cewait
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Mar 3, 2000
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I have been working on this for way too long .
I recently, ok a month ago, went on a Cruise to Run Alaska cruise. I cannot say enough about the quality of the event. It is clear that Jody Friesen is a top notch travel agent but more importantly Jerry Friesen is a runners race director. I went into the cruise not expecting much so it was not hard to impress me. I should have set my expectations higher much higher. We ran in every port with a final run being a prediction 5k in Victoria finishing at the foot of the Terry Fox Memorial. Having Sarah Reinertsen with us for this race made the race even more special. It was great to talk with both Sarah and Bart Yasso through the week.
More detailed .
First Day Sea Day We met in the Skywalkers Lounge on the rear upper end of the Sapphire Princess. Think Expo. We received two sets of personalized bibs, one chipped and one for the non-chipped runs. This was a rough day for me and being high aft in bouncy weather did not help. I was able to grab a quick 2 mile run on the track Bow end sun Deck. It was a survival run more due to the brisk 30 knot wind coupled with the 20 knot speed of the ship. I had company off and on during the run I felt the need to stop occasionally on the downwind corner to make sure a <100 pound runner did not get blown off the corner.
Second Day Ketchican, AK 5-mile totem pole run. After a brief 400 meter walk from the ship to the start line (it became a joke for the cruise as the walk was over a mile) we met with the local RR club. This was a timed race on an out and back course. It was a sweet run on a flat course. Mostly flat and really a lollipop course. The surprise being a 200 foot climb just after we came back so we could run past the Totem pole village. I did remarkably well considering I was under the influence of the patch and feeling land sick. I know Bart has had issues with the Lyme Disease but I felt good holding him off until the end of the run.
That afternoon we had Sarah as a guest speaker. She is a full of energy, can do person. Once you get to talk with her you kind of realize that it was not by chance that she was featured on NBCs coverage of the Kona IM. She understands promotion as well as motivation. Oh, and dont think of this as a slam, I really find her energy and ability to put it on the line through that promotion very refreshing and courageous.
Third Day Juneau, AK The Whale Day. We hit a hump back whale on the way out of the Tracy Arm Glacier area and were embargoed about 5 miles outside of the port while the Coast Guard and others investigated. While the 3 hour delay messed up the excursions I think it was stand up of the Captain to be proactive in dealing with the issue. (We later learned the whale was dead or ill before hitting it). We were scheduled for a 6-8 mile run Perseverance Trail Run. Oh and it was hilly. Unfortunately, we were one of the rearranged excursions and in keeping the cabin life manageable, opted to take the excursion and not the run. Shame, they ran into a bear hear the turnaround talk about motivation for a negative split.
Fourth Day Skagway, AK 6 mile Cemetery Run visit of Soapy Smiths Grave. This was a neat little run out to the cemetery then deviating back across the river and along a really nice trail. One of the best 10k runs I have ever run not time wise but scenery wise. And yes, it was a 400 meter walk to the start (Garmin said 1.8 miles).
That afternoon, once at sea we had a presentation from Bart Yasso, CRO, Runners World. CRO= Chief Running Officer What an amazing life. I only wish I could use my talents and treasures in something I loved to do for as long as he has been able to and it was all by accident. Runners World relocated to an area near where he lived, he would have never joined the staff had that not occurred. He was Amby Burfoots guinea pig on many ideas. And he is very adamant in the fact that you should never have your boss a sign your name to a subjective observation of statistics. In other words, he loves to laugh at the 880s workouts. It is a coincidence in his mind that worked for him.
Fifth Day Sea Day- I forgot, every day including Seattle was sunny up to the sea day in return. The chances of having every port sunny in Alaska are 0%. The weather was perfect with all runs in the low 50s. I was so happy to have a run start where I was not worried about dehydration from the sweat forming just in the driveway.
Final Day Victoria, BC Prediction Run. No watches allowed. We ran along the sea front to a point then back and up to the Terry Fox Memorial. We wrote down predicted times on teh first day of the cruise. The winners were all under 10 seconds between prediction and run. Like all other ports we were met by local runners who helped marshal the course as well as run with us. The owner of the local running store met us at the memorial. From there we ran a short 800 meters through a park to the sotre for refreshments and awards ceremonies. (You guessed it 800 meters was about another 5k).
I met a lot of new friends on this cruise. I think I would do it again but not so sure Alaska is the destination. They are celebrating their 5th Caribbean cruise this January. For me it is always a bad week, especially after running Disney.
I cannot say enough about the quality of the events. It is clear that Jerry is a first class RD. I would consider running any event I knew he was behind.
I have been working on this for way too long .
I recently, ok a month ago, went on a Cruise to Run Alaska cruise. I cannot say enough about the quality of the event. It is clear that Jody Friesen is a top notch travel agent but more importantly Jerry Friesen is a runners race director. I went into the cruise not expecting much so it was not hard to impress me. I should have set my expectations higher much higher. We ran in every port with a final run being a prediction 5k in Victoria finishing at the foot of the Terry Fox Memorial. Having Sarah Reinertsen with us for this race made the race even more special. It was great to talk with both Sarah and Bart Yasso through the week.
More detailed .
First Day Sea Day We met in the Skywalkers Lounge on the rear upper end of the Sapphire Princess. Think Expo. We received two sets of personalized bibs, one chipped and one for the non-chipped runs. This was a rough day for me and being high aft in bouncy weather did not help. I was able to grab a quick 2 mile run on the track Bow end sun Deck. It was a survival run more due to the brisk 30 knot wind coupled with the 20 knot speed of the ship. I had company off and on during the run I felt the need to stop occasionally on the downwind corner to make sure a <100 pound runner did not get blown off the corner.
Second Day Ketchican, AK 5-mile totem pole run. After a brief 400 meter walk from the ship to the start line (it became a joke for the cruise as the walk was over a mile) we met with the local RR club. This was a timed race on an out and back course. It was a sweet run on a flat course. Mostly flat and really a lollipop course. The surprise being a 200 foot climb just after we came back so we could run past the Totem pole village. I did remarkably well considering I was under the influence of the patch and feeling land sick. I know Bart has had issues with the Lyme Disease but I felt good holding him off until the end of the run.
That afternoon we had Sarah as a guest speaker. She is a full of energy, can do person. Once you get to talk with her you kind of realize that it was not by chance that she was featured on NBCs coverage of the Kona IM. She understands promotion as well as motivation. Oh, and dont think of this as a slam, I really find her energy and ability to put it on the line through that promotion very refreshing and courageous.
Third Day Juneau, AK The Whale Day. We hit a hump back whale on the way out of the Tracy Arm Glacier area and were embargoed about 5 miles outside of the port while the Coast Guard and others investigated. While the 3 hour delay messed up the excursions I think it was stand up of the Captain to be proactive in dealing with the issue. (We later learned the whale was dead or ill before hitting it). We were scheduled for a 6-8 mile run Perseverance Trail Run. Oh and it was hilly. Unfortunately, we were one of the rearranged excursions and in keeping the cabin life manageable, opted to take the excursion and not the run. Shame, they ran into a bear hear the turnaround talk about motivation for a negative split.
Fourth Day Skagway, AK 6 mile Cemetery Run visit of Soapy Smiths Grave. This was a neat little run out to the cemetery then deviating back across the river and along a really nice trail. One of the best 10k runs I have ever run not time wise but scenery wise. And yes, it was a 400 meter walk to the start (Garmin said 1.8 miles).
That afternoon, once at sea we had a presentation from Bart Yasso, CRO, Runners World. CRO= Chief Running Officer What an amazing life. I only wish I could use my talents and treasures in something I loved to do for as long as he has been able to and it was all by accident. Runners World relocated to an area near where he lived, he would have never joined the staff had that not occurred. He was Amby Burfoots guinea pig on many ideas. And he is very adamant in the fact that you should never have your boss a sign your name to a subjective observation of statistics. In other words, he loves to laugh at the 880s workouts. It is a coincidence in his mind that worked for him.
Fifth Day Sea Day- I forgot, every day including Seattle was sunny up to the sea day in return. The chances of having every port sunny in Alaska are 0%. The weather was perfect with all runs in the low 50s. I was so happy to have a run start where I was not worried about dehydration from the sweat forming just in the driveway.
Final Day Victoria, BC Prediction Run. No watches allowed. We ran along the sea front to a point then back and up to the Terry Fox Memorial. We wrote down predicted times on teh first day of the cruise. The winners were all under 10 seconds between prediction and run. Like all other ports we were met by local runners who helped marshal the course as well as run with us. The owner of the local running store met us at the memorial. From there we ran a short 800 meters through a park to the sotre for refreshments and awards ceremonies. (You guessed it 800 meters was about another 5k).
I met a lot of new friends on this cruise. I think I would do it again but not so sure Alaska is the destination. They are celebrating their 5th Caribbean cruise this January. For me it is always a bad week, especially after running Disney.
I cannot say enough about the quality of the events. It is clear that Jerry is a first class RD. I would consider running any event I knew he was behind.
