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Although I travelled to Alaska to fulfill my goal to run a full marathon, when planning the trip it was ice climbing I found myself all excited about. Woke early and hit the road – destination: Matanuska Glacier near Chickaloon, AK.
Matanuska Glacier is a valley glacier in the US state of Alaska. At 27 miles (43 km) long by 4 miles (6.4 km) wide, it is the largest glacier accessible by car in the United States. Its terminus is the source of the Matanuska River. It lies near the Glenn Highway about 100 miles (160 km) north-east of Anchorage. Matanuska Glacier flows about 1 foot (30 cm) per day.
Thought I was super smart bringing my GPS (Garmin) to navigate across Alaska. Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas – but no Alaska. Who knew? Plan B – used the rental car map which took me as far as Eagle River (approx 20 minutes east of Anchorage). From there I watched for road signs. And in Palmer, I used my iPhone maps app to re-position on Old Glenn Highway heading northeast – not Glen Highway heading northwest to Wasilla (home of Sarah Palin – and no, I could not see Russia :)).
No traffic, no humans, hit or miss cell reception, one moose.
Arrived almost an hour early (thank you midnight sun for the early wake-up call), and geared up. Shared the day with Mason, Tonya & Gage from Seattle, Mark from Alaska, and Chris (our guide).
The landscape mirrored walking the moon’s surface until we reached Matanuska Glacier. Gray silt permafrost merged vivid turquoise blue – quite the contrast. Amazing, beautiful, breathtaking!
Listened for a voiced ‘belay on’ – then one after another we climbed.
Belaying refers to a variety of techniques climbers use to exert friction on a climbing rope so that a falling climber does not fall very far. Climbers should wait for a verbal confirmation from the belayer that he is ready to begin. In the US, usually the climber asks, “On belay?” or “Belay?” and wait for the belayer to reply “Belay on.”
Will 1000% do this again – LOVE LOVE this sport!
Boots, gloves, ropes, crampons – my kinda gear used in my kinda weather. River ice (what we have in Colorado) is not as stable as glacial ice but still gonna climb this winter. I’m hooked – LOVED it!
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- Alaska road trip
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- Alaska road trip: Anchorage-Eagle River-Palmer-Chickaloon
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- MOOSE crossing!
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- Mason, Tonya, Gage & Mark (& mini-me standing downhill)
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- permafrost hike to Matanuska Glacier
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- glacial blue
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- quick snack break before climb
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- guide Chris secures ropes
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- struggled to lift my leg over the ice lip
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- ROCKSTAR day!
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- short hike to 2nd climbing site
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- Matanuska Glacier terminus
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- girls rule – this gal climbed like a champ!
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- sharing laughs at the end of a super fun day
Denver to Seattle, Seattle to Anchorage
Uneventful flight until our approach into Anchorage – then WOW! Look at those mountains!
Our mountains in Colorado are actually much much taller but the sheer dichotomy in Alaska is breathtaking – sea level (town) to 4,000ft (mountains) vs. my daily Flatirons view 5,500ft (town) to 8,000ft (mountains).
WOW, WOW, WOW!
6 months of marathon training & I’m finally here – ALASKA!
June 20 at 2:01pm near Anchorage, AK
· Just landed in Anchorage. My Alaska adventure begins!
approach into Anchorage
I started this series in January to monitor my marathon progression – journaling biweekly to keep me accountable. 3 days before my Alaska marathon, I’m posting my last ‘Believe-to-Achieve’.
Although I didn’t follow any ‘established’ plan, over the past 6 months I developed a consistent routine listening to my body. A race a month minimum – check. Traversed ~ 750 miles, done.
That said, had not yet run a full 26 miles – even in training. Sunday (June 9th) was my day.
Attended church, then exchanged Sunday shoes for running shoes – goal: 26.5 miles.
16 miles in, seriously needed a bathroom break. Gotta figure this out – not sure what I’m gonna do on race day 🙁 At mile 23, stopped & puked. Yeah, this story is not a pretty story – but it’s honest. Unlike race events, local trails do not include water stations. Found myself dehydrated in our warmer summer weather.
Legs ached; felt like a rusty bike chain. Running one fist clenched, I kept moving. Hardest restart I’ve done in a while.
Home. 26.5 miles – check, done.
(And of course Ro still needed to be walked. Argh.)
Lost 4 pounds over my marathon weekend (hiked 2 peaks in RMNP & ran 26.5 miles). 4 pounds is a lotta weight – like a contestant on the Biggest Loser. Scheduled a deep tissue massage on Monday. Exactly what I needed.
Grizzlies, moose, mosquitoes – bring it. I’m ready. Nothing stopping me now!
Movie of the Week
Into the Wild (2007) – still my favourite movie of all-time, first viewing of 2013 – timely, considering my weekend destination. Key difference: I plan on returning from Alaska, no Magic Bus death pour moi.
Runner Log
Fri May 24th – 5.25 miles
Mon May 27th – RACE DAY (Bolder Boulder 10K)
Wed May 29th – 10.5 miles
Thu May 30th – 5.25 miles
Sat June 1st – RACE DAY (Taste of Louisville Half 13.1 miles)
Wed June 5th – 6 miles
Thu June 6th – 3.25 miles
Fri June 7th – 1.5 miles
Sun June 9th – 26.5 miles
Wed June 12th – 1.5 miles
Thu June 13th – 6.5 miles
Sat June 15th – 7.25 miles
Sun June 16th – 6.75 miles
YTD total – 747 miles
