Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving has come and gone with a good time here in Salt Lake. John and Carole were here from Michigan for a week. Luckily it was good weather and we had some time off to visit.

Karen and I went to do a 5K run in the morning over in Millcreek canyon. Then we came home to begin cooking. Got the turkey in, had stuffing, sweet potato, green beans, and pecan pie.... lot's of it!!!
Even got a little walk in after dinner (roll really!!).

At 4 am the next day, Karen and Kathy headed out in their pajamas to go to the mall and shop. Home around 7 am, and then out again a little later with Carole to a different mall. Saturday we had a chance to get downtown to see the lights in Temple Square quickly, as it was a little cold. Sunday it was christmas dinner, since we won't see them on Christmas. A great visit with all.




rk

Iceman 2011

For the event of the year, I chose to try and race the Iceman Cometh mountain bike race in Traverse City, MI. It is one of those races that I never got around to doing, in the 2 years that I lived there. Maybe that was for the better, since then it was nowhere near as big a field as it is now. With 4000 some racers leaving the starting line it was a constant flow of racers through the woods. If it were any more single-track it would have been a slow slog through the woods. But luckily the trail is mostly on double track trails, with some dirt roads and single-track mixed in. Since the singletrack was short, I used it as a nice rest, then tried to push the open areas harder.

The start was a little cool, but the sun was out and it promised to warm as the day went on, so I opted for just the thermal skin suit and a wind stopper t-shirt. Perfect!! Though, my hands were numb for the first 7 miles. No worries, I was on a single speed, so didn't have to shift and lead the SS pack into the woods with a clear view so didn't need the brakes either.

Not really sure what happend for the next near 2 hours, as it was all a blur or passing racer, after racer, after racer, after racer, after racer........, Yup, I passed a LOT of people. I new the end was approaching as the hills came quicker together and the back was getting tired. After a trip through the finish area, it went back out to another hill before a final trip to the campground and to the finish.

I ended up finishing exactly as I had hoped, right on 2 hours. Karen had a great day, 9 years after her last time there, with a finish about 5 minutes faster than her prior time!! Also, my cousin John finished very well with a 2:03.

Next year? A long trip, kinda expensive weekend, but a GREAT race. I might need 1 bigger gear?

Star gazing

Not really what you think. This weekend the USA national Xterra off-road triathlon championships were held at Snowbasin ski resort in Ogden. About an hour for us, just to the north. This is where the 2002 Olympic Downhill course was. Still haven't skied there yet in 9 years... but I digress. Anyway we went up because some guy by the name of LANCE was racing. Funny, how that goes, when he shows up so do the crowds. It was estimated and extra 3000 people were there. So, what does a 7x Tour de France winner expect when he races against the top Xterra athletes in the world? Well, I guess he is not really intimidated!!

Lance on the last downhill

Apparently he was out of the swim in the first pack, then finished the bike in 4th overall, and actually ran 10k and only lost one place!! The man can run too!! I would say a pretty impressive finish, considering he is not really known for running anymore. Yeah, I know he used to be a triathlete before the bike thing. But come-on, that was like 20+ years ago. How many of you can say you are as fast now as you were 20 years ago! A good show!! He was beat (soundly) by a Frenchman (ironic huh!) Nico Lebrun, who just flew over the run course, from 3rd to first. Followed by a South African (Dan Hugo), then an American (Josiah Middaugh), then "the Caveman", Conrad Stolz. Too bad Lance is not admitting to racing in the World Chaampionships in Maui, though the rumor is he has scouted the course, from his home in Maui. We'll see.

Not only can he ride uphill.. he runs too!

Nico Lebrun.. The WINNER!!

Be nice to have the tire actually ON the rim!!

Sun Valley

Finally.. the last post of our trips for the summer. Amazing that we actually went to all these places in the summer. Funny, what you can do when there are no real training objectives for the year. I digress...

We talked to our friends LeeAnn and Jordan who are experts on the Ketchum/ Stanley area about going for the long labor day weekend. They arranged a condo and we all went to Ketchum for the weekend. Also we met some new friends, Greg and Kristen, that added to the enjoyment of the weekend. Was a great weekend of shared fun, rides, food and socialization.

On Saturday we rode to the east portion of the valley, up to a high cabin built for backcountry skiers in the early days, that is still used today. Wow, what a beautiful place. High up in the mountains, below the peaks of open bowls. This place must be just crazy in the winter. Anyway, a good ride up, though a few thought it was too steep and rocky. Nevertheless, a great place. The descent left a little to be desiered. Was actually a hiking trail, that allowed bikes, but was very narrow, steep and overgrown. Lots of on/off the bike and bushwacking. We made it down to the road and all but Jordan decided we would ride the road home, rather than climb back up over the ridge to get back.

On Sunday, there was a division of desired activities. Karen and LeeAnn went for a run/ride at the resort. Greg and Kristen went for a more mellow ride and the fish/ shopping trip. Jordan and I went for the gusto and rode up Red Warrior to Mars Ridge. The first section up Red Warrior is an absolutely pleasant ride up toward the top of the ridge. All but the last 2 miles are easy well graded climbing. you do need to cross the creek something like 20 times, including at the trail head where you need to wade thru thigh high (labor day level) very cold water. In a 20' crossing my feet where numb. Anyway after some hike-a-bike to the top of Mars Ridge (looks like a lunar scape) we had a great 360 view of the mountain ranges to the north, east, west. Wow. A great descent, a close encounter with a badger, and a little ride on the bike trail and we were back home.

Monday brought a nice relaxed ride for 2 hours with Greg and Kristen just north of the city. A great end to the weekend. If you haven't been there it is great in the summer, but also in the winter for all the  XC-skiing trails and nice weather. The downhill skiing..... let's just say it ain't Alta, Snowbird and Solitude!!.

Brian Head

Wow, what fun. Though at times i thought some of the group would need new lungs, or at least an accessory one for some of the altitude riding at 9000-11,000', but everyone managed. We started with a great cabin just north or the resort base. Great place, but needed a decorator and a good purging of knick-nacs and shit but no bother.

First day, we rode the two shuttled "downhill" rides, Dark Hollow and Bunker creek. Dark Hollow, had some tough technical sections, but was very fun and challenging. Bunker Creek was more mellow, more pedaling and flowed smooth, like a true XC course. Both, definitely worth riding at least once.

Day 2 was the big challenge of Virgin River Rim trail. From a start at Strawberry point to the end at the park was a challenge. It has been 7 years since I rode the trail last and did not remember the rocky base of the trails. A 30 mile trip began early, with the group starting like they were shot from a cannon!! Taking up the rear to start, I had a bad feeling about people while I was trying to catch back on. A couple crashes near the zion overlook, drew first-blood, but everyone soldiered on. With all the climbing toward Navajo lake, Brian started cramping. Needed more salt. At Navajo lake, he decided to take the road out to the car and the rest of us embarked on the last flowing section to the end. Some great flowing, swooping single-track later, one big herd of sheep to navigate thru, a few people bonking on the final climb out and we made it back to the road. Fun!!!




Day 3 and a many a sore butt we loaded the cars and went to Red Canyon for the Thunder mountain ride. This is a great ride thru the redrock canyon, amongst the hoodoos. A nice road and dirt climb up for 7 miles, then rolling, fun, switch-backed terrain to the final 1 mile downhill along the wash. a great end to a great weekend. Next years trip...Crested Butte?

Crested Butte

Only 2 1/2 months late, but finally able to get around to it. Our 2nd annual trip to Colorado took us to the towns of Crested Butte and Aspen. Crested Butte was great, Aspen... not so much. Crested Butte is a great small town with a laid back style and welcomeness. Okay, maybe I made up some words, but you get the point. Bikes everywhere, friendly locals willing to share info on the good rides, water, etc.. Will plan a trip their next year for more rides, that we didn't get to ride because they were still under snow from a record year.
Aspen, well it is pretty much the opposite. Stuffy, crowded, lots of traffic, too much crap (Prada, Gucci, ferrari's). Though it felt great to drive thru in our 1987 vanagon!! Mostly we went to see the John Denver memorial and to check out the town. Checked out, not really on the list to go back.

MIA

We have been MIA from the blog lately. Actually just me as Karen has abandoned me and gone to face book land. Anyway we have been busy with lots of trips and plans to go some more. Stay tuned for more from Crested Butte, Brian Head and Sun Valley.

Van weekend

Got the van out for the first trip of the year! Had planned for St George to do some Mtn biking, but we didn't get away on Friday ,so on Saturday after the paper, we went to the San Rafael Swell. This is on the way to Moab, just outside of Price, Ut. It is an anticline uplift that was created 40-60 million years ago and has since had erosion carve it into beauty.

At right the top of the Wedge overlook, which looks into the "little grand canyon". Is everybit as amazing as the "Big Grand Canyon", however you can actually drive your car down to the bottom and hike in it. Like a 5000' down escalator!!!

We got snowed on in the late afternoon and overnight, only an inch or so, but it prevented us from having a campfire. We were content to sit in the van and read. Came home over Rt 31 thru Huntington Canyon and down into Fairview. Wow, what a drive!! A good weekend, all in all. 6" more snow tonight, then 60's all week. Yeah!!

Spring Weekend

Wow!! What a nice weekend. Was in the 50's one day and easily in the 60's the other. Even the flowers are coming out. Not only did we get a GREAT bike ride in today, but also got alot of yard work done.

Trimming the apple tree (always a pain in the @$s!!) but also getting 11 bags of pine needles raked up. Hard to believe that only 2 pine trees can drop inches thick covering of needles. Anyway, time for another year of accumulation. Got a couple of the limbs that broke from the last heavy snowfall put into a pile to await the chipper.

Really felt good to get out on the bike for a couple times this weekend. The patellar tendon still is not 100%, so no running, but did well on the bike, so I am encouraged!! Hopefully it will improve to ski 2 days this week with Brian.

We'll see.......

That time again!!!

March is here!! Must mean it is bike time again. The snow isn't sticking in the valley more than a day, was in the upper 40's all week and the graffiti on the old train car told me so!!

Unfortunately, my patellar tendon doesn't think it is a good idea. I did something this week that flared it up. Went to go for a 7 mile run on saturday am, but only managed 0.6 miles before I had to stop and walk back, because I couldn't load the tendon without pain. To the ICE BAG!!!

We took a trip out to Saltair today to take some photos of the abandoned rail car and building today before the rain started. Then home to do some work. Maybe we'll get to ski next week?

Running with Forrest

We made it! Our final run of the Salt Lake 30K series of the Salt Lake Track Club. It was a 5k, then 10k, then 15k all at the Saltair flats and 2 weeks apart. A GREAT series! Thankfully, today was not as bad as it could have been. Though we did get 10" of snow here on the bench by the Canyons, it only snowed about 2-3 inches there and the roads we clear.

Each run was planned to be a certain pace. Karen wants to run the Salt Lake half-marathon in a time "with a 1:xx in the front. Last year she was 2:00:03 and not happy about the 3 seconds. This year, she has recruited me to pace her to a 1:xx!! So our goal was to run each of the runs at under this pace. 5k- 8:37 pace, 10k-8:41 pace and today 15k-8:57 pace!! Very encouraging, since her prior long run last week was 7 miles at 9:20 pace. She rocked today! Negative Split, 9:02/m first half, then 8:52/m second half!! As long as I can get her thru the half without stopping for the bathroom, it will be easy!! April seems so far away for the run it s hard to believe we have that much more time before having to do the run. must mean spring is close. Although, Alta got 36" of snow last night and today!! Looks like a powder day tomorrow!!

Finally, some snow

Got up to LCC today for some skiing at ALTA in fresh snow for a change!! We were concerned at first, as the road was closed until 9am, lending to some wondering about should we reconsider. We got 2 miles in the first 30 minutes!! Finally after, the 3rd mile we got a clear road and made it to the top. An hour later it was worth it!! Karen got to ski in some real powder!! Also, got a lesson in how to get out of powder!! The official word said 24 inches, but i think someone got it wrong, because I hit alot of waist-deep shots.

Unfortunately, Karen has to work tomorrow, but I will be going up to Solitude to ski some stuff that hasn't opened in a few days!!! Should be good.

Wine and Dessert

Another wine and dessert night down. Great crowd and a fun time, without snow!! Seems like a good time of year to have the party, right before Valentine's Day. Everyone gets chocolate to go!! Of coarse, Karen had a great spread laid out, with her Tuffles, and a new cream sherry cupcake. We also had a fruit flan and triple chocolate cake from Salt Lake Roasting Co. YUM!!

We started the day with a 10K run as part of the Salt Lake track club 30K series. Got kind of nervous at the start, my number was 666. We did well with a great pace and finished in about 54min, 8:40/m pace. A good start for the season and the goal of a sub-9 min pace for the Salt Lake half marathon. Karen is deter

mined to see a 1:xx in front of her finishing time, so I will be pacing (pushing) her to that goal. Should be FUN.

Time for a diet, more workouts and get ready for spring!!

Time Flies...

Man- Where does the time go? Can't believe it has been 3 weeks? Lots of working, a little bit of play time. Seems January is always that way. We did get out for a great snowshoe last Sunday. Beautiful sunny day, 4" fresh snow and a great walk up to Dog lake, via Mill D. Other than Karen walking like an Olympic power walker, it was good.

We are trying to get back to the usual routine of workouts, skiing, eating right again. Off to a conference next week (ski conference though) will disrupt it some. Starting to plan the summer. Hope to get to the east coast for a week (July probably), to San Diego for a weekend and some MTN biking in the south highlands. Ambitious, but doable. Here's to another update soon!!

Happy New Year!!

Well another year is here. Finally. Seems like the holiday season was extended this year. Maybe because of the holiday's falling on Saturday's? Anyway, we made it through and had good snow, though Karen got sick over New Years. We did get a couple of ski days in, good powder and snow. Not too cold. I have been trying to learn how to telemark-ski. Not so easy. My balance and leg strength are poor. Maybe I need a lesson?

Here is karen in her new ski pants!! She was tired of black, so I made her very noticeable!!
For New Years eve we went to the symphony to hear them play music set to the Discovery channels films about wildlife from the show Blue Planet. Very good music with the film, however the narrator could have been turned off (Oren Hatch)!! Maybe next time.