Cool Running :: Beautiful tulip fields make up for another slow run (only five miles this time)

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Beautiful tulip fields make up for another slow run (only five miles this time)

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Author	Topic: Beautiful tulip fields make up for another slow run (only five miles this time)
Tetsujin30 Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 12:38 PM Intrepid summary (provisional) - Tulip Fun Run (5-Miles); Burlington, WA 49:03; oa - 239/410; no sex/no ag; no wind/55 degrees 8:56 / 8:56 9:52 / 18:48 9:37 / 28:25 9:49 / 38:14 10:49 / 49:03 This is the kind of plod-along, early-season training run-in-a-race that should remain deep within in my CR running log only as an indicator for possibly marking some improvement (I hope) by summer and fall runs. However, it really was a hugh shock that seemed to need sharing to be getting to celebrate the Easter weekend with suddenly seeing so many beautiful tulips, daffodils and other flowers after the long gray winter. Skip to bottom of page. ======================== With new respect for the half marathon distance after hitting the wall last month in that distance for the first time, the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival’s 5-mile Tulip Run (1.5 miles of smooth roadway and then 3.5 miles of gravel trails and shoulders) seemed to be a convenient chance for some tempo or whatever redeeming speedwork before the Eugene Marathon at the end of the month. Besides, after Friday’s record 79 degrees, it might even be a first sunny day run since the October 1 Portland Marathon and the kind of day that got me interested in running weekend races as an excuse for some summertime exercise in the first place a long time ago. Unfortunately, not to be sunny but, though it was drizzling for much of the 72 mile drive north from Seattle, the sprinkling abated for a perfect dry run. I’ve only run in one other five-miler (an annual 8K at the end of July) and usually by then can try to (but never do) break 40 minutes so I thought a 9m/m pace (45 minutes) would be realistic today. After all, it's only a whimpy five miles. However, that not to be either even though I ran as hard as I could all the way, . . . and all the while while cute little high school track girls and young wives keeping in shape, and some who seemed in not quite enough (or too much) shape to run even a mile, passed me in their animated chatting. However, even though slow, still was able to maintain 180 steps per minute (=10,000 steps total including a ~3/4 mile warm-up for my version of honoring Madam 10,000's four March 10K's, etc.) and, though the splits inexorably deteriorated mile-after-mile, the middle mile through graveled woodland trails alongside newly emerging yellow and green skunk cabbage at least seemed fast as I finally caught up to three of the local boomer goddesses I thought I'd be behind all the way and not seeing again. Maybe I just like goddesses, . . . I mean trails. The 350 runners portrayed a colorful transformation from the rain-gear winter run greys of the last five months, including one guy someone said, “you look like a tulip” in yellow thongs and shorts, and a past year’s red Easter Marathon shirt and matching red cycling cap. Initial green tri-trunks looked more like someone's Christmas Tree than Easter. The running though was nothing compared to the marvelous transformation of the muddy, wet, sloppy fields that had just got done hosting overwintering trumpeter swans and snow geese to the now brilliant colors of millions of brilliant tulips (e.g., 20,000,000 tulips in 20 acres of one of the several bulb farms) shining in multi-colors of red, yellow, orange, orange, purple, lavender, pink, and white fields of blooming tulips, and daffodils too stretching to the seemingly endless horizon or nearby Cascade Mountain foothills like a painting before it got painted plus, reminding me of goddess econo’s playful woodland romps long lost over the long winter, an abundance of memories of last summer's blue skies in the ornamental tulip gardens with irises, thistles, hyacinths, primroses, violets, forget-me-nots and a certain bell topped off with an American flag tulip portrait and Mrs. Statue of Liberty with her own Easter bouquet. No picking of tulips but many daffodils will be at Easter services on Sunday. Happy Easter, happy spring, happy good weather, happy running. . . . . . . [This message has been edited by Tetsujin30 (edited Apr-11-2007).] IP: Logged
Barefoot Rick Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 02:50 PM Beautiful! If for nothing else but to see those gorgeous tulip fields in springtime, I must venture up that way for a Spring marathon. Absolutely gorgeous pics! NIce job, also, Jon on the run. How much more fun could it be chasing down such beauty, both in stem and plant and on two legs! Rick ------------------ "Do something remarkable, every day. In time, your life will become remarkable!" - Barefoot Rick @ www.barefootrunner.org IP: Logged
RunsTheBitterroot Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 02:55 PM Hi Tet, I have never seen fields like that, spectacular to say the least. Good luck on your upcoming race. Larry ------------------ My Photo's "If you see a man running up a mountain trail in Montana with a fly pole attached to his back, you are probably lost. LDD IP: Logged
Labduck Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 05:18 PM Tet, thanks for bringing back my memories of the Skagit Valley tulips. 20 years ago, I used to live in Burlington, and always marvelled at the beautiful transformation of the bland water-logged fields to a palette of vibrant color. Btw, I still have your B&B red tech shirt that we used at the Portland Marathon to mark the B&B aid station. I will be seeing the Boomer goddess Tamalina on Saturday, so I'll give her the shirt. She can then give it back to you at Eugene. I'm sure you would rather get it from her than me... IP: Logged
tselbs Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 05:28 PM tet, you had a beautiful setting for your race. That had to be inspiring. Well done. TomS ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
John2635 Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 05:46 PM Beautiful pictures, Tet. Looks like you had a nice day for running John IP: Logged
cajohnson5 Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 05:52 PM Awesome pictures, Jon. Beautiful day for a run... cj IP: Logged
Iapetus999 Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 05:56 PM I knew I was missing something this weekend. Well after running 5 in Friday's extreme heat (ok compared to running in sleet a week ago) I was kinda beat anyways. Kewl pix! ------------------ -Andy Competing in 5Ks IP: Logged
Econo Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 06:44 PM Aw Tet, thank you for linking to such pretty pictures of blue flowers -- my favorite! Blue flower season is only about a week away. A couple of weeks after Little Econo was born, we went on our first car trip to tour the tulip fields in Skagit valley. Unfortunately, we must have taken the wrong route, as we never saw a single tulip field! Not sure how we messed that one up. Anyway, see you soon! The Camas is budding out and might be in bloom by the time you come to Eugene. IP: Logged
TammyM Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 09:27 PM Nice running Jon - and love the photos. When I was uber into photography and taking classes, doing my own developing, experimenting with creative photography, etc., I went up to Skagit and shot a few rolls of tulips - several close-ups, panaromic's, various filters, etc. I loved being up there and working with all that color. It's just an amazing site. And I will make sure you get your red shirt back . . .unless of course, I decide to wear it. . . then you might have to wait awhile. ------------------ Tamster IP: Logged
Tetsujin30 Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 09:59 PM With yellow thongs, you can be a tamatulip. IP: Logged
Ileneforward Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 10:19 PM What a gorgeous race, no doubt you were intoxicated by the blossoms, but your 48 minute finish shows you were running all the way. Thank you so much for the descriptions and the lovely photos and links, Tetsujin, congratulations! IP: Logged
lyndenrunner Cool Runner	posted Apr-08-2007 11:57 PM Congrats on a nice run jon,too bad I couldn't make it down there to see you... maybe next time. ------------------ Gordon My Profile IP: Logged
mariposai Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 12:06 AM Thanks for sharing the gorgeous pictures with us. My own tulips are smiling at me as I write this post. Great place to run. Next time I see you remain me to tell you what my guarani indian father told me about the tulips in the Skagit Valley when he came to visit me to this country. ------------------ Running is a divine dance between you, the natural environment, and your spirit. My Profile IP: Logged
jura Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 12:22 AM Jon, thank you so much for this report and a lovely pics! You certainly brought us along for this gorgeous run with you! Good running, too. I hope I get to see you in a month time... j IP: Logged
hollys4874 Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 10:17 AM Tet, You were wearing yellow thong(s)? I thought you said after that last HM that 2 mugs was not a good idea? Those flower fields are breathtaking. What a lovely run! ------------------ Holly IP: Logged
hermosaboy Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 01:11 PM quote: Originally posted by Tetsujin30: no sex No wonder you were focusing on the flowers... IP: Logged
Elaine3112 Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 02:54 PM Tet What a lovely report and lovely photo's too. Thanks for sharing. IP: Logged
Sans Souci Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 03:14 PM Now, how beautiful is this RR ... and hard running too, Tet. I think I need a run in the tulips I really do With Lothariooooo I hope there were some black tulips as well. Nothing like a little drama in the dirt. IP: Logged
JJJessee Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 07:53 PM Nice run Tet. Sometimes you can't run for the time, you just have to run for the beauty. far out pictures. JJJ IP: Logged
tomwhite Cool Runner	posted Apr-09-2007 08:09 PM ...........wow.........the man is A Poet......... .........(proof once again that Runners are Very Deep and Complex People)...... ............thanks tet//..........loved reading that....... IP: Logged
jtv Cool Runner	posted Apr-10-2007 11:52 AM Jon, Great racing and great pics. It must have been a beautiful run. ------------------ My Profile IP: Logged
choover Cool Runner	posted Apr-10-2007 12:46 PM No matter how harsh the winter, spring always follows and there's nothing like spring flowers to signal the end of winter and the beginning of better days. I must see these flower fields some day. Thanks, Jon. ------------------ choover IP: Logged

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