Chuckanut preview 18 miler Feb 28 2009

Tracy and Ana and I did the middle, interesting (mostly) 18 miles of the Chuckanut 50K course in prep for the race in 3 weeks. Surprisingly snowy all over the place, and a bizarro mix of snow/ice/slush/mud along the flat three miles after coming off the ridge across Dan's Traverse and before climbing back up Chinscraper. Cleator Road: some big chunks, ahh, missing. Up on the ridge: maybe my favorite three miles of trail on planet earth for running. And amazing views of Baker and Cascades off to the east.

Frozen little lake up top got my attention--wasn't like that last year.

THANKS whoever drew the big directional arrows in the ground so we didn't go past the Chinscraper turn.

Saw lots of others out there; plenty of pre-event training going on!

Beauty day, great run buds, post-trot Tracy cookies...

Warm dry clothes in the parking lot, fresh coffee in Fairhaven, and home!

Life, she good.