tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14071619304259859302024-02-19T18:23:39.497-08:00STAY VERTICALStay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.comBlogger137125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-91670874249629892772016-04-16T08:23:00.002-07:002016-04-16T08:23:31.490-07:00Golden TicketGulp. Big decisions to make. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx49KQr_z_uNpVBT5dNPz_igPK3qNfu3srr8rGuWrEfhcGWQ3isB9LTsOyIiTRw4DruiVTWV6Ru0BGkOHORKWkY2ItT8xxdA8RXfupOTy6SGtjjcrtSi8cZ9YFKKo4nVpImc7acbuyK04/s1600/2016+WS100+Invite.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="326" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnx49KQr_z_uNpVBT5dNPz_igPK3qNfu3srr8rGuWrEfhcGWQ3isB9LTsOyIiTRw4DruiVTWV6Ru0BGkOHORKWkY2ItT8xxdA8RXfupOTy6SGtjjcrtSi8cZ9YFKKo4nVpImc7acbuyK04/s640/2016+WS100+Invite.PNG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-45424066394769809552016-04-05T10:27:00.000-07:002016-04-05T10:27:34.257-07:002016 Gorge Waterfalls 100K. 3rd, 9:34.<u>A Simple Plan </u><br />
My strategy hinged on a complete disregard of all outside stimulus. No watch, nothing in my hands, no hat or sunglasses to fidget with, no thoughts of Western States, no pressure. Just some shoes and shorts and a little water and food and a big day on the trails. I haven't been at the sharp end of a big race like this in a while, and I have run only 455 miles coming into race week this year. That is 30 some miles a week, with some weeks in the 50's and some with less and more cross training. Without a big summer mountain running base under me, I needed to exist in my own world and forget everything else. That is not to say that I didn't feel fit. My broken hip and shoulder had healed and my endocrine system has mostly put the West Nile Virus stuff behind me. I had a nice smooth block of steady miles and I nailed a lot of my workouts. I even busted up some PR's set during my 2013 Bear fitness. We had a ROUGH winter in McCall. Lots of my workouts were frozen roads or intervals on the spin bike. December and January were mostly spent shoveling the driveway. The only dirt and mountains to run requires a 45 minute drive north to Rapid River. Down there, I got some rough game trail running in 15-20 mile chunks that rack up 7000+' of gain. I made do with what I had and I came to Portland in a state of fitness I have really never felt earlier than July. Brandi and I came out on Monday and did a few runs on the course, toured the city and ate lots of good food.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXE-IwiV8hFORk037BnWJiU-7HsbyVCPkuWwLoTBqKfx3KRjQCydV3Ao_CA7rk5xrVci__t8oWRKHxnEZrlMh0xt-mUXd4rN8dF8fV8h4H9H9t-3JyZ_1nh-T7IH_HaZILI8cMUw83U2H/s1600/20160329_101406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQXE-IwiV8hFORk037BnWJiU-7HsbyVCPkuWwLoTBqKfx3KRjQCydV3Ao_CA7rk5xrVci__t8oWRKHxnEZrlMh0xt-mUXd4rN8dF8fV8h4H9H9t-3JyZ_1nh-T7IH_HaZILI8cMUw83U2H/s640/20160329_101406.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Somewhere on Multnomah Falls Trail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tpSJc8-Fkn6d9qOSrnEQG1Tr80paRF_lzyhzQzgAnHOc5EJJA4KcNBLWkARadYEnH4GsEYVKJ7FX5-epUyayxeAuq7FOQHFNvwvq7mNE9uMajQ8jSQTWzGrWW9hGB_7AxgAG2UDUa0PB/s1600/20160329_105104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tpSJc8-Fkn6d9qOSrnEQG1Tr80paRF_lzyhzQzgAnHOc5EJJA4KcNBLWkARadYEnH4GsEYVKJ7FX5-epUyayxeAuq7FOQHFNvwvq7mNE9uMajQ8jSQTWzGrWW9hGB_7AxgAG2UDUa0PB/s640/20160329_105104.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fairy Falls?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNC7bKZt2Z8Muvfg2NT0T7UxivYY0C_O9eMDoimT3W2XfnQ2iTFd7jJTGrezF4uOut6hTrH07Vjzm_2NgWxT4C2UkhabjFOG91UY077W8sPN6fjcEaSDCT9B_RQHFp3LkWm5YrjXG526K/s1600/20160330_131036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxNC7bKZt2Z8Muvfg2NT0T7UxivYY0C_O9eMDoimT3W2XfnQ2iTFd7jJTGrezF4uOut6hTrH07Vjzm_2NgWxT4C2UkhabjFOG91UY077W8sPN6fjcEaSDCT9B_RQHFp3LkWm5YrjXG526K/s640/20160330_131036.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza from the pub in Cascade Locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRn9KImGNGoz4JG1atN9B0AySzls-VUiXAJGVfZR7p9tU2Si8WBFfVweLK3eTOXaG480MpdWq52eXDQKL-VYCSuKk73OT_UC56WsMhABSdyAVcu_cP9CCWqCakQT_SiG6ImixexyUezC2/s1600/20160330_133827.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRn9KImGNGoz4JG1atN9B0AySzls-VUiXAJGVfZR7p9tU2Si8WBFfVweLK3eTOXaG480MpdWq52eXDQKL-VYCSuKk73OT_UC56WsMhABSdyAVcu_cP9CCWqCakQT_SiG6ImixexyUezC2/s640/20160330_133827.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cascade Locks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg803I3eCi-Dv94XIoNcPWENrKrSQKYIGY_g56eGqWaSG9ewmHgnxFZ8SVjoPBEAKF_Hf5ll2D9w7fVSfmKdjYv8yZilBs4p6J8R8P_TQ8Zty8cxu9DpdzyrG3OY7AU6duHX6zJ7uMAZBUv/s1600/20160331_144312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg803I3eCi-Dv94XIoNcPWENrKrSQKYIGY_g56eGqWaSG9ewmHgnxFZ8SVjoPBEAKF_Hf5ll2D9w7fVSfmKdjYv8yZilBs4p6J8R8P_TQ8Zty8cxu9DpdzyrG3OY7AU6duHX6zJ7uMAZBUv/s640/20160331_144312.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawfish Etouffee</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGvFAKjA6ealvkuAU0rsPHErvfU10mi9uQI8b-j1yRdKrziQ-R1ZqPx0G4Xo6q6UbVIKrJAsNlCSS9ujBWppMQWrn5qgRjOjZQO19eIxvE6VBGAFoj67eistCzYeaa6piE95pCSHTVUFB/s1600/20160331_155009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAGvFAKjA6ealvkuAU0rsPHErvfU10mi9uQI8b-j1yRdKrziQ-R1ZqPx0G4Xo6q6UbVIKrJAsNlCSS9ujBWppMQWrn5qgRjOjZQO19eIxvE6VBGAFoj67eistCzYeaa6piE95pCSHTVUFB/s640/20160331_155009.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre mural, down by the Powell's Book Store</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<u>The Race</u><br />
We start in the dark with an obscure two track access trail around a pond to get to the Multnomah Falls Lodge, then take a nice rolling singletrack. You get a pleasant mile warmup, then blast off up the Wakeena Falls Trail which switchbacks steeply up a wide paved trail. When it gets beyond the standard tourist turnaround and enters the realm of the hikers and mountain runners, the footing devolves to a choppy and washed out mess, running with creeks. There were a handful of fasties pushing the pace and pulling away. I run hills just fine, so I did my own thing, and pushed some early calories into the bank. <br />
<br />
After 1500' feet of climbing over a couple miles, the trail descends in a similar manner as the earlier climb. First down over rocky nastiness to the Multnomah Falls Overlook, then down paved trail to the bottom. All of this went smoothly. The legs didn't feel great, but it is easy to get worried when there are 20 people around you running WAYYY under course record pace. I just kept relaxed and focused on my game. As is my norm, I would catch up on the climbs and fall back on the easier sections. None of this would matter for the next six or seven hours, so I just let it happen without ego or concern.<br />
<br />
Miles 6 (No Name) to 22 (Cascade Locks) are fairly monotonous. By monotonous, I mean regular visits to stunning waterfalls, tricky singletrack running through mossy old growth forest, and consistent short climbs and descents. Challenging terrain, but not the pace to make a stand. I think I got through here in 9th position. Leaving Cascade Locks, I began to feel stronger. Ryan Ghelfi came along and we got to talking and started mowing through the field. We hit the long and smooth downhill into the turnaround (Wyeth) in 4th and 5th place and I was out quickly with adrenaline flowing and the desire to reel in some more. I surged into the 3 mile long hill and before long I found Ryan Smith, my pick to win the race. He was definitely not having the kind of day he is known for, but it was cool that he soldiered on to finish with his wife Silke. I had the first little twinges of some cramps, so I backed off a bit and fed off the well wishes of lots of friends coming down the trail towards me. I guess when you direct 2 ultras, coach and race all over the place, you get to know some runners. It seemed I knew every other person. Two of my runners, Erin and Frank, were looking good and after some words of encouragement, I set my mind back on the chase. I was getting reports that 2nd was 2 minutes and the leader was 10 minutes up, but the numbers were always changing. It is amazing how the minds of runners process time. One woman told me 10 seconds, then the next group said 6 minutes. I began to remember some of my early training in criminal law on the unreliability of eyewitness testimony. How can so many people see the same thing and process it so differently? Amazing how the brain works. I tried to block it out and keep on my own path. With 20 some miles to go, anything could happen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMfcaFOGdHKOabhcwAek5M-jKNTADGsBccbcvb6MIDi5EK-UOsDbOo217c0MUVuQJSf6LAEnfQrFurafJ83bvjbWY91t9HwuiHTqY2N6eFI-PP_Nz3etf7gvrlsWb_-q0_BaRszIoHHt-/s1600/20160402_102312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxMfcaFOGdHKOabhcwAek5M-jKNTADGsBccbcvb6MIDi5EK-UOsDbOo217c0MUVuQJSf6LAEnfQrFurafJ83bvjbWY91t9HwuiHTqY2N6eFI-PP_Nz3etf7gvrlsWb_-q0_BaRszIoHHt-/s400/20160402_102312.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
I got back to Cascade Locks, hit another Vespa, but left in a hurry without replenishing my gels. I ran the next 9 miles with only a Honey Stinger Waffle and 50 cals of VFuel drink. It was very bad timing for such a mistake. The cramping got worse and I began to have some substantial pain on the bottom of my left foot. I consumed some extra gels at the next crew spot (49mi, Yeon), hit one last Vespa and left in sight of #2. Chris is a talented roadie and he put some distance on me on the 2 mile stretch of road. Some rough trail brought me to No Name Aid with just 6 miles to go. I was feeling a bit smoked, but still had designs on running every step of the Multnomah climb and winning the race. Leaving the Aid, there is a short climb up to join the Multnomah Trail on rocky singletrack. I am not sure what happened, but I felt a white hot jolt of pain in my heel and fell flat on my face. I heard and felt a pop. Wow, what the F was that? I stood up, picked the rocks out of my palms and tried to power hike. The next step, it popped again and I was down again. I was going to have to make a decision to quit and walk less than a mile down to the finish, or commit to the huge, technical and rocky climb and descent, with a foot that was exploding. I tried a modified stride. Any transition from heel to toe caused the tearing, so I just peg legged using my heel with my foot turned sideways. I begged everyone I saw for pain killers, but most of them thought I was insane or didn't speak English anyway. A 3rd tearing incident, and by far the most painful came high on the hill on the wet rocks. I pressed on in terrible pain, just trying to get lucky and finish. I figured up to 10 runners would pass me, but I would finish if I could just get to the top. For now, the fitter looking hikers were holding pace with me and I appreciated the company.<br />
<br />
I made the 1500' climb and committed to a downhill shuffling, stiff legged extreme heel strike that avoided any contact with the ground on the bad left foot, except the very back of my heel. It must have been quite a scene for the 500 or so hikers up there. I remained disciplined and resisted any desire to compete or strive to hold my place. My future and my health was on the line, I had 3 times ruptured my plantar fascia in the past few miles and I still had 3 miles to go. I still had a great chance of needing to be carried out of there on a litter. I made it to the pavement- now just .8 mi to the bottom according to the sign. I got better at my limpy stagger and probably widdled it down under 15 minute pace. I hit the trail at the bottom. One mile of searing pain to go. When I got to the Falls Lodge, I allowed myself some looks back and wondered how far Ghelfi was back there. He had to be coming. If I saw him, what would I do? Nothing. He was in fact coming, but there was little real estate remaining. The tourists took in my contorted look of agony as I wimpered with each stride through the bustling parking lot. Just a half mile now. More looks back. Still clear. I switched into a stride reminiscent of Forest Gump, before he got his magic leg braces off. It was so ugly, but I was doing it. I had been through hell the past 2 years. I had come all the way back. This was a big time race and despite a busted foot, I was going to podium on 30 some miles a week of running. I really could care less about getting 3rd and being "first loser." In my opinion, there is the race winner, then everyone else. You either win or you didn't, so I have no sore attitude just because I missed the Ticket by one spot. <br />
<br />
I crossed the line to cheers, a kiss from my wife and congrats from Ruy and Chris. They ran a fine race. Chris must have caught fire after I made contact with 13 to go, because he finished less than 30 seconds back from Ruy. What a race! I would have had to really climb well to have a chance to catch either. I don't really know that the bum foot made any difference. These guys just had better wheels than me at the end, when it mattered. I did not concern myself with the Golden Ticket during the run. It would have just been another distraction. Sure, it would be great to go back to Western. However, I made a resolution to only do races on their own merit, not for a qualifier. When I had to make the decision with 4 or 5 miles to go, to finish or to drop at Multnomah, the Ticket had nothing to do with it. I carried on because the entire race experience had been worthy- Portland, my time with Brandi and my friends, the excellent running, everything. If the race had been anything less, then I would have dropped. The injury just would not have been worth enduring.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U803vFZyGPOZP7Wvg_DFGXMe5eOx3XwJpUdwoO38VqMFGBgH97RXS-vdHp2ydOOU6EJOqrygHoJHNCzyiLCXYmMBio4dqBPh7Vl-mTBAsn59Aq-zPjmYkemcXLOUHHpcOUmAu0qRtYvU/s1600/20160402_153616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9U803vFZyGPOZP7Wvg_DFGXMe5eOx3XwJpUdwoO38VqMFGBgH97RXS-vdHp2ydOOU6EJOqrygHoJHNCzyiLCXYmMBio4dqBPh7Vl-mTBAsn59Aq-zPjmYkemcXLOUHHpcOUmAu0qRtYvU/s640/20160402_153616.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ruy, Chris and I just after I crossed the line.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Thanks to the Race Directors at Rainshadow Running...Matt and Kerri Stebbins and James Varner. The Gorge is a great venue for a race. I think I would try the 50K here someday. I heard the aid volunteers were great, but my wife Brandi is such a crewing machine that I don't recall if I even looked to anyone else for aid. It was all kind of a blur.<br />
<br />
Huge Congrats to the winners of the Golden Tickets and to all the finishers. Those rocks can rattle some bolts loose, so anyone making it 100k definitely earned it. If you like the rough ones, come on up to Idaho and try one of my rigs.<br />
<br />
Big thanks to my sponsors that have stuck by me through my troubles. Here's what I used from my sponsors:<br />
<br />
Ultimate Direction <a href="https://ultimatedirection.com/groove-mono/" target="_blank">Groove Mono</a> fanny pack with a <a href="https://ultimatedirection.com/body-bottle/" target="_blank">12 oz Body Bottle</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://vfuel.com/" target="_blank">VFuel </a>gels and drink. Aimed for around 300 cals and hour, with very little other foods all day. No tummy issues and each gel is such a treat. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.vespapower.com/" target="_blank">Vespa CV-25</a> Vespa's greatest benefit to me has always been enhanced mental clarity. I used this to stay focused on my game plan and to disregard everything else. I took a CV-25 about 15 minutes before the start, then at miles 13, 22, 31, 40, and 49. Each dose saw a drop in perceived exertion and a relaxing effect on my mind and body. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-87474535417221061572015-10-19T14:43:00.001-07:002015-10-19T14:43:16.246-07:00Sawtooth Bow Tie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Sawtooth Bow Tie. A 46 mile figure 8 loop with a bit of extra credit to the Imogene Pass making a 48 mile day with a lot of climbing. I ran steady but allowed plenty of photo breaks. 8hrs 29mins run time. It has been a while since I have been over 20 miles from the truck and over 20 miles from anything in any direction. That is the beauty of Idaho "capital dubya" Wilderness. So much open space. I bumped into one guy and his dog out there. Perfect.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Xr0WsdetpfG1XoDKZ3LaHeuzQAnkrt_IFgQSfemQLo2w036c43z14CkvDa2kqURMLvw6FSUNEaLzE4g4JpTkrv32JMVSRYCmDiDCvdnTkN9-YWhRmqzpyHPXZ2JWBIVrTrqAupjxM-OO/s1600/20151016_185748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Xr0WsdetpfG1XoDKZ3LaHeuzQAnkrt_IFgQSfemQLo2w036c43z14CkvDa2kqURMLvw6FSUNEaLzE4g4JpTkrv32JMVSRYCmDiDCvdnTkN9-YWhRmqzpyHPXZ2JWBIVrTrqAupjxM-OO/s640/20151016_185748.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Petit Lake near camp. B and I went for a 6 miler around camp to shake off the drive and get ready for the next big day. I ran alone and B was joined by Katie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocfx9FH3AqczRBjBRBfjG4Zq43qYrnQUg9O8wWKSU1Aha-2deTeQj4_j_aH9Arh-yCFwrdgBWjT5eandUzqGqplhia_I7mTDSXe7iRUnYFCjCETAJLxHCwnYz9cJemGxtwk8mFq4jakYy/s1600/20151017_081201.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjocfx9FH3AqczRBjBRBfjG4Zq43qYrnQUg9O8wWKSU1Aha-2deTeQj4_j_aH9Arh-yCFwrdgBWjT5eandUzqGqplhia_I7mTDSXe7iRUnYFCjCETAJLxHCwnYz9cJemGxtwk8mFq4jakYy/s640/20151017_081201.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine start yields magic light at Alice Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3QGuqk_5h1S1ZiU4EgNrFq1QOxSkfaOVxxFjiOc9hrmGHikhkslYBy-aRo8v6iBa1VVlQ6Jl8Oe2wbWEI3DUKU4OAYuw9bz9UKtMZBkmO8Zg8CBxCTzNtU-oE6ctmykDVqtB6Aedd0lW/s1600/20151017_084500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3QGuqk_5h1S1ZiU4EgNrFq1QOxSkfaOVxxFjiOc9hrmGHikhkslYBy-aRo8v6iBa1VVlQ6Jl8Oe2wbWEI3DUKU4OAYuw9bz9UKtMZBkmO8Zg8CBxCTzNtU-oE6ctmykDVqtB6Aedd0lW/s640/20151017_084500.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two billies. All the goats I have been around in Colorado were pretty tame and personable. Not these guys. They are obviously hunted and they disappeared in seconds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA060NjlqhAc0tog7yGdNGbe3AbfEZ6Z9FVgaz_tmJAeLE6Py6_oR7YrRpeRm9xOfEqHVyVX-oQ05qyf5ahA1SlX7gCUxD9jTjUa4I1DxOOAk4RgVqqir4nR7VGiN1oOy03EEeSTCnPNjL/s1600/20151017_100901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA060NjlqhAc0tog7yGdNGbe3AbfEZ6Z9FVgaz_tmJAeLE6Py6_oR7YrRpeRm9xOfEqHVyVX-oQ05qyf5ahA1SlX7gCUxD9jTjUa4I1DxOOAk4RgVqqir4nR7VGiN1oOy03EEeSTCnPNjL/s640/20151017_100901.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pristine fill up in the headwaters of the South Fork of the Payette River at 9,000'. I live very near the North Fork of the Payette headwaters. It was cool to see the South Fork.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkMm066qPZW6bm6lKVjTa5bjpPXsH-CqxIO-IdgPzhkSIl54K_ezA13tlbrDS3eb4VVgr5Ay3AYBGFFWuK60FyvHjNr5ABRvkE2-T7Akueqsgj85V3h__9z2LRVkPR9qIigqQQdy2csYS/s1600/20151017_115806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAkMm066qPZW6bm6lKVjTa5bjpPXsH-CqxIO-IdgPzhkSIl54K_ezA13tlbrDS3eb4VVgr5Ay3AYBGFFWuK60FyvHjNr5ABRvkE2-T7Akueqsgj85V3h__9z2LRVkPR9qIigqQQdy2csYS/s640/20151017_115806.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many lakes. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNFC8qRtBArRB0bAZupd51wbpg9KHd6Hu5jespTLwmIyF1WdPxZTES0EP8KvItkvTs4GggN0OcUB8BCGwJssdk4Tu590YxQ9pubzGAmlyo5Fy5b4V4GxaJAkWqlIZIfS5WHjGHH1sPYKs/s1600/20151017_140938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKNFC8qRtBArRB0bAZupd51wbpg9KHd6Hu5jespTLwmIyF1WdPxZTES0EP8KvItkvTs4GggN0OcUB8BCGwJssdk4Tu590YxQ9pubzGAmlyo5Fy5b4V4GxaJAkWqlIZIfS5WHjGHH1sPYKs/s640/20151017_140938.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Virginia Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TYrH0wEaZCqL8lrUebSehD81L7t1dGOvOLFEZgOHcoV4Hv9BuO4v8xYBmrYxc9vxRElkKzCCDf8x1LAZFyLvm80jG2Y-yaYBQRSO9oehoW03fztR2-AKvl3Xmt0kLCTURcol128RKjvO/s1600/20151017_144258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-TYrH0wEaZCqL8lrUebSehD81L7t1dGOvOLFEZgOHcoV4Hv9BuO4v8xYBmrYxc9vxRElkKzCCDf8x1LAZFyLvm80jG2Y-yaYBQRSO9oehoW03fztR2-AKvl3Xmt0kLCTURcol128RKjvO/s640/20151017_144258.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went left and climbed up to the pass above Imogene.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AxjwoUOPc7BSQbc_E-rTCfb3QZ0zdF1ehj2UJzhVVd-53dV4dcyq8zHsn-cqdaxI8E_1HEiOkDrBl2tG1In0jXAvejZIZMc2zJKQwl2lR68pjWUZgq3XKu4TJ2ZdjxaMcgIdjP_m3dNg/s1600/20151017_144633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AxjwoUOPc7BSQbc_E-rTCfb3QZ0zdF1ehj2UJzhVVd-53dV4dcyq8zHsn-cqdaxI8E_1HEiOkDrBl2tG1In0jXAvejZIZMc2zJKQwl2lR68pjWUZgq3XKu4TJ2ZdjxaMcgIdjP_m3dNg/s640/20151017_144633.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very fortunate to have the weather hold. T-shirts at almost 10,000 in Idaho in October is a rarity.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoa0llv5UxXLVPz0OgVBnsvTysatDYGvJu-0HoL3-ovyrSQe5Kc3oMwciG8mcD739fZUcKEUUevjcDyAWRY_2ODy4MMaR9bZWrpHaBJP0KeS04KdJfz6mLnleiolKwiOkxp6-0PDDEQ19/s1600/20151017_144923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPoa0llv5UxXLVPz0OgVBnsvTysatDYGvJu-0HoL3-ovyrSQe5Kc3oMwciG8mcD739fZUcKEUUevjcDyAWRY_2ODy4MMaR9bZWrpHaBJP0KeS04KdJfz6mLnleiolKwiOkxp6-0PDDEQ19/s640/20151017_144923.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD05c036wYFuLWob1sserJTuZrStTx1dmaYmuNnjg6cQ9AuZ9ADPPNqjsfYbr9gzUmBue4p_5RG62O3k3LQNDpcgksSd2gw7FL9JgUxDALllPFp7Gl_KmLhu1oYX0RnR2PeTt6PWqWnSNc/s1600/20151017_150915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD05c036wYFuLWob1sserJTuZrStTx1dmaYmuNnjg6cQ9AuZ9ADPPNqjsfYbr9gzUmBue4p_5RG62O3k3LQNDpcgksSd2gw7FL9JgUxDALllPFp7Gl_KmLhu1oYX0RnR2PeTt6PWqWnSNc/s640/20151017_150915.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Imogene Lake. Next time I will explore this central trail that cuts through the heart of the Sawtooths, north to south.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-25548070298247365872015-08-08T15:50:00.003-07:002015-08-10T18:03:52.970-07:00How to "run" Nick PeakCalvin and I set off for my final long run before Fat Dog. Nick Peak would be the culmination of Calvin's summer mountain running training. It involves about 9 miles of actual trail, 4 miles of steep and loose bushwhack and a few miles of clean and beautiful ridge traversing with scrambling. As you can see in the description below, it Involves subtle route finding. This classic McCall peak guards it's secrets carefully and turns away many first time suitors due to its length, rough terrain and deceptive difficulty to find "the way."<br />
<br />
The day starts with just over 4 miles in the East Fork of Lake Fork Creek canyon. Since it was Calvin's tempo day, we warmed up a mile and did the next 3 miles at around 7 minute pace on the undulating terrain and gradual ascent.<br />
<br />
At the 4 mile mark, at an old sign post (with no sign), turn right and go cross country through a meadow towards the creek, which you reach in 100 yards or so. At the creek, angle right slightly and ford the knee deep water aiming for cairns on the opposite shore. Enter the woods and for the first couple hundred yards, the trail is tricky to follow. As the trail begins to climb into old growth forest, it becomes wider and obvious to follow, but it tends to have some downed timber on it.<br />
<br />
You are now on the Idler Creek Trail. You will follow this uphill about 1 mile until it comes right up to the creek. You may cross here, but there is a better crossing just upstream about 30 yards. Angle upstream as you cross and find the trail on the opposite shore. Follow this trail briefly, until you reach a granite rock slab on your left. Ascend that slabby and bushy face. As you climb, go left each time you hit an alder patch. These alder trees are impassable, bright green leaved bush/trees that grow facing downhill in tight bunches.<br />
<br />
At around 7500 feet, you will pass the last of the alder thickets and can begin moving right slightly and heading toward the old remnants of the trail. It is not critical to hit the trail, but it may help some and will lead you to the right notch above. At 7800' you can catch the trail. It angles slightly left and climbs to 8250+' at Fitsum Summit (remember in Idaho the word "summit" means saddle or pass- not the top of a mountain).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKcS_-PBbJ5s1MBV9r7CVvPJUuOE19Gi6S-vUDUE25YRzuvDQjenmW1l_3NMlpjrSlxmcXBHMJfFwba4elDTUjeh-X1ZZVSK_lerKrzR0kJYO5CcIOeSOBuUKx_E-ki23PNQKMO4a6uDn/s1600/20150804_104659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKcS_-PBbJ5s1MBV9r7CVvPJUuOE19Gi6S-vUDUE25YRzuvDQjenmW1l_3NMlpjrSlxmcXBHMJfFwba4elDTUjeh-X1ZZVSK_lerKrzR0kJYO5CcIOeSOBuUKx_E-ki23PNQKMO4a6uDn/s640/20150804_104659.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Turn right and ascend the steep ridgeline. At 8600+', at a false peak, encounter an instrument box of some kind with solar panels on it. It is about 10 feet high. Descend slightly and cross some talus, staying on the ridge top. Climb again through pearly white boulders and grass.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPmFk785aGpuS0GjoxzvnBihbpScKXxvCD762I13Uv5WFgT1hXgaLYEtAEnOABjw_yAkmOvh9gdATnW9aj102flyoyHdL-S-qrMu5NWaw_9wF7ri_M2eXAoBkEadhB3QgZ__ulgwnslJG/s1600/20150804_105355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvPmFk785aGpuS0GjoxzvnBihbpScKXxvCD762I13Uv5WFgT1hXgaLYEtAEnOABjw_yAkmOvh9gdATnW9aj102flyoyHdL-S-qrMu5NWaw_9wF7ri_M2eXAoBkEadhB3QgZ__ulgwnslJG/s640/20150804_105355.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crazy classic north ridge of Nick Peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeliv2W6Rx1I4AI_ZZkgLTl41zMLj_IZSfuBj9cmNy4miZzraZJu0A4t1CZssKdKETENQ9TgAa_pCZKNEpY2n6rRMJDtfbMSQ359EckS00r0ukqvzF8Xagdipm6pw4BOs0FzHAadd1rBF/s1600/20150804_110131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPeliv2W6Rx1I4AI_ZZkgLTl41zMLj_IZSfuBj9cmNy4miZzraZJu0A4t1CZssKdKETENQ9TgAa_pCZKNEpY2n6rRMJDtfbMSQ359EckS00r0ukqvzF8Xagdipm6pw4BOs0FzHAadd1rBF/s640/20150804_110131.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
At about 8900', cross the "Sidewalk" and then head off the ridge to the right, to avoid a false peak with steep rock. When you view the peak from McCall, this false peak is the left side of the "nick" or gunsight that makes up Nick Peak. The real peak is the right part of the "nick." Go down off the ridge to the right and drop 100 feet or so and keep heading south towards the true peak. Scramble up the talus towards the final pitch. It is guarded by 100 feet of steeper rock that is mostly avoided by walking around on loose rocky ledges. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboNVIJlMwTwFmUokC50CRRTD9mQiZEfjgIQpV-LQcBXykKfHqNlhiJmpf6fFO9LBneqwye19YQoUCt5EEM7KTmfj_RoSfNflRlYCAwba2a8j3tFTY1aeZb9-fw6sQGv3_0ViPjr4I5ZFQ/s1600/20150804_110629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboNVIJlMwTwFmUokC50CRRTD9mQiZEfjgIQpV-LQcBXykKfHqNlhiJmpf6fFO9LBneqwye19YQoUCt5EEM7KTmfj_RoSfNflRlYCAwba2a8j3tFTY1aeZb9-fw6sQGv3_0ViPjr4I5ZFQ/s640/20150804_110629.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Sidewalk"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, there are 3 short moves of consequence, that I call the "3 Boulder Problems." They are very low 5th class climbing, are only about 10 feet high and have ledges below them, so a fall would not likely result in tragedy. The greater danger is rolling loose rocks down on your partner. To avoid this, we send one climber up each little boulder problem at a time. This also allows the lower climber to spot the climber above.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk7F4RWkFgOsNaHVgTA3W9FUgiJrmqd28Q_jO5CSQyuqEmyq_WM_9lVjer0ZpSlgESfgH4Tx-dUKmKyScgsuyJo8AY7nIVhzYHjO352Cpi_20JL2Shtonp0H2rhkhKq2PEN0IRFHXnGkK/s1600/20150804_111757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk7F4RWkFgOsNaHVgTA3W9FUgiJrmqd28Q_jO5CSQyuqEmyq_WM_9lVjer0ZpSlgESfgH4Tx-dUKmKyScgsuyJo8AY7nIVhzYHjO352Cpi_20JL2Shtonp0H2rhkhKq2PEN0IRFHXnGkK/s640/20150804_111757.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ledges leading to the first boulder problem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFUFdTWYu8RQr7zrG7daHe934N-JJ0h_RLAJs28PPBF2XQqHyK9BvrVOezFiyWSrWW4XoSToFL0KxwPkhAxWx6zeOyUzKIioOjLq86e9rveWuEkQH17I-muKmM1lJMuR-9RIHAWH-7Bxt/s1600/20150804_112934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFUFdTWYu8RQr7zrG7daHe934N-JJ0h_RLAJs28PPBF2XQqHyK9BvrVOezFiyWSrWW4XoSToFL0KxwPkhAxWx6zeOyUzKIioOjLq86e9rveWuEkQH17I-muKmM1lJMuR-9RIHAWH-7Bxt/s640/20150804_112934.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top. 2 hrs 11 mins with plenty of goofing around.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q5-ub3dOmRw8aTaVI3iPQ_Bm2asw7aGgwfMpq1tlZPjP_pVXccO62aS-Kgrk97uDEKukGNjvMbm9s_NqdF8FsIByfkKoUBTTErxM99ujCb_Afnb2RPaGAbq0RaBdzd2J5SDOl35UewOw/s1600/20150804_115850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Q5-ub3dOmRw8aTaVI3iPQ_Bm2asw7aGgwfMpq1tlZPjP_pVXccO62aS-Kgrk97uDEKukGNjvMbm9s_NqdF8FsIByfkKoUBTTErxM99ujCb_Afnb2RPaGAbq0RaBdzd2J5SDOl35UewOw/s640/20150804_115850.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We continued north into the Nick Lake basin and swam in that little tarn in the center of the photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmK4ijgJEGfJmVbND1wVZHOPztj3bGMlUaNjP8opBCjqJdqTDBnk8lSc3yXKRihpbuea8QiyjSWAXpA6x_p58sTnsv95gGcDwxML3BpuXRX_U05279IK5bfQrOIE2YLKzpor3VR9egUP9/s1600/20150804_125025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFmK4ijgJEGfJmVbND1wVZHOPztj3bGMlUaNjP8opBCjqJdqTDBnk8lSc3yXKRihpbuea8QiyjSWAXpA6x_p58sTnsv95gGcDwxML3BpuXRX_U05279IK5bfQrOIE2YLKzpor3VR9egUP9/s640/20150804_125025.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span id="goog_859179562"></span><span id="goog_859179563"></span><br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-48525952514778173592015-08-01T11:55:00.002-07:002015-08-02T07:55:18.676-07:00Good times<br />
Fat Dog 120 in just two weeks time. It has been a long and toilsome journey back to health and fitness, but I am thankful for the process as much as the outcome. I finally feel ready to walk the fine edge between breakdown and breakthrough. Not sure there is much difference in strategy between 100 and 120. I guess I will find out. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvH9QZlTF-o0bU15o7DoIdKpL6Qp2t4xhoW1glbhbc0DdcVdaQe2YyIfWNmxqHqTs6mGRnpeIaJ8CNq-1unmj9J7FKdvKNMLo5bTWRHsdW-3ffTazYmkXJthi9FOve9qMnju5mBbR0WJ8/s1600/20150617_154323.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGvH9QZlTF-o0bU15o7DoIdKpL6Qp2t4xhoW1glbhbc0DdcVdaQe2YyIfWNmxqHqTs6mGRnpeIaJ8CNq-1unmj9J7FKdvKNMLo5bTWRHsdW-3ffTazYmkXJthi9FOve9qMnju5mBbR0WJ8/s640/20150617_154323.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glassing the Buckhorn valley.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqxmzz1Q2HvW8Nfih7jHmKyD6urRy38jRSbwCJPZ1tOLsHBr68abFeWHEeDqywyXAbpXptyOxYJQIz4ud3dSeEfc3soiwb-Kni7rgAe2jJsd2sYv13I5vQXw9B78jOb6OiPjwYwilpUjv/s1600/20150620_151740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqxmzz1Q2HvW8Nfih7jHmKyD6urRy38jRSbwCJPZ1tOLsHBr68abFeWHEeDqywyXAbpXptyOxYJQIz4ud3dSeEfc3soiwb-Kni7rgAe2jJsd2sYv13I5vQXw9B78jOb6OiPjwYwilpUjv/s640/20150620_151740.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gnkZnqUECTghwwqGqjpl0nB3BIX3mYuDTXy64TqsvxGANg1r7NeYOyW7NQ5nmPoHL7OHbqBlXJ9wsC-LMV5pEvmyqMgVmsJ0RbqxFdCPwrtvCUUYnkVtVmtBM2Vp3NAGUFHBpKSmSu7i/s1600/20150620_151718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gnkZnqUECTghwwqGqjpl0nB3BIX3mYuDTXy64TqsvxGANg1r7NeYOyW7NQ5nmPoHL7OHbqBlXJ9wsC-LMV5pEvmyqMgVmsJ0RbqxFdCPwrtvCUUYnkVtVmtBM2Vp3NAGUFHBpKSmSu7i/s640/20150620_151718.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3bKV982PaCC4Mp5ZpvoUe_hFTXmjVJ83ndpvYMkmpTgMtrm6-K1fPntXRlDbu_Nt6koDTVvkSlfsq3aJdQ4GiNMetMcH72xdne_Ie1Fzd-DrMR98hH55zszNYEKNXlOngAyJ_CXjq8XC/s1600/20150621_134034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT3bKV982PaCC4Mp5ZpvoUe_hFTXmjVJ83ndpvYMkmpTgMtrm6-K1fPntXRlDbu_Nt6koDTVvkSlfsq3aJdQ4GiNMetMcH72xdne_Ie1Fzd-DrMR98hH55zszNYEKNXlOngAyJ_CXjq8XC/s640/20150621_134034.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty and I cut that step into the big round in 2013. Our saw was too small to go all the way, so we spent an hour hacking a step in so you could vault over. The next year, the Forest Service removed the round. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Brundage Cat Track 10K </span></u></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPHmoiqgK3OCkOYLbv6qEgjiAufMEvFFyhm8NKNG_hPnlzBIVcb42Xslx9ekr05PE8FqyGx7N8lSn1IAT3oKmu4pMRXxRhlRZA0xas52gV83ClVU9_K0kILwFdf81-W7rNI6PZkARqg15/s1600/20150704_112636.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqPHmoiqgK3OCkOYLbv6qEgjiAufMEvFFyhm8NKNG_hPnlzBIVcb42Xslx9ekr05PE8FqyGx7N8lSn1IAT3oKmu4pMRXxRhlRZA0xas52gV83ClVU9_K0kILwFdf81-W7rNI6PZkARqg15/s640/20150704_112636.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandi's 2nd year as RD of the Cat Track 10k. It grew to over 100 runners.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">McCall Trailrunning Classic </span></u></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JgUIwmr1eCczry22ZjHQFeQrKHS8q5S7ZHKL_b1UdhPUxh5qnVDupaFRZhxcX_XskM3t0MXSpzL06zEnizRnZ16vhv4mZzcwmrAFs7rte8_VUcbNfZhhkAKsxkClb65w6JvX9CEsZnqJ/s1600/20150705_102440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0JgUIwmr1eCczry22ZjHQFeQrKHS8q5S7ZHKL_b1UdhPUxh5qnVDupaFRZhxcX_XskM3t0MXSpzL06zEnizRnZ16vhv4mZzcwmrAFs7rte8_VUcbNfZhhkAKsxkClb65w6JvX9CEsZnqJ/s640/20150705_102440.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boulder Mtn. with Keith, Jess and Kent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sgQbwvDA3goXSbfBgQ5TeQYVFlA2YLzDEDj4sCnNsswKiAqBMx83SaqSsZmpxjRYgmq7RD5A1b09IQ9Arh_5a3SE-pALVdhOy0pt1px7pk11mQmFbw7cQ-I-0nHHNnvb-tPku2F3IISc/s1600/20150713_140203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8sgQbwvDA3goXSbfBgQ5TeQYVFlA2YLzDEDj4sCnNsswKiAqBMx83SaqSsZmpxjRYgmq7RD5A1b09IQ9Arh_5a3SE-pALVdhOy0pt1px7pk11mQmFbw7cQ-I-0nHHNnvb-tPku2F3IISc/s640/20150713_140203.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">RD duties under ominous skies. We made 4 trips up the Ladybug and Jughandle Peaks to get it marked and ready to race. Three of those trips were under serious threat of lightning.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX-0a4lmb3hAbQJSQ9AzjY8AHqoDUZN60g7pSwrdMf5_42J-EUWO0J2CwQGfK-lgjDsgh5A_k37Uf-m9rDPmF4sgqXLoHkaOlATj7TD7puu4v4wgXzMBGqpY2kEFg08WFFVz7JxjJgkqR/s1600/20150716_171758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVX-0a4lmb3hAbQJSQ9AzjY8AHqoDUZN60g7pSwrdMf5_42J-EUWO0J2CwQGfK-lgjDsgh5A_k37Uf-m9rDPmF4sgqXLoHkaOlATj7TD7puu4v4wgXzMBGqpY2kEFg08WFFVz7JxjJgkqR/s640/20150716_171758.jpg" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEYeDJFpvlmqe3BdNPDpiIb7nYXigxqCwG0CISqR37ZPmxNabef2Q2PhET-eFpPyNakZzTbFSU01nbzBkr8jFtAXXSMjn1SdfTc9WDF-5uUXhWM-dh0b79vf0SLaJO7XTdONmb7SI0x64/s1600/20150718_175515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMEYeDJFpvlmqe3BdNPDpiIb7nYXigxqCwG0CISqR37ZPmxNabef2Q2PhET-eFpPyNakZzTbFSU01nbzBkr8jFtAXXSMjn1SdfTc9WDF-5uUXhWM-dh0b79vf0SLaJO7XTdONmb7SI0x64/s640/20150718_175515.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My friend Keith Lannom finishing his first ultramarathon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDEoy0eFbuiPDZ9FWC82ZIR0uVIn-BTWynTD6c1IMMSaIEZQ6Es_DnJPSnorTWRM6J95Lj8PMHiJ0Jb1NbpNMoaMaPW62rKvicVvLB98_1lgyuCbPtDKcAuRfIYDKxgzFh_nNmjnf_SRv/s1600/20150716_154434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDEoy0eFbuiPDZ9FWC82ZIR0uVIn-BTWynTD6c1IMMSaIEZQ6Es_DnJPSnorTWRM6J95Lj8PMHiJ0Jb1NbpNMoaMaPW62rKvicVvLB98_1lgyuCbPtDKcAuRfIYDKxgzFh_nNmjnf_SRv/s640/20150716_154434.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that is a racecourse. (just follow the pink ribbons)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Patrick Butte w/Matty</span></u></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFY0ayfqS4Wg4M-TdJe_A4lPTAFjYH9IV8bDE_1CGw52dNljOCUWYeUqloz79H3we2pQYAwDPEemr6EtBIHhEdvlnJXCVR4no77LLN7l33gqQy6iNYObO2aSM1wGzZyJdGc2UwdLdTY6a/s1600/20150726_141235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihFY0ayfqS4Wg4M-TdJe_A4lPTAFjYH9IV8bDE_1CGw52dNljOCUWYeUqloz79H3we2pQYAwDPEemr6EtBIHhEdvlnJXCVR4no77LLN7l33gqQy6iNYObO2aSM1wGzZyJdGc2UwdLdTY6a/s640/20150726_141235.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsl8l3V0PPtYtMqIiRqKbxYuAAeRctn_KfQg3KEdOVep9pWiL5dNQNamINey-sPyUXuNQt_ksH1WYJuL3VIWeTwcpDYlSLfNahQ0WW_9lWCxuGyWe-06jcG68myaE6Bs74d8FhDfE5Agy/s1600/20150726_142255.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOsl8l3V0PPtYtMqIiRqKbxYuAAeRctn_KfQg3KEdOVep9pWiL5dNQNamINey-sPyUXuNQt_ksH1WYJuL3VIWeTwcpDYlSLfNahQ0WW_9lWCxuGyWe-06jcG68myaE6Bs74d8FhDfE5Agy/s640/20150726_142255.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Patrick Butte lies 8 miles from the road. It is the peak in the left of photo, but we didn't know which of these peaks was the true summit until we found the summit marker. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGgstv4A2VVmHLIl_ruFhR2IkDnnrgZAY22P5a3iZsnZvyVnDBFLwxTV5DZHggEcFoAvR-OVo1gfLdPgHjJel3d7VjYjZAn8eDdxhRxh3aiFn8lP68GTrmdGWCql8Y01jHpTYwUJiGJya/s1600/20150726_153819.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPGgstv4A2VVmHLIl_ruFhR2IkDnnrgZAY22P5a3iZsnZvyVnDBFLwxTV5DZHggEcFoAvR-OVo1gfLdPgHjJel3d7VjYjZAn8eDdxhRxh3aiFn8lP68GTrmdGWCql8Y01jHpTYwUJiGJya/s640/20150726_153819.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty on the finishing gully of Patrick's summit ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;">Stay Vertical Cross Country Camp</span></u></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_ue-JYNhdJGHLtMrgMzxkDWWPrc-Ijzw65RUDGrdz_lI_uONbX1wioDP4VhciJjLu576k9kHc8stTjHkONX61otu3JaYaOraBvYqVULxvCKHGNxXLacpjcbPnEA69YBMuOe5fdqKM2K7/s1600/20150730_120534.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9_ue-JYNhdJGHLtMrgMzxkDWWPrc-Ijzw65RUDGrdz_lI_uONbX1wioDP4VhciJjLu576k9kHc8stTjHkONX61otu3JaYaOraBvYqVULxvCKHGNxXLacpjcbPnEA69YBMuOe5fdqKM2K7/s640/20150730_120534.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The girls of Lick Wilmerding High School came back for their 3rd year to our cross country camp. This is a pic from our climb of Bear Pete Mtn near Burgdorf. This is the top of our new 30k race on September 20th.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-12659024554106478582015-07-03T07:09:00.001-07:002015-07-03T09:56:34.915-07:00An Early Idaho Summer<br />
Summer is in full swing in McCall, and has been for several weeks. Currently, we are stuck in a continuous stretch in the low 90's. One day was 97F in town. This melted out everything pretty early and made June quite productive for getting after it. As usual, my early season is comprised of lots of peak bagging and ridge running. This gives way to more proper running, once the fitness comes along and the body hardens to the rigors of our brutal trails. <br />
<br />
Today, I connected several obscure and forgotten trails around the French Creek and Little French Creek drainages making a memorable new 25 mile loop. For the first time in my life, I had a predator react aggressively towards me. I was moving downhill on a rough trail covered with alder branches. I was only able to run about 10 minute miles downhill, because my hands were always in front of my face pushing the alders away. I heard a small rustling just ahead. I thought it was a squirrel. I popped into a tiny clearing and came right up to a medium sized black bear. We both jumped back a bit, startled by the encounter. My momentum continued to carry me downhill and as I caught a quick look back, the bear was growling and charging. I hit an opening in the alders with smooth trail and after just a few steps with a surge of adrenaline, the pace went to an all out sprint. My arms went up to make me bigger and I growled and barked loudly to attempt to intimidate the bear. I heard her pounding the ground behind me for just a few seconds, then I was gonzo hitting sub 4 pace as I screamed down the trail. I think the bear only charged maybe 20 yards at most, but I kept hammering a solid mile down into French Creek, which at around 4000' was nearing 100 F today. I plunged into the icy water and let my heart slow and relax. I believe I surprised a sow with cub and put her into a tough situation. Nowhere to go. The cover was too tight to get out of there with baby, so she held her ground. I have encountered many bears up close, including those with cubs, and have never seen anything but fear and avoidance from them. I am grateful to learn from her in her lair, and live to fight another day. The remainder of the run was uneventful, besides the mild bonk brought on by many hours in the heat and only 400 calories in the belly. I am beginning to feel my summer groove. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Pics from our upcoming McCall Trailrunning Classic 10/20/40.</b></span></u></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuzP7X1Prqv7QubqBcgX-SX1wErj53iPbWU9xDyQr3b0OwtkegGuQh8__-cF8tZnS8GXlA4ceZ2KGz31MWLlT_K6fwX7MnPUU-LQMEvOvbfQ6eLGsmvMRpCKQg2e5fBoK3AOEQskKG94c/s1600/20150526_115524%257E3%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuzP7X1Prqv7QubqBcgX-SX1wErj53iPbWU9xDyQr3b0OwtkegGuQh8__-cF8tZnS8GXlA4ceZ2KGz31MWLlT_K6fwX7MnPUU-LQMEvOvbfQ6eLGsmvMRpCKQg2e5fBoK3AOEQskKG94c/s640/20150526_115524%257E3%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Climbing The Lady Bug Peak. The Long Valley is below, containing the towns of McCall, Donnelly and Cascade. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yvEa4og4AJZrYwVEpVnV4XYfth9fJwpmeWPRa2nrKPMWGmztCe5bhEpY_71grkq3Lsk0o9nIi4gqDp8K4UBh4mqGTzonTboAiqxRY6BH11oPyVidQrjeq8_TPtckwrydRf7xJ_cgzhXA/s1600/20150526_121012%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-yvEa4og4AJZrYwVEpVnV4XYfth9fJwpmeWPRa2nrKPMWGmztCe5bhEpY_71grkq3Lsk0o9nIi4gqDp8K4UBh4mqGTzonTboAiqxRY6BH11oPyVidQrjeq8_TPtckwrydRf7xJ_cgzhXA/s640/20150526_121012%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Traverse from The Lady Bug to Jughandle Mountain. A 1 mile cross country traverse through grass, Lupine and Fireweed. Ends with a section of talus, then steep trail descending to Louie Lake.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD7QdjXuw_r9p7-59JK6jZBaYP3k26tlF0WGlGXIxfxy2V9w3RKOwIcq21cHtEydyCV5j9TznYWcGffW9kUYrGOcJxkqbWjqldsSv8ar1PgNhD_ES6BYwUrW5ctDMemJJEqNEJTqii9Vq/s1600/20150526_125908%257E2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJD7QdjXuw_r9p7-59JK6jZBaYP3k26tlF0WGlGXIxfxy2V9w3RKOwIcq21cHtEydyCV5j9TznYWcGffW9kUYrGOcJxkqbWjqldsSv8ar1PgNhD_ES6BYwUrW5ctDMemJJEqNEJTqii9Vq/s640/20150526_125908%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Talus. Pretty rare in races these days. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWEhh_6-8F_LL50mjAv7k3k19l2he8kHNafQ4otaNboLFdn-C3B3L6L85YVXZvtuEnL72f5CGbZlec4CxukReNDyqp81Zd-jJrXm43zt6IYfuS1mPVoDX0Jtg3_jEzl-UQaI6i_QOmC9l/s1600/20150526_133444%257E2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFWEhh_6-8F_LL50mjAv7k3k19l2he8kHNafQ4otaNboLFdn-C3B3L6L85YVXZvtuEnL72f5CGbZlec4CxukReNDyqp81Zd-jJrXm43zt6IYfuS1mPVoDX0Jtg3_jEzl-UQaI6i_QOmC9l/s640/20150526_133444%257E2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back down from Jughandle Mountain, crossing the Louie Lake Dam</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSFYvn7WAQnqfPauia08pkItfzgIAcRLcKzODi2EY0O2Q4wl0V5mfI_RQsqhI5dcbEfdzwVHOpOdjtgQvOxNXOkJ9lRTfk7G_MUAKE98wx0cGt42EIFX7OmmZzlb5hxZzD0lCBk87QsBJ/s1600/20150621_132635.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSFYvn7WAQnqfPauia08pkItfzgIAcRLcKzODi2EY0O2Q4wl0V5mfI_RQsqhI5dcbEfdzwVHOpOdjtgQvOxNXOkJ9lRTfk7G_MUAKE98wx0cGt42EIFX7OmmZzlb5hxZzD0lCBk87QsBJ/s640/20150621_132635.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">BJ
Haeck and Matty Tock descending from Buckhorn Summit towards Boulder
Lake.
Irene and Karl and their famous pack goats will run an aid station just a
quarter mile below this point.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Scrambling Adventures</b></span></u></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSliOMpQwLCgajqDb4DGCtecBC1v9qRZnECCH6pTnBPkOjlQCPrSNkt60fj0-PA8UPqxN-r532ShIPBFkPQggEtANW7xF_ZUHT4V-cWCPJp5eKqjyX1p3R70hafUS-MmMBgqk6immuWVBW/s1600/20150617_163736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSliOMpQwLCgajqDb4DGCtecBC1v9qRZnECCH6pTnBPkOjlQCPrSNkt60fj0-PA8UPqxN-r532ShIPBFkPQggEtANW7xF_ZUHT4V-cWCPJp5eKqjyX1p3R70hafUS-MmMBgqk6immuWVBW/s640/20150617_163736.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Brandi approaching the summit of Rapid Peak 8300'. This is a great ridge traverse between Kennally Creek Pass and Buckhorn Pass. Using the trails to these passes and the ridge that connects them makes a fine loop from Boulder Lake.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vN8KgyrzL8_aG4o1zS0qbAYAn1wN29LCcIvrHI0nQa_S75CYFMQGDYjZanV4YUNJEZ2rXlNZH7pi_6BpOUS22EW0xwYAe9VJAVv-ZBcU_fe9NSQfPdifplMIeN7PxTjWM0GuJbFz4LaN/s1600/20150620_141345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8vN8KgyrzL8_aG4o1zS0qbAYAn1wN29LCcIvrHI0nQa_S75CYFMQGDYjZanV4YUNJEZ2rXlNZH7pi_6BpOUS22EW0xwYAe9VJAVv-ZBcU_fe9NSQfPdifplMIeN7PxTjWM0GuJbFz4LaN/s640/20150620_141345.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nick Peak with Matt, Katie and Brandi. Sadly, my phone/camera had a clear sticker over its lens, so all shots on this day from my camera were blurry. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YtRN01fZMGORuxfraol_0NdDnu8H74pGbC1WoT3ufuNdRNyEtesCLsAKQ27QU1NpmJ5WerY9CbDEs1Ilk1JiN1-bAk_JPJBM-SOSDApEWViwPnGa0CaOHE9K__TxrMBHPxBS24-iTzHB/s1600/20150620_142654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6YtRN01fZMGORuxfraol_0NdDnu8H74pGbC1WoT3ufuNdRNyEtesCLsAKQ27QU1NpmJ5WerY9CbDEs1Ilk1JiN1-bAk_JPJBM-SOSDApEWViwPnGa0CaOHE9K__TxrMBHPxBS24-iTzHB/s640/20150620_142654.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Katie Tock on the final summit block of Nick Peak. Definitely no-fall territory.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKgARxDu0m6KCUTI8u3ug-S9JdUWIlX0oyoKoSdpOw9adT5jPzzEv7iWIH6hTi7OCT0xjP7Yz36Cae8zhAutS7b3W7P-DZdqB8WVDTQmdZKLucsxM0JzCRCWL0s_y_22-nKl7NXxa5oiS/s1600/20150620_140803.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihKgARxDu0m6KCUTI8u3ug-S9JdUWIlX0oyoKoSdpOw9adT5jPzzEv7iWIH6hTi7OCT0xjP7Yz36Cae8zhAutS7b3W7P-DZdqB8WVDTQmdZKLucsxM0JzCRCWL0s_y_22-nKl7NXxa5oiS/s640/20150620_140803.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Still some snow above 9,000' on Nick Peak. Probably gone by now. It was 93-97F this week.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJLNmKLF-Pz707oA_2zqNxQoYSkmneJU3luGb_ZWvSvStvGXTFRUZ8WrG7PDpxocTRiEtI87ojfeGpkl62aIPZ-P7VtsCQIHoglE5hyRQq7K2cHx9K5EKxO09Gx-T13wYmtjusGv4hMf1/s1600/20150623_130024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJLNmKLF-Pz707oA_2zqNxQoYSkmneJU3luGb_ZWvSvStvGXTFRUZ8WrG7PDpxocTRiEtI87ojfeGpkl62aIPZ-P7VtsCQIHoglE5hyRQq7K2cHx9K5EKxO09Gx-T13wYmtjusGv4hMf1/s640/20150623_130024.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Idaho Batholith Granite. On the ridge near Beaverdam Peak.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5gjgTZ9C-xzl6VxFimNBzFc3Jv_m7cPleKwgjWQvCjbXvCtp2oCSV_nM3SAdNWuAjQr_YBW0lLziOkoIkfZ7aIclZ3XjPAXciMiWFumiQwpG7NtPXbBZQTTqA96KAEsLqy5XoHb9gRgl/s1600/20150623_120345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5gjgTZ9C-xzl6VxFimNBzFc3Jv_m7cPleKwgjWQvCjbXvCtp2oCSV_nM3SAdNWuAjQr_YBW0lLziOkoIkfZ7aIclZ3XjPAXciMiWFumiQwpG7NtPXbBZQTTqA96KAEsLqy5XoHb9gRgl/s640/20150623_120345.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Anatomy of a great elk spot. You can't tell from this picture, but there are many elk in this area, visible only with binos. I have been carrying them on most of my ridge running/scrambling adventures. This little area has everything an elk needs to spend summer through fall rut. First of all, the meadow is high (7500') and right against the alpine zone above. I took this photo from a summit at 8600'. This means it will stay cool. There is water in that meandering stream which is essential for the spot to hold elk through the summer. The water also keeps the surrounding grasses green and nutritious. There are multiple timber stringers running away from the meadow giving the elk multiple escape routes when attacked by wolves and other predators. The timber is thick enough in the top of the photo to provide shelter from winds and to allow them to bed in the cool shade on hot days. The smaller ancillary meadows are substantial enough that smaller satellite bulls may even take up residence here and attempt to lure females away from the main center meadow as the dominant herd bulls are exhausted in late-September.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-87189720391391466682015-05-10T20:11:00.002-07:002015-05-11T03:23:24.185-07:00A decade...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dad. Old Man. 10 years today you've been gone. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This morning, I was out the door before the sun rose and drove all day to the desert. I'm going to run until there is no more run left in me. I'm not sure if I will run to feel something or just go numb. Either way, I'm sure it is a plan you would understand. Time to be on my way. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Strength and honor, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">jer </span>Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-25665890527655462202015-03-31T08:44:00.001-07:002015-03-31T08:44:10.017-07:002nd Half of March, 2015<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVJnA0KNJQRD5q37BcWWixEYmPRzDWvWC6BfLCpvhyTrV1u9txKL7-KLmI5NEX10LMfw1ZydPch_f-ITmfKXbUKLQz-Ch9LPWe11fpis4HQXmdDeNhTdxFofbFOcQmyBWV6cG-8J2qqey/s1600/20150322_155217.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnVJnA0KNJQRD5q37BcWWixEYmPRzDWvWC6BfLCpvhyTrV1u9txKL7-KLmI5NEX10LMfw1ZydPch_f-ITmfKXbUKLQz-Ch9LPWe11fpis4HQXmdDeNhTdxFofbFOcQmyBWV6cG-8J2qqey/s1600/20150322_155217.jpg" height="269" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty on Cannonball Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq7SCurYV4adkaqQ9y6ngtzC1Pa7z6qc5ROurEZUd5dL4ZpFwDxFtkNyAZtkKkTQ-x3jvdsSBOIr2gw3M39v2ke7xIa9ZTz1yJN4aOS5cX3Voki9JBzanXuHW_n8peAYq668bFt0PwtXu/s1600/20150322_160632.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTq7SCurYV4adkaqQ9y6ngtzC1Pa7z6qc5ROurEZUd5dL4ZpFwDxFtkNyAZtkKkTQ-x3jvdsSBOIr2gw3M39v2ke7xIa9ZTz1yJN4aOS5cX3Voki9JBzanXuHW_n8peAYq668bFt0PwtXu/s1600/20150322_160632.jpg" height="310" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Descending Cannonball into Rapid River with the Salmon River Mountains in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBDUEX7ZUUZ1s3mfhTm5LMfHnRlkOwkPOCGI1ntJdcL4fVzDID26rcz9T5b5dU14bQblRpmCbhOOm1YqpnqgA-Jj0kD3lRhxwfNtCQLR10ijNNEuYTL6x6yK-GqrMdELnZWW8nI6Lq54C/s1600/20150322_154353.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHBDUEX7ZUUZ1s3mfhTm5LMfHnRlkOwkPOCGI1ntJdcL4fVzDID26rcz9T5b5dU14bQblRpmCbhOOm1YqpnqgA-Jj0kD3lRhxwfNtCQLR10ijNNEuYTL6x6yK-GqrMdELnZWW8nI6Lq54C/s1600/20150322_154353.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandi and Katie.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i0wWdtDqLwYID53pTCY8_1LzrzOMDXVtI85yxMApRbR703ImbQKUPegFuMxzvI3SGhUiM5JDPLlD65H6m411nRCd4Yyz0J4-Rk5Y2OpRxc3p_1My36-D7pXQ2I280vwAQswt1OO0F1s9/s1600/20150321_112835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6i0wWdtDqLwYID53pTCY8_1LzrzOMDXVtI85yxMApRbR703ImbQKUPegFuMxzvI3SGhUiM5JDPLlD65H6m411nRCd4Yyz0J4-Rk5Y2OpRxc3p_1My36-D7pXQ2I280vwAQswt1OO0F1s9/s1600/20150321_112835.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell's Canyon, near Pittsburg Landing.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09Z0P3I4W2_vMkFOScsJPjBaZ-rBGcjBMNogb7tc84KhItqWG_r9FTXdMPCVP1NNyDzYO6C6HMIPfnz02m3eUS4gyyG_tnJvy-m7VuaOSIOJNHJKv-dRIAyWbUnpIPIC-8W2qplSEy0r_/s1600/20150321_134133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj09Z0P3I4W2_vMkFOScsJPjBaZ-rBGcjBMNogb7tc84KhItqWG_r9FTXdMPCVP1NNyDzYO6C6HMIPfnz02m3eUS4gyyG_tnJvy-m7VuaOSIOJNHJKv-dRIAyWbUnpIPIC-8W2qplSEy0r_/s1600/20150321_134133.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hell's Canyon near Suicide Point. The Snake River boils below, carving the Lower 48's deepest gorge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk6gv1wEexvTxBq-cZmNHMCb_JPCYvQ9ojmszrLNE9dFWDXImQlLxKMqzPkXkBmFH6MQd841rV4M_XuX-KgjZFFlR7ZOrbfZmbQcHYZ59RhY84jD5dCGzN0x8IQNxjs4NMSaq2NBIhk9H/s1600/20150321_133156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWk6gv1wEexvTxBq-cZmNHMCb_JPCYvQ9ojmszrLNE9dFWDXImQlLxKMqzPkXkBmFH6MQd841rV4M_XuX-KgjZFFlR7ZOrbfZmbQcHYZ59RhY84jD5dCGzN0x8IQNxjs4NMSaq2NBIhk9H/s1600/20150321_133156.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suicide Point.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHfpLPSVjJSGuAbHW-5TqdI2nE-B4wOEOU6QF-0x5kGQrzkxsyqFw_K1ZJ5xlpGaNLkJrhPofz6Ouv-C1g_CQskFTmRknO5iG_ntT4NZrJVoQU7pBG2VP8wq5LsCMIgIVo32Nc_j0FQ6w/s1600/20150321_132847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHfpLPSVjJSGuAbHW-5TqdI2nE-B4wOEOU6QF-0x5kGQrzkxsyqFw_K1ZJ5xlpGaNLkJrhPofz6Ouv-C1g_CQskFTmRknO5iG_ntT4NZrJVoQU7pBG2VP8wq5LsCMIgIVo32Nc_j0FQ6w/s1600/20150321_132847.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tripod. Molly, Katie and Brandi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-MyTglh-nUH5quApQ7N9Ooa9_XqPY7X55pQXwnG5NEKMXL1btoEYyquqWG14epe7Vs3JOBskTBx6apkEgruCNVTqCrAny1QwgnwOy4j1n3LBo2gemY1CfCv92kSjFV-YfFbrf_r0JZRl/s1600/20150322_173058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz-MyTglh-nUH5quApQ7N9Ooa9_XqPY7X55pQXwnG5NEKMXL1btoEYyquqWG14epe7Vs3JOBskTBx6apkEgruCNVTqCrAny1QwgnwOy4j1n3LBo2gemY1CfCv92kSjFV-YfFbrf_r0JZRl/s1600/20150322_173058.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBOf8Nv2B7d7Ik00Ci7MpyJop1380iHQTuNOXkSsLpc77sqPtMT8USZ1OqFZR7jKMX0XB1RdPofxtoRClnNuyUHHypT4RsCTf2drg-AaLFXtRFthoLWFTPDLll77fCoX4jtyZ3HbGJuG9/s1600/20150330_131940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdBOf8Nv2B7d7Ik00Ci7MpyJop1380iHQTuNOXkSsLpc77sqPtMT8USZ1OqFZR7jKMX0XB1RdPofxtoRClnNuyUHHypT4RsCTf2drg-AaLFXtRFthoLWFTPDLll77fCoX4jtyZ3HbGJuG9/s1600/20150330_131940.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lots of critters in this one. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVDojCGHq_jrlFA0QPhQMq1RTaAod8stcfTcaQdATI_LKbK7oJPif0pOrEep059016glvaHL-uJgR7QjjvOZpU_aARG8XYAXVTVhQHdlGyjuiBlp8x1XEYC1kCQ9_NUgYC3yK2gaRvxIv/s1600/20150330_171518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdVDojCGHq_jrlFA0QPhQMq1RTaAod8stcfTcaQdATI_LKbK7oJPif0pOrEep059016glvaHL-uJgR7QjjvOZpU_aARG8XYAXVTVhQHdlGyjuiBlp8x1XEYC1kCQ9_NUgYC3yK2gaRvxIv/s1600/20150330_171518.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-4766248495785681452015-03-09T09:31:00.000-07:002015-03-09T09:31:02.516-07:00Spring Training<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am finally starting to get out with some regularity. Hiking and skiing at Brundage, a few shorter runs around McCall and a once-a-week trip to Rapid River, near Riggins, ID. RR is 40 miles north of McCall, but starts much lower and is quite warm. I have been focusing my efforts on learning Cannonball Mountain</span>, a 7200' peak perched over the West Fork of Rapid River. From the Fish Hatchery trailhead, it is a minimum of 6+ miles and over 6000' of vertical gain to the summit.</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAM5NoFEi0cOcGwKUEiuiFcmWhYdYSaM0mk28Yj2VKKwaFd3fnd-1WyXu3FacWTpsTc7vh2DAu5hSiad2fXwRNSfABWRYZ6NUL9CYLcFeb5Zscsyorqs53f18sSMGFlPp1Ce9PAVbzAEk/s1600/20150308_152542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHAM5NoFEi0cOcGwKUEiuiFcmWhYdYSaM0mk28Yj2VKKwaFd3fnd-1WyXu3FacWTpsTc7vh2DAu5hSiad2fXwRNSfABWRYZ6NUL9CYLcFeb5Zscsyorqs53f18sSMGFlPp1Ce9PAVbzAEk/s1600/20150308_152542.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near the top of Cannonball Mtn 7200'. The 7 Devils loom to the West.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY39CIW3lDaoTlfEctFcCo9oIegAkNJKeo6c1V8v9o7bnTuU0f0DYFUcNLGwkIt0c2SRc3AYe295aAoxnP9zuAVVxsaFIbqCgWymQVbRKdU9w2IRVdH4mFfj79dVZJQ9QNOIoyJ-6hlda/s1600/20150308_144831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVY39CIW3lDaoTlfEctFcCo9oIegAkNJKeo6c1V8v9o7bnTuU0f0DYFUcNLGwkIt0c2SRc3AYe295aAoxnP9zuAVVxsaFIbqCgWymQVbRKdU9w2IRVdH4mFfj79dVZJQ9QNOIoyJ-6hlda/s1600/20150308_144831.jpg" height="260" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bachelor group of bulls. They would sprint left to warn a herd of 100+ to flee into the timber.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo_nRqWLu_cKN3T9M4vZzm2Fa9UcFuewFVUSI-vJbl-gvXIpb7GeO6F3fOaBjuPx_v3mIHPjCb6JJncyEhyIySs3-2pf8yI-umMzRt5oA6aHlM2Dt2RK6713h4gL1PwG1Fmk4_9NzXXpZ/s1600/20150308_145501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWo_nRqWLu_cKN3T9M4vZzm2Fa9UcFuewFVUSI-vJbl-gvXIpb7GeO6F3fOaBjuPx_v3mIHPjCb6JJncyEhyIySs3-2pf8yI-umMzRt5oA6aHlM2Dt2RK6713h4gL1PwG1Fmk4_9NzXXpZ/s1600/20150308_145501.jpg" height="346" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The slope here is 40 degrees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBNoCSgWOrx1mkd9rGP-GKZvrw-6CYiRuGXRyiQzUy634L_lem8m7B1SOh60y4fG6hPjHKLTZIktWng2YqWulz0xm17tA23jbyiB3eNS7UrW5MUY53VoAjgVe4diisdCSf4BIvjHgPGRL/s1600/20150308_142820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXBNoCSgWOrx1mkd9rGP-GKZvrw-6CYiRuGXRyiQzUy634L_lem8m7B1SOh60y4fG6hPjHKLTZIktWng2YqWulz0xm17tA23jbyiB3eNS7UrW5MUY53VoAjgVe4diisdCSf4BIvjHgPGRL/s1600/20150308_142820.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Above the Coconut Grove on Cannonball.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvBNtyong6H7SiczAYRb6wuCdJh2k9V8HHWn5mbZKVfKV8uCj1L9GhkWAQtE-ZOUoAvvgIwcvTIHp2J1sc6YYbgWTPWrJjM4wiulms4yntxfRTwxqrqPpi-XgM4g2h5XSiqx_6sZQuHQn/s1600/20150308_155145.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvBNtyong6H7SiczAYRb6wuCdJh2k9V8HHWn5mbZKVfKV8uCj1L9GhkWAQtE-ZOUoAvvgIwcvTIHp2J1sc6YYbgWTPWrJjM4wiulms4yntxfRTwxqrqPpi-XgM4g2h5XSiqx_6sZQuHQn/s1600/20150308_155145.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I popped up over a ridge to see 50+ elk within 100 yards. After staring at them for a few minutes, I realized this girl was chowing down just 20 feet away to my right.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyM6ucpubETmZMpUmWvTvE9p2hmIZlH2htjmFuR4bSUL-Z7I20kZ3pga33xo0ITyqVBnASWBkliQozuhVajNfE9t9LeAyGoprmzY7vesXCp3l1TxcuHXltqVGZchuO21Bs7u-i3w9gFNu/s1600/20150308_145217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTyM6ucpubETmZMpUmWvTvE9p2hmIZlH2htjmFuR4bSUL-Z7I20kZ3pga33xo0ITyqVBnASWBkliQozuhVajNfE9t9LeAyGoprmzY7vesXCp3l1TxcuHXltqVGZchuO21Bs7u-i3w9gFNu/s1600/20150308_145217.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lone cow elk about to drop into the timber below the 7 Devils.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjCe1vwDpC2FGAwtT_DiJ2xE68Y1zBo_Mg6TeE0eCasHVs6m9LCaEnMz31Ao4uIxFoJ-rs42Ln_aNVemE7QQ7-lxpADUjvktWKxMLVOpUWRsx5P2JFhw1Qv9qev591RdzoBlrIsLm0pAe/s1600/20150224_143407.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihjCe1vwDpC2FGAwtT_DiJ2xE68Y1zBo_Mg6TeE0eCasHVs6m9LCaEnMz31Ao4uIxFoJ-rs42Ln_aNVemE7QQ7-lxpADUjvktWKxMLVOpUWRsx5P2JFhw1Qv9qev591RdzoBlrIsLm0pAe/s1600/20150224_143407.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk herd in the snow near the trees in the bottom left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn-UE3MzNq-x6qpoLWS6Uj0R4PqatSnDYKf68fK6qYQLz9lPqLiDM4BN-7SvelCrX7KPDytmmIT7dSayfMvem4hVTwpWW_-5LiqF6KgLjzKzE0LevJt_wFsJnjzkzQa70-p6P5VyTmgLO/s1600/20150215_130745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibn-UE3MzNq-x6qpoLWS6Uj0R4PqatSnDYKf68fK6qYQLz9lPqLiDM4BN-7SvelCrX7KPDytmmIT7dSayfMvem4hVTwpWW_-5LiqF6KgLjzKzE0LevJt_wFsJnjzkzQa70-p6P5VyTmgLO/s1600/20150215_130745.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The opening mile of the Cannonball Mtn. Trail. 1200+' per mile.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLISGMY6tAKNXXTQB2xeh6GDleR58OLX7ZgHLAg71q56BtuUDIjLFLMDJF_nETol058-8P_CYa8Dn7t2UlKrASRPmIE9deXsq7gaJfjf8LvealW7nQD17fhAAwvZAvyGzLWQr5xx6hDwkV/s1600/058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLISGMY6tAKNXXTQB2xeh6GDleR58OLX7ZgHLAg71q56BtuUDIjLFLMDJF_nETol058-8P_CYa8Dn7t2UlKrASRPmIE9deXsq7gaJfjf8LvealW7nQD17fhAAwvZAvyGzLWQr5xx6hDwkV/s1600/058.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3IRcZhqDWsOwcXp8M-oe_DMIhXhl7U9tEjvSI_pZc5IlWnN3LYmecC3MfnDqPQ9CSXx9yHSdB2uyHc5QCLWnkY4Hkt-BpRFSGKjBKKSRHcIUitY6CA3uPML93XUO8HDQmsmef2iW_kf4/s1600/3_8_2015+McCrea_Cannonball.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3IRcZhqDWsOwcXp8M-oe_DMIhXhl7U9tEjvSI_pZc5IlWnN3LYmecC3MfnDqPQ9CSXx9yHSdB2uyHc5QCLWnkY4Hkt-BpRFSGKjBKKSRHcIUitY6CA3uPML93XUO8HDQmsmef2iW_kf4/s1600/3_8_2015+McCrea_Cannonball.PNG" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That is what a 17 mile run should look like.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Skinning and Hiking </span></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAKCuDeXg7VOk7AYGWhBTx2QFCqAbwMAlOpfHg_3DIvyqaXgg1tDe1jwIDK651Gs-QVX5RWig_2aQB61Jn-QupZoS5Iynq8ipVs1Bq2TUo8ZJfOPKvvjAPzN8UxB9y1MREM5E7NOkx8ps/s1600/20150219_091817+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlAKCuDeXg7VOk7AYGWhBTx2QFCqAbwMAlOpfHg_3DIvyqaXgg1tDe1jwIDK651Gs-QVX5RWig_2aQB61Jn-QupZoS5Iynq8ipVs1Bq2TUo8ZJfOPKvvjAPzN8UxB9y1MREM5E7NOkx8ps/s1600/20150219_091817+-+Copy.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Firm snow caused by weeks of sun and high pressure makes a ridge crossing from Brundage to Sergeant's Peak a great afternoon outing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWFtXUe0S2oZqm3bVdRd2QmgrVoO5_rAWQtRn6FUeGKC3MDDJMxaVTUfvmla2qtOhFjA5YHbj5eUW129f5thYc49a-ZvjESs2u2yT1AJ90x6-aJOenYvNQMX-S5pvPL7U5tlpYAn1nhGJ/s1600/20150304_173452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhWFtXUe0S2oZqm3bVdRd2QmgrVoO5_rAWQtRn6FUeGKC3MDDJMxaVTUfvmla2qtOhFjA5YHbj5eUW129f5thYc49a-ZvjESs2u2yT1AJ90x6-aJOenYvNQMX-S5pvPL7U5tlpYAn1nhGJ/s1600/20150304_173452.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After seeing this, I went home and made Brandi cut my hair.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaclhz3fzpgbDs0ckyjsYt5YvecyJiwEOrYfuhSSUcHQ5XSzkkLXWyiXzjN5o5uJXUm55vBZWnCTYJmMy4JayPVaDFg8_cD95Gmz0xiSQ3fxPZNwhaIct2aBCdyMcaaaibX7wg9h2wylW/s1600/20150225_091753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyaclhz3fzpgbDs0ckyjsYt5YvecyJiwEOrYfuhSSUcHQ5XSzkkLXWyiXzjN5o5uJXUm55vBZWnCTYJmMy4JayPVaDFg8_cD95Gmz0xiSQ3fxPZNwhaIct2aBCdyMcaaaibX7wg9h2wylW/s1600/20150225_091753.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandi running some morning corduroy at Brundage.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">A New Floor! </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">We have been busy laying a new acacia wood floor for the past several weeks. We are now 99% done. The final planks go down as soon as I am done typing this. </span> </span></div>
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5FbhaqgVHVFC-s2SKR3ueon7VC6eLOx1QNuS12g-GjXRe2SNQFpgcdutNk1WM6qTE2F-96o0rOuvIIeoGT-Y5-IhmZBiWU2pZ7m8kYloNvf3SVqyWp9A4SC114hqTyAJ3IRBJwUGidER/s1600/007.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5FbhaqgVHVFC-s2SKR3ueon7VC6eLOx1QNuS12g-GjXRe2SNQFpgcdutNk1WM6qTE2F-96o0rOuvIIeoGT-Y5-IhmZBiWU2pZ7m8kYloNvf3SVqyWp9A4SC114hqTyAJ3IRBJwUGidER/s1600/007.jpg" height="640" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before you lay a new floor, you must remove the old one. This would prove to be the crux of the mission. It took nearly 2 weeks of filthy work before the slate was all gone. It involved 10 days of crowbars, sledges and chisels, 3 days of jackhammers, and 2 days of angle grinding before the subfloor was clean. Then, I laid a new layer of 7/16 OSB over the existing subfloor to even it out.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevirtB-PwJI_rV5ADDMXYTFDjjpJcM2bMJUvi1YADXpBChUgQDj-b1jX14Roj7_Oyanr_Z6o8K1mKHntZ4OdxnNKiBTM_ad8Hlgm0CJNTwgVO1qdwGY8kxAphC7ruwbgyXltKSoWpln0u/s1600/20150219_143014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevirtB-PwJI_rV5ADDMXYTFDjjpJcM2bMJUvi1YADXpBChUgQDj-b1jX14Roj7_Oyanr_Z6o8K1mKHntZ4OdxnNKiBTM_ad8Hlgm0CJNTwgVO1qdwGY8kxAphC7ruwbgyXltKSoWpln0u/s1600/20150219_143014.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island in the way of progress? Car jack it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-7Zgro0fv8SqIkpDHn0wXasE6ku6hJwagGqZwsRmxnkinq5Qp-SkmFVUboPFAXN0AEazXlgetQ6KZs_J-80O6yH14du6eclxwq4GfPNABPoSE6ik4cBZBFcXP4FByJACa8sSCbM_2RAg/s1600/20150219_123543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-7Zgro0fv8SqIkpDHn0wXasE6ku6hJwagGqZwsRmxnkinq5Qp-SkmFVUboPFAXN0AEazXlgetQ6KZs_J-80O6yH14du6eclxwq4GfPNABPoSE6ik4cBZBFcXP4FByJACa8sSCbM_2RAg/s1600/20150219_123543.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandi gluing and nailing, gluing and nailing. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfhd4PIxQXRbr4wRZ6MNNQn-zclx9nxGd945RQkfDrez7-bCsCMpr1XsHzlOi7pm11U8DDIiafOkubf6nohxnqFRNdr_c8BfHT3eouT-EypNig0CRvtmjOFipaMYpHMAzo79FqbB9IK7Ol/s1600/026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ5FbhaqgVHVFC-s2SKR3ueon7VC6eLOx1QNuS12g-GjXRe2SNQFpgcdutNk1WM6qTE2F-96o0rOuvIIeoGT-Y5-IhmZBiWU2pZ7m8kYloNvf3SVqyWp9A4SC114hqTyAJ3IRBJwUGidER/s1600/007.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="goog_1799505430"></span><span id="goog_1799505431"></span><br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-56270323759049709482015-02-08T12:52:00.001-08:002015-02-08T12:52:27.886-08:002015 PlansThis morning, I did my first "exercise" in exactly 2 months. I skied up to the top of Brundage Mountain, gaining 1600' in just over a mile in 30 easy minutes. I skied back down on a fresh few inches of powder. I drove home. No big deal. Everything felt fine. The broken hip made no protest the entire time. If I feel no soreness, I may try again tomorrow.<br />
<br />
I have been giving some thought to my 2015 season. Here are some tentative plans. The early season stuff is completely contingent on steady and rapid improvement in my health. This year, I will be completely disinterested in improving at running, and instead just seeking big adventures. My biggest gains have come from this approach anyway. Why fight it?<br />
<br />
February: Finish laying my new hardwood floor and some other home projects. Ski a bunch and start some gym workouts with treadmill and stepmill walking, biking, and deep water running (DWR). <br />
March 7th: 1st run in 3 months. Lots of antler shed hunting at Rapid River.<br />
Early April: Florida trip with Brandi. Some beach running and fishing in the ocean.<br />
April 18: Robie Creek 1/2 Marathon. Likely to not happen for me this year.<br />
April 25: Grand Canyon R2R2R. For time if I'm fit...just for fun if not.<br />
July 11: Hardrock 100 (on waitlist, but planning to go and be ready to run or volunteer/pace)<br />
July 18th: Direct the <a href="http://mccalltrailrunningclassic.com/" target="_blank">McCall Trailrunning Classic</a> with Brandi<br />
July 25: The Real Crestline (McCall, ID- 20+mi) attempt <br />
August 1: Idaho 12,000ers attempt<br />
Mid-August: Grand Sawtooth Loop (Stanley, ID- 65mi)<br />
Aug 30-September 30: Elk Hunting <br />
September 19: Direct <a href="http://imtuf100.com/" target="_blank">IMTUF100</a> with Brandi<br />
September26: maybe a hundred miler???<br />
October: Little bit more hunting, lots of wood chopping, maybe one more race if I didn't race in September.<br />
November: Run the trails until they are buried. Finish gathering wood.<br />
December: Zero exercise.<br />
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-35516167760853722102014-12-10T18:28:00.001-08:002014-12-10T18:28:37.401-08:00The North Face 50...and the futureIt has been a weird and scary year for me, and the North Face 50 was no different. After UTMB, I got sicker for a few weeks. I did several rounds of blood and other testing. Finally, they found West Nile Virus in me. I made some dietary changes to avoid some foods I was found to be allergic- almonds, blueberries, wheat, soy. Eventually, the dizziness and fog lifted sometime in November and I did some pretty good training runs. I was reasonably confident I had enough fitness to put up a decent fight. <br />
<br />
I started out at a quick but comfy pace over the first few miles. I was probably around 40-50th. I chipped away at the field and by mile 14 was in the 30's. After leaving Tennessee Valley at mile 14+, on a steep and muddy hill, I slipped a few inches and felt my left calf tighten and then tear a little. I almost quit right there. The same thing happened at Bandera in 2013 and it was not possible to finish or even walk on. Amazingly, it eased up and I felt better after a few miles. I modified my stride and was probably a little limpy, but I was still moving OK. I began to rally after mile 25. I was still around some guys that would go on to be in or near the top 10. It was awesome running with Rob Krar around mile 30. Somewhere around mile 35, there was an endless mud slope downhill with runners coming up the hill towards us from other races- marathon/50K. I came around a corner and had to break to avoid a big impact. I again slipped in the mud and felt something in my hip/groin pull a little. It didn't hurt, just tightened up the whole area. From there, my form fell apart. My entire right hip, glue, groin complex was locked down and I had cramp feelings all over that area. I got passed by several runners in these next 10+ miles, including 1st and 2nd women. At the top of the final hill, it is 2 miles of down, then a flat and small uphill mile to the finish. The downhill began to hurt pretty badly in the front of my hip capsule. I just jogged it out and finished in 7:21. I have never felt as fresh after a race. The effort was genuinely easy throughout. It is amazing how good my cardio felt in that thick air. <br />
<br />
When I stood on one leg to put my warm pants on, I felt a jolting pain in my hip. I hung out with my buddy Andy Skurka and my wife Brandi, chatted with some other runners and ate some food. Brandi and I hobbled over to the buses and I knew something was very wrong.<br />
<br />
I am home now. I have not sought any medical care yet. Just trying to give it a few days to settle down. I believe I have a semi-unstable fracture of the femoral neck of my right hip. I can not walk or bear weight. I am pretty much bed-ridden and every movement causes shocking pain. I know the pain of soft tissue damage well. This seems like a different animal.<i> </i>A memory from the past gives me hope...I dislocated my shoulder in 2005 while climbing in Colorado. I was certain I had broken a bone in there, but it was just very painful in the capsule. I was climbing again in a week. It is possible that I just let the hip slip out a little and tweaked everything around there- like the shoulder injury. I am giving the hip a few more days before I make any moves. I was planning a long rest anyways, but this could retire me even if it heals properly. Time will tell.<br />
<br />
I am in tons of pain and the future is far from certain. However, I am not feeling dark. I feel grateful for all that my body has allowed. The Old Man surely knows I have chased this dream with every bit of conviction I had. I love my wife. Life goes on.<br />
<br />
16th on the Hardrock 100 waitlist... <br />
<br /><br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-30694230912049416302014-08-30T04:55:00.000-07:002014-08-30T04:55:09.452-07:00UTMBWell, it's over. All those frozen pre-dawn mornings on the skis, the weightroom, the miles and miles and miles. It was a great adventure, one that will certainly pay off in future races, but I wasn't able to use any of it last night. I learned long ago that I either have or it I don't- and I hand nothing on this day. After some nice runs in the Alps last week, I acquired a virus or some sickness that made me exhausted and dizzy all this race week. I had some terrible head pain, muscle pain throughout my body, a fever and dizzy spells. I kept it to myself and stayed optimistic it would break and I would be rested after a week of no exercise whatsoever. I ate as much as I could, slept 12-14 hours a day and just waited, rather scared that whatever was wrong with me was not passing. I toed the start line with a plan to be very conservative. I was dizzy and wanted to go lay down as the final countdown began and the music blasted. It was quite a frantic scene taking off to that kind of hoopla. I smiled and tried to enjoy the scene- maybe once in a lifetime.<br />
<br />
I was dizzy and had cramping twinges in my calves on the first mile through town. I felt completely disconnected from my legs and any uptick in effort beyond casual jogging made me see black spots. Thankfully, it was raining hard. That cooled me and helped to clear my head. I hiked all the climbs and passed many with ease, only to not have the coordination to run downhill. I walked basically all of the downhills. I saw Brandi in Contamines and she saw the deer in the headlights look on my face and knew I was in for a rough go out there. I climbed the Col du Bonhomme (second climb of the day 4000+') and felt ok, but I limped all the way down to Chapieux to the aid at about 50k. Even the beautiful grassy downhill road that leads the 2 miles to town, I was only able to jog and stumble an 11 min pace. That is 6 min mile territory and I was unable to even jog it at this point. For the first time, I felt a bad pain in my lower back. I wasn't sure if it was from bad running form or if it was a kidney issue. I sat in Chapieux for several minutes eating some soup. It had stopped raining a while ago and I was boiling, even in the middle of the night wearing very little. <br />
<br />
From Chapieux, I jogged up the gravel road in the dark towards the Col de la Seigne. Then, my light died. I sat on the road and changed the battery to a brand new extra battery I just bought for $50. I plugged it in and it only showed 1 out of 3 bars remaining. I charged it fully and it was nearly dead before I used it! Wow, that only bought me a few hours of light, then I would be down to my small back up light. Not good. Onward to Courmayeur. On that road at a bathroom stop I saw some red in my urine. That meant it was my kidneys. Now, I was scared. I ate and drank plenty, but my energy was absolutely failing. I was swerving and stumbling on the roads. It was about to get ugly on Seigne. I took my time, knowing I was on the edge of losing my finish. I actually climbed ok and even passed some others. But, in the first steps downward, I was falling and beating myself silly. I focused hard on form and trying to get anything going to save me. I had an overwhelming urge to sleep and the dizzyness was making downhills dangerous. I got to the Lac Combal aid. It was just 13 more kilometers to see Brandi in Courmayeur, Italy and I wanted to get there. As I pulled into the aid at Lac Combal mile 40, my spare battery died and now I would be down to just my emergency light. I had some water and soup then went into the medical tent for a checkup. The doctor pushed into my right kidney and pain shot through me. She told me my day was done and said I could get a car to Courmayeur. I was thankful for their help and felt like I was risking serious damage if I continued to Courmayeur. It was no let down to stop. I had played all my cards and my day was done. I looked forward to hugging Brandi and catching the bus through the Mont Blanc tunnel. I will be watching my health closely- especially the kidney thing.
Hopefully, it was just from the atrocious downhill running form I was
using and not some kind of kidney failure. It was humbling to fail so completely. However, I know I was not able to
perform due to a sickness- not overtraining or some self inflicted
problem from errors in my preparation. That is a small victory- knowing I am stronger than that and someday that strength will show. It is just sad that it could not show on this wonderful course around the Alps.<br />
<br />
So, I slept a few hours and here I sit blogging while the winners approach the finish line. Not how I imagined it. I am still excited for my future as a runner. September is a big month of hunting and directing IMTUF. We will be home in a few days and hopefully I can recover soon and try to race again before the season ends. <br />
<br />
Thanks for reading. I appreciate your support. <br />
<br />
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-66072251453446286852014-08-10T15:27:00.000-07:002014-08-11T07:35:18.617-07:00Saturday at the Races: Huckleberry Trot 5k and the Brundage Summit Cat Track 10k<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>A final tune-up</b></u></span><br />
<br />
I haven't run fast for a while. I focused the past months on as much volume and vertical as possible, which has not meant much energy to sharpen the axe. 20 days out from UTMB, I figured a day of shorter racing would give me a nice strength boost and recalibrate my mind and muscles to what real pain and suffering was all about. It just so happens that this weekend, there are 2 local races starting just 2 hours apart that made for an exciting and acutely painful "speedwork" day. I have not run a 5k or 10k since I was 10 years old, so I did not know what to expect besides trying hard and having fun.<br />
<br />
First up was the Donnelly Huckleberry Trot 5k. I had it on good authority that the winner of this rig got a fresh baked Huckleberry pie. Sold. I am a sucker for fruit pies...especially locally picked berry pies. I took it out hard, but my hamstrings were already very unhappy and tight after just a half mile. Some rolling hills added to the fun and my heartrate soared. I figured I could run around 5 minute splits- which I knew would hurt carrying all the miles and fatigue on my legs into the race. At the turnaround, I wasted a bit of ground missing an arrow in the parking lot behind the old <a href="http://www.runnersworld.com/where-run/rave-run-roseberry-idaho" target="_blank">Roseberry General Store</a>. I rejoined the inbound course and focused on form. Mostly, I focused on proper arm carriage and backward/downward elbow drive with velocity. This drives faster leg turnover and avoids wasteful arm gyrations that plague my running as I tie up with fatigue. <a href="http://www.irunfar.com/2013/05/arm-swing-the-canary-in-the-coal-mine.html" target="_blank"> "Put the elbows in your back pockets."</a><br />
<br />
On I went, deeper into anaerobia and farther into the pain cave. My watch registered 3.1 and I still had a ways to go. My sub-16 slipped away. I hit the line in 16:21 and was glad to be done. I thanked everyone for the "fun", grabbed my pie, chugged an ice cold shake of ginger/citrus <a href="http://www.drinksword.com/" target="_blank">SWORD</a> sports drink mixed with whey protein isolate for quick recovery, rolled the sticks with my <a href="http://www.rollrecovery.com/r8/" target="_blank">R8 </a>and I headed north on Highway 55 for Brundage Mountain. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdlX1zPccs-mEdOUWH4l3pfMdx6jBbHd3i7UotY6eMy4ZBYDLJQYzTQBk19g9616Gaxxf_-1WM3_h6IpX3uzf9QXCwpB4nu2GYe9L3IjVol3Z23VzulZyeMzJ9ah_oJm9c4-7_KuBOcBg/s1600/Marcie+Betty+Huckleberry+Trot+Finish+pic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdlX1zPccs-mEdOUWH4l3pfMdx6jBbHd3i7UotY6eMy4ZBYDLJQYzTQBk19g9616Gaxxf_-1WM3_h6IpX3uzf9QXCwpB4nu2GYe9L3IjVol3Z23VzulZyeMzJ9ah_oJm9c4-7_KuBOcBg/s1600/Marcie+Betty+Huckleberry+Trot+Finish+pic.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finishing my 5k. Marcie Betty photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As predicted, the pins turned to concrete sludge while sitting in the car for 45 minutes. I cranked the tunes. Neil Young's <i>Old Man</i> is the standard when I need to feel something. Alice in Chains <i>Down in a Hole</i> to get mean. The Stroke's <i>Someday</i> just because. I got to the starting area and hobbled around to loosen up. It was already over 80 degrees and my head was spinning and breathing labored in my warmup jog. I took a VFUEL gel. And another. A VESPA Ultra for focus and muscle-sparing aminos. As I jogged, a young kid bounded past me with a great stride and I knew he would be the one to beat. His name was Gabe and though he was new to mountain racing, he had some solid D1 track and cross country under his belt at the University of Kentucky and had recently been logging miles with Max King and David Laney around Bend, Oregon. Yeah, he would be in the mix for sure.<br />
<br />
The Brundage Summit Cat Track 10k is a first year event organized by Brundage Ski Resort and RD'ed by my wife Brandi. It is a classic and simple challenge that I undertake often in my training...run up the Cat Track and back down it. There are better routes up and down the mountain, but this one is a fine test of legs, lungs and guts. The start is at 6000'. The first mile climbs 400 feet, to where the steepness starts. The next mile goes up 800' and is a VO2 maximizer. Early in the 3rd mile you hit the "shoulder" of the mountain, hang a left and roll north along the summit ridge from 7200' to the summit at 7640' and the turnaround.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVCnJWUU1zXey8tm4x5a_g5SR_pS23zmGOWSkTXH4ifsKHgjiKxFtd3nHwGaGIq1qrEkwwwUaIK457GELvpzdEEqvxI6hpBbpk5_LWF59BOr7K-jQqsLfJwIY_H0hdgruFJKyjkykK6Lu/s1600/April+at+Brundage_Start+Pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVCnJWUU1zXey8tm4x5a_g5SR_pS23zmGOWSkTXH4ifsKHgjiKxFtd3nHwGaGIq1qrEkwwwUaIK457GELvpzdEEqvxI6hpBbpk5_LWF59BOr7K-jQqsLfJwIY_H0hdgruFJKyjkykK6Lu/s1600/April+at+Brundage_Start+Pic.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by April Whitney.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
As Brandi began her starting countdown from 5, 4...a bear darted above the slope just above us to the delight
of everyone. He was a beautiful blonde and seemed to be frolicking and enjoying himself as he bounded across the steep ski run. 3, 2, 1...GO! I felt tired and slow. I settled in while
a kid in an orange shirt sprinted off the line, then soon it was just Gabe
and I out front. I hit the mile in 7:19- a full minute faster than I have ever
ran that first mile. Gabe was right with me. We hit the first steeper
pitch and I surged to make some space. I always feel better with a gap . I have been like that since I was a child. The Old Man and I had countless hours of fighting over this point when I was young. Real fights that went all night long sometimes. I just could not help it and still can't. He begged me to slow down and run even splits like in the Prefontaine movie where Bowerman is trying to get Pre to pace himself. No matter the pre-game plan, I am compelled to impose my will and then out-suffer the competition if they choose to go with me. Every good race I have run used this "strategy." <br />
<br />
The steepness came and my margin grew some more. My breathing was raspy and I was near my limit as the slope increased to over 20% for the final 500' vertical pitch to the shoulder at 7200'. The angle eased but my legs would not turnover. My hams were smoked from the 5k this morning and I was left with a short and choppy stride. I have run this stretch much faster in training, but it was not happening for me. The heat was soaring up there. As I approached the turnaround aid station, I saw my Mother-in-law Rita and barked out "shot of coke...shot of coke." I was falling apart and needed a bit of sugar to clear my head. I managed to get a mouthful on the run, a big splash across my face and tossed the rest. It helped. I hit the top at 26:30, a PR by about 2 minutes. As I descended, I passed Gabe 30 seconds later, which meant my lead was 1 minute. He looked great and I feared his youthful speed on the downhill. A shot of adrenaline spiked through me and I galloped a bit faster. My wobbly legs struggled to find a rhythm on the steep and rocky descent. One misplaced step onto a rock and everything I have been building this year would be ruined. My plan was to run the rockier upper stretch a bit more cautiously, then gain speed as it smoothed out below and run the last 1.5 miles all out. Of course this plan hinged on having a big lead. If the race was close, I was ready to roll the dice and go "a la mort." As it played out, I was able to find a groove in the 4:45 pace range and actually gain a bit more ground finishing 90 seconds ahead of Gabe for the W. We hung out on the lawn a while sharing stories and enjoying the day. Later, the party headed for Smoky's Bar and Grill in the Lodge for awards and beers. The event was a fine success for Brundage and Brandi again knocked it out of the park as RD.<br />
<br />
Up Split 26:30 (8:32 pace)<br />
Down Split: 14:55 (4:48 pace)<br />
Finish: 41:25 CR/FKT (6:39 pace)<br />
<br />
I am thrilled that I was able to hold it together in both races and as I write this I am plenty sore, but in a good way. The kind of deep quad seasoning that forces adaptations I will need after 75 miles in the Alps. Not sure why I am always more hobbled than others by races and hard training. I see after-race interviews with winners looking like they are ready to run some more. I am always so much more beat up than anyone else. I have some theories:<br />
1. I undertrain. Possible. But I get my peak miles up there to elite levels and can hold it together for 100 mile races, so I can't be that lacking for fitness.<br />
2. I am old. 35 is plenty old for achy, arthritis-y soreness.<br />
3. I am bio-mechanically unsound. Yeah, my mechanics are lacking. <br />
4. I race harder than others. I think this is it. Something in my brain allows me to push myself to a greater percentage of my maximum than most others, to induce more damage and bear more pain. This is great when the body allows, but can be disastrous when things are not right. <br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Recent Training</b></u></span><br />
<br />
I'm easing back now- only 19 days to go. I'm plotting some final training missions in the peaks to cap my prep for UTMB. Mostly off-trail hiking and peak bagging from here on out. Really starting to get excited.<br />
<br />
I'm working on a full crossing of the Crestline above McCall. Not the Crestline Trail, but the "Real Crestline"...the top ridge. I have looked at it everyday since I moved here. Brandi and I married on frozen Payette Lake with it as a back drop. I have been doing recon work in small chunks over the years. It is an obvious and perfect objective. Roughly 25 miles long with over 10,000' vertical. About 20 of those miles are off trail scrambling over the serrated knife edge of the Crestline and topping about 15 peaks. Some highlights are Fall Creek Summit, Box Peak, Beaverdam Peak, Rain Peak and Pearl Peak. The start is at around 5100' at the South Crestline Trailhead. After the first climb to Fall Creek Summit, you are above 8000' for the duration of the traverse, before dropping into 20 Mile Trailhead at 5700' to finish. Few days of rest, a good weather forecast and it's on!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WVD4KmYG1gf3WH3whbod_tAb3l-_zZruLK89a_0S_a8_tUy31YMEmOLRnZ_woZ5iqqnzwYWC9HXozCX1gIFdRN2hZdm-5mDYW0xu1sScNHoLtWOe2dSFl0hjFiiu5-C8_0IVJPGuhyxc/s1600/007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9WVD4KmYG1gf3WH3whbod_tAb3l-_zZruLK89a_0S_a8_tUy31YMEmOLRnZ_woZ5iqqnzwYWC9HXozCX1gIFdRN2hZdm-5mDYW0xu1sScNHoLtWOe2dSFl0hjFiiu5-C8_0IVJPGuhyxc/s1600/007.JPG" height="468" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical Crestline action around Beaverdam Peak.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh5dXW5eoggUOXWU153dAUL6u5zDykM-roqdPSrpLw2d2QfwN4Vol_yeKevYJEmtnG65xvfLPYXcfG53dA1lsmjyflTWbYXhn1gYtNz_tazH2CTqki9esB34ew7gVA-YceuToCx0vpW0x/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghh5dXW5eoggUOXWU153dAUL6u5zDykM-roqdPSrpLw2d2QfwN4Vol_yeKevYJEmtnG65xvfLPYXcfG53dA1lsmjyflTWbYXhn1gYtNz_tazH2CTqki9esB34ew7gVA-YceuToCx0vpW0x/s1600/008.JPG" height="354" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic granite ridge traversing above Burnside Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEfU2ivf3F-E-egQqkW2uR_afOIG-I65CHReKqC1aURN-ISoK1QszV2ldyL9CtukyJ94yR0kAN93MZOhmRE0g33IRTtPPePYzLNgUOh4uxqF7uimA3lf6pE1CmeGDb2hr0Zq3WAMEie6C/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhEfU2ivf3F-E-egQqkW2uR_afOIG-I65CHReKqC1aURN-ISoK1QszV2ldyL9CtukyJ94yR0kAN93MZOhmRE0g33IRTtPPePYzLNgUOh4uxqF7uimA3lf6pE1CmeGDb2hr0Zq3WAMEie6C/s1600/011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking down at Duck Lake (right side of pic) and the 20 Mile Creek drainage- part of the IMTUF 100 course.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDxlTmr307ilTkZfmPUsm3xHyxA75lKCPMZTzYVh8wP9wAOJOnRRmg0dV3vSMtW4ibaXUNOuqfKvG7XX9bfIhReOMqCcXoJIwC6Eh8zotH0NaDmMZ-nrzNmi40afIPqnO6zCsFw4xxYyd/s1600/DSC_9198.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDxlTmr307ilTkZfmPUsm3xHyxA75lKCPMZTzYVh8wP9wAOJOnRRmg0dV3vSMtW4ibaXUNOuqfKvG7XX9bfIhReOMqCcXoJIwC6Eh8zotH0NaDmMZ-nrzNmi40afIPqnO6zCsFw4xxYyd/s1600/DSC_9198.jpg" height="442" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">February 16, 2012. We married on an ice fishing trail on frozen Payette Lake under the beautiful Crestline. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-54659247216240911952014-08-03T19:57:00.001-07:002014-08-03T19:57:58.022-07:007/28 to 8/3<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b>Week of 7/28 to 8/3:</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">105 mi, 20 hrs</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">24,000 climb</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">All singles, one day off</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Long runs: 32, 21, 20, 20</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2 power hikes with heavy pack- up to 60 lbs of rocks</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span>
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Stay Vertical Cross Country Camp</span></b></u><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">2nd Annual </span>gathering with the girls of San Francisco's Lick-Wilmerding High School Varsity CC Team. We had a blast. The girls are a year older and much stronger. They are committed to a State Championship in 2014.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKg2WAz6PobyZD4RPRX7V3-kVnqg3iznZ4j0LP0U7DAgTWniz12enfTSNWA66ZzgE7qPzwbNhlpB_BvU-ygjYVm9cTPKVsVBj5fb7zjx5FFMlZF7fhlITT6amjnQuKv8KDXjnmYT-KBSW/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKg2WAz6PobyZD4RPRX7V3-kVnqg3iznZ4j0LP0U7DAgTWniz12enfTSNWA66ZzgE7qPzwbNhlpB_BvU-ygjYVm9cTPKVsVBj5fb7zjx5FFMlZF7fhlITT6amjnQuKv8KDXjnmYT-KBSW/s1600/018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IZ8chvTd47htXvWNZ9617ylcOrHmrOPXdxHA9WGNnYrrb4i0Ti3mAmPWjIozqeVJ87fc2fw9k0Mdi-as0mCkw_u22agOmftc8eN98tvJFGTQi3-xA0LbUU0EzPCHSsinTxFW89JKRahY/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IZ8chvTd47htXvWNZ9617ylcOrHmrOPXdxHA9WGNnYrrb4i0Ti3mAmPWjIozqeVJ87fc2fw9k0Mdi-as0mCkw_u22agOmftc8eN98tvJFGTQi3-xA0LbUU0EzPCHSsinTxFW89JKRahY/s1600/042.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Track day...5 x 1k.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_xZe-XSo5NNC3BZM-e6W19qq-Afrmxvp-mMel_J25QjiA5q1ThvTNqRhnJtnmL3HxVVPUN1EZMSA5T12eVfidk1GrlcN2Dvp2vqu-3LTCnlR0zXmj9768kKFg4R4PmnVcH7S5bEz2BHS/s1600/059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu_xZe-XSo5NNC3BZM-e6W19qq-Afrmxvp-mMel_J25QjiA5q1ThvTNqRhnJtnmL3HxVVPUN1EZMSA5T12eVfidk1GrlcN2Dvp2vqu-3LTCnlR0zXmj9768kKFg4R4PmnVcH7S5bEz2BHS/s1600/059.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVjlTe3F_DeLTd_XlQmPsjK-RUzOU-6326sPvXJiFChH__VpQ9u4B8jow-13lPlq3Tdyxmm2S8pyZAJHEaVQ4WyzqC9C1ap20w1kAsCwmSGu8GW4BU97q9uz33Gj_r1Y80KZG6T88qlmZ/s1600/065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUVjlTe3F_DeLTd_XlQmPsjK-RUzOU-6326sPvXJiFChH__VpQ9u4B8jow-13lPlq3Tdyxmm2S8pyZAJHEaVQ4WyzqC9C1ap20w1kAsCwmSGu8GW4BU97q9uz33Gj_r1Y80KZG6T88qlmZ/s1600/065.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loon Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi52F0fXfpEc0hIIOlcFMZg3mvjFErmnkMARoIZdZOmVdAnS0M-8caQOQM2bWW1UVpV-X014IkZqiwG4WvOeoHLzLe1llfEQai8SkqhsTYQAsKdy-B7A1xsu62A_fyG89gam2tl47FNLb/s1600/073.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfi52F0fXfpEc0hIIOlcFMZg3mvjFErmnkMARoIZdZOmVdAnS0M-8caQOQM2bWW1UVpV-X014IkZqiwG4WvOeoHLzLe1llfEQai8SkqhsTYQAsKdy-B7A1xsu62A_fyG89gam2tl47FNLb/s1600/073.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team mascot- Aksel. He ran himself sick on this particular day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPeuLYHaBxaGhyyQI2vNzMLMfN9TAah5qavFrCuW-3ahpWj8L-7pSlhUvHff2Z_npaWHXu8dFTDQQ0GCIUl89pZJUw9xanjgsmWJQSlt2oIqOuSZf7PoiGuHenQVcVqwszueoZkcchfM7/s1600/147.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTPeuLYHaBxaGhyyQI2vNzMLMfN9TAah5qavFrCuW-3ahpWj8L-7pSlhUvHff2Z_npaWHXu8dFTDQQ0GCIUl89pZJUw9xanjgsmWJQSlt2oIqOuSZf7PoiGuHenQVcVqwszueoZkcchfM7/s1600/147.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Box Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b> IMTUF 100 Country</b></u></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Tons of miles checking conditions on the IMTUF course. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4N93r0p3Lrt6LkzwZOnUecRziFAtumZb0OxCvVUYcz3KYPLXQvsMXk3EjO5iKQaa-WSfYCZAS5vNb-ldKm9ctKx_IyIO7DvanFCFMxMXo5kriZgshOC2bJOGSmduKJtBWynSvUSDVUp0/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4N93r0p3Lrt6LkzwZOnUecRziFAtumZb0OxCvVUYcz3KYPLXQvsMXk3EjO5iKQaa-WSfYCZAS5vNb-ldKm9ctKx_IyIO7DvanFCFMxMXo5kriZgshOC2bJOGSmduKJtBWynSvUSDVUp0/s1600/011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1NIcTGrlvoAccieHeaTHACYH68Pk1qNu77px5XUHE2vES-b2DKBmiEua6jankYMdbtdgb4ixoHPp_h24435dIyg6snEXjYUGFQEA7KAnhQ2Q3X96x2Ig4zSMzQGa7IDl7wCHW4eKFYHl/s1600/022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA6DCA7SRen_uYVb6HNYqmy9Ndw9lse33EkZ53s-QQ1U4-NsQnzWaaRtq5efkwLCOSoWVCIQb9_TzDGp3Xdc5AwgQk-ywRe3YnP4aLzVNmQD2Omx-bfH54ZVgjIMFfNVnb9aLiocj-gW1/s1600/027.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwA6DCA7SRen_uYVb6HNYqmy9Ndw9lse33EkZ53s-QQ1U4-NsQnzWaaRtq5efkwLCOSoWVCIQb9_TzDGp3Xdc5AwgQk-ywRe3YnP4aLzVNmQD2Omx-bfH54ZVgjIMFfNVnb9aLiocj-gW1/s1600/027.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eva on Sawtooth Peak</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCgXobP8p23S7Fe7lp3MWGx-He4whYDInVfK4VOTdc0BMbWW21GVW1YKrE2x_7uPRFooiglJeEZwFXjZP1kNlSAYKuBYQfCRssS8Xss01Jwm1eToYQDQJ9TypsJNOdpbuRxh9W4e9_IAv/s1600/029.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCgXobP8p23S7Fe7lp3MWGx-He4whYDInVfK4VOTdc0BMbWW21GVW1YKrE2x_7uPRFooiglJeEZwFXjZP1kNlSAYKuBYQfCRssS8Xss01Jwm1eToYQDQJ9TypsJNOdpbuRxh9W4e9_IAv/s1600/029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandi and Eva with big exposure below.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GVroSMKUYo8td_9BL6wrzbq0iaxP5GM5HtpllOwOYHl9Gw78M_ISM9sKt3GgXvRUoS5FXgtBG5Jg2Y1AD0rXEPUIALmWeo1s3f_Bu50VtnxYEb1h2klZt_PzRUG5CdvYsgUNx6e6xlQ0/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7GVroSMKUYo8td_9BL6wrzbq0iaxP5GM5HtpllOwOYHl9Gw78M_ISM9sKt3GgXvRUoS5FXgtBG5Jg2Y1AD0rXEPUIALmWeo1s3f_Bu50VtnxYEb1h2klZt_PzRUG5CdvYsgUNx6e6xlQ0/s1600/031.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawtooth Peak- looking into the East Fork of Lake Fork drainage. The massive avy chute that obliterated the trail below is obvious. All will be right by race day. Chainsaw goes vrooooom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdo5dLR0JdbeZKwwBKNDo2TKlhyphenhyphen3xg8SHyTA_B2QEval8xQxfhrTcCRAy_DNy0DuAO01oBSwIlqeZ-HPS4RYHH_Pzsa5d2v8KrJUU4rTrZdm4UINonXJ5CJ3hm5Xwj6OWFQm5MYEpMPlt/s1600/040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCdo5dLR0JdbeZKwwBKNDo2TKlhyphenhyphen3xg8SHyTA_B2QEval8xQxfhrTcCRAy_DNy0DuAO01oBSwIlqeZ-HPS4RYHH_Pzsa5d2v8KrJUU4rTrZdm4UINonXJ5CJ3hm5Xwj6OWFQm5MYEpMPlt/s1600/040.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hydration takes a back seat to Idaho's purple gold. A bumper crop for the huckles this year. "Best in 40 years." </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRtDkI5IJKb_vqSB_d5CmVyx6AEgXO3DCI-gDSgSw7aiOBw4XPK8wCS5X5qTIGTfe5HET9LA4dzxp5ICMah415ivd1WVzcu6xnJHS-toV77cu7fySF_1w5SZnNSlIVs3q0Zkap8OB5ZBB/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwRtDkI5IJKb_vqSB_d5CmVyx6AEgXO3DCI-gDSgSw7aiOBw4XPK8wCS5X5qTIGTfe5HET9LA4dzxp5ICMah415ivd1WVzcu6xnJHS-toV77cu7fySF_1w5SZnNSlIVs3q0Zkap8OB5ZBB/s1600/001.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crestline Trail above Box Lake. Pausing to inhale some sardines and avocado. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyGxpSaqkBJLA_3SQC6c3Sqr7poxhCNh4pPd_MKPBSwH-LJV4TrTGdtyOTP6ufU9GQbw1JNFI-dAJMnJ4q8nWOIWkbTl95vfQc14Mwj0CKSbmS-knlnu0TJJn8aiwC7IsMBMbu-XItO6H/s1600/078.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyGxpSaqkBJLA_3SQC6c3Sqr7poxhCNh4pPd_MKPBSwH-LJV4TrTGdtyOTP6ufU9GQbw1JNFI-dAJMnJ4q8nWOIWkbTl95vfQc14Mwj0CKSbmS-knlnu0TJJn8aiwC7IsMBMbu-XItO6H/s1600/078.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">UD's Scooter J special. Money pack. All runs in the past month I have been toting a full UTMB load and this thing carries lie a dream. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-6338620758975813982014-07-29T14:02:00.000-07:002014-07-29T14:02:48.504-07:00McCall Brewing Company and Training Update: July 22-28<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mccallbrew.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVWxDRnhMjr3vhftpIFSEX86PsAZJ26cqsylmdfPFGvOspFzHTaCU2GsItEcU79-BoHmEW-CA5fAdYR9afT98XwueO1Y3umG-yRvp1M3YZBCUuRxyIPgzObV8SgZo5Fq-0RKSl511U9VAM/s1600/McCall+Brewing+Company+Idaho+Logo.jpg" height="324" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mccallbrew.com/" target="_blank"><br /></a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
McCall Brewery has been my favorite restaurant and brew house since we moved to Idaho in 2010. They have been a solid supporter of our mountain races since 2012, donating many-a-keg to the delight of our thirsty runners. Now, I am thrilled to announce that the MBC will be my "Official Ale and Cheeseburger Sponsor." I'd like to thank Owner Louis Klinge for his support and belief in what I am trying to do. <br />
<br />
Here's how I hit up the MBC.<br />
1. Run all day. Barely make it back to the truck. Drive to town.<br />
2. Try to remember a clean shirt and splash the salt off my face in a stream. <br />
3. A 1/2 lb KO'd Burger medium rare, fries and a pint while sitting on their rooftop patio deck overlooking Payette Lake and pink alpenglow on the Crestline. <br />
4. Recovery is accomplished. Ready to train again tomorrow. Look at some mountains and get psyched for another adventure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img class="colorbox-manual" height="392" src="http://mccallbrew.com/wp-content/uploads/beersplash.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The line up. Minimalist Bane IPA is my standard. Devious Intent Imperial Stout if I'm feeling stout. Lemon Ginger Hef for refreshment.</span> <span style="font-size: small;">Mackinaw Red for malty sweet and balanced. They often have several more beers on tap in the restaurant. They are bottling and selling beers around Idaho now. Delicious...All of them.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Training Update: July 22-28</b></u></span><br />
<br />
82 miles running<br />
40 miles mountain biking<br />
25,200' climbing/descent<br />
<br />
Key Sessions:<br />
July 22: Brundage Cat Track. 30 seconds hard, 60 seconds easy. All the way up the mountain.<br />
July 23: Track. 5x1000m with 2 mins standing rest. Last 1K went at 2:50.<br />
July 27: Granite Mountain 2x hard. Biked 20 miles home in 90 degree F heat.<br />
July 28: 32 miles on the IMTUF 100 course. Victor, Ruby, Nethker/Bear Pete. 90 degrees F. <br />
<br />
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-77172855636565418692014-07-23T12:30:00.000-07:002014-07-23T12:30:12.524-07:00Training Update, McCall Trailrunning Classic and more<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Training July 14-20, 2014</b></u><b>:</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">95 miles, 25,000' vert</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3 mountain runs 18-22 miles with fast finish of last 4-8 miles. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">3 PR's of training run segments ranging from 2.7 to 7.5 miles.</span><br />
<br /><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"</b><u><b>McClassic</b></u><b>"</b></span><br />
<br />
The 3rd Annual McCall Trailrunning Classic 10/20/40 races were a few Saturday's ago (Hardrock Day). Two weeks of all-out physical and mental laboring for Brandi and I as race directors, with tons of help from so many friends and volunteers. We had many miles of trails to clear, prizes to make, rosters, food, volunteers, sponsors, etc. Always so much more than I remember doing the year before. RD'ing is grueling work, but so rewarding. We grew a bit more this year to around 275 entrants. The weather was great and the course was in its best condition yet. We had two McCall locals win the 40 miler. In the Women's race, McCall's Yadi Spangenberg held off Carolyn Goluza from British Columbia. In the Men's race, Nampa's Jake Perry led from the wire while McCall's Andrew Armstrong tracked him down. Andrew caught him with about 8 miles to go and they ran together to within a quarter mile of the finish. Andrew punched it to secure the victory. The party lasted until the last runners were through the finish. Great day. <br />
<br />
It is such a relief to be done with all that so we can go for a run without a big pack, work pants and a chainsaw. The summer running season is in full swing now and we are getting after it. Here's a few pics from behind the scenes...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UVq-ZMQtgqiE8tw7BB2T1O0e2PDPvO_tT93mdV9iJHdeE7axn_ZnO9EHsyoh4UW9qLlxKRSvOE4y-kFrqYjrBk1ChJKuOjwSnIszNOuiA0fbpNHybcDEUagvjOx2gDzp56USRaRxmOcf/s1600/015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1UVq-ZMQtgqiE8tw7BB2T1O0e2PDPvO_tT93mdV9iJHdeE7axn_ZnO9EHsyoh4UW9qLlxKRSvOE4y-kFrqYjrBk1ChJKuOjwSnIszNOuiA0fbpNHybcDEUagvjOx2gDzp56USRaRxmOcf/s1600/015.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty, Katie, Brandi and I on an all-day trailwork binge in the Lake Fork drainage. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBio315FBTvR6HLkBaC_Y2at8fA2RGCMqnAO2ECf2w7_gKAVUItOCv5Ch8AxTqE0om9uIgUsrQgp1PHaLX9bVeFoEo9y8HbxHn2vDkDfftHZdlQTRNRwQwbpt3l4Pb6sn1S-FW_Iox2_N/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlBio315FBTvR6HLkBaC_Y2at8fA2RGCMqnAO2ECf2w7_gKAVUItOCv5Ch8AxTqE0om9uIgUsrQgp1PHaLX9bVeFoEo9y8HbxHn2vDkDfftHZdlQTRNRwQwbpt3l4Pb6sn1S-FW_Iox2_N/s1600/008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH-3lH__XOmdEehvw4MExszBzrl5IbRbjtxG61Buqe7ydez8DDa4NSxdHCUjaqZ5Bo5F1CzOWE8DFWIcghqx3kg6VAirgXVmPIu7WKTKV3ad4pul08WuWXEEu3ooWPC9UC02KHWY68MEA/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSH-3lH__XOmdEehvw4MExszBzrl5IbRbjtxG61Buqe7ydez8DDa4NSxdHCUjaqZ5Bo5F1CzOWE8DFWIcghqx3kg6VAirgXVmPIu7WKTKV3ad4pul08WuWXEEu3ooWPC9UC02KHWY68MEA/s1600/031.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lodgepole Pine "tree cookie" plaques for all finishers. I cranked out about 300 this year! Is "sawdust lung" a real thing?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh45SxKNe3qinwDp8I-g4wdZ4m_eH0S_c6t5dkL105t_ATQMS_BQtoviWkLNnU1Ai9NC9JVrRnjfWEJbgwW8vMyFnhn6CFo9Ca50X_WBiUZBIQWdsR0pcR-YdhiOkdIwL6ZQgHQKLMuMIE/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh45SxKNe3qinwDp8I-g4wdZ4m_eH0S_c6t5dkL105t_ATQMS_BQtoviWkLNnU1Ai9NC9JVrRnjfWEJbgwW8vMyFnhn6CFo9Ca50X_WBiUZBIQWdsR0pcR-YdhiOkdIwL6ZQgHQKLMuMIE/s1600/011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Matty, McCall and I checking on a possible new addition to the race for next year? Sickness!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCzlDsvup7bS3V11imjpWMGti_K48_ECkjJlKVqvsZMb29xK8hswgrtwmFiHGjO0HsRW29ugDEhzZ_xWAY9H1KkFWdRxVX9Kht5-zoKXiAGYAKaDTVbR9k3S99vK6xuqQPmiBJNXrAJgo/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzCzlDsvup7bS3V11imjpWMGti_K48_ECkjJlKVqvsZMb29xK8hswgrtwmFiHGjO0HsRW29ugDEhzZ_xWAY9H1KkFWdRxVX9Kht5-zoKXiAGYAKaDTVbR9k3S99vK6xuqQPmiBJNXrAJgo/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AjLjbWoD4KVi5XPNacseLLh6SBjSdnFhwis6QKEA35Mc0Uu5WwRXd_sJJ_rRbqUZpAWfAxOi71Fcur4aoFUtBkg1I1UDq7PUPdyPncP8nVcnalzljHGjM1WE_6E7L8fCfxr5MfkU9qOd/s1600/023.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_AjLjbWoD4KVi5XPNacseLLh6SBjSdnFhwis6QKEA35Mc0Uu5WwRXd_sJJ_rRbqUZpAWfAxOi71Fcur4aoFUtBkg1I1UDq7PUPdyPncP8nVcnalzljHGjM1WE_6E7L8fCfxr5MfkU9qOd/s1600/023.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTfkqfdTbTbicy7sQ_xefQcg5CzAvFePM4Y7PuMWRE6zEnZUtrTR0iWefTpH0ark4658kH7Zi3oaYd_LnwYZpbPdNuxmd5vIYw466djvWfCZAV20Z5dHfrfMutdAUHPnJOtAJCbwOingH/s1600/001.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTfkqfdTbTbicy7sQ_xefQcg5CzAvFePM4Y7PuMWRE6zEnZUtrTR0iWefTpH0ark4658kH7Zi3oaYd_LnwYZpbPdNuxmd5vIYw466djvWfCZAV20Z5dHfrfMutdAUHPnJOtAJCbwOingH/s1600/001.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Louie Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuerOovHIuXzXxgWTWT3hrKRZMO5x7WltcPv7-S5KMWq5CGvsASY2QqkVBotgq87EPHK9OZuwAGdhXZYBkd600XM_zM99ajynOswSGLb6fSfcnaM8oEuD45QvulPVuIL1YVO6gQt_nV2zf/s1600/035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuerOovHIuXzXxgWTWT3hrKRZMO5x7WltcPv7-S5KMWq5CGvsASY2QqkVBotgq87EPHK9OZuwAGdhXZYBkd600XM_zM99ajynOswSGLb6fSfcnaM8oEuD45QvulPVuIL1YVO6gQt_nV2zf/s1600/035.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The new logo is BOSS. "Griffin" the Goshawk presides over the emblem. He's waiting for a moment of inattention to pluck the scalps from the little runners under his wings. He laid low this year, but we've not seen the last of old Griffin.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Other highcountry fun</b></u></span>...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-1f9rVQDeO6736aqHerhRrYOdjLkxmlMx3Ni0SQeVZV79rNH8zsG5bL9ie4NJAfX6CeLeYYFJC3tDCJ3xmFbJHnme1g4Ju20vL60bSreBGhfdCydglYg_i8S4eyyulZZcg8s8bObNDjg/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX-1f9rVQDeO6736aqHerhRrYOdjLkxmlMx3Ni0SQeVZV79rNH8zsG5bL9ie4NJAfX6CeLeYYFJC3tDCJ3xmFbJHnme1g4Ju20vL60bSreBGhfdCydglYg_i8S4eyyulZZcg8s8bObNDjg/s1600/051.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sawtooth Peak. Lugging a heavy sack of rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLJsD_ltCetgJhrtcOupx03Jvu0I_iuXpWZjmd2Cy3wBkOl-Dgz2UEYmhRM5TiJkdyMzx8mkQYc9bU31_Y4ZAQQFCToQND13eacs0i3iVoeIYLfmaIME8oF7szfo3XJXM-78nsN7tImFa/s1600/066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkLJsD_ltCetgJhrtcOupx03Jvu0I_iuXpWZjmd2Cy3wBkOl-Dgz2UEYmhRM5TiJkdyMzx8mkQYc9bU31_Y4ZAQQFCToQND13eacs0i3iVoeIYLfmaIME8oF7szfo3XJXM-78nsN7tImFa/s1600/066.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lava Lakes Trail to Hershey Point. First time out there. Not my last time for sure. Great run! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg1GzH7omK5-UYjtGaOJeLsSE8MTInOtVmJuGFcF7ePi0AArb78HNA0sW4LbVggu8NZh0QtCxUedN1HOetJVJxLASdI9ofRKAxnXIatilosE6wAoKfLemgzSWH45Khh06ASY6jQKLRH_p/s1600/070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilg1GzH7omK5-UYjtGaOJeLsSE8MTInOtVmJuGFcF7ePi0AArb78HNA0sW4LbVggu8NZh0QtCxUedN1HOetJVJxLASdI9ofRKAxnXIatilosE6wAoKfLemgzSWH45Khh06ASY6jQKLRH_p/s1600/070.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bear Grass in full bloom.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFawg9IcLlLM0fjzj8fnfsGS6B8xHnSO8xQpTPt0cyimrA4M_zca237XyUsAyjWop_8gd1nH18IMYuBcYBbI6i-izXCXWEMkrw2m31Rq3tGL9wqJCr3o7ohBEWff0u-oUuBr-p8THliAJ/s1600/078.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFawg9IcLlLM0fjzj8fnfsGS6B8xHnSO8xQpTPt0cyimrA4M_zca237XyUsAyjWop_8gd1nH18IMYuBcYBbI6i-izXCXWEMkrw2m31Rq3tGL9wqJCr3o7ohBEWff0u-oUuBr-p8THliAJ/s1600/078.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you just don't need to question which way to go.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-31679148170360812362014-06-25T10:05:00.000-07:002014-06-26T04:57:25.690-07:002014 River of No Return 100K2014 River of No Return 100K<br />
Challis, ID<br />
June 21, 2014<br />
63 mi, 16K' vertical gain (advertised)<br />
1st, 9 hrs 15 mins<br />
<br />
<b><u>Buildup? What buildup?</u></b><br />
I waited as long as I could to sign up. For some reason, as I've beaten to death in this blog, I can't get my shizzle together by June. I figured I might be able to eek out a decent 100K based on climbing power from skiing over the winter, some long mountain bike rides and a few weeks of building my running miles up to 50 MPW. I had not seen a 60 mile running week since last October. Not much volume to speak of, but I did average over 15,000 feet per week of climbing. Months of hard work cross training to top a big base of fitness built over the last few years. My goal this year was to be really healthy and physically sound when the summer training opens up. A goal I failed to achieve last year in an overzealous pursuit to <a href="http://stayvertical928.blogspot.com/2013/07/western-update-im-ok.html" target="_blank">tame the Cougar</a>. For 2014, everything points towards France in August. I knew an early 100M was out of the question. 100K might be fine. The week before the race I did almost nothing to let my aching shin splints rest and to build my energy reserves for a hot and tough race with huge climbs and descents. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuo_R2VCqROJWBqbrSGP48g2WHbrt_7ZQIIAQN-9SawaEs5XLLpTu3It6wEcD4njxsiW3qyzRcHcrGrGnAUP9gBcE006XYHOaXQujtlVUqvvYyhlDXk7wKF9wz7DA__19lbk0iDVTY3OU/s1600/087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeuo_R2VCqROJWBqbrSGP48g2WHbrt_7ZQIIAQN-9SawaEs5XLLpTu3It6wEcD4njxsiW3qyzRcHcrGrGnAUP9gBcE006XYHOaXQujtlVUqvvYyhlDXk7wKF9wz7DA__19lbk0iDVTY3OU/s1600/087.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brandi, Molly and I drove to Challis on Thursday. Along the way we visited Stanley and its stunning Sawtooths. </span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We camped in Paul Lind's (the Race Director) horse pasture. "Run Strong" Paul is a real Maverick. He's like a drill instructor, track coach, carnivore, cowboy, philosopher, ultrarunner. Reminds me of the Old Man. Paul is an Idaho original. Tough as nails, rough hewn, yet refined enough to pull together a sold-out event first year, sweet-talking sponsors, land managers and pretty much every runner in Idaho to buy into his vision. Well done, friend. He definitely had help. His son Cody ran himself ragged, his co-RD Neal and his PR machine Emily, among many others, absolutely hit it out of the park. The tracks were laid for a great event and strong runners filled his entrants lists.<br />
<br />
We settled into a beautiful spot among the cottonwood trees on the Salmon River in the horse pasture. I'm not a big allergy guy, but as soon as I got there, I approached anaphylaxis from the cottonwood fluff blowing in sheets on the wind. My face swelled, my eyes ached, breathing labored and my head pounded with a throbbing fever. Add to that a tension growing in my left calf (from inactivity) that had me limping. I laid awake most of the night before the race, pretty much resigned to not start. I was past 90% sure it was not going to happen. I felt tons of pressure to perform in Idaho, my home turf. I could reason it away, I reckoned. More piles of excuses thrown into the trash heap that this blog has become. We would crew for Molly's 50K and it would still be a nice experience. Right.<br />
<br />
<b><u>The Race</u></b><br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #545454; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
</h3>
After catching a few hours of sleep, I awoke feeling ashamed of my lack of courage. The 4 AM wake-up would give me a few hours to sort through my issues and make a decision at the line. I fought off the doubting voices in my mind and beat back the cowardice. I could stomach yet another DNF, but I could not handle succumbing to fear. <br />
<br />
The starting gun was actually a mortar. I was familiar with this contraption because Paul's buddies had been drinking hard on Thursday night and decided to practice shelling the horse pasture at 3 AM. The sun came up, the mortar went boom and runners took off. I was among them. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN046hnB6adn28LuXRvkE3jkMphSRNgDHFDvZhBzjEQt_hW9cVcGBlLbPPN0OZHOtMUSdNa3cXCpzE1UD_lUq9z-3hqkWI3B-5cVioXZS6s8prXTgIcVZl0vV5sU9dp7vio-8-W5DveBp-/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN046hnB6adn28LuXRvkE3jkMphSRNgDHFDvZhBzjEQt_hW9cVcGBlLbPPN0OZHOtMUSdNa3cXCpzE1UD_lUq9z-3hqkWI3B-5cVioXZS6s8prXTgIcVZl0vV5sU9dp7vio-8-W5DveBp-/s1600/039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz0EYnMaxw0mhWRGqLvpZYAs249f5I5m4o1zq8o3ott0hWpQ_rndbPHFcQFcK2resKOd6ENjhekumgo_cGQd0tfd2EJvlpBL4bb3KJIBN2CYjeCq-1zJeE8umuZ721ZpM-O1-sFE76iFf/s1600/p15358262-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBz0EYnMaxw0mhWRGqLvpZYAs249f5I5m4o1zq8o3ott0hWpQ_rndbPHFcQFcK2resKOd6ENjhekumgo_cGQd0tfd2EJvlpBL4bb3KJIBN2CYjeCq-1zJeE8umuZ721ZpM-O1-sFE76iFf/s1600/p15358262-3.jpg" height="640" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rolling through the first few miles south of Challis. Ready to test the climbing gears.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
We sauntered off for a few easy miles through Challis before beginning a big climb on the Lombard Trail toward the Bayhorse Ghost Town. The low 6 pace felt relaxed through town and the 9-10 min pace up the first mountain was fine. Legs were heavy and vision was blurry, but I reasoned that is because I was running up a big mountain. Sure.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m7KKjCaABuUJx7V2Ts0c0Zz4ga42poxAQxIq49a8PJsoEAREY9qFR7TKqEyu0sU0INCpEkqqdKJnY0MqRT34dchp1j0Rf0q1c6y-RkVoPsZ_a7IH2mNeUM3m-leb92ypWxtkNJO3pogv/s1600/Tempus3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1m7KKjCaABuUJx7V2Ts0c0Zz4ga42poxAQxIq49a8PJsoEAREY9qFR7TKqEyu0sU0INCpEkqqdKJnY0MqRT34dchp1j0Rf0q1c6y-RkVoPsZ_a7IH2mNeUM3m-leb92ypWxtkNJO3pogv/s1600/Tempus3.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bayhorse. Mile 16.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">We climbed and descended again and again. Some of the climbs were quite steep on nice ATV width trails. I lacked my climbing power, but tried to keep a gap on the trailing Patrick Murphy from Missoula, with frantic downhill running. He lingered and stalked a few minutes back pretty much all day. One little slip and I would have been toast. I ran scared and for good reason. This guy was really strong and having an awesome day. I would have no surplus- no buffer of genetics, talent or fitness that allowed me to pull away and relax. I would have to execute and suffer. By 50K, I was weakening in the heat. My climbing was pedestrian, but thankfully the downs kept rolling well for me in the mid 6 range.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz0HC-o21vhgxLSz3DY2WafKYF6XlIUekxxMut6HtWPc5r5__KmCzpsq9790Ack-ZeER7CLO7KEoUDhHo6C824DLIHDE8FzvKnNoAgo8UTyZVSi5mH7MaCqboKUdnAHphpMC-SE_nC0Tw/s1600/056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjz0HC-o21vhgxLSz3DY2WafKYF6XlIUekxxMut6HtWPc5r5__KmCzpsq9790Ack-ZeER7CLO7KEoUDhHo6C824DLIHDE8FzvKnNoAgo8UTyZVSi5mH7MaCqboKUdnAHphpMC-SE_nC0Tw/s1600/056.JPG" height="496" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_pJFJvYGfO_jrVHgAV5NzvTirFPpRiQgjzwKCo1FF_nuFy8WAQPMUjJFDhaSBJsVITeZaAktrxRcDBqOOaZCMJmy61ofQwVpa1ODmWOwqldavIUyppmTHKoSRKN66hLBUaUzgenVipFb/s1600/kinzer+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx_pJFJvYGfO_jrVHgAV5NzvTirFPpRiQgjzwKCo1FF_nuFy8WAQPMUjJFDhaSBJsVITeZaAktrxRcDBqOOaZCMJmy61ofQwVpa1ODmWOwqldavIUyppmTHKoSRKN66hLBUaUzgenVipFb/s1600/kinzer+5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Squaw Creek. Mile 30. Brandi races back to the aid to get my nummy-nums ready for the road.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG57fLfovV9d01oUy60kUvj1nbMq8mGah1gh0G_AXnHf9pj_e2kfJib40ACc8y4Ok5wUEqCzWmNey7FyxWrEGtkmYJG2RfBWId_rXHMzYS53wjgFKODztuhoXT6R5Eq2tXFZxA3NqZ2_yH/s1600/Stein+Shaw_McKay+Creek+photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG57fLfovV9d01oUy60kUvj1nbMq8mGah1gh0G_AXnHf9pj_e2kfJib40ACc8y4Ok5wUEqCzWmNey7FyxWrEGtkmYJG2RfBWId_rXHMzYS53wjgFKODztuhoXT6R5Eq2tXFZxA3NqZ2_yH/s1600/Stein+Shaw_McKay+Creek+photo.jpg" height="360" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">McKay Creek. Mile 38. This section was really nice. Very thin ribbon of singletrack through some elky meadows. I didn't see any ungulates, but I caught a whiff of the herd here and there. Stein Shaw Photo.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I ran well into Fanny's Hole, mile 45. I went to the standard race-closer concoction of ice + half coke + half water in the bottle. The boost didn't last. The climb up from Fanny's Hole was rough. I walked and waited to get passed. I was trying hard, but the power was just not coming. After a few miles, I hit the top and began the nicest section of the entire course. A rolling ATV track goes over a 9,000'+ ridge climbing steep false summits with sparse trees to offer a great view in every direction. Finally, the rolling stopped and it was time to get down to the business of committing to the win. Approximately 14 miles of running remained and it was 99% downhill over dirt and paved roads. 9000' to 5000' as fast as my legs could carry me. OUCH! I hit the 50 mile aid at Buster Lake and took some more Coke. The road smoothed and the pace dropped. I stayed solid for a while, but I could feel my form slipping. My core was aching, trying to stabilize the trunk as the road pounding tried to loosen the nuts and bolts holding my frame together. Eventually, the angle of descent lessened and the road turned to pavement hard as diamonds. No more giveaways- I would have to earn the win- one wincing, whimpering stride at a time. <br />
<br />
Six miles later and I was running through downtown Challis. Just a quick climb up to the track, a short lap and it was done. I focused on the pain. I reminded myself this is what I came for, and to not wish it away. Instead, embrace this feeling. The pain, sweat, blood and endocrine damage I had accumulated along the way was the price of admission. Who knows how many of these things I can pull of, but I know it could end at any time. I will never take that feeling for granted. I thanked my body for its fortitude, for allowing me to chase this crazy dream and for pushing to its edge again. I thanked the Old Man for showing me the way to the bottom of the well so many years ago. No tears, no joy, just gratitude for the finish. I took my shoes off and planted my bare feet into Challis before I could even hug my Brandi. Ahhh.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYU_xc_sQmSI77EGbgNAsfmGSjAr6P_ir5eQH0rSKYV5wmj4eYjsy9Uu1sacIGjLuhjW1xjMOlHxX8MJGKPN8DMO3if1WGlkz9lK2WlHOzVRmRU04-JTthcTWM6I3-IuRC_PXUaClnmJ6/s1600/068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDYU_xc_sQmSI77EGbgNAsfmGSjAr6P_ir5eQH0rSKYV5wmj4eYjsy9Uu1sacIGjLuhjW1xjMOlHxX8MJGKPN8DMO3if1WGlkz9lK2WlHOzVRmRU04-JTthcTWM6I3-IuRC_PXUaClnmJ6/s1600/068.JPG" height="424" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The classic dirt track of Challis High School. This was the kind of surface I raced as a child in Ohio. I am a hurting unit here, but Paul's kind words over the announcer's mic made me buck up and hate life a little less.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQvi29lEhumAMoTftXV2Ko72JPJR5Buj9NsCcKgx-iwBQHMQCIG6Yrx3NygHWh2FdEweQC_vMqalzFgzvOyDm_CWky8ciueiEOh0F_qXHD5yYeM7KpfNZDxf5wQ-GildK0OnVNOPp7uwx/s1600/077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYQvi29lEhumAMoTftXV2Ko72JPJR5Buj9NsCcKgx-iwBQHMQCIG6Yrx3NygHWh2FdEweQC_vMqalzFgzvOyDm_CWky8ciueiEOh0F_qXHD5yYeM7KpfNZDxf5wQ-GildK0OnVNOPp7uwx/s1600/077.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul interviews Patrick and I post race.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E3TymxeCCCPv1Ie5a09kBD60f27ETveXDuEdOfcjrIROQTf0Z7Swkw8Sx6Dt59_gXqUQRhQWYKQyqp384HoKEMajPP8sg1LpojjpbkSv2IjmDbAtqbxsfBaWxwoaOzWcvt8wFbwSTooo/s1600/079.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9E3TymxeCCCPv1Ie5a09kBD60f27ETveXDuEdOfcjrIROQTf0Z7Swkw8Sx6Dt59_gXqUQRhQWYKQyqp384HoKEMajPP8sg1LpojjpbkSv2IjmDbAtqbxsfBaWxwoaOzWcvt8wFbwSTooo/s1600/079.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wasted. Take me done I'm home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1QI_-eke-LEyJrTtIMI8EjBUD82t9XHg1mS-562Fulvg8TODg63TtAepBLDqqqN_eTr2C7gi2nB0KJIQ2cuzwvx75hV9rgYgNuBuayu-bCMw5w1kZPMWKR5wvMm90JhvegObSRFMN2Nu/s1600/Tempus4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1QI_-eke-LEyJrTtIMI8EjBUD82t9XHg1mS-562Fulvg8TODg63TtAepBLDqqqN_eTr2C7gi2nB0KJIQ2cuzwvx75hV9rgYgNuBuayu-bCMw5w1kZPMWKR5wvMm90JhvegObSRFMN2Nu/s1600/Tempus4.jpg" height="422" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><table aria-labelledby="gbox_list" aria-multiselectable="false" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="ui-jqgrid-btable" id="list" role="grid" style="text-align: center; width: 785px;" tabindex="0"><tbody>
<tr aria-selected="true" class="ui-widget-content jqgrow ui-row-ltr ui-state-highlight" id="3" role="row" tabindex="0"><td aria-describedby="list_firstname" role="gridcell" title="Hiroaki"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Hiroaki Matsunaga (Aki) was third. This Japanese The North Face pro races big mountain events around the world. I will see my new friend again at UTMB in August. Hope his first visit to the US was enjoyable. I wonder how he found his way to Idaho?</span></td><td aria-describedby="list_lastname" role="gridcell" title="Matsunaga"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-f2qHWslUaCxeaKZ6bhxlyRNeq7hs8Aa-6afRQ8ViEjpunX-uTv_tSTIi_ZAoHjGDqEVFV8CqgpGn-5zU-4r6L1f_VZOjfrUkLCoTSqE9k2Cr1qD16AK6s4y95JPLSNJJUsP2A5rTfF1/s1600/Aki+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW-f2qHWslUaCxeaKZ6bhxlyRNeq7hs8Aa-6afRQ8ViEjpunX-uTv_tSTIi_ZAoHjGDqEVFV8CqgpGn-5zU-4r6L1f_VZOjfrUkLCoTSqE9k2Cr1qD16AK6s4y95JPLSNJJUsP2A5rTfF1/s1600/Aki+pic.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aki's gorgeous family. (photo lifted from Aki's report here: http://blog.trailrunners.jp/matsunaga/6787/)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1fC8qQUifmdDEb3GIKtFNwoH73arGlgspHJE2OMfRVbr_OHF_suvukVvg-YIJs9BIEHSGMeCa3e5OkECpHXMNMMPM2GucPGOvy5aG2A2uosjchvUZ9JvcDuVfvkK-AKWVomW2XXtXPD0/s1600/074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje1fC8qQUifmdDEb3GIKtFNwoH73arGlgspHJE2OMfRVbr_OHF_suvukVvg-YIJs9BIEHSGMeCa3e5OkECpHXMNMMPM2GucPGOvy5aG2A2uosjchvUZ9JvcDuVfvkK-AKWVomW2XXtXPD0/s1600/074.JPG" height="470" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Molly finishes her 50K with pistol hands and bullets flying- PEW, PEW. PEW, PEW. That's the sound a gun makes.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2f_6dZw7-JSlYzgo9fpmxMLQqGc6pyrrrMDxQ9x_fYofwcvOPGJfLR8aXVBCaE-BJomWP12JUHTW4VxbFvknnqikKTmYmqArQ_pxispLGSIjCkp2kDYC6HhLZTuTTWunXcVlmXMrKHtn/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU2f_6dZw7-JSlYzgo9fpmxMLQqGc6pyrrrMDxQ9x_fYofwcvOPGJfLR8aXVBCaE-BJomWP12JUHTW4VxbFvknnqikKTmYmqArQ_pxispLGSIjCkp2kDYC6HhLZTuTTWunXcVlmXMrKHtn/s1600/029.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Brandi and Molly at the Lombard Trailhead. The third leg of their tripod, Katie Lombard, could not attend the race, but it was nice to know a trail named in her honor was around.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><u>Gear</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Shoes: SCOTT MK4. Discontinued road shoe and a good one. First run over 50K in a road shoe for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Hydration: 20 oz Jurek Grip handheld from Ultimate Direction. I drank mostly water and some SWORD carbo juice provided by the race and it was pretty good stuff. No complaints. I took a second bottle from miles 30-45 with more water to douse myself. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nutrition: Fresh 4 oz UD flask of VFUEL at the start, mile 16, 30 and 45. Few pieces of fruit off the tables. Half a protein bar early and a pack of Louck's sesame snaps later. I carried these in the UD Jurek Essential waist belt most of the race. I probably should have eaten one more real food item at some point because I finished really drained. Sugar was not cutting it at that point.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
VESPA: 2 hours pre-race I took a CV-25 pack. Then immediately after the start I had an Ultra Concentrate. Each time I saw Brandi at crew spots (mile 16, 30, 45), she gave me a 7 oz soft flask for the road with water and an Ultra Concentrate diluted into it. I ran along for a few minutes sipping it down, then slipped the collapsed flask into my shorts pocket. Slick.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Clothes: SCOTT hybrid shorts with the best pockets. The outer short is flowy and soft and it is bonded to the inner tight compression short. The pockets are held in place and carry lots of extra food with zero bounce. SCOTT singlet and UD visor. Smith Pivlock glasses with phtotchromatic lenses adapting to changing light levels.</div>
Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-3501715555794388642014-06-23T14:40:00.002-07:002014-06-23T16:52:37.625-07:00New York Mountain, Colorado. Genesis.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86JyU5qKVhptCSFy_3wZMp9BySV-NLFZIJOJP3tiOenhCpzz9T1GQZ_Ur0Py43IZGzCp5LAeqXi008YrqnIEagSBcPS3MQ_7w179IyBEn3ATHnLxuxsKGrm8ATAF44213mnIUmDcAWlwi/s1600/013.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86JyU5qKVhptCSFy_3wZMp9BySV-NLFZIJOJP3tiOenhCpzz9T1GQZ_Ur0Py43IZGzCp5LAeqXi008YrqnIEagSBcPS3MQ_7w179IyBEn3ATHnLxuxsKGrm8ATAF44213mnIUmDcAWlwi/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York Mountain summit ridge.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I am sliding. No doubt about it. It is slow motion at first. I reach for a spike of wind sculpted snow and it crumbles in my hands. I watch each crystal shine and reflect the magnificent sun as they burst into powder. I reach for a horn of golden granite covered in pink and lime lichens. No luck. Faster and faster I accelerate until the rocks and ice around me pass as only a blur. I trigger a spindrift avalanche as I go. It follows me down, sharing my last moments of consciousness. A crampon catches and I begin the cartwheeling end-over-end dance that leaves alpinists in pieces and all but assures closed caskets...if they ever find you. Then, just as suddenly as my descent began, I nestle into a soft spot in a mushy pile of fluff and all is calm. It is quiet in this crack deep inside the glacier. I have found a tiny perch on a bench of snow with room for one butt. Make that 2 butts. Beside me is the Old Man. He looks cold, like he has been there a while. He is missing a glove. He is missing some skin here and there. We share a smile. The avalanche catches up and pours over us. I swim upward into the deluge but it is over in a blink. I am suffocating as everything flashes white...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sleep apnea! I gasp for at least a minute in the blackness of my tent as I wake and embrace reality. I have not slept above 10,000 feet since Alaska in 2005. High altitude messes with the mind and makes sleep a bizarre experience. The apnea strikes all night long inducing panic and a feeling of suffocation as I periodically forget how to breathe. I am on <a href="http://www.summitpost.org/new-york-mountain/589926" target="_blank">New York Mountain</a>, a nondescript 12,600' peak near Eagle, Colorado in the Sawatch Mountains. It is snowing and I plan to summit tomorrow. Bigger, harder and more beautiful mountains surround the peak, yet no mountain on earth has more significance in guiding the trajectory of my family. Let's start at the beginning.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In 1972, the Old Man was fresh out of the Navy. With $5, a canvas sack and his dog Oreo, he hitchhiked from Ohio to Boulder, Colorado in search of new horizons. People felt sorry for Oreo and picked them up. Upon arrival in the Republic, he found shelter in a long-abandoned school house at 9th and Arapahoe with the other vagrants. He slept in a room with a missing window, soaked from the leaking roof and used newspapers as a blanket. The building has since been renovated and protected as a local landmark called the <a href="http://historichighland.com/building-grounds/photo-library/" target="_blank">Historic Highland Building</a>. These days, it is a bustling multi-million dollar center of offices, spas, and luxury living. In the early 70's it was a meager place to scratch out an existence.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Luckily, he met a man named Gil with a construction outfit. He put in some work around Boulder for a week and rented a one room shack from Gil. He cashed a check and proudly went to the grocery store and bought some beans to quell his aching stomach. As he walked home with Oreo in the sleety Boulder murk, filthy with plaster dust and nearly starved, his grocery sack ripped open and his beans rolled into the sewer. Gone. He walked back to the store and bought some more. Upon his return home, he realized that he lacked a can opener to open them and a pot with which to cook them. He laid down next to the old boiler- no bed, blanket or calories. He propped himself up with his hand under his head and and his elbow on the cold ground- he could sleep like that indefinitely- and faced another night of misery. This part of the story has always choked me up. I love my father and it pains me to think of his hunger, loneliness and lack of even the basic elements of human comfort. This is the best part though. It turns out the Old Man was hard as fucking nails. He suffered and LIKED it. He had worked to feed and clothe himself since he was 8 years old. He was a survivor and this was what he did. He was a frontiersman in the New West and he was about to find his way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
One weekend, Gil and the boys were heading west for a quick job and some partying in the hills. They wound up in Fulford, high above Eagle and directly under the hulking flank of New York Mountain. At 10,000' and 25 miles from anywhere, Fulford was a lawless haven of hippy debauchery. They danced and partied like hippies were apt to do. They drank tequila and blazed doobies until the sun came up. After some breakfast Banquet beers, they began their climb. It starts from around 11,000 feet, already far beyond Dad's sea level, tar choked lung capacity. Up a steep trail through the forest to his first encounter with tree line- where the real world ends and the alpine dream begins. Still drunk and high and reeling from hypoxia, the motley crew made their way across the sublime ridgeline, staggering toward the summit. They embraced at the highest rock and it was done. More tequila flowed and the hippies whooped with joy as a fat joint rolled out of the summit register tube securing their buzz all the way back to the continuing party of intoxicants and drum circles of Fulford. Good times.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The Old Man built lots of things around Colorado with Gil's crew, especially around Aspen, Frisco and Dillon. I'm not too sure how those years of the mid-70's played out for him, but I know they were wild. Eventually, the Old Man found his way back to Ohio and found a job in the steel mill. In those days, this type of job made you essentially a rich man. He still lived in a shack down at Grimm's Bridge and paid $10 a month to old Micky for rent and had lots of extra folding money. He met my mother, Crazy Nan, and at the age of 30, he became my father. 1979 was a big one. He fed me pizza and beer as we watched the Steelers and Pirates win world titles. As Willie Stargell hit his series clinching game 7 homer, the Old Man jumped high and smashed his hands into the dappled plaster ceiling he had just sculpted, splitting them wide open. I cried for him, but I learned that is just how Humphrey's do it. Always some bitter with the sweet. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
By 1980, Crucible Steel had closed its doors, the bank had taken his home and my parents had split. The Old Man was living like an animal again. Not sure how, but Nan got custody and I was lucky to see Dad every couple weekends. I lived with mom in a rough housing project and Dad never stopped worrying about my safety. I was surrounded by bad elements. Bad conditions and bad people with bad intentions. I ran to school everyday carrying my books- 2 miles each way- all conditions. I wore dirty clothes and
smelled of cigarettes and was often hungry. Each morning, when the school bell rang, and the sweat cooled on my skin, I stood and
walked to the front of the class to accept my blue free lunch token with the other "Scums" while the girls and boys in the fancy clothes tucked their packed lunches with homemade goodies into the mini-fridge. Like Dad, I was a survivor. I was too smart, and too strong to let that cesspool drag me down. Things got hard. I got harder. For Christmas I found a fresh pair of Coolmax socks and my first running log under our Charlie Brown tree. Ramen and bread, Ramen and bread.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In 1985, Dad quit smoking, drinking and became a real runner. He even did some marathons. The jogging fad had swept the nation and had crept into the podunk dregs of Columbiana County, Ohio. I began going to weekend races with Dad. I got some attention and climbed the social ladder for my exploits on the roads and tracks. The mill opened up again and he was one of the first hires. Dad got custody and we were a team again. He told me that when I got older and stronger, he would take me to Colorado to climb New York Mountain. I dreamed of rocks and ice and ran uphills carrying snowballs in my bare hands to practice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
When I was 15, we made the trip west with my cousin Brett. Dad studied up and made sure we had the best gear to ensure success. Flannel shirts. Check. Timberland boots. Yep. That same old green canvas Navy duffel. Absolutely. We lugged the gear from the trailhead up to tree line to camp and shorten our "summit assault" the next morning. I labored with the old duffel slung over my shoulder, full of heavy and useless crap- mostly Dinty Moore Beef Stew and flannel- none of it mountain worthy. When we arrived at the site, things changed for me. I'm not sure if it was hypoxia or the epiphany of genuine inspiration...maybe it was destiny. When The Old Man and Crazy Nan got together in some shack way back when, their hillbilly genes were twisted and smashed together with all sorts of drugs and stuff. Dad's hardscrabble roughness and mom's craziness were mixed into a double helix shaped thing loaded up with a combination of A, C, T and G codons that became an endurance zygote. I came out bloated with red blood cells and jammed with EPO. My young heart and lungs were huge and my VO2MAX was a loaded gun. I stood there feeling weightless, looking up at miles of talus. I dropped the heavy sack and began running...no, sprinting up the mountain. I ran all the way to the ridge in what felt like seconds. I staggered back down, drunk from the dizzying heights and we camped among the boulders, brothers. I choked on apnea all night and had lucid dreams of the next day's adventure. We summitted together the next morning- a life changing experience for us all. Dad felt as if he had closed the loop by showing me this alternate reality. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was becoming something very different. Ohio would not suffice much longer. We climbed New York Mountain a few years later with my buddy Nick. By then, I had lost the nostalgia and just wanted to push for higher, harder, more and faster. "Do we have to go there again Dad, it's just a slag heap. It's not even a 14'er." The endurance rat had already began chewing on my brain. I wouldn't put these running tools to use again for another 15 years, but the trail was already forged. Dad would continue his climbing attaining incredible heights in athletics, career, education and humanity. A noble hillbilly for sure.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
May 10, 2005 I awoke exhausted and dehydrated at 14,000' from my solo climb up the Messner Couloir the day before. 10 hours camp to camp and the Denali Rangers had begun to call me "the Lung." My mountain ambitions were just starting to be realized. I lay barely awake in the tent and plot more climbs before my flight home. Something is wrong though. I'm not sure what. I stagger out of the tent and try the Old Man on the 2-way. Static. I check with the Rangers. They had been alerted by some guides to a party moving slowly that did not come back to the 17,200' high camp last night. The guides were already en route up the mountain and had spotted something. Minutes later, it was confirmed. On the flight home, broken apart, I remembered something. "Drawer by the sink. Under the silverware. If anything ever happens, look there." Sure enough, New York Mountain would be his final spot. He put it all in writing. Nick and I set him adrift from the peak the following summer, when Colorado had become my home. He took on a bird-like, or maybe even an angelic shape as he lifted over the Sawatch as dust in the wind. The sturdier bits of titanium, silver and steel- the screws, pins and fillings- acquired from living so hard for so long- we sorted out along with the bigger shards of bone, tooth and claw. Even the fires of hell could not break the Old Man down all the way. We stashed these under a rock up there. Forever his home. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nine years have passed and I'm back for a visit. I shake off my suffocating dreams and begin my run up the mountain- the final prep for an upcoming 100k, which is the beginning prep for a 100+ miler this summer. As I pondered the upcoming race, I remembered his stern warning. "Someday, you will run a marathon. Don't EVER run farther than that." He looked me dead in the eye and poked me hard in the chest when I was 6 years old as he told me that. Sorry man. You have no idea what you started. I plowed along post-holing and chuckling. A big winter meant I had to run 3 extra miles of snowmobile trail just to get to the trailhead. I broke trail through waist deep snow in a sloppy wet whiteout, wearing a cotton shirt. I am my father's son, after all. Above tree line, the storm shifted gears and freight train winds tossed me about on the slippery verglas-ed rocks. I summited and ducked behind a rock pile for a second of tranquility and to give thanks, remembering what this mountain means to me. As I stepped off the top, I waded through a huge drift and my shoe was pried off by a rock deep below the snow's surface. I dug for several minutes then stopped to warm my hands in my crotch and pound on my bare foot to keep it from falling off. I stood there in the maelstrom, numb, with miles to go to reach my rig. "A little help here please? Dad?" The wind subsided a bit and I found my shoe and finagled it back onto my frozen foot. I smile despite my horrible predicament.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Always some sweet with plenty of bitter. The Humphrey way.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMgOIFlu8MLN80oauKJWaHGsfG_Tzn9KW6oQ4tny9iQt1dr75h17GqcIg4zw5PAyMMONbIvZmGELMEX9s2RiG0Z1B4IKZ4fIFf7COtUZf3KoRtfpASt8QSaAiNz3p2jJe9SvA0fthsxTP/s1600/014.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEMgOIFlu8MLN80oauKJWaHGsfG_Tzn9KW6oQ4tny9iQt1dr75h17GqcIg4zw5PAyMMONbIvZmGELMEX9s2RiG0Z1B4IKZ4fIFf7COtUZf3KoRtfpASt8QSaAiNz3p2jJe9SvA0fthsxTP/s1600/014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York Mountain Summit. Hypothermia coming soon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuZZOGTvrT1v7oZ8tnjUC8qkTFUGIrEfx2XGPKPfcf_g99nG4_iqqUp51cf3AD1NEXMfrzFg8b_KaKsOpXyBfjOjq14cMFZQHpALo_LFkqW5yJ3PHQT2tcKbDQ_OUn7yw052zFa9wQFoU/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuZZOGTvrT1v7oZ8tnjUC8qkTFUGIrEfx2XGPKPfcf_g99nG4_iqqUp51cf3AD1NEXMfrzFg8b_KaKsOpXyBfjOjq14cMFZQHpALo_LFkqW5yJ3PHQT2tcKbDQ_OUn7yw052zFa9wQFoU/s1600/021.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gold Dust Peak the day after the storm. In good conditions, this and several other area peaks could be enchained with New York. Someday.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsn1vzDIxWmrQ1coYkWgwjMqgchtveyze-d_mpmGJu1NXGapP-xu-bSBqf1v94V7X0LHb93zSCIq2jsR6qCuMSXPRuIG42tAwwZYaoXX4XGE0Q_enEhBWAQxb6g4aPvpb4Vab3ahkf8Pcm/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsn1vzDIxWmrQ1coYkWgwjMqgchtveyze-d_mpmGJu1NXGapP-xu-bSBqf1v94V7X0LHb93zSCIq2jsR6qCuMSXPRuIG42tAwwZYaoXX4XGE0Q_enEhBWAQxb6g4aPvpb4Vab3ahkf8Pcm/s1600/016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modern day Fulford. Pretty conservative little enclave. Mostly 4WD enthusiasts and hunters, from what I can see.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIIkrGkim9kpRefoZSXxWhYVvw73pCGjAfALepgSjIq5hguOoC2MFRcOg2av4po6yJHWssa2H6jNbUojAbFqC9afOpIW3ok7Ov7T5Qh3FZ1ViN-cojAvZanKOWUYbLTIkGGnvwifMnMZn/s1600/9th_Arapahoe.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMIIkrGkim9kpRefoZSXxWhYVvw73pCGjAfALepgSjIq5hguOoC2MFRcOg2av4po6yJHWssa2H6jNbUojAbFqC9afOpIW3ok7Ov7T5Qh3FZ1ViN-cojAvZanKOWUYbLTIkGGnvwifMnMZn/s1600/9th_Arapahoe.PNG" height="302" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The old schoolhouse, 9th and Arapahoe. A snip from Google Street View.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YE6pe7pwhmLqsIYT6Z5nIgs3FyFp7oT31LwYe99Kub72knP3eDrFWrd10rmJ5OrajuNExm7aDUDvV19TQ3AIaZ0iMz0Eo-paEDLLPzy5147lHR3jiFkj2vWwg9YNjeqyPIlQOp8WffoO/s1600/031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1YE6pe7pwhmLqsIYT6Z5nIgs3FyFp7oT31LwYe99Kub72knP3eDrFWrd10rmJ5OrajuNExm7aDUDvV19TQ3AIaZ0iMz0Eo-paEDLLPzy5147lHR3jiFkj2vWwg9YNjeqyPIlQOp8WffoO/s1600/031.JPG" height="372" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back home in Idaho with Brandi. First Brundage Mountain summit on a bike for me. The 5k Cat Track climb took me 45 minutes. I run it in 28. Biking sucks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyfY_sIPx7FpK1i6ZEZzcl1u5C8jhkS3yhgZm0Ejo8_8AzjRgUrSDs3qOdvjiukA99_omRmWGO5K8j1uR2teZD19XnxmlmbQxdGVaB4-j9yBcDUebvyO2sE8X3Ta37ckXzvHMVVvR8c2H/s1600/032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAyfY_sIPx7FpK1i6ZEZzcl1u5C8jhkS3yhgZm0Ejo8_8AzjRgUrSDs3qOdvjiukA99_omRmWGO5K8j1uR2teZD19XnxmlmbQxdGVaB4-j9yBcDUebvyO2sE8X3Ta37ckXzvHMVVvR8c2H/s1600/032.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our home is on the right side of the lake below. It is pretty cool to climb a peak from home, look at your home from the summit, then finish by descending back to home.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYGY_9VqfrcDExw-WU2LNPGT82zp7YldI076SCmQWNFgpR_tgWfpUuKsjz5yVQYeVO8kdpM0fWg105IjpcFY98LIZ8LO4dGyry4ZjtVDl1Qa902iQCQ6bhUk6EXgXQSt3T1UJHsvLl9nZ/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYGY_9VqfrcDExw-WU2LNPGT82zp7YldI076SCmQWNFgpR_tgWfpUuKsjz5yVQYeVO8kdpM0fWg105IjpcFY98LIZ8LO4dGyry4ZjtVDl1Qa902iQCQ6bhUk6EXgXQSt3T1UJHsvLl9nZ/s1600/039.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elk tenderloin + morels is the best pre-race meal. Not a bad harvest this year, just had to go a bit higher than usual. These guys came from 6200-6400'. The highest I have ever picked.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-8911158333622758512014-06-18T15:34:00.000-07:002014-06-18T15:35:21.640-07:00Ultimate Direction 20% Off Site-wide<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Get 20% off every item site-wide at Ultimate Direction. </b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Use the link below to begin shopping and use the coupon code <b>JUNE20</b> at checkout. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The offer expires June 26, 2014.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=12437&pw=156743&ctc=athlete"><img alt="http://www.avantlink.com/click.php?tt=cl&mi=12437&pw=156743&ctc=athlete" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Mwbhk01OoMgbNZXSFidg9DMwZdNo9t-ImuiWFMbHJyQXK5PzRy2WXzJSKkv5kSJ3oX7vNKSa52HKdcu6I7PObl9_uaAVDqIQyfi33pmWfrjIDmvZCcnnXXBTTc-967dmvUMtE2Lv9g-P/s1600/UD_MainLogo2014_140x51_email+sig%255B39%255D+%25282%2529.png" height="116" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span id="yui_3_16_0_1_1403119960010_4806"><br /></span>
Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-85371338524301397642014-05-21T10:08:00.000-07:002014-05-21T16:53:53.718-07:00Weiser River Trail: Buck-O-Five<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="393" mozallowfullscreen="" src="//player.vimeo.com/video/95977443" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="700"></iframe> <br />
<a href="http://vimeo.com/95977443">Weiser River bear</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user9769448">Jeremy Humphrey</a> on <a href="https://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
<br />
I spent yesterday biking the Weiser River Trail. I have <a href="http://stayvertical928.blogspot.com/2011/05/weiser-river-trail-50k-race-report.html" target="_blank">raced there</a>, but never biked it. It is a rather smooth (rocky in places) and gently rolling path next to the gurgling Weiser River. It travels from the high mountain meadow of New Meadows, ID southward through a deep canyon before reaching farmlands and open country desert, and finally terminates where the river dumps into the Snake River in Weiser, ID. It is 84 miles one-way. I got an early start and entertained thoughts of a double crossing. However, after a few hours, I realized with the fresh crushed rocks laid down recently and a nasty wind swirling, I was not going all the way. So, I focused on a century ride. I've never biked more than a few hours, so a hundred would be a good challenge. I would go from the north terminus at Wye Trailhead, south to Midvale and back. At Midvale, I would stop for a meal at the Country Coffee Cabin for my midday cessation of activities for consumption of mass quantities. With a few trips off the trail for snacks, Gatorade, etc- I would get 105 miles.<br />
<br />
Along the way, I saw: 2 black bears, 2 owls, many elk and deer (whitetail and mule), eagles, hawks, turkeys, ducks, snakes, rabbits, beavers, assorted rodents and fish splashing. Lots of cattle and horses grazed in the idyllic meadows along the lazy agricultural stretches.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzCO7YwDy-GR7lFFuAzs00rWO-4_FbeMvjE_VYQXpNXNDknmYIRJj2CXlnsjegSGlo2wQwuRAa6WFR7oiGB5r7dRN6FFweUxh6mtRnOYEpmNcy3jp1fcDmb8fd6StqqqqLDgrqxhlG5IU/s1600/011.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPzCO7YwDy-GR7lFFuAzs00rWO-4_FbeMvjE_VYQXpNXNDknmYIRJj2CXlnsjegSGlo2wQwuRAa6WFR7oiGB5r7dRN6FFweUxh6mtRnOYEpmNcy3jp1fcDmb8fd6StqqqqLDgrqxhlG5IU/s1600/011.JPG" height="414" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were 2 bears together in these bushes. One was much larger, but I could not get her on camera. I zoomed up to get these pics. I don't go close to wildlife on purpose. Except in September.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOiCDy0WuLImVgTX_g0ihyphenhyphenhNxQk0PZ6YuMWO_awFjLUVMzNfedpzSeRQqv8tPrwMHzbbR3_OvNKIXyKGKsOebUFW6qIjviOGsNfcCIIPmbuiQhq0t9aY7RSAP48LHFXK_ewjLW9DNA9Cb/s1600/008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOiCDy0WuLImVgTX_g0ihyphenhyphenhNxQk0PZ6YuMWO_awFjLUVMzNfedpzSeRQqv8tPrwMHzbbR3_OvNKIXyKGKsOebUFW6qIjviOGsNfcCIIPmbuiQhq0t9aY7RSAP48LHFXK_ewjLW9DNA9Cb/s1600/008.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical stretch of river in the middle miles near Cambridge, ID.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBUzqsMVvjR-OoIaflxLAHNQwMchuyuGdJtymcJ3ekPDKXcwBL0Qeoz1t0TI94x9p4RVpZzekFymhRj6R7d-9dgOE2VDfVXrd0XPy58NGG6wJ7OVCC0MrK0u9YmmGmiw3Cz1uEsRDP5-m/s1600/013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimBUzqsMVvjR-OoIaflxLAHNQwMchuyuGdJtymcJ3ekPDKXcwBL0Qeoz1t0TI94x9p4RVpZzekFymhRj6R7d-9dgOE2VDfVXrd0XPy58NGG6wJ7OVCC0MrK0u9YmmGmiw3Cz1uEsRDP5-m/s1600/013.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking north towards Council Mountain on the return trip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrpusC6k2IzJqnTkQBbppBXMN4o_H4K6b49tabbTHw-N81F3wrFZIZiJ_7skazMEJVNNUggHBhb8E8sT45baIbq976mbXADbb18i_ruajPd8YqIRIqOsLsWDEaP34nDZCd8AZ9kwo054v/s1600/005.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTrpusC6k2IzJqnTkQBbppBXMN4o_H4K6b49tabbTHw-N81F3wrFZIZiJ_7skazMEJVNNUggHBhb8E8sT45baIbq976mbXADbb18i_ruajPd8YqIRIqOsLsWDEaP34nDZCd8AZ9kwo054v/s1600/005.JPG" height="474" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The best
Blueberry Pie I've ever eaten at Country Coffee Cabin in Midvale, ID.
After dispatching a double decker "Titan" Burger, fries and a delicious
double espresso- I went for this treat. Tons of fresh fruit, very
little sugar and fresh cream. WOW! If you are driving up the Rt 95
corridor for any reason, this place should not be missed.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Near Council, with about 20 miles to go, I blew a tire. Yesterday, I purchased some tools, pump and an extra tube at <a href="http://www.gravitysportsidaho.com/" target="_blank">Gravity Sports</a> in McCall. I also watched a 2 minute video on Youtube, so I was pretty much a mechanic by that point.
When the tire blew, I got the old one off, switched tubes and pumped it
up. But...it had a big tear in it! I put the old tube back on and
tried to get the SLIME to work. I spun it and pumped it and nothing. I
sat there dejected in the stifling heat. After a while, I decided to
walk the bike over to the road and try to hitch a ride up canyon to my
rig. I tried one more session of furious spinning and amazingly it
worked. I pumped up the old tire, with the SLIME now holding and off I
went. It is hard to come back when you have resigned yourself to
defeat, but I took this opportunity to challenge my mind and finish it
off. One problem, my ASS HURT HORRIBLY. "Biking is dumb and I hate it. Why am I doing this? Why am I wearing my Old Man's cotton bike shorts from 1990? The chamois is freaking BURLAP!
AHHHH." I swear it I felt like I was sitting in a pile of fire ants.
My legs felt fresh, but the saddle sores were sucking my will to live.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOdolDNrMSzW7eL_xDwPLVAHO2yDLxr3ajMbglZooPVDvsJOyYnba0pqnCwNn39cJ6DkeOTj-vZdqnTuNrTsaxh1LRil7Tve8nevqyofZoO03isU0a6kzWtgxZ51h7l43-BsJwi93Dsar/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAOdolDNrMSzW7eL_xDwPLVAHO2yDLxr3ajMbglZooPVDvsJOyYnba0pqnCwNn39cJ6DkeOTj-vZdqnTuNrTsaxh1LRil7Tve8nevqyofZoO03isU0a6kzWtgxZ51h7l43-BsJwi93Dsar/s1600/016.JPG" height="376" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marsh full of ducks near Council, ID. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uc3OkwQksXZP_2l66WPvpVnCfi0RKx9HO5v1epBmOnoj8nLsHoitDoTlrk4IPLHFbWpjG24xciecweQB7FIw2YEL1eHx6LuXvuFS44P-I4sOTVVcneomJugLC8QitL7JouSbyyf3lUXH/s1600/017.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uc3OkwQksXZP_2l66WPvpVnCfi0RKx9HO5v1epBmOnoj8nLsHoitDoTlrk4IPLHFbWpjG24xciecweQB7FIw2YEL1eHx6LuXvuFS44P-I4sOTVVcneomJugLC8QitL7JouSbyyf3lUXH/s1600/017.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonking, slowing and stopping frequently. I have some weak Gatorade in the bottle, but it was not getting it done. I desperately needed fat and protein. 10 uphill miles to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHAL1DULkGB4mDStDupAvghPMZO_6asLo-H7YlMLArq7MYteBvyDUZU_jVkWKzQ8yg6tmkI9zabSIQKe2d0n5AIGLfEAgJGWIir9QJlvhisDXoGnIrVZMu1Mi4wHiEN7oDp6ub35956MO/s1600/020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHAL1DULkGB4mDStDupAvghPMZO_6asLo-H7YlMLArq7MYteBvyDUZU_jVkWKzQ8yg6tmkI9zabSIQKe2d0n5AIGLfEAgJGWIir9QJlvhisDXoGnIrVZMu1Mi4wHiEN7oDp6ub35956MO/s1600/020.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost done. Usually, I cringe at the sight of the old Lumber Mill- a blight in the beautiful valley. After suffering greatly while climbing the final canyon, I was so happy to see it today. Only 2 miles to go.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0ixUYGJMCq34iDtzmdHlWlJBeB-d-POsLP3YgIU0NXZLiImUiYSJ8XD9pr-AgwzocY1JrgXMX28Q2HWDh3r4AZ5Cn-aqYH8yn3esbCQ396CTW9glthRqSLwt1XnIBfpZ52EGFf5PzT5J/s1600/021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX0ixUYGJMCq34iDtzmdHlWlJBeB-d-POsLP3YgIU0NXZLiImUiYSJ8XD9pr-AgwzocY1JrgXMX28Q2HWDh3r4AZ5Cn-aqYH8yn3esbCQ396CTW9glthRqSLwt1XnIBfpZ52EGFf5PzT5J/s1600/021.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done. 105 miles in 8:30. 3000' vertical gain and loss.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b>Gear</b></u><br />
Bike: My wife's Marin mountain bike. Quite a bit lighter than mine and slimmer tires.<br />
Ultimate Direction Jurek pack<br />
Ultimate Direction 26 ounce bottle in my bike mount.<br />
5 VFuel Gels<br />
1 VESPA Ultra Concentrate.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0uc3OkwQksXZP_2l66WPvpVnCfi0RKx9HO5v1epBmOnoj8nLsHoitDoTlrk4IPLHFbWpjG24xciecweQB7FIw2YEL1eHx6LuXvuFS44P-I4sOTVVcneomJugLC8QitL7JouSbyyf3lUXH/s1600/017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-85431783093532208542014-05-18T14:13:00.000-07:002014-05-18T16:54:44.386-07:00May 12- 18: Almost like training...not quite.<span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Totals: 70 miles, 21,000 vert. </span></b></span><br />
<br />
5/12: 90 min massage, then 7 mile trail run (1000' vert) at Bear Basin. First run this year on local trails, even if they are the lower ones. Still some snow here and there, but good enough for the girls I go with!<br />
<br />
5/13: Brundage Skin and Ski 3 laps 4800'. 2 hard laps in 24-25 mins each, then 1 easier lap with Brandi. Sweet, sunny spring conditions. Mega dosage of Vitamin D today!<br />
<br />
5/14: Brundage Skin and Ski 1 lap easy, then Goose Creek Falls Trail 3.5 miles. 2750' vert.<br />
<br />
5/15: 12 miles, 4000' vert run with Jacob in Rapid River. Up and down Rattlesnake plus some more miles in the East Fork Rapid River. Camped at Trailhead w/Jacob.<br />
<br />
5/16: 10 mile Mountain Bike (Wildhorse Loop), then 5 hour/19 mile/7000' vert run in Rapid River. 85deg F and super humid. Tough day with lots of snow, bushwhacking and route-finding. With 10 miles to go, I found some morel mushrooms and decided to eschew my water and fill my bottle with shrooms. A memorable dehydration bonk ensued with dizziness and racing heartrate, but at least I have something to take home to the wife besides a sunburn. Another humbling thumping at the hands of Rattlesnake Hill. All hills that matter or have meaning must have a nickname. I have taken to calling this one the "Commute," as it is the necessary evil of tangling with the canyon. Camped at Trailhead w/Jacob.<br />
<br />
5/17: Fartlek/Tempo run at Wildhorse with Jacob. 8 miles/1000' vert. 3 harder fartlek miles in the 6 min pace range on rolling hills. Felt great to shift gears from humping 20% grades to some actual striding out. Very happy with how the legs responded after yesterday's beating. Drove home and went straight to the Donnelly Fire Dept BBQ Fundraiser. Threw down with heaping piles of primo smoked meats and picnic fixins. <br />
<br />
5/18: Rainy/cold GYM day. 40 minutes Pool Running (DWR): 5 mins warmup, 30 minutes of 30 seconds sprint/ 30 seconds easy, 5 minutes easy cooldown. 40 minutes Spin Bike: 2 minutes easy and 2-3 minutes out of saddle in top resistance. Went pretty hard today and lost touch with sanity on a few of the pool intervals. Finished with an hour of plyometric box jumps, core work and stretching/rolling. Solid day.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeYmPlxsmXmX0-pt9lAFVge6rbudH9XfArNX6KwHZ7w5QLcd2vcQT9LyW8_dWhln6eERGWtKp34DsGjdcT2jD5VH9YLluYjSKfvgq7opgxkLTe31w8S8hyphenhyphenZqXevCZfysCXiI1gOzSt2f-/s1600/P5160019.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKeYmPlxsmXmX0-pt9lAFVge6rbudH9XfArNX6KwHZ7w5QLcd2vcQT9LyW8_dWhln6eERGWtKp34DsGjdcT2jD5VH9YLluYjSKfvgq7opgxkLTe31w8S8hyphenhyphenZqXevCZfysCXiI1gOzSt2f-/s1600/P5160019.JPG" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quarter mile to go on the "Commute." Photo by Jacob Robinson.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHt8WtVLy3dGBv6qMflGrUAuLyKNANHeUzmq9L1VEg41dHP12-8enKXjen48wfDxXZunYQGkDtcBnqNYgPHFE4J4HLNeA9krA-VzZzoDYmZMVzXCichYq5jH_3G2S7xyr6aQek6zLuZ2H/s1600/004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiHt8WtVLy3dGBv6qMflGrUAuLyKNANHeUzmq9L1VEg41dHP12-8enKXjen48wfDxXZunYQGkDtcBnqNYgPHFE4J4HLNeA9krA-VzZzoDYmZMVzXCichYq5jH_3G2S7xyr6aQek6zLuZ2H/s1600/004.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still skinning. Pretty psyched to see what my summer peak looks like when stacked on top of a skiing base. Every season is an experiment with an unknowable outcome. I feel that the strength gained from repeated climbs of over 30% slopes will tip the odds in my favor to enjoy a healthy and satisfying year.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFe1QzwQOM92eIm8fhovkqtH3UGc8D6nsfV3oAJufG317Ir9PnDH0Q65X12Va6OsicoxFFZFkxL9ny_qHlaZ4F-ly_G_hGcNKpwI1iEp32bNNNqqiGn0WukZZdeBNAz45ZwiOdFNdxeVs/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFe1QzwQOM92eIm8fhovkqtH3UGc8D6nsfV3oAJufG317Ir9PnDH0Q65X12Va6OsicoxFFZFkxL9ny_qHlaZ4F-ly_G_hGcNKpwI1iEp32bNNNqqiGn0WukZZdeBNAz45ZwiOdFNdxeVs/s1600/006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rippin' spring corn with Brandi on a 70 degree day.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCowhQvTpIG0lCcJEsqdsY4gYa2DLIaq4VopCYxslaSdnwDOpdLvOA1hVK3mUYQEiqFkOPwwSpjYrxQV6Mc4UHgu9CHtip95kI3vdTf40gSRFki4YNoF5DDhM9qqSgQ2zhLGQWTZlUXAM/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCowhQvTpIG0lCcJEsqdsY4gYa2DLIaq4VopCYxslaSdnwDOpdLvOA1hVK3mUYQEiqFkOPwwSpjYrxQV6Mc4UHgu9CHtip95kI3vdTf40gSRFki4YNoF5DDhM9qqSgQ2zhLGQWTZlUXAM/s1600/009.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bike, ski,or run? Yes please!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS2JVZXQJ1HNsqstEICPfhMR0ImdDRoYqG8JbTHa4IrNRqSNcjC6HM_y57WpnBKWHvc0CKEj88fKWClf0TVL8JzmablzTOfAS2hvjlH0Y2rcGDNUPVx5r1NK06_s7sXEtIJ3l-2GM3RHH/s1600/010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKS2JVZXQJ1HNsqstEICPfhMR0ImdDRoYqG8JbTHa4IrNRqSNcjC6HM_y57WpnBKWHvc0CKEj88fKWClf0TVL8JzmablzTOfAS2hvjlH0Y2rcGDNUPVx5r1NK06_s7sXEtIJ3l-2GM3RHH/s1600/010.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski Fox trying to poach some food. I don't feed wild animals, but he sure is cute. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW09lD842W6zmUt0rVvmZ-1fJr9XqLNZW1_4ndcLSPxuVHihPjkm-z-L8MzNsqZTQ0FhOWIdskW-6KDdob2UvjG2QPdKCeklqQDRx76WPI-2eVxtRtE41CM6XR6kJDz8nl8l-hZqXH0vEh/s1600/014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW09lD842W6zmUt0rVvmZ-1fJr9XqLNZW1_4ndcLSPxuVHihPjkm-z-L8MzNsqZTQ0FhOWIdskW-6KDdob2UvjG2QPdKCeklqQDRx76WPI-2eVxtRtE41CM6XR6kJDz8nl8l-hZqXH0vEh/s1600/014.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Payette Lake and the Crestline Trail to the north. Brandi and I were married right at this spot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-RZGejqYVIX9PzicAacCgXIAKOsyFCnLNsX9j4K0TMpXsnfeYkO3XlCmejA12l_QweMelgaNgD1jFCvG1JdR8ib_iMQwmJi-eQXJX6kY_rEgXMsQjrTa7Ldfs0hl94knhcqym7gAPubM/s1600/015+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-RZGejqYVIX9PzicAacCgXIAKOsyFCnLNsX9j4K0TMpXsnfeYkO3XlCmejA12l_QweMelgaNgD1jFCvG1JdR8ib_iMQwmJi-eQXJX6kY_rEgXMsQjrTa7Ldfs0hl94knhcqym7gAPubM/s1600/015+-+Copy.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob biking the Wildhorse Loop above the East Fork of Rapid River canyon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DzBKDu3V_5fK-DzkT_jDRR5buduONvpdOSaZWPmD35WJEPPwvi4gCXt1t-5qpg2dxfB3bo4nYaKUQoybftj029gqvR8u5QS2hiVPbde6d4beVe2qw_7ODucUElucEuKCsXHeEVX9SvPO/s1600/019+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3DzBKDu3V_5fK-DzkT_jDRR5buduONvpdOSaZWPmD35WJEPPwvi4gCXt1t-5qpg2dxfB3bo4nYaKUQoybftj029gqvR8u5QS2hiVPbde6d4beVe2qw_7ODucUElucEuKCsXHeEVX9SvPO/s1600/019+-+Copy.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jacob climbing the 1000' feet per mile slope of Wyant Creek.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdD9RJX_nGiCg271aGCh4z-8bL-s5FT-hzlNLEHsVSzv22LQjwfzUSDsu7j1Dp7zD99-veSdQO32HhrckAhvTZiUhL4zUkGdJZZkdqeI4mA2-Lt9N1XekI6atduysugmd-XqTl8m1iYmc/s1600/Wyant,+Potter+Loop.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcdD9RJX_nGiCg271aGCh4z-8bL-s5FT-hzlNLEHsVSzv22LQjwfzUSDsu7j1Dp7zD99-veSdQO32HhrckAhvTZiUhL4zUkGdJZZkdqeI4mA2-Lt9N1XekI6atduysugmd-XqTl8m1iYmc/s1600/Wyant,+Potter+Loop.PNG" height="252" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rapid River. I
have been trying to open this loop for 3 years, but snow has always
stopped me. Rattlesnake TH, down to Wyant Camp, up Wyant Creek to Bryan
Mountain, down to Potter Place and the West Fork of RR, back the East
Fork of RR, up to Rattlesnake TH to finish. 10 mile mountain bike
warmup. Big day. I have one more mega loop proj down there this year. Should be ready by mid-June.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-10984811711157154482014-05-11T13:32:00.000-07:002014-05-12T15:35:52.270-07:009 Years<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55pR2VLt7vuDu9gpuruiO6CgWZ4rthZperWs_GHbKNeUTJgYVuK1u5Ez7vq9hHVcsiKbBaOSAM_Tc0fnG8hx6aXmRnLpBYwOl1QAvaQ9B-QBpO_wXrQ1bzxSXc7Sm6-lmmZKj1c5uyT6K/s1600/100_0077_0041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg55pR2VLt7vuDu9gpuruiO6CgWZ4rthZperWs_GHbKNeUTJgYVuK1u5Ez7vq9hHVcsiKbBaOSAM_Tc0fnG8hx6aXmRnLpBYwOl1QAvaQ9B-QBpO_wXrQ1bzxSXc7Sm6-lmmZKj1c5uyT6K/s1600/100_0077_0041.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">The Old Man in front of Mount Foraker, AK. 9 years ago today, the Old Man took a tumble in Alaska. He was "horizontal" for a short spell. The lack of motion must have been hell for him. A few months later, he was lifted into the winds high above the Colorado Rockies. Still climbing. Always Vertical. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Training Update</span></b></u><br />
<br />
Three things I dislike. Bikes, Biking and Bikers. They all seem to be sponsored and need ridiculous amounts of logo'ed up spandex for a cruise on the bike path. I am coming to find out that hate it or not, biking is a workout. I pedal the same steep hill in 16 minutes that I run in 10. It's different though. It's not as boring or pointless as I thought it would be. It seems to be working. I rock the Old Man's mid-90's vintage Trek. Probably 50 pounds of metal and rubber.<br />
<br />
I've been combining the biking, skiing and some running together to get my training hours up and build my endurance. I just logged a 60 mile running week, plus a ton of other cross training. That is the most I have run this year. Everything is feeling groovy. Itching to race.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4cdWukWYFv98Miyp6AKrXJFo2KTWgBrWSpjmERASpaJoQnlu-nAATFfCCS8q3vLoNlpp3YF-G1SZ3EDyESFykR3863bV1ONxSXxTWLgISDmVTUa8q4ycitJobEa9MOfbawn-hSskyLUr/s1600/016+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4cdWukWYFv98Miyp6AKrXJFo2KTWgBrWSpjmERASpaJoQnlu-nAATFfCCS8q3vLoNlpp3YF-G1SZ3EDyESFykR3863bV1ONxSXxTWLgISDmVTUa8q4ycitJobEa9MOfbawn-hSskyLUr/s1600/016+-+Copy.JPG" height="478" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first photo of a wolf. He was 200+ yards away and running away from me. Not a very exciting pic, but I finally got one on film! For you, Lucho.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLiwLAJPnGrjiv2J55Qbu-fCSXZ4RetRg3WKaw-LWYi0c7QC8cenckIZwSin1VN4i7dJsaNQ8V5ipwraPj48-70QvJyPMJRe4OO_aGTYMLkz1KJollg0XIVrjnBAUKqnYVffM5QQy55Z8/s1600/018.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLiwLAJPnGrjiv2J55Qbu-fCSXZ4RetRg3WKaw-LWYi0c7QC8cenckIZwSin1VN4i7dJsaNQ8V5ipwraPj48-70QvJyPMJRe4OO_aGTYMLkz1KJollg0XIVrjnBAUKqnYVffM5QQy55Z8/s1600/018.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A break at snowline to cool down in some snow. An ancient 2 point antler- whitened in the sun after years of lying about. Rapid River, just under Pollack Mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXovOctfkRHd2wwupaFQI3QP2y2b5V-sCy-WX-xxvRrbGQcL-HTYlELruXnVEF4zaSZNHnEo0oEvuV0aG7PZJfcpC7Q5VpfcSf3CN3jTnB_Bd6drGFTJ3bGomrQNaFoD_QqPNNhMqeKzvh/s1600/012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXovOctfkRHd2wwupaFQI3QP2y2b5V-sCy-WX-xxvRrbGQcL-HTYlELruXnVEF4zaSZNHnEo0oEvuV0aG7PZJfcpC7Q5VpfcSf3CN3jTnB_Bd6drGFTJ3bGomrQNaFoD_QqPNNhMqeKzvh/s1600/012.JPG" height="302" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pollack Mountain with my nugget in the way. A bunch of my pics from this day got cut off during the upload to my computer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsawdzySL_E8xWU4UDeZjamQGCYtKnpaxLXyrNAwj0NKj6b27rqo0N7X0s0r5DKfj4GnX-NjXyXZ8Hor6FdYlkYn_rDGe63sy3w4w4ghrO3z15KXZYMHCkQwuGsGx3SBy1v3dpCorhBPb9/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsawdzySL_E8xWU4UDeZjamQGCYtKnpaxLXyrNAwj0NKj6b27rqo0N7X0s0r5DKfj4GnX-NjXyXZ8Hor6FdYlkYn_rDGe63sy3w4w4ghrO3z15KXZYMHCkQwuGsGx3SBy1v3dpCorhBPb9/s1600/003.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brandi skinning. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_w-03UJrJspRx08tP8upez70QqgGWM7JwKqCXegfAm6br4wKBvPsLDyY42bW0CVD1iXSv0ZfZuqSM2nBP_yeG39mynCJDIZnAsqNyAQOyAVo7WNx-7Na_M-RQtoN4yNWNshR1reNq8TF/s1600/005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_w-03UJrJspRx08tP8upez70QqgGWM7JwKqCXegfAm6br4wKBvPsLDyY42bW0CVD1iXSv0ZfZuqSM2nBP_yeG39mynCJDIZnAsqNyAQOyAVo7WNx-7Na_M-RQtoN4yNWNshR1reNq8TF/s1600/005.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skinning Brundage. Tons of snow this week made for good skiing. Should be ski-able until June.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom8Kpu-Z_OP08dADTbKLpy0qYyKHVgKxRDhzztfsGM3dj-CGAnVna6CP4-J8AbNrcFPYEfo_SmPCFqKHD_IsF4UHcscgTinRCxAWdTRmcRlSdWFUvwR0AC00gDool7pOvSUlBTrneJ4wF/s1600/034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgom8Kpu-Z_OP08dADTbKLpy0qYyKHVgKxRDhzztfsGM3dj-CGAnVna6CP4-J8AbNrcFPYEfo_SmPCFqKHD_IsF4UHcscgTinRCxAWdTRmcRlSdWFUvwR0AC00gDool7pOvSUlBTrneJ4wF/s1600/034.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My protege Jacob scores a podium at The Weiser River 50k in 3:57. Since we have been working together this year, he has been 5th, 2nd and 3rd overall. Watch out for him this year. One who laughs and celebrates the worse he hurts...is a man you should fear. A guy like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vET7Ef3RNMA" target="_blank">THIS</a>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">April 27- May 11 </span></b></u><br />
<br />
Sun April 27: Gym. Bike intervals for 78 minutes. Rolled the spin bike into the 80+F pool area and knocked out intervals. 1 min hard, 1 min easy, then 2 hard, 1 easy. I wore 3 layers. Lost 6 pounds. Shorted out my ipod I was sweating so bad.<br />
<br />
Mon April 28: Easy Recovery. 30 min elliptical at high resistance. Stretch and core work in sauna after.<br />
<br />
Tues April 29: Bike 14mi, Run 8mi. Started at the bottom of the Whitebird Ridge Road on the bike. Ride 7 miles up the mountain to the Rattlesnake Trailhead (2500' vert gain). Then stashed the bike in the woods and ran down the trail to Wyant Camp, then back up (2000' gain, 2000' loss). Rode the bike back down to the truck (2500' loss).<br />
<br />
Weds April 30: 14 miles, 3000' vert. Run up Thorn Creek Road (snowy) to Brundage Resort. Snow power hike up to Brundage Summit. Run down the Cat Track (snow), then down Goose lake Road at good tempo to truck.<br />
<br />
Thurs May 1: 2:30. 20 mile bike with Brandi at Fish Lake Forest Roads. Did some of the climbs pretty hard. 2000' vert gain.<br />
<br />
Fri May 2: 14mi bike. 27mi run. Same bike as Tuesday. From the Rattlesnake Trailhead, I ran down to Wyant Camp, went up the East Fork of Rapid River to Frypan Creek. Climbed a few thousand feet up there to above 7000'. Tried to make a loop of it, but snow stopped me. I reversed it all the way back. Spectacular bonk on the way back. Mid-80's F down in the canyon scorched me good. Barely able to ride the bike back down the hill to the truck. Perfect endurance builder. 6+ hours and over 10,000 vert combined.<br />
<br />
Sat May 3: OFF. Pretty sore all over.<br />
<br />
Sun May 4: 90 min yoga. 2 hour, 21 mi bike at Fish Lake.<br />
<br />
Mon May 5: My 35th Birthday. OFF.<br />
<br />
Tues May 6: 14 mi run at Last Chance. 2 hours, 2250 vert. Ran some of the hills very hard. Took easier stretches as needed to keep the effort reasonable.<br />
<br />
Weds May 7: Bike 25mi + 9 mi run. I broke the derailleur off my bike and had to run home. 4 hours of hard work on 1 gel and 16 oz water.<br />
<br />
Thurs May 8: Brundage Skin and Ski 1 lap with Brandi easy. 1600' vert. Then I ran home 4 miles through Whitetail.<br />
<br />
Fri May 9: Brundage Skin and Ski 3 laps. 4800' vert. Moderate effort. Lots of fresh snow. On the way home, I stopped at the Little Ski Hill and ran 3 laps up their main ski run. It is 375' vert per lap in just .38 miles. That makes it 1000' per mile. I run these in a controlled effort in around 5 minutes. This gets the HR way up. Workout totaled 3.5 mi and 1100' vert.<br />
<br />
Sat May 10: Brundage Skin and Ski 3 laps 4800' vert. Harder efforts. Lots of people on the hill today with the fresh, deep pow. Freshies all day. After ski, I went to the gym and did 30 mins elliptical, then core, mobility and strength work.<br />
<br />
Sun May 11: I got my bike fixed and tuned. 2 hours biking at Last Chance. 2000' vert. Some harder pushes on the hills, but pretty chill.Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-52999431340655605492014-04-21T18:03:00.000-07:002014-04-22T07:33:20.343-07:002014 Robie Creek Half Marathon1:21 (6:10 pace, 2400' climb, 1700' descent)<br />
"TOUGHEST RACE in the NORTHWEST" *** <br />
2014 Theme: Killer Queen. Queen themed music, signage, costumes and pageantry. Pretty cool.<br />
2nd Place out of 2500 runners<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP1JEg1nQVgXtR-4ez4WUG6xerKt5-uCXKGmMebW7lhLtMI-os2FfUFq-_Qruhhdc7OMeCOR8486dRpIryAnbwbE8KTPbVFhsWwHo0TTkKOuoZbE4sDd55lzv5klEGcrnkCIv3RalIR99/s1600/011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigP1JEg1nQVgXtR-4ez4WUG6xerKt5-uCXKGmMebW7lhLtMI-os2FfUFq-_Qruhhdc7OMeCOR8486dRpIryAnbwbE8KTPbVFhsWwHo0TTkKOuoZbE4sDd55lzv5klEGcrnkCIv3RalIR99/s1600/011.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race. This crew has got me through some pretty crazy racing over the years. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbL5YzRd_G01NO9DtcTM-8Lp4pQoY3YbylJg8JXRftffXy0zr53WTVbgyt47IbEbU-BO6YC1mPvMG2p3qPgoReZWfpbdrObivDvcwSo9k86zGqeQ-0JNwJJDL5bpMOv4CCtXhe-QEOWUT/s1600/JOE+JASZEWSKI+Statesman+Photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPbL5YzRd_G01NO9DtcTM-8Lp4pQoY3YbylJg8JXRftffXy0zr53WTVbgyt47IbEbU-BO6YC1mPvMG2p3qPgoReZWfpbdrObivDvcwSo9k86zGqeQ-0JNwJJDL5bpMOv4CCtXhe-QEOWUT/s1600/JOE+JASZEWSKI+Statesman+Photo.JPG" height="640" width="468" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First mile. A flattish sub-5 affair. I am in 3rd and it already a 3 man race as the 2500+ runners spill out behind us. I already feel my left calf tightening and it would be a battle to keep it from ripping the remainder of the run.<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: JOE JASZEWSKI Idaho Statesman </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHNdyqZeNKNQvtIYOb727pMQn84J9g0BdaPFqX4Ui_AmKlOXFFV3mfRx08gmu-Vdaa4T8RhiDL_jqTjiKnO4CmAamb-tqSQe0fN5CyNMe5eggIartu_4qjetslN3InnyjYxG4OAoGAgYp/s1600/Robie%252BCreek%252Bmile2_KTVB+Erica+Deshner+Cornwall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmHNdyqZeNKNQvtIYOb727pMQn84J9g0BdaPFqX4Ui_AmKlOXFFV3mfRx08gmu-Vdaa4T8RhiDL_jqTjiKnO4CmAamb-tqSQe0fN5CyNMe5eggIartu_4qjetslN3InnyjYxG4OAoGAgYp/s1600/Robie%252BCreek%252Bmile2_KTVB+Erica+Deshner+Cornwall.JPG" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mile 2 after the initial climb and it is now a 2 man race. From here it is a short descent to the beginning of of the 6 mile climb on a dirt forest road, ever steepening to the summit. On these short breaks in the climbing, it was clear that winner Markus had WAY more speed than me. Geiger is a 30 minute 10k guy with a strong Collegiate XC and Track pedigree and last year ran Robie in the 1:14 range- as fast as its ever been run. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: KTVB Erica Deshner Cornwall</span><br />
<br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSdmFHMBsfaIcfFfZcTw_Cg98-77rq9rBDhxCcvO6p5HfElrmw48SVzPGWcfe7s_X_QCiErUqiArDLxBv-ldD6yHYp2UPy9RWYym-us-mwyWO9dEx_EWWmB2xqB-YayxOqm8W8oL4fQKz/s1600/Summit+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHSdmFHMBsfaIcfFfZcTw_Cg98-77rq9rBDhxCcvO6p5HfElrmw48SVzPGWcfe7s_X_QCiErUqiArDLxBv-ldD6yHYp2UPy9RWYym-us-mwyWO9dEx_EWWmB2xqB-YayxOqm8W8oL4fQKz/s1600/Summit+pic.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">6 miles of climbing later at the top of the mountain (mile 8.4 in 56+ mins). It is over 80F and into a stiff head wind. I am now 2+ minutes behind. I am surprised to see both feet off the ground and some semblance of running form. I am in a world of hurt. Over the top, I spent a minute or so speaking Captain Caveman gibberish to the horror of the EMT's and spectators looking on as I screamed down the hill, knees wobbling, slamming feet and running as fast as gravity could carry me. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo by The Pulse Running & Fitness</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu5GwpefsA8W8iL7UGhip8pgYgnYwFJg2yRcfw3gr5DMEyJyBcP-MS9vROQb4jTdNPLcePwC0WNICMhvyWvCRHPGYn84aT9LN4a8rpDuLiwv3hfGLsHKtZigiPAKvkKDLiX0f2iv9g2MO/s1600/018.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQu5GwpefsA8W8iL7UGhip8pgYgnYwFJg2yRcfw3gr5DMEyJyBcP-MS9vROQb4jTdNPLcePwC0WNICMhvyWvCRHPGYn84aT9LN4a8rpDuLiwv3hfGLsHKtZigiPAKvkKDLiX0f2iv9g2MO/s1600/018.JPG" height="464" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there. I split a 24 min down- just a tick over 5 min average. Without a watch, I would have guessed some of these miles at more like 7 min. I could not believe no one came for me. 3rd place was another 3+ mins back. I look like a body builder compared to my late-summer build. Big, oxygen starved muscles = cramptastic. I can't believe I ran almost 80 miles like this at Western last year. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMZN0BHlusrfCEndubrFv7nEjNf6sMd8zkER9W-C3ua6BGRe4rSq0jEaCAZz0nuq4NPUfZ6mhkAQQy4Bo2NexGCujwYZQ8woHiFADzRbpUfeOwlAwJR4kHUYvhlliSk5p_GkBHCPd97Ph/s1600/DARIN+OSWALD+Statesman+JDH+Finish.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtMZN0BHlusrfCEndubrFv7nEjNf6sMd8zkER9W-C3ua6BGRe4rSq0jEaCAZz0nuq4NPUfZ6mhkAQQy4Bo2NexGCujwYZQ8woHiFADzRbpUfeOwlAwJR4kHUYvhlliSk5p_GkBHCPd97Ph/s1600/DARIN+OSWALD+Statesman+JDH+Finish.jpeg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finish. 1:21. A half mile or so up the road, I was chased by a dog from his driveway. He was a big short-hair showing teeth and he lunged at me. I jumped him to avoid being bitten, curling into a ball as I flew over him. While in my tuck, my right hammy seized completely and I was barely able to outrun him. Earlier, I had jumped over a rattle snake. <br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: DARIN OSWALD Idaho Statesman</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf6HIWKO1yzEflptn9t0nqaQBIOl-q_9OLg2rWbBT3HFuF6W1I2tDCsMb3-QARNfWnBzMDdJBT48X0sMgHt6-KoWzG6t3gf40QG-MCTcTd5HRVKUCJHqV7pRQDfwVpepG9Wq3JIVgxxSR/s1600/023.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOf6HIWKO1yzEflptn9t0nqaQBIOl-q_9OLg2rWbBT3HFuF6W1I2tDCsMb3-QARNfWnBzMDdJBT48X0sMgHt6-KoWzG6t3gf40QG-MCTcTd5HRVKUCJHqV7pRQDfwVpepG9Wq3JIVgxxSR/s1600/023.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh Race Rockers sans socks. Just a nick and I bled like a stuck pig. This was from breaking my stride with my right leg on the down hill to keep my left calf from going. Sweet shoes at 7 ounces. I will review these soon.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN7ZzfIZxB9SIEvUj3HbRGvfj66_KT7T3-bBAwb7MBKcUtniRi7KaHXwXRRQbDKZcImGLMdMOI_Gr_5OFca3svkD54fRLr7jo19N1n_hSPqTl2l8Dmy94hoTFWx3m9sUIMOuabWIeUjPE/s1600/KTVB+Eileen+Capson_Top+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaN7ZzfIZxB9SIEvUj3HbRGvfj66_KT7T3-bBAwb7MBKcUtniRi7KaHXwXRRQbDKZcImGLMdMOI_Gr_5OFca3svkD54fRLr7jo19N1n_hSPqTl2l8Dmy94hoTFWx3m9sUIMOuabWIeUjPE/s1600/KTVB+Eileen+Capson_Top+2.jpg" height="425" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the finish party with the winner. Big neck bling. <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Photo: KTVB Eileen Capson</span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7soQd7piEU5mE2XaDl3LgumL8lTiQoRePDniCrk3KKhpQXmkoWSqRE7C19S22ei7ASl7OZbjeOksYSmfA0OOP6BrlqENQ0Bz3NTOFUlWvTnJ6LOVPdrdkde6SydQLsHWa9amGiQEzSVDo/s1600/028.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7soQd7piEU5mE2XaDl3LgumL8lTiQoRePDniCrk3KKhpQXmkoWSqRE7C19S22ei7ASl7OZbjeOksYSmfA0OOP6BrlqENQ0Bz3NTOFUlWvTnJ6LOVPdrdkde6SydQLsHWa9amGiQEzSVDo/s1600/028.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Good beer and good friends at the finish. Brandi, Katie and I hung out and took in the scene for hours after the race. We were on one of the last buses out of there. I partied as hard as my dehydrated body would allow. No more treats until September.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7A3HioZVgm074a4ZJY0UX9Vo7qIg2fCRYBZs6koF7yBknTeoAsyFWq_xRmcm7v5NH2M-ptVN-VW0cj7F_gnuabxUYPOv8ijYA99BtzA-6xyl1jFkw5LPf6Hurm6Tiv_1hQXVn2Nu_SiM/s1600/006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN7A3HioZVgm074a4ZJY0UX9Vo7qIg2fCRYBZs6koF7yBknTeoAsyFWq_xRmcm7v5NH2M-ptVN-VW0cj7F_gnuabxUYPOv8ijYA99BtzA-6xyl1jFkw5LPf6Hurm6Tiv_1hQXVn2Nu_SiM/s1600/006.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Recovery
hike on Brundage today. I bumped into Irene and her goats. This is
"Barley," a horse-sized French Alpine Goat. They will be supplying an
aid station somewhere in the backcountry at IMTUF 100 this year. Maybe a
new tradition like the llamas of Leadville.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b><span style="font-size: large;">Gear and Support</span></b></u>:<br />
<br />
SCOTT Split Shorts<br />
SCOTT Race Rocker racing flats<br />
VFUEL Gel packet at miles 4 and 7.<br />
Vespa Ultra Concentrate 15 minutes pre-race<br />
Breathe-Right nose strip. I'm liking how these help me breathe. No sponsor or anything, just digging the extra O2. <br />
Pre-Race Chiropractic by Dr. Guy Jeppe of McCall Chiropractic/ Personalized Healing. <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>Report Card</b></u></span><br />
<br />
<u><b>Pre-Race Fitness</b></u>: Cardio= B/B+. Muscle and Tissues= C. Weight= C. Racing Specific Training Miles= D. Heat Training: D. Coming in I had only covered 550 miles <u><b>this year</b></u>, with only 400 of those miles from running. In those 550 miles, I climbed over a quarter million feet of vertical (average grade of nearly 500 feet per mile traveled). That makes for pretty strong lungs but sorely lacking in preparation of the running tissues. I have my standard lower leg issues that plague each December to July. I was lucky not to tear my calf in the race. As is customary, I carry my 6 or 7 extra pounds of winter weight until it warms up in July. It was up near 80 deg F, which is very hot for me for April. The snow just left the front yard and McCall is still a month away from any trails melting out. I did some sauna sessions and some gym workouts with extra clothes- it still felt way hot out there. Of course all of these standards are compared against my late summer/autumn peak numbers. For April, I am way ahead of the curve. All signs point to another year of solid growth and improvement.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Race Exectution:</b></u> A-. I raced hard, didn't settle. I believed until the end that I would catch him and win. I wanted to compete head to head. But, I learned in the first mile that if I did not run my own pace, my calf would have ripped and I would have blown up in that heat. So, I gave what I had. I believe I can run the course as much as 5 minutes faster and will try to prove it next year, using what I have learned. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Fun</b></u>: A. I tried hard and enjoyed the experience completely. Half Marathons are infinitely more stressful to me than a 100 miler. That is the point. Get out of your comfort zone and get better at running faster. I was happy to not feel too anxious or nervous before the race and had no regrets after. Total fun. <br />
<br />
<u><b>Health</b></u>: B. My calf is really sore and tired, but no long term damage. In the past few weeks, I tried to get some faster miles in before the race. That caused the calf tissues to stress, as I am accustomed to for April. Thankfully, we have another week of snow in the forecast, so I am hitting the ski slopes some more. That should get me back to normal and ready to resume a slight mileage uptick. Nothing crazy until July.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">***Toughest in the Northwest- Unless you count any actual trail race, ultra race, track meet, etc. It's tough as far as your standard corny road races go, but only the "toughest" if you decide to make it that way and run to your limits. Regardless of it's "toughest" status, it is Idaho's classic race. It sells out 2500 plus bibs in minutes. I will be back for more.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7soQd7piEU5mE2XaDl3LgumL8lTiQoRePDniCrk3KKhpQXmkoWSqRE7C19S22ei7ASl7OZbjeOksYSmfA0OOP6BrlqENQ0Bz3NTOFUlWvTnJ6LOVPdrdkde6SydQLsHWa9amGiQEzSVDo/s1600/028.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-48558622240057452392014-04-14T08:52:00.001-07:002014-04-14T08:52:34.416-07:00Once A Runner...<br />
Once I was a runner. A real runner. I breathed and lived for the pain and glory. But I was just a child and the weight of my world was too much. By age 11, I lost the fire and wanted to be a normal kid doing normal things. I wanted to be average. So, I broke my Old Man's heart and quit running for 20 years.<br />
<br />
Over the years I looked back at these experiences with bitterness, as if I had lost most of my childhood. It was a source of strife with my father that drove a wedge between us. The struggles we had over my quitting are among the most trying times of my life. It brought out the worst in us.<br />
<br />
However, as the years passed and in spite of my disdain for running, it kept it's hooks in me. There is just something about it. A few times a year I would sneak out to explore some back roads or obscure atv trails near my home in Ohio. During these outings I could feel it tugging at me. By the next day, the soreness and exhaustion reminded me why I left it behind. In the end, it wore me down and won me back. Once I found mountain running, it was all over. It is simple and pure. It scratches so many itches. <br />
<br />
Recently, I dug up some old photos from boxes in the garage. I knew what I would find, but I wanted to remember it and feel the "weight" again. It is amazing how happy it made me to relive those times. The regret is gone. Now I know...I had not missed out on anything. I lived those days fully. My days as the prodigal runner were a gift. My father's greatest gift. The gift I cherish every day, 30 years later.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uz8Mw-y7hx1mf9p0MLQMcsAOkxClOyRtwgZFDy1Uj1EpQN7uW_4oYM44Cl1Yvj0YAFfQi9XE8H1_BJBQiHDOB9RR8H63SIvYrHOInY71CsXwd2273rwkhg-KvISnO7ynvLVFRNiOY50r/s1600/Image+%2813%29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4uz8Mw-y7hx1mf9p0MLQMcsAOkxClOyRtwgZFDy1Uj1EpQN7uW_4oYM44Cl1Yvj0YAFfQi9XE8H1_BJBQiHDOB9RR8H63SIvYrHOInY71CsXwd2273rwkhg-KvISnO7ynvLVFRNiOY50r/s1600/Image+(13).jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rob
DeCastella, fresh off his Boston marathon win. I was 7 and
star-struck. This guy was devilishly handsome and charismatic. He had
the perfect running career- great at every distance up to the marathon.
He held the Marathon World Record from 1981-84. Meeting Deek was a
life-changing moment for me. He was the most influential runner for me,
along with Jim Ryun. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8HF-BSJHlVzL4at5PenwpZ5nZq-OKfpnm0swNb-wfFjq76jl11bFV8dKdnjoJayWm_-KI96sDul0cgCEjUxpx-rUxlNtwbNCOMf8KrFa7gl556yAiJK_YVyrdpMKHiDdG31SYLYQhxFE/s1600/006.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2gXhSvojLJ71ajCJVqKw2QofoEKvqiA97hLUc-WLRfhL1Jq2XjSeE7AtO903BavCXWGyYC9oSwJJRpIufXEfESDYWB1jTn2Y67BgH9ZgnyhAqtHoacB6cshrs-a5jcKgjCnOv23ChxxO/s1600/Image+(13)+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz2gXhSvojLJ71ajCJVqKw2QofoEKvqiA97hLUc-WLRfhL1Jq2XjSeE7AtO903BavCXWGyYC9oSwJJRpIufXEfESDYWB1jTn2Y67BgH9ZgnyhAqtHoacB6cshrs-a5jcKgjCnOv23ChxxO/s1600/Image+(13)+-+Copy.jpg" height="512" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">10yrs, 3 months old. 5 miles- 29:53. My old Nike Duelist flats weighed 2 oz! I was 4'9"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCfUqek7T2tFchtBtNXZbgh1W8270lLbhb6dIE8SYqj_auntoYZ2-kGDQXME9JQUtlThsjCic9D-93P7V1wNsihzSs2sf6wLYZ0F5Y3jVMvq0lZTkubIAydIaVjSAMqcwURso1q0g4Zrv/s1600/Image+%2814%29.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmCfUqek7T2tFchtBtNXZbgh1W8270lLbhb6dIE8SYqj_auntoYZ2-kGDQXME9JQUtlThsjCic9D-93P7V1wNsihzSs2sf6wLYZ0F5Y3jVMvq0lZTkubIAydIaVjSAMqcwURso1q0g4Zrv/s1600/Image+(14).jpg" height="498" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">8 years old. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8HF-BSJHlVzL4at5PenwpZ5nZq-OKfpnm0swNb-wfFjq76jl11bFV8dKdnjoJayWm_-KI96sDul0cgCEjUxpx-rUxlNtwbNCOMf8KrFa7gl556yAiJK_YVyrdpMKHiDdG31SYLYQhxFE/s1600/006.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8HF-BSJHlVzL4at5PenwpZ5nZq-OKfpnm0swNb-wfFjq76jl11bFV8dKdnjoJayWm_-KI96sDul0cgCEjUxpx-rUxlNtwbNCOMf8KrFa7gl556yAiJK_YVyrdpMKHiDdG31SYLYQhxFE/s1600/006.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">August 1985. I was 6 and the Old Man was 35. Hard to believe I'll be 35 next month. He had just quit smoking and drinking and we had just taken up the jogging fad. Back in those days, if someone saw you running, they would pull over and ask you if you needed help or just scream and throw things at you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My PR's from the old training logs I dug up:<br />
Age 9- 5:18 mile. 39 min 10k.<br />
Age 10- 5:05 mile. 5 mile 29:53. 37:56 10k hilly. 10 mile 63:07 hilly.<br />
Age 11- 17:13 5k on a hilly xc course. 4:56 mile. 2:14 800m.Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1407161930425985930.post-4263458761024229132014-04-09T13:20:00.001-07:002014-04-09T13:20:37.089-07:00Bro Time<br />
My
BFF Nick came to visit from Colorado. We caught up on some video
gaming, steelheading, sushi slaying, and Lobo chasing. Most of all it
was just great to catch up and shoot the shit with someone I love. I
have been living a pretty isolated existence of hardening myself for the
rigors of running 100 miles in the mountains. My Brandi is a constant
source of strength and the person that I rely on for my sanity...but
some guy time is still important. I have let many facets of life slip
through the cracks of fatigue and the grinding rhythm of training. It
is fantastic to have great friends that don't turn their back on me
because I disappear for a while. Nick is a solid guy- a Firefighter/Paramedic and true Renaissance Man. He has been with me through every high and low in my life since we met in the 9th grade. I owe him so
much. He will be captaining an aid station for me at the <a href="http://mccalltrailrunningclassic.com/" target="_blank">McCall Trailrunning Classic</a>, next time I see him in July. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fbiimktF9ojiEQ_UxzcUeb_R_HJKFMfwMWTnbWc3-aKk188V3hN13EHs1-lVfBHOdjmq5o-HysRwrIw4UQLR8hw9q-2dXDCuZFCzfwQcBq8qMFQXnWVc3lYIyN2DuqiyeeA2GGAT00lk/s1600/013+-+Copy.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6fbiimktF9ojiEQ_UxzcUeb_R_HJKFMfwMWTnbWc3-aKk188V3hN13EHs1-lVfBHOdjmq5o-HysRwrIw4UQLR8hw9q-2dXDCuZFCzfwQcBq8qMFQXnWVc3lYIyN2DuqiyeeA2GGAT00lk/s1600/013+-+Copy.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over Nick's right shoulder is a huge her of elk- just 200 yards away. A nasty, windy, sleety day of hunting. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yEO-hC6b1Z-6FBvyc-3I5ZEo-tfL-ClL5Uw7nn0ska_Ql8Na2bmv-KAohODn6BLnJ8P_6Ofq5QuW3aiHuQX1gjZtlhUXYXzw7pk2td682QgYRLYNE5RlKh6d_TM7JgCbYyPex1T66hjj/s1600/016.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_yEO-hC6b1Z-6FBvyc-3I5ZEo-tfL-ClL5Uw7nn0ska_Ql8Na2bmv-KAohODn6BLnJ8P_6Ofq5QuW3aiHuQX1gjZtlhUXYXzw7pk2td682QgYRLYNE5RlKh6d_TM7JgCbYyPex1T66hjj/s1600/016.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steep.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYnUi59_ch8lAACxpy2sZCZMtwyngcSEtVm2t3CWaC6L4Vnpkt4Fcm_kKYsv6y1PlWduVXRM0y-5DXWj4wnkMimTJhpa3LIOR-BPHJV7g6JRPS79D8MJf6ljCjoDPYAgGhtgmHd2i5SbG/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXYnUi59_ch8lAACxpy2sZCZMtwyngcSEtVm2t3CWaC6L4Vnpkt4Fcm_kKYsv6y1PlWduVXRM0y-5DXWj4wnkMimTJhpa3LIOR-BPHJV7g6JRPS79D8MJf6ljCjoDPYAgGhtgmHd2i5SbG/s1600/IMG_0267.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nick and our Guide Jess with Nick's wild steely.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Stay Verticalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17227232986210817496noreply@blogger.com0