Tag Archives: san juan island

Update – How My Training Is Going

April 22, 2013

First of all, I would like to thank all of you who have given to the cause of MS research and education a very BIG THANK YOU for your donations. I do appreciate it.

What a week this has been in the world of running and life here in our country. The bombs at the Boston Marathon were so shocking to me. I was shocked to tears. My heart goes out to all those and their families who have been directly affected by such violence. To add to that, West, Texas is dealing with their own sadness and disbief from the explosion that rocked their town. My heart goes out to them as well.

Here on San Juan Island live has been quiet. Seems all I do is to run, go to work and run some more. Shelly is most wonderful in her support and ensuring that I am getting my nutritional needs met.

The past two weeks I have logged over 80 per week. 87 last with week, which was done with help of a 35 mile run last Sunday. My training partner, Susan, and I logged the distance in 7 hours. Thank you Susan for your help and support on these extra long distances. Today Susan, Brendan and I ran a good solid 20 miles what gave me 81 weekly miles. Nice to have some sunshine in the process. Nice to have nice running buddies as well.

Yesterday I had a brief panic attack as I was counting the weeks until I start my Relay segment. Basically I have 4.5 weeks until I start my 163 miles journey in Vernal, Utah. Wow, that’s not all that far off. This coming week my mileage will move up over 100. I plan on running 100 plus miles every week until I reach Vernal. I am very happy with how my training has gone thus far. The next 4 weeks of running should be the icing on the cake, so to speak.

Next Sunday, April 28, Susan and I will be running the Mt. Si 50 Miler. This will be good training as well. Any time running is going to be very beneficial for me.

Want to look at a map that explains my route from Vernal, Utah to Steamboat Springs, Colorado, take a peak here.

Well, that’s about it. Stay tuned to more fun and games.

Clark

ps If you are wondering what in the world I am doing, please see below.

Clark Gilbert

Segment 6

Some of you might have seen on my web site (www.runhappyrunhard.com) or on the various social media networks that I have taken on a new challenge in 2013.  I have joined forces with MS Run the US to raise awareness and funds to END MS. Read about it here ===> http://www.msruntheus.com/clarkgilbert/

On May 24, 2013 I will be running the first of my seventh back-to-back marathons starting in Vernal, UT and concluding in Steam Boat Springs, CO on the May 30th.

Crazy right?

I know.

It’s definitely not for everyone, however, I feel extremely fortunate that I am in excellent health (all though some might wonder about my mental health) and I am running both long and hard to prepare myself for this epic adventure while representing an incredible charity.

Along with my pledge to run 7 marathons I have taken on the challenge of fundraising a minimum of $10,000.  (This is where I need your help).

I am asking all of you for the following help:

Make a Donation Today:  http://www.msruntheus.com/clarkgilbert/ any amount can and will help because 100% of your donation goes to MS Research and Education.  Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 3198, FH, WA 98250.
Share this E-mail: please send this e-mail on to as many of your friends + family as possible.  The broader net we can cast the more people we can reach and the stronger we can grow.
Post on Facebook: “I just donated to, Clark Gilbert, MS Run the US 2013 Relay Runner. Learn more here ===> http://www.msruntheus.com/clarkgilbert/“.  Copy and paste the sentence before into your status update to help spread the word!

Lend Me Your Network: $10,000 is a large amount of money and I am not expecting my small group of friends and family to donate all of that cash.  I am hoping that we can all look inside our hearts, find the one thing we all have in common, compassion. I appeal to all of you to share with me anyone or any company that might be interested in becoming involved with my crazy adventure and MS Run the US.

I am very excited about this new adventure and working with MS Run the US. I can’t wait to share it with all of you as I share my experiences leading up, during and after my run.  Any help you can provide to myself and MS Run the US is greatly appreciated. Check out my journey at www.runhappyrunhard.com or www.seattlepirun.com.

Posted by Clark Gilbert in MS Run the US - Training, Running Events, Things on my mind Tags: 50 miler, achiever, brooks, Brooks Running, course, goals, half marathon, hills, inspiration, marathon, marathons, MS, MS Run Across the US, multiple sclerosis, pure grit, Pure Project, running, running across the us, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, shoes, suffering, training.

The Training Continues

April 18, 2013

What a week this has been and it’s only Thursday.

Sadness still lingers in my heart over the Boston Marathon Bombing. When I first learned of the bombing I was shocked to tears. This running was the 20th anniversary of my Boston Marathon Experience. Twenty years ago that Boston Marathon had bombs on their minds as the World Trade Center had been bombed a few months earlier on February 26. The last few blocks of the Marathon course had been boarded up to keep spectators away from the finish line.

My thoughts and good wishes go out to the victims and their families.

Wearing my 1993 Boston Marathon Shirt

This past Sunday Susan and I ran 35 miles in preparation for the Mt. Si 50 miler which is on April 28. Leaving at 5:40 am the air was chilly, but the sky looked promising for sunshine. We ended up running 35 miles in 7:01 with a max elevation of 6,724 feet. I forgot how hilly this island is.

Monday night was Monday Night Trail Running out at American Camp. Susan, Brendan and I ran our 10 mile loop at a pretty good clip – the fastest for me this year. It was a great run in spite of my tripping and falling. I have a couple of scrapes on my knee, elbow and hand. Makes for good stories.

Tuesday was a double day workout. Lunch time I ran 6 mile in 56:56, which I am really proud of. After work I ran the Egg Lake Loop which is 12 miles. My time was 2:04. Both runs had sunshine! Felt so good having the warmth of the sun on my face and back.

The last three days I have run 63 miles, an average of 21 miles per day. This is close to what I will need to run when I am running my MSRuntheUS Relay segment, where I will need to average 23 miles a day for 7 days.

My training is paying off for me. The best thing is that I feel so good. Great even. Amazing what this 59 year old body can do.

Clark

Posted by Clark Gilbert in MS Run the US - Training, Running Information, Things on my mind Tags: 50 miler, achiever, boston marathon, boston marathon bombings, brooks, Brooks Running, course, goals, hills, inspiration, marathons, MS, MS Run Across the US, multiple sclerosis, running, running across the us, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, san juan trail running, suffering, trail running, trails

Friday, April 12 – running is going good

April 12, 2013

What a great day of running I had yesterday (Thursday, April 11); which was a twice-a-day workout. Morning was cold, I mean I don’t think my gloved fingers ever did warm up. 7 easy miles which took me up and around the airport, out through Fox Hall then a short out and back towards Shipyard cove. Lunch time the sun had come out and I was itching to bag another 6 miles. Warmer temperatures made this run fun and quick. 6 miles for a total of 13 miles total. I am very happy about that.

Friday is planned as an easy day, probably another 6. The sun will probably won’t be my companion. (I am crossing my fingers that the sun beats back the clouds).

Saturday or Sunday will be my extra long run. 32 miles is the plan. I will bring my running pack with water and goodies to eat. Lately I have been experimenting with Saquito energy mix. This long run will be the first time I will have Saquito to munch on. I’ll let you know how they work for me.

If I run on Saturday, then Sunday will be my rest day. Or reversed.

I am doing all this training to prepare myself for the MS Run the US Relay segment, which I start on May 24. I sill have miles to go.

Good running to you!

Clark

Posted by Clark Gilbert in MS Run the US - Training, Running Information Tags: achiever, goals, hills, inspiration, MS, MS Run Across the US, multiple sclerosis, pure grit, Pure Project, running, running across the us, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, san juan running, san juan trail running, shoes, suffering, trails, training.

MS Run the US Relay – Update

April 8, 2013

Since the first of the year I have been training to participate in the MS Run the US Relay. This relay starts in a few weeks and travels from Los Angeles to New York City. Runners like myself run various segments along the coast to coast course. My segment starts on May 24 and ends on May 30. In those seven days I will run from Vernal, Utah to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. A total of 163 miles. That’s twenty-three miles per day for seven days.

The goal of MS Run the US Relay is to raise funds for building awareness and research for multiple sclerosis. This disease has stricken so many of our friends and neighbors. To do my part in fighting MS I have set a goal to raise $10,000 by the end of the Relay in September. Running 163 miles in 7 days and raising $10,000 seems like a huge undertaking. It’s an undertaking that I know I can accomplish with your help. I’ll do the running, but I need you to donate.

Please know that your donation does not support any aspect of my run or the running of the Relay. Your donation goes directly to research and educational programs through the National MS Society.

Please take a moment to visit my fund raising page and donate $200.00 or $100.00. Any help given will be appreciated If you like, please mail me a check, made out to MS Run the US, at P.O. Box 3198, Friday Harbor, WA, 98250.

With your help we can help others who are battling this dreadful disease. You and I can make a huge difference. Please donate!

Over the next 7 weeks I will be posting weekly updates as to how my training is going. This year alone I have run 600 miles!

Take care!

Clark

For more information on the Relay please visit: MS Run the US.

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Information Tags: 50 miler, goals, marathon, marathons, MS, MS Run Across the US, multiple sclerosis, Pure Project, running, running across the us, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, suffering, trail running, trails, training.

Happy New Year!

December 29, 2012

In a few days we will be celebrating the birth of another year. Oh Joy! I like New Years, I really do. I set all these cool goals and aspirations that I want to focus on and then, after a few weeks, give up on them. I return to my normal way of life. For example one goal has been to get up at 5:00 am every morning and running for two hours. Sounds good to me, until 5:00 am and then nothing sounds good except staying in bed. Normal people do that; stay in bed that is.

I always start the year with goals of races/events I want to participate in. How many pounds I want to lose (same pounds each and every year). I write down how I want to be a better person by not walking slowly across the street when I know a car and driver are in a hurry. I vow not to place any regular apples in the Organic produce section. Oh yeah. I can be evil.

Just last week I was in West Seattle to spend an early Christmas weekend with my son and his family. I was about to share some great thought of mine, when I received that “don’t say it” look from my daughter-in-law. The mother of my three grandchildren. Apparently, last summer, I told my 4 year old grandson a story about how I was trapped in an elevator. (I thought the story very funny). Apparently he, until last Sunday, wouldn’t step foot in any elevator, even if his most wonderful mother was trying to handle three kids and numerous sacks of groceries. Last Sunday we took him with us up and down an elevator to ease his mind. Thank God we didn’t get stuck. That would have been bad. Really bad.

I promise to watch what I say around my grandchildren. Like that is going to happen.

Back to the New Year.

I have some things that are on my list, like running some type of adventure event once a month. Yes, getting up at 5:00 am to run does count. I want to run Nookachamps in January, Orcas Island 25K in February. March is up in the air. April will be the Yakima River Skyline 50K – like last year’s spanking wasn’t enough. May will be the Sun Mountain 50 miler -my goal is to finish in daylight. Also in May I will be participating in the MS Run Across the US – more on that later. I also want to run around Mt. St. Helen and Mt. Rainer. Of course, there will be many Doughnut Runs.

What are you planning on running?

Whatever you do, have fun and be safe.

Have a great New Year!

Clark

ps – meet at 11:30 on New Years Eve at San Juan Fitness for a Run In The New Year Fun. No fee.

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Information Tags: 50 miler, achiever, brooks, course, doughnuts, goals, half marathon, hills, inspiration, marathon, MS Run Across the US, pure grit, Pure Project, running, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, san juan running, san juan trail running, shoes, suffering, Sun Mountain, trail running, trails, training., winter running, Yakima

New Year’s Eve Run

December 11, 2012

I used to have a yearly tradition of running on New Year’s Eve while the clock struck Midnight. I always felt that running in the New Year was a good omen for how the year would go; at least in my running world.

My first New Year’s Eve Run happend in 1978 while I was living in Seattle. The Snohomish Track Club hosted. We enjoyed each other company while we ran during the late night. The experience was fun.

Over the years I have done my own New Year’s Eve Run. Sometimes solo, sometimes with a running buddy or group. I have had some interesting experiences while doing this. One year while running by Jensen Shipyard, a couple of boaters, anchored out in the the bay, fired off a few emergency flares. The sights of these flares parachuting down with the sound of fireworks and gunfire gave the appearance of a scene out of the movie Apocalypse Now.

This New Year’s Eve I will be hosting a small gathering where we will run either four or six miles. The plan is to leave San Juan Island Fitness at 11:30 pm. Let me know if you want to join along.

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Information Tags: New Year's Eve, New Year's Eve Running, running, san juan island, san juan island running, winter running

They’re Here!

December 10, 2012

Brooks Running PureFlow 2 (in green). PureFlow1 in background.

I just received my new PureFlow2 from Brooks Running. Right out of the box they have a nice feel with some nice changes for this version. Check back in a week for full review.

Clark

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Information, Things on my mind Tags: achiever, biomogo, brooks, Pure Project, PureFlow2, running, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, san juan trail running, shoes, training., winter running

Orcas Island Triple Ripple Trail Running Festival, October 13 & 14

September 13, 2012

Triple Ripple is just fun to say. Makes the mouth feel good. Try saying Triple Ripple, Triple Ripple, Triple Ripple really fast and a smile will surely form on your mouth. Go ahead, try it.

The Triple Ripple isn’t a mouth exercise. It’s short for Orcas Island Triple Ripple Trail Running Festival, a two day running experience starting on October 13th and ending on the 14th. Kind of like Woodstock, but much, much, much smaller, less music and more running. Childhood friends Susanna Beck and Jen Volmer, both living on Orcas Island, came up with the idea as a great way to promote fun and different running events on Orcas Island. Beck isn’t a stranger to trail running having heaped some whoop ass on many a trail during her elite running career. Volmer is a grace full runner herself, she just doesn’t know it. Together they blended their creativity and talents to come up with a two day running festival that looks and sounds more like a running camp. All centered on Orcas Island.

Continue reading →

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Pictures, Running Events, Running Information Tags: course, goals, hills, marathon, orcas, running, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, san juan running, san juan trail running, trail running, triple ripple

Doughnut Running

August 6, 2012

If you know me, you would know that I have been a Doughnut Runner for some time. Running for doughnuts all started as a reward for getting our weekend runs in. From Friday Harbor the distance to Roche Harbor, where our doughnuts are baked fresh, is a tad over 11 miles. Bingo, made a good mid-distance run motivation. Over the years we have added miles, encouraged people to come run with us and have run for doughnuts in rain, sunshine and snow fall.

For the next few months, Paul Hopkins and myself, will be hosting a Sunday morning Doughnut Run, from San Juan Fitness to Roche Harbor. See the details below and schedule some time for a run.

Clark

Doughnut Run Details

What: 11.2 mile run from San Juan Island Fitness to Roche Harbor Resort. Open to all levels of runners.

When: Every Sunday morning, starting August 5 at 8:00 a.m. from San Juan Island Fitness

Why: For the love of donuts. And these aren’t just any donuts, these are Roche Harbor doughnuts!

Bring: Water/electrolyes. Some cash for dooughnuts and coffee.Ride back: There are no formal rides back to town.

Entry fee: Free.

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Events, Running Information, Things on my mind Tags: achiever, doughnuts, marathon, Roche_Harbor, running, running marathons, san juan island, san juan island running, trail running

1 comment

Go Runners Go

July 22, 2012

The last couple of weekends runners I know have participated in some pretty hard and challenging events. Here is a recap.

James Varner. I have been watching James training all year long and was impressed with what he was doing. He is one of my heros. On Friday, July 13, James toed the starting line of the Hardrock 100. Unfortunately, James pulled out of the event at 60 miles. He’ll be back!

Hal Koerner. Hal also toed the line at Hardrock and pulled out a great victory – setting a course record at 24:50.

Candice Burt. Candice is an item with James Varner and was with him at Hardrock. Saturday, July 21, Candice toed the starting line at the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Miler. Having James to crew and pace her helped Candice finishing in 22:50. Good enough for 2nd Woman and 7th over all.

Terry Sentinella. Terry’s from Anacortes. Not only does he run ultras. He is also the Race Director of the Skagit Flats Marathon and Half Marathon. Last week Terry ran the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon, where he started at Death Valley and finished on Mt. Whitney. Last year Terry finished in 32:10, good for 15th place. This year, Terry finished in 29:40 and 10th place. Next year, I am guess he’ll be running under 24 hours.

Carla MacDiarmid and Daniel Seaton. They both lived on San Juan Island, but moved to Anacortes. They don’t train with Terry but live in his neighborhood. This past weekend, the two of them were team members running various sections in the Ragnar Northwest Passage, 200 miles relay and lived in a van for 24 hours. Welcome to the world of bizarre running.

Rob Bondurant. From the Port Townsend area. Rob is participating in the Tahoe Rim Trail 100 Miler this weekend, finishing in 29:16. He was in Death Valley, last week, crewing for Terry.

Paul Hopkins. It’s been awhile since Paul climbed into a wet suit for a IronMan. On Sunday, July 15, Paul participated in the Lake Stevens 70.3 IronMan, finishing in 5:56. Welcome back, Paul.

Scott Jurek. 10 Questions for Scott in this issue of Time.

Me? I ran for doughnuts!

Congrats to all those who have participated in these and other running events. Hope you had fun!

Clark

www.runhappyrunhard.com

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Events, Running Information Tags: 50 miler, brooks, doughnuts, half marathons, Hardrock 100, hills, marathon, running, running marathons, san juan island, Scott_Jurek, Tahoe Rim Trail 100

Doughnut Marathon????

July 3, 2012

I have been thinking about this race idea. Maybe not a race, but a running event that has running for doughnuts at it’s heart. Have your attention?

Basically the course would be to run from Friday Harbor down to, on roads, the American Camp area, turn around, run back to town then out to Roche Harbor Resort for, you guessed it, doughnuts. Although, I don’t have the entire course laid out, I do have some ideas. I will post the final course on this site. On thing for sure, we will run from bottom to top of the island. Pretty cool, huh?

Here are the particulars, that may or could and will probably change.

Date: September 16, 2012, Sunday

Start Time: 7:00 am. (I know it’s early but we want to get off the roads before the nice people head to church).

Entry Fee: Zero. Nothing. (Donations would be accepted along with a big hug).

Support. No aid stations (well maybe one). Runners must carry own water, food, etc.. We will have coolers out and about, but will not be supplying cups. Bring you own. We will have a party zone at Roche Harbor with, you guessed it, Doughnuts!

Course: Final course will be posted on this web site.

Entrants will be limited to 20 runners and must be approved by the selection committee. Oh yeah, this is going to be one small marathon, but with love, it will grow.

Transportation back to town will be provided, not sure how as of yet.

How to Register? Contact Clark by following this Link.

Coming from Off-Island? Camping maybe available. Contact me for more information.

Roche Harbor Doughnuts

Posted by Clark Gilbert in Running Events, Running Information, Things on my mind Tags: doughnuts, marathon, running, san juan island

Tag Archives: san juan island

Update – How My Training Is Going

The Training Continues

Friday, April 12 – running is going good

MS Run the US Relay – Update

Happy New Year!

New Year’s Eve Run

They’re Here!

Orcas Island Triple Ripple Trail Running Festival, October 13 & 14

Doughnut Running

Go Runners Go

Doughnut Marathon????

Clark Gilbert

Categories

Blogroll

Routes

Upcoming Events

Email Subscription

Follow “Run Happy, Run Hard”