Updated 2/26/18
2017
Please
click on thumbnails for larger view!
Disney Infinity Challenge:
-- Avengers Half
-- Thor 10k
November , 2017
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| So
thought would be a good race to do the runDisney one this year
.. Genna said she wanted to do one and so did Alyssa.. Have
been wanting to do one and the next one available was the Superhero
weekend.. there was a challenge that you could do the 10K on
Saturday and the ½ marathon on Sunday so decided to do
that one with Genna and Alyssa just wanted to do the 1/2.. So
after walking around Disneyland on Friday all day with Sheri,
Genna, Alyssa and Melissa and Sheri's grandson Carter we got
up at 330 to get to the race start and wait in the corrals till
the race start of the 10K on Saturday.. We got to walk through
all of both California Adventure before it opened as well as
Disneyland and Downtown Disney.. This one stayed right in the
area so that didn't have too many streets blocked off.. then
back to the hotel showered and walked until about 6pm when we
had to go back and get off our feet for the next race the next
day.. then getting up at 4 we headed off to the race and this
time we did all of Disneyland and CA Adventure and then out in
the streets of Anaheim .. with a walk through Angel stadium..
after the race and a hobble back to the hotel did the drive
home.. |
Grand Canyon
Rim to Rim to Rim run
Sept 29,30 , 2017
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| Finally
getting back to going both ways this year, the weather couldn't
have been more perfect! Low 40s in the morning and highs around
mid to upper 70s. The colors on the north side were good, but
changing from greens to yellows still in many areas. The maples
this year were outrageous. |
Photo Pictorial
South Rim
On the way up to the canyon, fall colors on the mountains in the Flagstaff area.
On the south rim looking across the canyon
Close up of above showing trail leading the the rest area at Cedar Ridge along Kaibab Trail
South to North
On the way down in total darkness, the first possible light to take a photo is when you approach the river crossing bridge. Still the first set of images are blurred.
Crossing the bridge!
Finally, Phantom ranch in about 2 hours.
Topping off the water in Phantom
Heading north on the trail. Good flat running for a while. Next destination - Cottonwood camp.
Ribbon Falls along the way
Finally after 4 hours - Cottonwood camp!
Now past the camp, heading towards the last ranger station and the super steep uphill climb out. This is the waterfall.
Ranger station/rest area. the last stop before the huge climb out.
Going through the Bright Angel Shale.
Towards the top, thousands of feet up and miles away.
Now in the Supai formation.
And that was the last shot I took before reaching the top.
Finally, here I come onto the North Rim!
North Rim
Fall colors in the golden aspens!
Looking out from the North Rim
Red maples growing on the slopes
North to South
First light on the way down to Cottonwood camp.
The trail on the way up from Cottonwood. Great Running!
Crossing the beaver dam.
And the sign all runners want to see - Phantom directly ahead!
And here returning to the South Rim!
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Gaspin in the Aspens
August 26 , 2017
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The Racing Shirts
for the Event
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| Perfect
weather for being in the middle of the monsoon, we lucked out
this year and had cool temps and clear blue skies. The races
were full, 250 runners total allowed for this one. Not well orchestrated
at the start line, and there was no Med Tent at the finish line
either. We did fine, but I saw lots of bangs, bruises and falls.
That is the nature of a challenging trail race! |
Photo Pictorial
Hunreds of runners arriving before the race
Getting setup for the late packet pickup
Awards for the Elites
The start line before the race
Lining up for the 5k (Dawn)
Here I come in from the 15k!
After I crossed the finish line
Finish Line shot!
Finish Line Shot!
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40th Annual Dave McKay Half and 5k Events
August 12 , 2017
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The Racing Shirts
for the Event
Medal for the Half
(First medal ever for this event!)
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| Forty
years this race has been run, we have run the last 11 years.
The weather was great considering it is the middle of the Monsoon,
and the massive rain did not start till around 2pm well after
it was over. We both did well, I shaved 10 minutes off of last
years time. And now for this 40th event, they handed us finishers
medals as we crossed the finish line for the very first time
ever. An outstanding year, our running hats off again to Neil
for doing a fantastic job again on this event! |
Photo Pictorial
Late registration before the races
The start line is going up!
Neil (left) looks very authoritative here...
Out on the trail of the Half, Dawn took a few images to show the trails
San Francisco Peaks
Long stretches of back roads
Passing the Naval Observatory on Lowell Mesa
Neil at the finish line taking photos
And Neils shot of me coming in!
Neils shot of Dawn coming in!
Arrivipa Extreme Trail Racing Events
The Big Pine Trail Run
June 10 , 2017
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The Racing Shirt
for the Event
The Finishers Mug
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Flagstaff Extreme
Big Pine Trail Runs
Saturday, June
10, 2017
The third annual
Xtreme Trail event up at Fort Tuthill County Park in Flagstaff
was a truly amazing event. We had not dont this set of
running events before, and could not ask for more perfect weather
this year to try it. Hundreds of dedicated trail runners
came together for this grueling run, the 13k loop is run twice
for the 27k and four times for the 54k. Thats just over
8 miles of challenging trail filled with huge rocks, gravel,
stumps, pot holes and open fields. For the most part, the
run is smooth sailing. But you must be wary here - rocks
jutting out in the middle of the trail in smooth sections are
always out to get you!
For this event
this year, I did the 2 loops while Dawn race walked the 13k loop.
Such grueling trail is not for the meek - The mind set of runners
at these events is more finish the challenge of the trail in
one piece, and not so much do it fast as possible. That
can invite disaster if one is not careful, and there were more
than a few banged up knees and elbows at the finish line on this
one. Fortunately, both of us came through in good shape,
and absolutely loved the terrain and scenery, and the great group
of runners on this one. Crossing the finish line on these
types of runs are not filled with such fanfare as you might expect
from a road race. Here, family and friends welcome you
and they handed you a nice big ceramic coffee mug with a custom
event emblem on it. Looking forward to next year already!
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Whiskey Row Marathon Events
May 6 , 2017
 
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The Finishers Shirt
for the Event
The Medals
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This year was the
39th annual marathon, and the weather was warm at race start
at 57 degrees, but fortunately did not heat up beyond 70 when
I finished! For the past few months, I did not know If I would
be able to do this race with the hamstrings I pulled in February
in Sedona. The good news is that the Running Doctor said
as long as I did not push for a PR, I would do fine. So
I took it very slow - and no fast running down hills! I
came over the line in great shape, and no issues at all with
the hammies. Ill be slowly working on my speed now, for
the big Xtreme 27k trail race in June.
Dawn did the 10k,
and came across in near record time. The crowd for the
10k and half were huge this year, had to be a record. I
think the number of marathoners was well represented as well,
there was a lot of us at the 5am early start.
As is typical for
each race weekend, we spent the day Friday driving around the
area taking photos of the wildlife and scenery. This is
a huge part of the experience of this race weekend.
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Photo Pictorial3
Packet pickup in the YMCA gymnasium
Race Morning. The starting line at the first light of day
Getting ready to race! The Sun will be coming up very soon, so we have to get to the pine trees fast!
Race start for the first batch of Marathoners
Starting line festivities of the Old West before the 10k
Race for younger children and their families
Lining up for the 10k event!
Here I am coming in from the long Marathon
Food area at the end of the race
Ive done it - and managed to not pull any more hamstrings!
Finish Line shot
Dawn at finish line
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Brian Mikelsen Memorial Run Events
April 8th, 2017
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The Finishers Shirt
for the Event
The Medals
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| After
recovering from my pulled hamstring last month, it was great
to get back to running in races again, and this event has a perfect
mix of both road and trail running. I did the half this
year again, and Dawn race walked the 10k. We both did well,
and while I only placed 5th in my age group because I am still
taking it cautiously on the down hills, Dawn placed 4th in her
age division - the best she has ever done on this race!
Weather was a bit cold at race start, but warmed up to a perfect
racing temperature at the end. |
Phoenix Marathon Events
Feb 25, 2017
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The Finishers Shirt
for the Event
The Medal for
the Half
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| This
year, while I was side lined due to a pulled hamstring, Dawn
race walked the Half Marathon in nearly perfect weather. She
did well coming in at 3:21:10 and this is one of her fastest
half marathons ever! We are both looking forward to next years
race. |
Photo Pictorial3
Dawn coming in to the finish line after her fast half!
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Sedona Marathon Events
Feb 17, 2017
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The Finishers Shirt
for the Event
The Medal for all
Events
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This year we did
a lot of things for the first time ever, and all of us had a
great time in fantastic weather. I signed up for the full
marathon this year for the first time, and had no major difficulties
in this grueling back roads distance event. Dawn race walked
the 10k with our friend from Australia - Nakita, and her sister
Sheri and nieces Alyssa and Genna. The amazing scenery
and well run races makes this a perfect family experience!
We met Sheri, Alyssa
and Genna race morning at our motel in Sedona. The race
was a later time than we are used to, 9am for the full and 9:10
for the half, 9:20 for the 10k. But with clear skies, and
a stunning sunrise the crowds were in great spirits. A
record this year, 3100 runners for all events - more than ever
before. 300 did the marathon along with me. At 9am,
the horn sounded off and I was on my way in the marathon.
20 minutes later, Dawn and gang started the 10k.
The marathon is
very hilly on the paved portion, and is also the return route
for coming back to the finish line. If this wasn't challenging
enough, once we hit the dirt roads full of golf ball sized gravel,
potholes and washboard the hills really got long and steep.
At the turn around there was a lot of uphill. Id have to
rate this run one of the most difficult races, but not quite
as challenging as Whiskey Row.
When I came running
over the finish line, Dawn and Nakita were cheering me on to
the finish. Sheri and gang had finished and gone to meet
Dawn and Sheri's parents that were staying in Sedona that day
as well. After we got back to the motel and cleaned up,
they all came by to visit us in the motel room. I stayed
that night and left for Payson the next morning after breakfast.
Dawn and Nakita went to the cabin in Happy Jack to go skiing
the next day.
To conclude, we
like the half, 10k and full on this one, and are planning on
returning once again next year to certainly do this event again!
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Photo Pictorial3
Sedona Sunrise, day of the Race
Sheri dressed to scare the competition!
Genna, Dawn, Nakita, Alyssa, Sheri
Starting line for the 10k
Nakita and the T rex!
During the 10k
Sheri starts to fall back
Post race!
The "Bolt" pose!
Here I am coming in to the finish on the Marathon...
Last few feet - Feel my pain!
Finish line photo
Here are some of the commercial images taken during the races:
Me near the finish line.
Dawn, Sheri, Genna
Dawn
Crossing the finish line!
Nakita is having fun!
The last few feet before finish!
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PF Chang Rock and Roll Half Marathon
Jan 15 - 2017 - Tempe, Az
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The Finishers Shirt
for the Event
The Medal for the
Events
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Over 10,000 runners
this year did the half marathon - Which is one of the most popular
distances for this race. While I nestled in with the masses for
this half, Dawn race walked the 10k and finished only a few minutes
after I did making it the perfect race situation at the finish
line. Once again, we were lucky - as the rain predicted that
day never materialized. We had great temps in the 50s, and no
sun to bake us at the finish miles. We both exceeded our raceing
goals for this race on this day, and had a great time.
While I have done
the full several times on this one, I prefer the half because
the route is more scenic and I dont like the long distance after
the Mill Avenue bridge to the finish line when doing the full.
Racing should be about getting fit, getting outdoors, and having
a fun time after all!
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Photo Pictorial
At the starting line just before race start for the Half Marathon.
Looking behind me, ready to race - thousands of runners!
Dawn race walks the 10k (commercial images)
 
Racing in toward the finish line on the Half!
 
Finish line shots!
 
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The Boulder Trail Run
Payson, Az
Oct 14 , 2017
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Shirt and medal
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| A
chilly morning to do this first ever "annual" new trail
race on the north end of Payson. 47 runners showed up, and we
were bussed from the meeting parking lot to the race starting
line. We both did great and in great time - they had mis-measured
the course and it was more like a 8k instead of a 10k. Still,
we had a super challenging race course filled with highly technical
dry creek crossings, boulder climbing and some very steep hills.
Looking forward to next year! |
Photo Pictorial
Busses line up to transport runners to start line. One bus would have been enough...
Packet and shirt pickup
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The starting line at the trail head. No timing this year.
Runners starting to gather at the race start
Minutes from race start!
Quiet scene along the trail (Dawn) It did not stay smooth like this for very long!
Finish line shot
Finish line shot
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HOME
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The Starting line before the race
Finish line (other side of start)
Logo
Lining up for the start of the 27k - Im in the center in yellow
Just before race start! - I am on the right side
Start of the 27k - Two laps
Am I looking at the girl, or the camera?
Ok, it was the camera... ;)
Starting line for the 13k for Dawn
Scenes from the trail - smooth going here. But wait....
Trail
Finishing area, Dawn waits for me to come in an hour later.
The last few hundred feet here I come!
And on to the finish. No big fanfare at the finish line in trail races, its all about the distance and terrain.
Finishers mugs waiting to be handed out when you cross the line.
Major awards for the fastest runners
Finish line shot
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Dawn at finish
Food at the finish!
