Tag Archives: WA

Running

Seattle, WA – January 17, 2017

Ever since Maggie had to stop running with me (or me with her, I should say), my motivation to run early in the morning has declined. She used to get up early and drag me out of the bed and it always seemed to me that if I must get up, get dressed and take her for a walk, we might as well run. After all, getting out is 90% of the work, right? Lately, I’ve been trying to run over the lunch break 1-2x week instead.

When work schedule allows, my running buddy Kathy and I run around Queen Anne. This time, I had my Garmin with me to record the run. This route is not very long, about 6 miles, but it has quite a vertical component to it. After a brief, flat part by the lake, we take stairs up to the top of the Queen Anne hill. Rocky’s got nothing on us. Each time I feel like I conquered Machu Picchu. From there, we go around the whole hill, enjoy great views going by Kerry Park and then come down and back to South Lake Union via Mercer.

Queen Anne Run
Running

Seattle, WA – January 16, 2017

It’s been a while since I took sunrise pictures while running around Green Lake. I must say that the GL sunrise pictures I took over the years, are probably some of the most spectacular pictures I’ve ever taken. During the winter months, I mostly run in the pitch darkness since days are rather short. Slowly but surely though, the Sun is coming out earlier and earlier. This picture was taken at the very end of my run, probably close to 7 am.
I am still getting used to running by myself. Maggie is having more and more trouble walking, so running is out of question for her. For a while we used to run around the neighborhood during our walk before my GL run, but even that is not possible any more.
She loves coming to lake though, so whenever I have time, I drive with her down to the lake, and then back up. She is fine to walk by the lake for a while, but her hind legs are way too weak for climb up to Phinney Ridge.

Sunrise over Green Lake
Running

West Seattle, WA – August 18, 2016

This was the first time I run in West Seattle. The most obvious place to run there is by the Ocean, so that is what I did. It was quite a warm and sunny day, so this was not an easy run. A light breeze from the water was making it a bit better, but still, it was way too hot.
This was pretty straight forward, albeit slow, 6.1 mile run along the water’s edge and back. I did stop few times to take pictures of the Ocean.

Running

Seattle, WA – April 28, 2015

We had another good run around the Green Lake. This time of the year, when we go out at our regular time (6-7), we are there just in time to watch the sun come out. At times, the colors of the sunrise are just breathtaking. This time, we stopped by the dock so that Maggie can look at the ducks. As always, she was on the leash, so no duck chasing, but it seemed to me that she enjoys, pointing.

Green Lake at night
Sunrise on the Green Lake
Maggie looking for ducks
Maggie and the duck
Sunrise on the Green Lake
Another gorgeous sunrise at the Green Lake
Running

Long Beach, WA – April 15, 2015

This year, Maggie and I went to the Long Beach for her birthday. I really like it here, although I am a bit nervous about the whole tsunami thing… Still, this is one of my favorite places to go running and I try to do that any chance I get.
We stayed at the Adrift hotel this time and went running on the beach few times. This year, we had to share the beach with millions of jellyfish that got blown to shore by the wind. Those are called purple sailors (sometimes by-the-wind-sailors). We tried to avoid stepping on them as much as possible, but both of us had to scrub well after the run, to wash out the smell (running shoes and paws). The weather was great, we had some rain, some sun, rainbow, clouds….
I took a lot of photographs, so I will just let them speak for themselves…

Maggie
Maggie in Long Beach
Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Long Beach
Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Maggie in Long Beach
Long Beach
Running

Seattle, WA – March 06, 2015

As Maggie is getting older, most days we either walk through the neighborhood, or go for a short run on the ridge. She really likes to go to the lake though, so every now and then, when we go out, she just pulls towards the lake which I take as a sign that she feels good and is OK to go for a longer run. Those are the good days. At this time of the year, we often have very pretty sunrises, so I usually take my camera with me as well.

Green Lake at night
Maggie on the Green Lake
Maggie looking for ducks
Maggie, the super-dog
Running

Seattle, WA – February 02, 26 2014

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
Running

Seattle, WA – September 20, 2013

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
Running

Seattle, WA – August 26, 2013

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
Running

Seattle, WA – August 22, 2013

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
Running

Seattle, WA – April 6, 2013

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
Running

Seattle, WA – March 25, 2013

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
Running

Seattle, WA – January 01, 2013

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
Running

Seattle, WA – November 15, 2012

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
Running

Richland, Washington – November 05, 2012

I was in Richland for work and stayed at Red Lion hotel, by the river. That was very convenient for running, so I used that opportunity to run three mornings in a row on the Riverfront trail. I was quite amazed at how great the trail was, and surprised to see that there were very few people on it. First two days, I went north from my hotel, staying on the trail all the way to the Ferry rd. where it ends. From there, I went back the same way. Third day, I took the trail south, went under the I-182 bridge and from there followed the trail going west for about a mile. I went the same route on the way back.
All in all, this is a great place to run. Very scenic, beautiful sunrises, clean air.

Sunrise over the Columbia River
The Riverfront Trail
Sunrise over the Columbia River
Sunrise over the Columbia River
Richland Run November 06, 2012. 6.4 miles
Richland Run November 07, 2012. 4.8 miles
Richland Run November 05, 2012. 6.4 miles
Running

Seattle, WA – September 28, 2012

In the summer of 2012 there were devastating fires on the Eastern side of the Cascade Mountains. At times, we could smell the smoke in Seattle and most days we could see the haze over the North Cascade range. Seattle is far enough to the West, and the air quality was not affected, so Maggie and I went running most days.
As bad as all this was, the haze made for incredible sunrises. As if the spectacular sunrise was not enough, Maggie and I were treated to a double rainbow as well.
Below are some pictures from our Green Lake run from September 28, 2012 (total run distance is about 4 miles).

Maggie is ready for the run
Incredible colors of sunrise
It looks almost as if Green Lake is on fire
Sunrise Rainbow
You can barely see the Sun through the haze
biking

Bike to work (Seattle, WA) – April 04, 2011

This post is not about a run for a change; instead it is about a bike ride that I take almost every day (riding to work). It is a short ride, just over 9 miles for the round trip, but it does have a decent climb.

It seems quite flat when viewed on the Google Earth, but trust me, there is a lot of climbing. South Lake Union (where I work) is at the Sea level, and Phinney Ridge is at 350 ft.

Bike to Work
Bike to Work
Running

Long Beach, WA – May 28, 2010

Long Beach in Washington State is really true to its name. Although their claim to have the longest beach in the world is exaggerated, beach at Long Beach is pretty long (28 miles). Town is located on the south-west corner of Washington State, about 160 miles from Seattle. In addition to the beach, there is a lot of history here. Over 200 years ago (November 19, 1805), Captain Clark arrived at the Pacific Ocean for the very first time in what is now Long Beach, WA.

We stayed at Super 8, which is a great hotel. Dogs are welcome, people are very nice, and hotel is very close to the beach … what else is there to say. We used to come here with kids, enjoy the beach and the town. After seeing movie “The Impossible” however, I am not quite comfortable bringing kids here. Maggie and I still visit from time to time though.

I went running with Maggie at Long Beach a number of times. This time, I finally got to record it. The route is very simple: From the hotel, we ran towards the beach, continue on the boardwalk, and then come back right next to the Ocean. We ran anything from 3 miles (really a minimum run), to over 9 miles. Runs that I recorded on this trip were 4.9 and 6.0 miles long.

Long Beach Run - May 29, 2010 (4.9 miles)
Long Beach Run – May 29, 2010 (4.9 miles)
Long Beach Run - May 29, 2010 (6.0 miles)
Long Beach Run – May 29, 2010 (6.0 miles)