As Maggie is getting older, we are not running as often or as far as we used to do. This year, she is turning 10 in April! I’ve decided to take it easy on her so we do not go to the lake as often as we did. She still seems to like it, and seems to be doing well with the occasional 4 mile run. Some days, Maggie and I only go walking/running for a mile or two run around the neighborhood, then we go back home and I go around the Green Lake by myself. I hate to do this, but I am afraid to push her too hard.
As you have probably figured by now, Seattle has very beautiful sunrises. Sometimes however, they are just breathtaking and seem out of this world. That was the case on February 26, 2014. Maggie and I got to the lake and got treated to almost incredible color display. See for yourself…

New Moon

Which planet is this on?

Maggie checking for birds

As the days are getting shorter, it is getting darker and darker during our runs. Still, from time to time, depending on the weather, Maggie and I get our morning dose of spectacular display of natural beauty.
When we started this run, it was dark and the Moon was setting. As we were going around the lake, it was slowly getting lighter and the sky was turning red. By the time we were on our way back home (around quarter to 7), we had bright red clouds on the horizon.

The Moon setting over the Green Lake

Sunrise over the Green Lake

Sunrise over the Green Lake

Yet another Sunrise

It seems that no matter how many times we run at Green Lake, each time it looks different and each time it is absolutely amazing. The exception to this might be total early morning darkness during the winter months, but during the spring/summer/fall the scenery is amazing.
Maggie and I went for our regular 4 mile run on August 26 and were treated to really special sunrise. I had my camera with me, so I was able to record this spectacular sunrise.

Maggie

Sunrise over the Green Lake

Sunrise over the Green Lake

Sunrise over the Green Lake

In August, the sunrise is perfectly timed so that Maggie and I get the most incredible display of colors when we run. No wonder I have so many entries here from August.
While I love running, it can be hard sometimes to get motivated to get out of the bed and go. I know that almost always, once I start, it will be an enjoyable experience, but still, on some days, it takes a lot of mental power to achieve a transition from under-the-blanket-with-your-eyes-closed to running-on-a-pavement state. Anything I can use to help that is welcome. When I first open my eyes and peek through the window, it if seems like we will have another one of those sunrise light shows, I just grab my camera and go out as fast as I can.
Total distance for this run is about 4 miles as usual. Most of the time, I run 7:30 to 8:30 minute per mile.

Sunrise over the Green Lake

Early Morning Light Show over the Green Lake

Sun brings out the colors

Days are getting longer, fast and now the sun is completely up by the time we get to the lake. Most of my runs here from April to September are with the sun up, high in the sky.
Today, Maggie and I went running with Oliver in a bob stroller. He really liked zooming around the Green Lake early in the morning at the breathtaking 7 miles per hour.

Sunrise over the Green Lake

The Sun is out

Oliver and Maggie

Green Lake in the daylight

Maggie and I used to run around Green Lake at least 4-5 times per week for years. Still, each morning, each sunrise is different and we find something new to enjoy. It was late March, the days were getting longer the spring was in the air and the mountain was out. On days like that, I try to remember to bring my camera and take pictures. We were treated to a very fiery sunrise, great views of the Mt Rainier and a lot of flowers on the trees.

Very colorful sunrise

Sunrise over the Green Lake

Mt. Rainier

Maggie and flowers

Maggie and I are running in a fog again and I just had to take pictures. The fog was dense, and gave everything a nice, soft look. We went out early, around 6 am as usual, and run down to the Green Lake, around it and then back up. This run is about 4 miles.

Leash pets, obey scoop laws

Dense fog around the Green Lake

What better way to start a new year than with a run? I love running on January 1st, but it is not often that I manage to actually do it. Maggie is usually freaked out by fireworks most of the night for the New Years, so neither one of us gets much sleep. It is very difficult to run after just few hours of sleep.

Still, this year, we managed to get out and run at our favorite place, Green Lake. It was chilly, but nice morning. Moon was about ¾ full. Sun was just coming up and we made great pictures of the lake. On one of them you can see the Space Needle in the distance.

Maggie waiting for food after a run

Green Lake, early in the morning

Moon setting over the Green Lake

Space Needle in the distance

I love beautiful, fiery sunrises and I love foggy days. Combine those two things and you have a quite spectacular run.
Maggie and I went out at our normal time, around 6 am and run down to the Green Lake. It was quite foggy, but as we were completing our run, the fog thinned out on the east side and we could see an awesome sunrise. Good thing, I had my camera with me.
Total run was our usual, 4 miles.

OK, we are back. Give me food now!

Sunrise through the fog

I used to live in Ravenna neighborhood in Seattle. During that time, Maggie and I would run to the Green Lake, go all the way around and run back. This route was 5.7 miles and was a great way to start our day. Maggie loves to run around the Green Lake (squirrels!), and the part on the streets was not too bad either since we always went early in the morning before the rush hour. Some days, we would also go to the lake after work and go around again (we drove to the lake, and then walked around).

Most mornings, from our apartment, we ran west on N 65th Street then on Ravenna Boulevard to Green Lake Park. Once at the lake, we ran counter clock wise, came up the N 64th Street, and then go east on N 65th Street all the way back home.