Cedar Island Biathlon

This is the beginning point of the Cedar Island Biathlon. It's not an official event - just my concoction combining kayaking (which I feel relatively comfortable with) and running (which I do not). And since this is the Eastern Shore, there are some unique possibilities for such a combination.

So here's the trip: Roughly 3 miles from Burton Shore across the bay to the northern end of Cedar Island, one of our coastal barrier islands. Run south down the deserted beach and back 8 miles. Then kayak back across Burton Bay another 3 miles. You do it and there's no reward - just the satisfaction of knowing your training program is taking full advantage of the unique geography of Virginia's Eastern Shore.

It was chilly and a little bit windy as I set out, but the bay itself was almost "slick cam" as they say over here. Easy paddling at high tide. I got to the island in under an hour. Changed into running gear and started off down the beach.

I knew there was a beached boat near the south end so I pushed further than I would have given my goal time (1 hr. 10 min.). Eventually I saw the boat (the Laura J.) in the distance. As I approached I saw a strange lumpy thing up on the edge of the small dunes. I wasn't wearing my glasses and thought it was a sack of potatoes washed up on shore. But when I got about 4 feet away, it moved. I had disturbed a harp seal, normally at home in the Arctic, but ranging down this way more and more.



I don't know who was more scared - the seal or me. It lumbered out to the waves (about 100 yards) while I took this video. It stopped a couple of times to catch its breath, then disappeared smoothly into the ocean.

Final tally:
miles running- 7.9
time (with a stop for seal and photos) - 1:26

Some other pictures from the day: