November is for Running in Seattle

November is running month for Seattleites. Sure, it’s rainy but we can run in the rain. Unlike the snow. If there is a half inch of snow, or even a heavy frost, I’m out. No running for me. Definitely no driving for me.

Anyways, in addition to the lack of snow, November is still beautiful in the Evergreen State. There are still leaves on trees, either changing colors or remaining resolutely green. On a clear day, you can see snow on the Cascade Mountains in the east, or look across the Sound to the snow-capped Olympic Mountains.

It’s the month of the fifty-year old Seattle Marathon. Although I can’t quite stomach the idea of paying $85 for a virtual race (I hate medals, T-shirts, and swag even during in-person races, and those seem to be the only perks of these online events), I have spent all my November weekends pounding the streets, stairways, trails, and waterfront parks of this city I love. Because my winter running goal is to hit 30 miles each week, most of these weekend runs are around half-marathon length.

My go-to long run has typically been a jaunt up and down the Burke-Gilman trail, starting at Lake Forest Park and the either head west along Lake Washington to the University of Washington and Fremont, or heading east and connecting with the Sammamish River Trail. However, in both my quest to avoid crowds and broaden my horizons, I found a new route that I’m in love it, full of quintessential North Seattle treasures.

I start at Carkeek Park, one of those glorious places that has something for everyone. Sunset enthusiasts can walk over the railroad to the beach, kids can play on the park or salmon slides, picnickers can spread blankets on the grass or tables, and there are plenty of trails for hikers.

I started my run on the eastern edge of the park, following Pipers Creek Trail South to Crown Hill, where I wind through neighborhood streets until I reach 17th Ave. In May of 2020, Seattle closed 17th street to traffic as part of their Stay Healthy Streets program. The program seemed to have the intended effects, as there were several families out walking and biking. Even when not trying to stay six feet apart from people, I’m a fan of being able to run down the streets instead of sticking to the sidewalk because all the trees lining the streets make for bumpy and cracked sidewalks which frequently cause me to trip and fall, especially when I’m looking at the cute houses and the Space Needle in the distance rather than a sidewalk. I think it’s safe to say that trail running is not for me when I can barely navigate sidewalks. It’s more fun to run when you DON’T have blood running down your knee from a recent spill.

The closed-to-traffic 17th street took me all the way down to Ballard’s main drag, Market Street. Usually busy with shoppers and the weekend brunch crowd, everything was quiet during this pandemic season. Nevertheless, I pulled up my mask to avoid breathing on the few folks that were waiting on busses or picking up essentials.

Market Street led me to Seaview Ave and then to the Burke-Gilman Trail. I’d never been on this last stretch of the Burke. On past runs, I usually turn around right before Ballard, as the trail disappears for a stretch in town.

The trail traces the harbor, where sailboats of Seattle elites sit alongside fish restaurants, until it terminates at Golden Gardens.

I must confess, I’d never even considered packing up my kids and their sand castle paraphernalia in November, but why not? On this beautiful fall day, tons of families were out on the beach, lounging and digging and splashing like it’s July…they just had winter coats on instead of swimsuits.

At this point, I’m about 9 miles into my run and I realize that the whole jaunt has, thus far, been downhill.

Stairs. So many stairs.

Then there is a plateau for a hundred yards, followed by more stairs.

Thoroughly exhausted, I emerge from the Crown Hill Climb with screaming quads.

I slog back up 85th, back through Pipers Creek Trail, and back to my car.  

When I come back to Carkeek a few days later, to watch the sunset with my kids, I decide that my quads have recovered and it’s time to give this run another go. Maybe next week.