Landed minutes before midnight, signed for my rental, then nabbed a few hours sleep before heading north.
Missoula, site of my 9th marathon on Sunday, was chosen because of its relatively close proximity to Glacier National Park – a bucket list destination for 10+ years. Instantly fell in love.
Montana’s landscape is reminiscent of Colorado – but with far less people.
Stopped for an early lunch outside Flathead Lake, one hour further the Park.
Day One goal – drive to the Continental Divide at Logan Pass via Going-to-the-Sun Road (half-way across the Park), then back to West Glacier before 9pm to secure accommodations – tenting 2 days just outside the Park.
Purchased an annual Park pass. Plan to hike Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Wind Cave (SD) & RMNP before the snow flies later this year. Living B-I-G again after Ironman — life is good.
Stopped at Lake McDonald – in awe how mountains seemingly spire straight up from its depth. Put my feet in the water – cold, despite the day’s high temp (almost 90 degrees).
(On the drive return, I’d stop & swim in these chilly waters. Perfect, after a day on the road.)
Next stop Avalanche Falls, fast moving water fueled by McDonald Creek. Tourist stop – but understandably so.
The road now climbed – my car hugging rock cliffs or maneuvering hairpin turns over exposed terrain mounted hundreds of feet above river-forged canyons. Impromptu waterfalls created by melting snow bathed dust off the car. AMAZING day!
Rugged glacier fields perched high on Montana’s high peaks – that’s why we visit. Irreversible; these glaciers are receding exponentially, 2030 extinction targeted as our Earth bakes under Man’s watch 🙁
Parked with scores of travelers at Logan Pass & watched kids play in snow behind the Visitors Center.
While folks strained to view 3 bighorn sheep dance on a rock terrace high above, I near walked into a large ram just off Highline Trail. Unnerved & slow-moving from a willow thicket, he crossed directly in front [of me]. So fast, so unexpected — I captured its image on my iPhone (camera tucked tight in my backpack – that won’t happen again).
Checked into Glacier Under Canvas & located my tent – my home for the next 2 days. Scored hummus, chips & bottled water at a local fish & tackle – dinner, check done. Quick shower, now snug in my sleeping bag, couldn’t sleep – too excited.
Glacier hiking tomorrow.
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- Glacier Country colour
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- chilly Lake McDonald
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- McDonald Creek
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- Avalanche Falls
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- SPECTACULAR!
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- stunning scenery
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- Glacier’s Red Bus Tours – small against the MASSIVE landscape
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- Going-to-the-Sun Road cuts East-West across Glacier
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- snow melt fuels this fast running Waterfall
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- snow on the Divide at Logan Pass
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- Bighorn Sheep
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- Home, Sweet Home
Avalanche Falls
Just 3 weeks back, I thought I’d knock off marathon #8 in Minneapolis but fate stepped in & I needed a June make-up race.
Late Friday nite flight, picked up my rental at Enterprise, then headed 2 ½ hours north to Duluth — tomorrow’s race destination: Grandma’s Marathon. Easy drive; powered by Sirius Radio I listened to Country Classics – yep, the super twangy stuff from the 1950’s & ‘60’s 🙂 20 minutes outside of Duluth, heavy fog rolled in. Pulled off momentarily, then realized it wasn’t dissipating anytime soon so dropped my speed to 35, hovered in the right lane & stayed über alert to other motorists and wildlife.
Located a safe stop to catch some zzz’s (no hotel this trip), then woke to my iPhone alarm 4 hours later.
Fog, accompanied by mist & temps in the low 50’s. Surprisingly cold for June. Boarded a race bus which ferried me & fellow racers to the Start Line in Two Harbors, northeast of Duluth. Waited ‘til the last possible moment to shed the jacket & drop-off my gear bag – sooo late [that] I was blocked from joining my race wave, relegated to joining the 5:30 pacers.
Didn’t reach the official start until 6 minutes after the gun sounded, trudged thru a pack of runners, resulting in a super slow 11 minute first mile. Music cranked up, I started to work my way around folks. At mile 3 I passed the 4:30 pace team & at mile 6, I put the 4 hour pacers behind me. Now the trick – run my race, stay loose, don’t panic.
For a guy who struggles to run in heat, this was my day. Caught a glimpse of Lake Superior thru the fog & drafted closely behind a fast-footed runner with crazy long hair. I matched him on hills (which better suits my Colorado training), then fell back on the long stretches. Goal: stay close for a half marathon – revised goal, I’m drafting thru mile 15.
Reached down for water & just like that, he was gone. Thankfully, still felt strong. No grabbing water again ‘til mile 19, then again at mile 21. Felt the burn at mile 23 & punked another 11 minute shuffle.
Water, I need water. Or air, maybe I can’t breathe. Stopped at the mile 24 aid station & turned my head to see the 4 hour pace team pounding behind me. Where did they come from? I am NOT giving up on my first sub-4 with only 2+ miles to go.
Crowds lined the final mile thru downtown Duluth to Canal Park. I reached deep & ran. Pulled out my buds & let crowd energy breathe blood back into my legs. I’m blowing hard now. I can hear the race announcer, I’ve got to be close.
Almost 4 minutes under my marathon goal – boo-yah, first sub-4 marathon.
(Race Time) From Grandma’s Marathon sponsor, Verizon Wireless: K R Haga has crossed the Finish in 3:56:38
Slipped to the ground & was done. Couldn’t stop shivering, finished in the medic tent. Super low sodium but high hemoglobin numbers. Released 30 minutes later. Thanks Colorado for my high hemoglobin – high altitude living does a body good.
sub-4 – FINALLY!
sub 4 FINISH!
next month Montana!
Arrived a day earlier than most for my Granddad’s funeral so…had a free day in Northern Virginia.
Woke early, hit the hotel gym, then off to Harpers Ferry National Park in West Virginia – approx 45 minutes away.
THE HISTORY OF HARPERS FERRY HAS FEW PARALLELS IN THE AMERICAN DRAMA. It is more than one event, one date, or one individual. Harpers Ferry witnessed…the arrival of the first successful American railroad, John Brown’s attack on slavery, the largest surrender of Federal troops during the Civil War, and the education of former slaves in one of the earliest integrated schools in the United States [Storer College].
Arrived 10 minutes before the start of a FREE ranger guided tour of the town. Ya’ll know – FREE is for ME – so on the bus we climbed. Best way to see the Park & understand its unique history in a short amount of time. Highly Recommended. That said, think the ranger thought we were prepping for Jeopardy – whole lotta information 🙂
Summer’s already arrived in the Shenandoah Valley – sunny & humid but luckily, this day included a breeze. Enjoyed spectacular views of the Potomac – rushing water still running high, early in the season. Walked over the river via a pedestrian bridge constructed by the B&O Railroad. Took pics at “The Point” (where Maryland, Virginia & West Virginia meet) & ate lunch at a local café before the heavens opened. Rain cooled temps by 15.
I had been to Harpers Ferry years ago as a boy. Seemed fitting to return before tomorrow’s funeral. So much personal history, shared memories with my Grandparents. Fun day but jeez, hard saying goodbye.
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- Harpers Ferry Nat’l Park
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- ranger guided tour – whole lotta information
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- Potomac River & Shenandoah Valley
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- springtime in the Virginias
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- Appalachian Trail — 1165 miles to Maine, 1013 miles to Georgia
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- historic Storer College (1865-1955)
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- St. Peters
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- “The Point” — Maryland on left, Virginia to the right, standing in West Virginia
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- B&O Railroad
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- pedestrian walk-bridge over Potomac – sunshiny humid East Coast day
