Long workouts

Another long training weekend. Both of us. We started early on Saturday in Park city with Karen doing a 20 mile run out prospector, around Round Valley trails, back Prospector. I rode behind for the first 2 hours, being a waterboy. She did great!! Good pace, little pain, ALL on HER BIRTHDAY!!!!!!! (22yrs old I think).

I left to go and join Zach and Steve for a ride from City Park. We Rode to DV on the road, then up Tour de Homes to silver lake. From silver lake up Homeeard bound? to naildriver, deer crest, bowhunter, flagstaff loop, deer crest, naildriver to silver lake, midmtn, Tour de suds, TG, John's, Town loop, climb to Steps, Apex, Keystone, Shadow lake loop. Here I left them to ride up Scott's pass and out BCC to home, and lay on the floor!! Total day, 7 hrs, 56miles, ~9500' climbing.

Then karen's Birthday Dinner at Tiburon !! Yum!!!

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Running ....

"Strength does not come from physical capacity - it comes from an indomitable will." ~ Mahatma Gandhi

I feel as if it will take an indomitable will to achieve my next goal. The issue is not only that it's a lofty goal, but that I've been suffering an injury while training and hoping that my leg will get to the finish. It seems I have this kind of luck when training for big events, doesn't it? What is the event? The Mid Mountain Marathon. This is a 26.2 mile race at 8,000 feet on singletrack trail in the mountains around Park City. Sound crazy? I think it sounds like fun! I love trail running - the quiet of the mountains or woods, few people, beautiful sights. Nothing but the sound of your feet slap slapping against the dirt. Cool breezes in your face and unparalleled scenery to keep you company. The miles go by quickly, you hardly even notice them.

So, about a month ago I got a tear in my Achilles tendon where it attaches to the calf muscle, mid-calf. Kept me from running for about a week then I slowly started to run - short distances, flat, no trails. Of course, this is now interrupting my training schedule and I'm freaking out about not being ready, and about further injuring the tear. I've been icing, massaging and stretching like crazy. Trails and uphills flare it up, but it not too awfully bad. I managed an 18 mile run last Saturday without too much trouble, hopefully, I can continue. A "rest" week this week, a 20 miler next week and then the taper to the race September 12. Wish me luck!!

Where does the time go...

Man, hard to believe that it is a month since we last posted. Seems like it was only a week or so. I guess we have been busier than we thought. Seems like that happens every July. I am post-ironman and trying to catch up at work, Karen is done teaching, hating the hot weather and disappearing out of town. Then BAM, it's August. We did have a great time over the past few weeks despite being busy. Karen moved Kathy to North Carolina. She finally couldn't stand the bullshit at that charter school. From the sounds of it she should have a great year at her new school in NC. We'll definitely miss her.

After being home for 2 days we then went to San Diego for a family reunion with John and Carol and all the "kids". John and his kids from OR, as well as Kathy and of course our hosts Jill and Steve who live there. It was a great time!! Jill and Steve have a great house just out of the city, that has great views and quiet.

We did some touring of the area, via the SEAL boats. Otherwise known as duck boats in some cities. A great tour with lots of wildlife. Sea lions, pelicans, snowy egrets, ducks, and even a few navy men in big boats and helicopters!

Now it's time to get back to the usual routine and start working out for end of summer races. Hopefully this will get us fit so we can then adventure more in the fall in our VAN!!!

till next time.