Geek Xing

Just a short one today. I've spent the last few days working at the Microsoft Campus at Redmond, near Seattle. Thursday afternoon, we managed to finish up a bit early, and the weather was glorious, despite forecasts of heavy rain. I've read about running "trails" around the campus, and walked a little of them between hotel and work, so I'm out to explore.

There are three way-marked trails, which can be joined a stone's throw from the hotel here. The longest,of the three goes around the west and east campus either side of Highway 520, so that will be the route for me today. I start at a way-marker, on gravel paths through the trees.  There are funny little 'runner' markers along the sides of the trails, just a few inches tall. I am so close to the busy streets and the buildings and car parks of the campus complex, but still its nice running through the trees in the late afternoon light. Then there is a very amusing signpost as the running trail crosses a cycle path.

Trail turn markers, at the start on gravel

Funny little trail side way markers

Nice later sun through the trees

Geek Crossing!

More way markers with the funny little running figure on top of the posts. I'm on the blue route, marked as five miles (which it isn't). The red route, three miles, and the yellow route, just one mile. Unfortunate but too much of the trail is on hard concrete side-walks around the campus, just as well that evening rush hour hasn't got into gear properly. There are lots of sports facilities here for the softies - anyone for some cricket? Now the route comes for the first time to the Redmond wetlands for just a few minutes, easier on the eye than the concrete and steel. The paths are mostly fine gravel, easier on the feet than the side-walks, and a chance here and there to run over the soft grass. The bane of this route, here and elsewhere, of course, is waiting at all these road crossings.

Route markers, yellow, red and blue.

Concrete side-walks in the campus, not so good on the feet

Nice evening for a game of cricket.

Redmond wetlands

Gravel paths and grassy fields, before ...

... more tiresome road crossings.

Soon the path passes again through the Redmond wetlands, much better now, where a rabbit runs across the path before me. Loving running through the trees here, a few muddy little side trails tempt me, but I must get back to the hotel and get out to dinner soon.

More of the Redmond wetlands ...

... lovely here.

Rabbit runs across the path in front of me and hides in the undergrowth

Really liking it through the tall trees here.

I've seen signs warning of Geek Crossing, well no surprise, this is Microsoft! I've seen a rabbit crossing, no surprise, these are wetlands. I am surprised at the next warning sign, really, possibility of a Sasquatch crossing?!*! Anyway, I'm running along the gravel path beside NE 28th St, the hotel complex is visible through the trees to my left, and the finish/start is just around the next bend.

Sasquatch Crossing?

Just approaching the start/finish on NE 28th St.

Well that was nice, very nice. The garmin shows 9km (which is not 5 miles) with a small ascent/descent of 160m, on the feet for 59:45, temperature 14C and I've got a good sweat. Sharp start tomorrow morning and fly off in the evening, so that'll be my last run on this trip. Here's the route.

Enjoy!