

 

A view worth climbing to in spite of the clouds and impending rain.  The hike gets  challenging near the top. It is hand over hand climbing wit no path to follow just maneuver anyway you want.  We get to the ledge just below the actual top. 

Just a little bit too much effort to get up there and even harder to come down!

For time sake and the sake of our sanity, we elect to stop there without making it all the way up. Not too bad for the day after running and I get to make use of all my darn jackets ! On the way back down we pass several groups that ask "if they are almost there" and we have to say, "no, not yet there's more to come!"

The rain starts on the drive to Seward but it is still pretty and riding in the car is a nice break from all the physical activities. We spend some time looking around Seward which is bigger than Whittier, but not by much.  

  

Each year a 3 mile race is run up the mt. in the background!

After walking around the area we have some dinner before going to the motel located in Moose Pass. The room is very rustic in a town of 118 people and we pass the evening with a few beers in the motel bar. A highlight is getting a goodbye hug by a local in the bar. We finally manage to stay up longer than the sun as we watch it set on the lake from our porch  at 11 p.m. 

Our last full day in Alaska starts with yet another hike to Exit Glacier.

Our final activity in Alaska includes a four hour lunch cruise to Fox Island. The prime rib and mashed potatoes are really good and my husband enjoys the salmon. Wildlife and glacier sightings including whales, sea otter, puffins and bald eagles are the highlights.

We leave Alaska with an appreciation for the last frontier even if we only see a small glimpse of this huge state, it is a beautiful place to explore nonetheless. I remain grateful for the opportunity to travel and have wonderful adventures. May my journey continue in hopes of finding meaning and purpose with a grateful heart for life's blessings. Travel East Travel West after all...home is best. There is still refuge is getting home and relaxing with my kitty friend by my side.