Nookachamps Winter Run

Since I missed out on registration for the Disneyland Tinkerbell half I had to settle for a slightly more local run for January's event. Mount Vernon, Washington (you know the place just past Bellingham with all the daffodils) was the location for the aptly named Nookachamp Winter run.
Friday night as Dave came to bed, he let me know that "it has started to snow". Great - I then spent half the night wondering just how much snow was coming our way. Awoke in the morning to about 3 inches of the white stuff. Weather checks for Washington, showed freezing rain in Bellingham (yuck) and overcast in Mount Vernon (yay).
Ken and I were on our way by 7:30, sailed through the border - I've never seem that many lanes open and that few cars. The roads were clear and it was a beautiful drive to Mount Vernon, snow on the trees and dissipating completely by the time we reached the start line at Skagit Valley College. This event has a 5 km, a 10 km and the half marathon. Probably no more than 500-600 people in total. Picking up race numbers was smooth in the college gymnasium which was also a nice warm place to wait. As the 10:00 race start neared, we noticed people coming in with noticeable wet jackets. And, as we headed out to stow our bags in the car, we saw that the weather had changed dramatically, from overcast with high clouds to driving rain, mixed with sleet - what fun. We took refuge in the car until 9:55, headed to the start line and then took refuge under an awning until the race actually started, no timing chips but we didn't care, we were not at all concerned about not being right at the start line :)
The first few miles were pretty darn cold and wet, saw a number of innovative running outfits, from the space blanket used at the start rather than the finish, plastic ponchos, and the best was a two piece garbage bag ensemble, one for a skirt and one for a jacket. This runner wore her lovely outfit for the entire run.
The course took us through farm land, horses, cows, old barns and houses with lots to see. The rain died down by about mile 3 or 4, and from then on the weather cooperated with the odd little snow squall and finishing up with sunshine.
Around mile 7 we chatted with Richard from Bellingham and got a recommendation for where to have lunch (with good beer), the Boundary Bay Brewing Company was to be our destination! At mile 9, Ken decided it was time for me to stop slowing down (as I usually seem to do) and pick up the pace. Thanks Ken for pushing me through those last 4 miles (which also included 2 or the 3 hills on the course). A final little push into the finish and the clock said 2:16 something. I think this is probably my second fastest time for this 12 month adventure and I wouldn't have achieved it without the encouragement of my running buddy!
We claimed our medals, headed into the gym to shower (yay!) change and not get any food - the only downside of this event was that there was nothing left to eat when we finished - oh well we headed off to Bellingham instead.
Richard's directions were spot on and we were soon enjoying the beers of Boundary Bay Brewery. Curiously enough the brewery was across the street from the finish line of the Bellingham Half marathon and I suspect it was the same beer Dave and I enjoyed back in September. After lunch, a brief stop at REI and we were back in Canada by 4:00. Funnily enough the customs officer seemed to think we were a little nuts for having run a half marathon today - can't imagine why.....

Bellingham Bay Blonde ale and my medal :)

Ken's taster lineup

Running Buddies

Well that's it for number 9! Next up the First Half in Vancouver on February 12th. Can't believe there are only three more to go. For anyone that wants to join in the fun, number 12, the official end to this adventure will be the Fool's run, on April Fool's day in Gibsons - it would be great to have a bunch of running friends come to share in the fun!