The Never Again Mt. Spokane Trail Run

This will be fun, I said.  It can take the place of the Wild Moose Chase we used to do in October.  Great idea my friends said. They moved the Wild Moose Chase from the Mt. Spokane cross country ski area to Riverside State Park.  Boo! We loved doing the Wild Moose Chase on the cross country trails.  This should be a good substitute.We were all smiles when we got there.  It took me back to when I used to ski on Mt. Spokane and my kids learning to ski there.  Good times.  

Bigfoot was even there! Well, this is the Pacific Northwest you know. 

Still smiling!

Mt Spokane ski area is a beautiful location.  We were doing the 5K.  3.1 miles no problem no matter what the course.  I was sure it would weave back and forth as we climbed the mountain. 

No White Flags, Never Give up! 

Oh my, we have to go up that long hill?  Yes, we did and it kept going and going.  I was thinking it would be similar to the Wild Moose Chase.  Nope, it went straight up for 1.5 miles.  As I climbed this hill I knew this was going to be more than tough but I still had hope for some flat spots.  No weaving up the mountain and no flat spots. Just up and up!

Climbing and climbing. 

Great view.  Not sure what lake that is.  

And we are still climbing.  Doesn't look like much of an incline but it was.  This was about the time we said never again.  

The lodge is way down there. 

Fall colors!  

People are starting to come down.  There is hope.  Thank you Jesus! We heard, "you are almost there!" several times.  Almost there when you have reached the turn around and are heading back down feels different than when you are still climbing. 

Peggy passed us as she was coming down and we were still going up.  I remember some words she spoke to me. Something like, you said this would be fun and never again!  Sheila and I were on board with that.  We almost didn't make it to the turn around but I needed water.  I didn't bring any because it was only three miles.  HA! 

The turn around spot.  I drank a whole bottle of gatorade (which I never drink).  We had a couple of snacks too.  We took our time at this spot.  It will be easier going down for sure. 

It was easier going down if you don't count your toes jamming into the front of your shoes and your legs being shot from going uphill.  Loose rocks weren't fun at all on the downhill.  

See the lodge way down there! 

Taking pictures kept my mind off of what a bad idea this was.  

I kept thinking at least we could say we did it even though it was really hard! It will feel like we really accomplished something as we crossed the finish line.  I was talking myself into that.  

We made it! Now the fun part.  Food and fellowship!  A free lunch came with our entry.  I decided I could eat whatever I wanted to after finishing this event. A big cookie, chips, bratwurst etc.  

There was a small festival going on at the ski lodge at the same time we finished our grueling course.  

We are now smiling again and we were all talking about how hard this event was.  We were glad to be finished and we were enjoying our post event time together.  Good friends are the best.  

We even had music!

We topped the day off with ice cream.  The event was hard and we all said never again but we finished.  Bonnie, Sheila and Peggy might research my next event suggestion before they commit to it.  The time spent together was the best as it always is!  Oh, and the ice cream was delicious! 

 

Virtual Bloomsday 2021 # 40

Another year! Another Bloomsday!  Again, it was virtual, but this year we did the actual course on the actual day that Bloomsday normally happens.  It was my 40th Bloomsday so I had to do the real course. Always Bloomsday faithful Sheila joined me.  

Sheila and I earned our shirt!!  We got it done!  

Surprise!  There were a few people on the streets cheering on the Bloomies that passed by.  These people were Team Gleason fans and WSU alumni.  We must have talked to them for about 20 minutes. One lady graduated from the same college that Sheila graduated from! One gentleman built 49 Degrees North where I ski.  Another man was Kyle's baseball coach in elementary school.  Glad we weren't getting timed!!!   

The shirts were all there even though it was a virtual run!  It was good to see the familiar things that are always a part of Bloomsday. Thanks for hanging the previous Bloomsday shirts!

Empty streets made it easy to proceed but so, so different. 

A lot more photo opportunities when you aren't being timed and you are not blocking or stopping people by taking pictures.  First hill done!

I don't know if these Bloomsday mile markers are new????  I haven't noticed them before but with thousands of people racing it would be easy to miss them.  

Next hill.  There are usually bands along the way, especially on this stretch.  

This hill is sneaky.  You think you are done but you are not.  

Now we are getting close to Doomsday Hill.  A helicopter is usually on this grassy area.  

You can see Doomsday Hill in the distance! Why Doomsday?  It is steep and there is usually a giant vulture at the top!

The Spokane River!

Pettet Drive also known as Doomsday Hill.  Long and steep.  Even though there are over 2 miles left after you crest this hill you feel like you are so close to being done!  The rest is flat.  

Looks so innocent!  It was easier with no people. Or maybe it was our relaxed pace that made it easier.  

Hmmm! Did someone ride this halfway up the hill and then run the rest? 

Rafters on the river!  

There were a few other Bloomies doing the course this Sunday afternoon.  I would imagine there were more in the morning.  

Made it!  Doomsday Hill is behind us!

 

The Lilac Bloomsday Course!

Lilacs! 

 Now we really are almost done!  The finish line is just around the corner.  

We are done!  No balloons, no music (although we tried to make our own), no crowds, no announcers saying your name as you crossed and no crowds.  I can't wait to see all of that next year but we had a great time just the same.  #41 here I come!