Running in the San Juan Islands

San Juan Island Marathon and Half Marathon

Clark Gilbert — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:37:00 -0800

Check out our new web page:

www.sanjuanislandmarathon.com
or
www.sjmarathon.org

Head Lampers

Clark Gilbert — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:36:00 -0800

The Head Lampers Running Group is held on Wednesday Night, 6:00, and we meet at Sunken Park.

All comers welcomed.

Nookachamps Half Marathon 2008

Clark Gilbert — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 20:49:00 -0800

With ideal weather, this year's running of the Nookachamps Half Marathon was a success. Jane, Booboo and myself ran and ...

200 Days - Done

Clark Gilbert — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 18:36:00 -0800

Last night, while running with the Wednesday Night Head Lampers Running Group, I logged my 200th day of consecutive running. ...

Turkey Trot Results

Clark Gilbert — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:54:00 -0800

Due to some errors in our recording of times, and not being able to read hand writing, I am not able to post the results. If you would like your finishing time, please email me at clark@runninginthesanjuans.com and give me your name and number I can provide you with a result.

Sorry for the mix-up.

Run Happy

Clark

My Motivation

Clark Gilbert — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 06:40:00 -0800

My motivation to run is having some serious issues lately. Well, at least the last couple of weeks. I find ...

Prison Break Loop

Clark Gilbert — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 07:09:00 -0800

I have always named my running routes various nicknames in an attempt to add some fun to the running experience. ...

Nookachamps Winter Runs

Clark Gilbert — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 06:52:00 -0800

January 12th is the scheduled date for the 2008 running of the Nookachamp Winter Runs. This year events will be ...

3rd Annual Turkey Trot, 2007: Results and Pictures

Clark Gilbert — Fri, 23 Nov 2007 07:25:00 -0800

Local area runner, Nick Roberts, cruised through the 5K course to win this year's race in 17:43. Nick took second ...

Booboo Keane Finishes the Philadelphia Marathon

Clark Gilbert — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 16:09:00 -0800

This quick note, Booboo Keane finished the Philadelphia Marathon, which was run on Sunday the 18th of November, in a time of 4:30:55. Congrats to you Booboo.

I will post photos when Booboo passes them my way.

Turkey Trot Flier

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 11:45:00 -0800

Check out the flier for this Thanksgiving Day Race.

Clark

Chuckanut Mountain 50K Race

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:49:00 -0800

On-line registration for this race, which will be held on March 15, 2008, will be open on November 20, 2007, ...

5 Mile Deadman's Loop from San Juan Fitness

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:25:00 -0800

This is a nice five mile run that starts and stops at San Juan Island Fitness Club. The traffic areas are light, except for the part out Beaverton Valley Road.

2007 Turkey Trot

Clark Gilbert — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:20:00 -0800

For the third year in a row we will be having a Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving. Island Athletes Events, Kings ...

162 Days of Continual Running

Clark Gilbert — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 17:12:00 -0800

Today, November 11th, is my 162nd consecutive day of running. My body continues to work the way it should. No ...

An Obersvation of Ironman Canada

Clark Gilbert — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 03:03:00 -0800

For a humorous look at one person participation at the 25th Annual Ironman Canada.

Jane Hutchison Finishes 24th in her age group at Ironman 70.3 World Championship

Clark Gilbert — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 12:26:00 -0800

Jane Hutchison, local triathlete on San Juan Island, finished the Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship in 5 hours, 17 minutes ...

Winter Running and Wild Beasts

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:04:00 -0800

This morning I had a most pleasant run due to the fact that this morning had sunlight - thanks to ...

San Juan Island Fitness Club and New Ownership

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:48:00 -0800

Effective on the 1st of November, local runner and tri-athlete, Paul Hopkins, became the new owner of the San Juan ...

An Open Letter Concerning Winter Running and Driving

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 06:30:00 -0800

November 5, 2007

Now that autumn is upon us, with its gloomy skies and reduced daily sunlight, those of us ...

Jane Hutchinson: Tribute

Clark Gilbert — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:02:00 -0700

Jane Hutchinson, a local tri-athlete, qualified last summer to participate in the Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship to be held ...

150 Days of Continual Running

Clark Gilbert — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 06:44:00 -0700

Yesterday, October 30, I ran my 150th day of continual running. A seven mile run around Turn Point - Pear ...

Halloween Night Running

Clark Gilbert — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 06:02:00 -0700

Due to Halloween the Wednesday Night Running Group will run on Thursday night, November 1, 6:00 pm, meet at Sunken Park.

Halloween Night there will be a late night, starting at 9:00 pm, trail run at American Camp. Meet at Jackel Lagoon Parking lot.

Wednesday Night Group Running

Clark Gilbert — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 07:17:00 -0700

A new running group has started with Wednesday night running. Meet at 6:00 pm at Sunken Park. Group running is an excellent way to meet new running friends, find like minded training partners and enjoy the fun of group running.

See you then!

Marathon Weekend: Results

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 20:41:00 -0700

Wow, we had over 15 runners participate in some short of race this past weekend. Here are the results. I ...

Fall Marathon Season is Here

Clark Gilbert — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 11:32:00 -0700

With October beginning next week, we are now in the Fall Marathon Season, with so many great races one can participate in. Next weekend is both the Portland Marathon and the Royal Victoria Marathon and we have local runners heading down to Portland to participate. My running buddies Paul and Laura, with other islanders, will toe the Portland line. Paul is wanting to run in 3:25 and Laura is running as a socialite.

I ran the Portland Marathon in 1991. The course differs from the one used today. Portland always puts on a nice run. Visit: www.portlandmarathon.org.

The Royal Victoria is just right across the water and is foreign to me. I have wanted to run Victoria many times over the years, but one thing or another kept me from making the journey. Next year I plan on being there and I am currently training to run fast. Not sure how fast, but fast. Visit: www.royalvictoriamarathon.com.

Also, next week is the new Bellingham Bay Marathon, in, of all places, Bellingham. Three island women are heading over there. One, to run the marathon and two to run the half marathon. Visit: www.bellinghambaymarathon.org.

On Saturday the 13th is the Leavenworth Marathon over in the scenic town of Leavenworth. This course has nice rolling hills and nice views of the surrounding mountains. Runners are not required to wear lederhosen. Visit: www.leavenworthmarathon.com.

Then on the next day, the 14th, is the Spokane Marathon, which I have also run. This scenic and hilly course follows the Spokane River west, then crosses the river at Seven Mile Bridge and heads back to town. The craziest part to this race is having to run up Doomsday Hill at mile 22. If you have ever run the historic Bloomsday Run in the spring, you know Doomsday Hill and what a pain in the butt that is. At mile 22 it is a bigger pain in the butt.

Saturday, October 20, is the Halloween Marathon down in Olympia. I haven't run this race, but it sounds like fun. The also do a half marathon, 10 mile, 10K and 5K races as well. For more information please call 360-273-9684. I am sure costumes are encouraged. I think I would go as a runner.

Down in Northern California is the Humboldt Redwoods Marathon in the Ave. of the Giants (www.redwoodsmarathon.org). This race is on October 21. I have run, with my son Ammon, it's sister race The Avenue of the Giants Marathon (www.theave.org) which is held the first of May. Both races basically use the same course and the views of these giant redwood trees is awesome.

On Sunday, October 28, the Tri-Cities Marathon is held in Richland. Flat and fast course the winds along the Columbia River. Visit: www.4rrr.org.

There you have it. A month long list of some great marathons to pick from. Me? I am not marathon running this October as Baby Finn should be arriving and I want to spend some time with him.

Happy Running.

100 Days of Running

Clark Gilbert — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 16:50:00 -0700

I will be running my 100th day of continual running and to celebrate I am running 100 minutes or about 10 miles. Want to join along? Send me an email at clarkgilbert@rockisland.com and let me know. Start time 5:30 pm.

Here is a map of the course.

<a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/wa/friday-harbor/395396160">100th Consecutive Day Run</a><br/><a href="http://www.mapmyrun.com/find-run/united-states/wa/friday-harbor">Find more Runs in Friday Harbor, Washington</a>

91 Days: The Running Continues

Clark Gilbert — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 11:14:00 -0700

Sunday, the 2nd, was my 91st day of continual running. Sam, Jen and I went over to Victoria on the early morning ferry and spent the day. They wanted Sushi and I wanted to run. On past trips to Victoria I have made the time to go running and since I want to run the Victoria Marathon in October of 2008 I thought this would be a good way to spend a day trip. Total miles ran was 15 in about 2:25 - give or take a minute. I started from the Runner's Room running store on Douglas and followed the roadway down around the harbor and along the beach front all the way to Oak Bay, and then came back the, mostly, same way. See map below.

Oak Bay is a cute little village with some really nice old houses. The views over the water are of the Olympic Peninsula with some great views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca. From Beach Road I could really see Trial Island. The sky was cloudy and the temperatures were really nice.

I did run through both Beacon Hill and Clover Point Park and I learned something. Do not run through the "Dog Friendly" section where dogs can run free on a nice Sunday afternoon. You know the dog motto: "If it runs, chase it".

I had forgotten what it is like to run in a city. Cement sidewalks, curbs, cutters, people walking three abreast. Stuff like that. The first couple of miles was a stop and go through the busy tourist center of Victoria. Once on the water side things calmed down some, except for the dogs. I really don't like running on the unforgiving cement, but when in the Cement Jungle what does one do?

My body is holding up really well with all this running. I thought it would. My weight has stayed the same for the last three weeks. Time to pay more attention to what I am eating and not eating, like green salads.

Here is a map of most of the route - minus the trail running and the dogs.

&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyfitness.com/run/canada/bc/victoria/1516472"&amp;amp;gt;Victoria Beach Loop&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;br/&amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.mapmyfitness.com/find-run/canada/bc/victoria"&amp;amp;gt;Find more Runs in Victoria, British Columbia&amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;gt;

Iron Man: Paul Hopkins

Clark Gilbert — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 07:00:00 -0700

PAUL HOPKINS COMPLETES 4^TH IRONMAN ON AUGUST 26, 2007

Paul Hopkins, local runner and triathlete, finished the 25^th Annual Ironman Canada in 11 hours and 29 minutes, a personal best. The cool and cloudy day kept the over 2600 participants in fine form as they completed the 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a full marathon - 26.2 miles. A full Ironman is 140.6 miles in length. “I am really happy to have finished as fast as I did”, said Hopkins. “I thought my swim was a tad slow, but I made good time on the bike and the run was awesome”.

Hopkins swim time was 1:08, bike was 6:01 and the run was 4:10 which allowed him to break his personal best of 11:59 at last year’s race. “I am sore and tired, but very satisfied with my performance today” spoken by Hopkins as volunteers were escorting him to the medical tent for evaluation.

Ironman Canada held in Penticton, British Columbia, draws triathletes from all over the world. This was Hopkins’ third Ironman Canada and fourth Ironman overall. He has registered, again, for next year’s race as well as Ironman Coeur d’Alene in Idaho. Not many triathletes compete in two Ironman events in one year.

What is Ironman triathlon?

The Ironman Triathlon is one of the most grueling events in the world of sport, and also one of the most inspiring. Ironman triathlon features a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a complete marathon (26.2 miles) all in succession. Athletes have 17 hours to complete the event (from the 7 a.m. start until midnight).

Ironman History

Ironman triathlon had the humblest of beginnings, as a group of Navy Seals who were stationed in Hawaii, were discussing who were the fittest athletes in the world. Were swimmers, cyclists or runners the fittest? Navy commander John Collins decided there was only one way to find out, and that was to combine all three.

So on Feb. 18, 1978, 15 competitors decided to put themselves to the test by swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and running 26.2 miles. "Whoever finishes first will be called the Ironman," Collins said. And thus, Ironman Triathlon was born.

2003 marked the 25th anniversary of that first event and the growth of Ironman has been spectacular.

Since those humble beginnings, the sport of Ironman has developed into an international phenomenon. With 21 Ironman distance events sanctioned races worldwide for 2006, Ironman touches all corners of the globe and has races on all of the continents of the world except Antarctica.

The weather was perfect for running the 30th Annual Loop Run

Clark Gilbert — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 08:45:00 -0700

Over the 30 years since this 8.8 K run began, the name of the race has changed three times. The Record Run was the original name, after the local newspaper. When the paper was bought and sold the race became The Journal Run and now the name The Loop Run and is managed by Island Rec.

Saturday morning was perfect as close to 150 runners toed the start line on Spring Street before heading off towards Warbass and around Turn - Pear Point. Many of the local runners where there with the youngsters taking the top three finishing positions. Paul Hopkins was the first ROD (Really Old Dude) to finish in 37:07 and fourth place over all.

For me the run was a success. I had develop a goal range and finished within that range in 46:13, so I am happy. I was concerned, as I was having a heel problem since Tuesday night run, that I might not be able to race.

Attached is the Race Results.