Metlakatla is a great place to go for a run. Within minutes out my front door, I am running on a road beside the ocean, on my way to a trail that winds through dense old-growth trees as it hugs the coast. By the time I get to the trail, I am warmed up and into the running groove, pleased with myself that I made the effort to get there.
I say "make the effort" because after three months, I've realized that Metlakatla is also a terrible place to run. Wind, rain, and the ever shorter days have dealt a serious blow to my motivation. Plus the last thing I want to do after work is exercise.
Last Saturday was a clear, slightly chilly day, perfect to hit the trail. Except that I really, really didn't want to go. Uh oh, this is getting bad, I thought. I made it out the door with a little urging from Luis.
I considered my motivation problem as I ran through the forest. The next local race --a half marathon in Ketchikan-- isn't until May, too far in the future to get me serious about running right now. Looking at my watch, I decided to push myself a little harder so the second half of the run would be faster than the first.
Coming out of the trees, I saw an older man standing next to the road peering at the ocean. He said something as I ran by. "Excuse me?" I stopped running.
"Whales". He pointed.
"Whales?" Whoa! I thought. Is this the moment I've been waiting for these last three months? The man had a tiny pair of binoculars --what luck!-- and we spent the next 15 minutes pointing out whale tails and spray from blow holes. There appeared to be two whales, a mother and her baby, probably Humpbacks, he said. Earlier in the day, he had seen a whole pod of whales, spectacular as they breached.
I eventually continued my run, but stopped again to talk with friends who were strolling by. I happily told them all about my whale spotting.
I don't have the answer to my dwindling motivation to run. I don't think seeing whales has solved the problem. But the moment was sweet, and long awaited. I'm a whale spotter! And I have running to thank for it. (plus an old man and a pair of 'noc).
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| My favorite run. |
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| My favorite run. |
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| I was running on this road when I stopped to whale watch. On the right side is the cemetery. Graveyard with a view. |
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| Dock full of fish nets. This was the dock we jumped off this summer with the local kids. |
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| The red-roofed building is Leask Market, the only place in town to get groceries. It's open from 10 to 6 during the week, and 11 to 5 on weekends. |
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| Teen Center. |
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| Richard Johnson Elementary School. |
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| The students cut out their handprints, wrote a message on them, and pasted them here. Very cool visual for Red Ribbon Week. |
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| The entrance of our new, colorful school. |
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| Lots of room! I love my office! |
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| Lucas and friend on their bikes. There are boats parked on the streets EVERYWHERE! |
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| Main Street |
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| Parking lot, Metlakatla style. |
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| Fishing is serious business around here. |
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| Something to do. |
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| Picture taken after a hard rain. |
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| Oldest church in town. |
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| Dude, you have a totem pole coming out of your head. |
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| Maite explores at low tide. |
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| Metlakatla specializes in spectacular rainbows. |
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| The Long House. Traditional Tsimshian dance groups practice regularly here. We attended an event here last month. |
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| We scored some halibut! |
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It's official.
Good spot to rest.
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