River Running

Yesterday, Marty and I went running on the St. Croix River.
The photos below are in reverse order.

We set off from the shore right in front of the Dock Cafe in downtown Stillwater as those enjoying their lunch inside watched. It was 11 degrees, sun brightly shining.

We headed south in an attempt to run down to "those ice fishing houses down there." After a few minutes, we decided to run south for 20 minutes, and then turn back.

There was open water along the side of the docked cruise ship. We stayed away from there and headed to the middle of the river to find a snow mobile trail. It was here that Marty's foot went through the top layer of snow into slushy water. We noticed that the wind was at our back and decided we would do well to turn around at 10 minutes, run to the lift bridge and go north for 10 minutes so that last part of our run would be warmer.

The run to the lift bridge was cold. We jumped up on land and ran under the lift bridge on the MN side as the ice directly under the lift bridge looked compromised from the road salt falling from the road above.

We only ran 7 minutes north. It was too cold. We turned back, ran into Stillwater and sat in a little coffee shop and drank coffee and allowed my water tube to thaw.

I left Marty at the van and headed back north of the bridge in an attempt to run up the river and get in 9 miles.

The wind was brutal. I blew back the water from the supply tube into the bladder so that the supply tube wouldn't freeze. This worked the entire trip, except that once the valve froze.

Just south of the boom site, two small planes flew over at about 200 feet. I could see the person inside waving. My glasses kept fogging up as my breath came up and over the face mask. If I exhaled sharply, the warm air would go straight out and not fog up the glasses. I needed the glasses on to cut the wind and the blinding sunlight off the white landscape.

It is quite a thing to recognize the river from our annual St. Croix River Family Pontoon Up The River Day.

I had decided that I did not want to jump off the river at the Boom Site, because that would mean running up the highway to get home. Instead, I'd look for a good place to get off the river further up. In the end, further up meant 7 miles up the river at Arcola Mills.

Near the Boom Site, there is a beautiful ice fall in the WI side of the river. From the highway, it appears quite mundane. I ran over to it. It is a good climb to the bottom of the fall. Then looking up, it is one of the most astounding things I've seen. Ice as thick as a suburban, hanging from the top of a cliff nearly 80 feet above. Water was falling down from the top in dozen of places, and as it landed on the ice below, it froze. The ice was the blue/green color of water that once see in high mountains. I saw water this color in Switzerland once.

Further up the river, I spotted the rope swing that the kids and I swing from on out pontoon trips. Then, through the old limestone bridge footings and on up to the high bridge. It was here that My legs began to complain of being tired.

The high bridge is an incredible structure. Probably 100 feet above the river, with spans of at least 100 feet. All iron. Where the sections meet at the tops, they do not connect except for the train track on them. From the river below, it looks like about 2 feet of sky can be seen between sections. Since boats from downstream cannot pass under the bridge due to zebra muscles, I don't think many people actually look up at the bridge from directly beneath.

North of the bridge, I began to wonder if I'd missed Arcola Mills. My iPhone confirmed that I had not. However, there was open water all along the MN shoreline as I continued up the river. I think the river is shallower and runs faster in this section. Finally, the stately white and green mansion of Arcola Mills came into view. I gingerly stepped on a section of ice between two open sections and stepped onto solid ground after nearly three hours on the river. From here, it was only 2.7 miles down Highway 95 to home.

Looking to MN side. Absolutely stunning. I can understand why people cross this bridge.

High Bridge.

The WI side.

The rope swing on the MN side, about 1/2 mile south of the old bridge footings.

Turkey tracks crossing the river.

About a mile norht of the Boom Site, looking south.

Can you see the water dripping down?

Directly underneath the ice falls. THe long ice strand is actually a climbing rope.


Ice Falls across from the Boom Site.

The cliffs of the Boom Site. notice the large house on the hill.

Looking north toward the Boom Site from an island.

A short excursion onto one of the many river islands.

Me and my Spiderman mask heading north up the River.

North of town. Notice the snowmobile trail and our footprints

Me and Stillwater in the background, from north of town.

Coming back to Stillwater from the south.

Marty just south of the lift bridge, safely far away from the open water.

Anonymous said...

When I blog, I am mindful of those who might be reading.

For example, I don't swear, much, because, well, I just might be surprised to find someone young, or old, who could be mortally offended by a "choice" word. I really don't think, "Well, I'd best not swear because someone at ________[church, work, home ...fill in the blank] might read this." Rather, I'm more concerned about the person who doesn't know me, know my heart, reading a swear word and concluding that I'm a potty mouth, or that bad words are the tip of the moral iceberg that constitutes who Joel is.

I also don't expound at great lengths about my mental or emotional anguishes because,
1. sometimes running helps me sort through them and sometimes running only magnifies them,
2. I really don't anguish over much and to expound about it even a little may leave the occasional reader concerned that my inner being is like a little boat on an ocean of tumultuous waves, and then may feel compelled to help that little boat find some island of refuge, and
3. unless one writes really well about their anguishing, it tends to just sound like cry-baby-ass whining. Oops. Not being very mindful of my readers there.

I also try not to blog about anticipated runs. It feels like bragging about something I haven't done yet. There are bragging rights associated with a long run that every ultra runner is due. But to brag before doing is just plain bad taste.

There are lots of other thoughts that get tempered when I write, because I am thinking about you, the reader. However, a recent comment flipped this all on its head. The comment said, "Don't you love me[?]
You can see me here" and then left a url that I did not follow.

It made me realize that while I may be mindful of those who are reading my blog, there are others who aren't. So, I've added word verification to my comments now. (thanks Jenna). We'll all be a little safer.

Professional Photos - What one Does When One Isn't Running

After a year, I've taken the advice of a good friend, bit the bullet, and had professional photos taken of myself. I must say that it was not the most pleasant experience. I'd rather do it again than run a 3 mile run, but I'd rather run a 30 or 50 miler than sit through the photo shoot again.

Strange, isn't it? I'd much rather run 30 miles than 3. Probably because
1. the effort to get dressed and out the door is about the same for each run,
2. it usually takes me about 30 minutes to warm up and start feeling good,
3. on shorter runs, I run too fast and end up never relaxing, and
4. there's so many more bragging rights that come with a 30 miler than with 3.

Needless to say, here is one of the pro shots below. Maybe I'll try Glamour Shots next!

When One's Mileage Creeps near the Temperature

Today, I spent with Zeke at the mall instead of at church. Zeke has an awful cold; in fact, when he coughs it sounds like a dog barking. The nursery at church has a strict rule about not taking children who are sick. In the past, I have tried to entertain Zeke in the lobby, a hallway, a spare room, the bookstore, the library, the fellowship hall.... all to little success. So, we headed to Target and the mall where we royally violated all high standards of a good sabbatarian.

Now, whenever we get within 20 miles of the mall, Zeke begins lobbying to visit the Apple store. Today, his efforts paid off. After priming myself with a half-caff cup of coffee, we set up shop in the Apple store, where Zeke contentedly played on an iPhone for 10 minutes...until he realized that that particular iPhone had no game apps on it. So, we struck camp, moved over the iPod Touch counter, and settled in. After 35 minutes, I said it was time to go. Zeke put the iPod back in its craddle and we struck camp again.

That was all to say that when we finally arrived home this afternoon, I was itchy. Instead of the customary Sunday afternoon nap, I dug out the wool and took off.
It was a glorious run. About three miles to the Browns Creek area where I tramped through the woods and along the creek trying to find the oft-spoken-of-but-elusive trout-fishing trail that runs along the creek. So, I climbed up the embankment and ran on the Zephyr railroad track and kept stopping to peer over the edge at the rushing creek about 100 feet below.

I then turned around and ran up Highway 95 to home. This was the coldest part as the wind tends to speed up as it blows through this narrower section of the St. Croix.
9.1 miles...temperature about 15.

Running Again

Today I ran Stillwater hills. Wow, did it feel great.
It is supposed to snow tomorrow. Maybe Marty and I can slip out for a quick evening run in the snow.

2010 Race Calendar, Passion & Family

A big thanks to Kel for assembling in one place a nice list of runs in the midwest. Check it out at her web site.
I'll be putting together my 2010 race calendar in the next few weeks. I won't be able to run all the races I put on my calendar. However, just placing the possibilities on paper is part of what motivates me.

I have learned during the past three weeks that running, ultra running, is much more a part of my being than I had imagined. I am partially defined by it; thinking about running, planning to run, and actually running all play a significant role in motivating me in other areas of my life. There was concern that running was a greater passion than my family, that I spent more time and mental gymnastics thinking about running than about developing our family. Some of that concern was legitimate.

So I made a difficult choice three weeks ago to give it up. It was not an easy choice, but one which once made, was easy to accept. I was glad that I was able to choose my family over running.

What I realized during the past weeks, and what Marty realized, is that I am not as good without running. Without a Friday moonlit run to look forward to, I found that my motivation in all of life was waning. Without a long trail run to look back at, I missed having something significant to be proud of. I have much to be proud of in my family, and my great family sets me apart from most in this world. But, I found that I need a regular, significant accomplishment to fall back on during times when I doubt my abilities. What I hadn't realized is how looking back at a big accomplishment such as a long, night run actually gives me confidence and courage to deal with a difficult legal issue or stay hopeful when I finish a case, which happens to be my only paying case.

Ultra running has become who I am. I discovered that it can't be easily distilled from my life. It makes life sweeter, more full. I found that I do need large challenges that few others attempt. I don't think it's so much pride as it is purpose that makes ultra running so indispensable. And not just purpose, but passionate purpose that makes all of my life more sweet. It's not so much different from faith, except that faith's object is so much more valuable.

So, I am drafting a 2010 race calendar in the coming weeks. And I'm doing so with an eye to protecting my family. I'm not preferring a competing passion over my family, but pursuing a passion that enables me to more passionately love my family.

Sorting Through Life

Life is sifting itself through a strainer presently. I gave up Friday night soccer.
I'm not certain where running will sift out yet. All the running gear is packed away for now. Certainly, Arrowhead is out. Leadville is out. Chippewa isn't possible now since the race was terminated.
There's even a full moon this week and I most likely will not be out enjoying it.