Where's Al?

He's obviously not in Seattle this winter. Mister Gore must be heeding his Global Warming siren strictly on the East Coast this year. While my Christmas back in New Hampshire was warm and balmy, back here in the Pacific Northwest, we have been getting hammered with cold and snowy weather-very unusual for the Puget Lowlands. In fact, in my 18 years of living in Seattle, this has been the coldest and snowiest so far-and it is only mid-January. We got nailed right after Thanksgiving and it continues. And what I really want to know is where are all of the meteorologists who said that we were supposed to have a mild winter? Oh-I know-they're in New England right now-just a slight mix-up-that's all.

And 700 Running Miles!

I logged a total of 730 miles on my various running shoes this past year. Most of it was out and about in Seattle. But there was so trail running in the Pyranees, and some great runs in Montreal, Saskatchewan, and New Hampshire too.

I begin each year with a New Years Day Race-the last three in the little town of Temple, New Hampshire (population 1,400). January also has me running in the Nookachamps Winter Run Series in Mount Vernon, Washington. I have been attending that race ever year since I moved to Washington back in 1989. This year's race will be my 18th-my longest and most continuous running streak-I even did it after I had a back injury a few years back. Yeah-I know that's stupid-but I'm a guy and I didn't want to break my streak.

No marathons last year but I did complete three half marathons: Wenatchee (WA), Saskatoon Sk, and North Olympic Discovery (Port Angeles, WA). My best time was in Saskatoon with a 1.42.18. Yeah-I know it is far from my personal best of 1.23.29 back in 1991. Those days are gone! Well-going to try a full marathon again this year and a lot more halves. Got to stay in shape for all of the hiking I'm doing. Plus, running is my job too with 3 regular features in Northwest Runner Magazine: the Washington Club Report, Monthly Race Preview, and Northwest on the Run. And speaking of the Northwest on the Run, my latest installment due for the March issue is on Richmond, BC. Check it out and I'll see you on the trails. Ciao.

One Thousand Miles!

Yep-that's how many miles I hiked in 2006. One thousand fifty plus miles. And what a one thousand fifty plus they were! The Cascades, Olympics and Kettle River Range of Washington. The Washington Coast. The Monadnock Highlands of New Hampshire. The French and Spanish Pyrenees. The rounded hills and boreal forests of Saskatchewan! One thousand grand and glorious miles on the trail.

I concluded the 2006 hiking season on New Years Eve in New Hampshire's Willard Pond Sanctuary (above). What a day! What a year! I imagine that 2007 will be just as glorious and rewarding. Onward! I've got trails to hike. Happy trails and hiking to each and everyone of you in this new year.