Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

Deception Pass 50K Trail Ultramarathon

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

At Mile 29 of Deception Pass 50K
Picture Courtesy: Glen Tachiyama

On Sunday, I ran the Deception Pass 50K Trail Ultramarathon, held by Rainshadow Running. It was some of the most amazing trail running I have ever experienced. The course is designed with several lollipop loops, so as a middle of the pack runner, I frequently was cheered on by the lead pack as they passed me. The party at the end of the race was great; food and beer was amply supplied.

Deception Pass Route Map

The Pacific Northwest is known for it’s lush and verdant environment and this race did not disappoint. I ran through groves of ferns which were taller than me and under thick canopies of trees so dark that I wished I had a headlamp! The trails were soft underfoot and, in all but one section of the race, fairly free of mud swamps.

Deception Pass Elevation Profile, Speed, Gain

There were 185 racers and I came in 105th place. Out of the females, I came in 31 out of 87. I was happy with the race result, even though it took me about 45 minutes longer than expected.
(more…)

Seattle Space Needle

Friday, December 13th, 2013

Dennis - All ready for the speedy elevator!

Clare Up High on the Space Needle

Dennis and I flew to Seattle so I could run the Deception Pass 50K Trail Running Race on Whidbey Island. I was so psyched to be running single track in such a beautiful location! Deception Pass State Park is a MUST do on anybody’s trip to the north west, and I was soon to be conquering it’s trails!

Prior to the race, we spend a day in Seattle to have breakfast with Jon and Melissa, visit and schmooze with my work colleagues and management, and see the Space Needle. It was a cloudy day, but that didn’t stop us from enjoying the view!

Seattle From Space Needle - Panorama

Social Event – OSU vs. UW, Columbus, OH

Friday, September 27th, 2013

Tailgating at OSU

We decided to take a long weekend and head to Columbus, Ohio. Our friends, Justin and Crystal, moved back there after a stint in Denver. We were psyched to visit with them, tool around Columbus, and see OSU play UW. Since Red is my favorite color, I was excited to see over 100K people all dressed in Red! (more…)

Running – Way Too Cool 50K

Saturday, March 9th, 2013


Climbergirl completing the Way Too Cool!

With 4 months of intensive training, I was ready to run the Way Too Cool 50K! I had heard the hardest part to running an ultramarathon is showing up to the starting line healthy. So, my training program and coach were focused and determined to accomplish this very task!

Way Too Cool 50K Course Map
The Way Too Cool 50K Map

Way Too Cool Mascot
Unfortunately, no amount of training can prevent a person from contracting a viral upper respiratory infection! About 4 days prior to my race I was having a rough time. Seeking respite from the constant coughing and hoping for a good nights sleep, I went to urgent care. I was informed, by a doctor named Claire!, I didn’t have bronchitis or pneumonia. Yay, I was “cleared” to run the race, but would I be able to do it?

(more…)

Portugal, Day 15 – Quinta da Regaleira, Sintra

Saturday, October 6th, 2012

Dennis at Quinta da Regaleira

Clare With Lion Sculpture

Beautiful Fountain at Quinta da Regaleira

It was our last full day in Portugal and we had a promise to fulfill.

We promised Pedro we would visit the Quinta Da Regaleira before leaving, so we took a day trip to Sintra. It was easy to navigate the Subway to the Train Station and soon we were zipping away with Lisbon behind. I was excited because I knew we were in for a treat!

(more…)