My good friend Jody came to visit from Michigan to get a little riding in. She has heard stories of the great riding in Fruita, CO and wanted to give it a shot, so off we went! The trip started off rocky as Jody's bike decided to take a trip to Vegas instead of landing in SLC so it was to get here a day late. What to do? We contemplated renting but when we got back to my house, Jode looked at my full suspension Santa Cruz and thought... maybe I can ride that. Welll, I'm quite a bit taller than Jody, but the frame isnt that big on that bike so we thought we might be able to work it. Lowering the seat, moving it forward and making some other adjustments made it tolerable, so off we went - not ideal, but at least we'd be riding!

We hit the grocery store, packed up the Vanagon and off we went. We arrived in time to set up camp, visit the bike shop (a must on every mountain biking trip!) and cooked dinner. We had GREAT camp food each night - pizza in the camp oven, veggie burgers with fresh tomato and avacado, etc. yum! The next day (Fri) we headed off to the Kokopelli section of trails. We started off on Rustler's to warm up and see what adjustments might be needed to the bike. Good thing, it was not shifting at all! A few turns on the derailleur screw and it was better and ride able. This loop is super fun - fast and flowy and a great 4 mile warm up. We then started the climb up Mary's and connected to Horsethief. Horsethief is an awesome trail that will test your technical skills with lots of rocky descents and ledgey drops (not too big!), it was super fun. Then we climbed back out and onto Mary's to finish the rest of the loop. The weather was perfect - 60s and sunny.

The next day we went over to the 18 Road section of trails. We road Prime Cut and part of Frontside, then cruised a sweet ride down Kessler's run - swoopy and fast - absolutely a blast. Jody opted out of John's Ridge as the steep drop off the top made her leary due to the fact that she was a bit uncomfortable on my bike because she couldnt get back off the seat that well, plus the days riding yesterday made for some weary legs. We decided we would take the time and drive to Moab instead of stay in Fruita another day.

Moab gave us rain. We were rained out that afternoon and so wandered the town and had dinner. The next day it was raining again when we woke up, but soon cleared a blue sky hole just big enough for us to get in a quick ride on Klondike Bluffs. This is a short but sweet trail that I new Jody would love, and she did. Great fun! Afterward, we headed back to SLC, with hopes of riding Park City the next day. Rain, rain and more rain. BUT, as I type this, the sky is blue and the clouds are dispersing... good Karma? I would say yes!

A Day in the Life

Ever have one of those days when it seems all is perfect in the universe? That everything is aligned just to make you happy and content? Yesterday was like that. I can not think of a better way to spend a day than hiking with friends and just hanging out for 7 hours - not a care in the world, being totally in the moment and relishing every second. My friend Amy organized this hike for us, providing a shuttle car at then end and a ride to the start. She gathered us together, after finding a date that was good for all a month ago, and off we went. There were five of us - two had to bail - and it was a perfect mix of folks. Myself, my two good friends, Amy and Kris, Amy's neighbor, Mike, and a good friend of hers from Washington, Barb.

The weather was perfect. A blue bird day with a perfect breeze to keep us cool as we hiked the open spaces and basked in the sun at our chill spots. We started off in the woods, hiking up out of Mill Creek Canyon. Soon we were up high and on the side of the mountain ridge, heading toward the Canyons Resort. The smell of the pines, the golden aspen leaves scattered across the trail were pure heaven. Then, we got to the views. The colors were so vivid, with the sun shining on them, I couldnt believe my eyes. The yellows and greens bright as could be with splashes of red popping out here and there to surprise you. Walking, talking, taking it all in.

We eventually got to the Suncrest Lodge in the Canyons resort. This is their mid mountain lodge high up for the skiers to take a break at. Of course, it was closed but we set out a table and some chairs and made ourselves at home. Here we kicked off our boots, had lunch, lounged in the sun and just chilled for about an hour. It was perfection.

On we went then, for the final stretch down the mountain, to the Canyons resort, about 2 more miles from there, I think. We found the resort virtually empty, with most businesses closed, so it felt like we owned the place. We grabbed a couple of six packs, made ourselves at home on one of the patios of a bar that was closed, kicked off our shoes once again, and lounged for a good hour and a half. Finally, we peeled ourselves off our chairs and headed into Park City for an awesome Mexican dinner and an end to our perfect day.

Mid Mountain Marathon

"You cant muscle through a five hour run; you have to relax into it, like easing your body into a hot bath, until it no longer resists the shock and begins to enjoy it."

"Dont fight the trail, take what it gives you. If you have a choice between one step or two between rocks, take three."

"When you run on the earth and run with the earth, you can run forever."

"Instead of cringing from fatigue, you embrace it. You refuse to let it go. You get to know it so well, you're not afraid of it anymore. Look forward to the Beast showing up and show it who's boss."

(~ Sage advice from ultrarunners in Born to Run by Christopher McDougall.)

No, 26.2 is not ultra-running by industry standards, but for me it is. I had been reading this book prior to the Mid Mountain Marathon and connected deeply to these statements, and I ran with them, making all the difference.

The day was perfect. A cool 45 - 50 degrees at the race start, promising to shape up to mid 70's. My stomach was churning with nerves and blueberry waffles with peanut butter and maple syrup as I looked around at the nearly 200 racers - most looking relaxed and seasoned - I wondered if any of them felt the same level of anxiety I did. I was antsy, ready to go so my nerves would calm, I knew once I started running I would settle in and chill.

The race finally started with a loop around the Deer Valley buildings to spread people out and then headed out onto the trail. The trail was absolutely beautiful. I have ridden parts of it but never in it's entirety - this was a treat. The trail was mostly rolling, gentle ups and downs, through gorgeous aspen and pine forests, alternating along the way. The rich, fragrant smell of the pine was intoxicating. The trail itself was generally rugged, especially through Iron Mountain with sections of smooth flat dirt - all singletrack. Many a runner finished with bloodstained arms, legs and faces. I, myself, had one crash, but it was gentle - and no blood! The first 15 miles of the trail went by in a snap - I couldnt believe when I saw a sign at an aide station telling me 14.8 miles done - could that be possible? I felt so good and the time just flew by. I was running like the Tarahumara Indians - with joy in my heart and a smile on my face... and the running felt so easy.

At mile 16 I ran into Rich. He had hiked in a couple of miles to see me and take some pictures. From there he ran with me to the cut off point at mile 18 - Red Pine Lodge. I was hoping to make the cut off, and did so easily - an hour and a quarter ahead of deadline. I arrived there in 3:43. From Red Pine Lodge, the trail got more difficult. It was about a two mile "climb" from there and then, I was told, a six mile descent into the Canyons. And indeed it was, downhill, until about mile 23 where it began to climb back up for about a mile, somewhere around where Ambush connected with Holly's, this was tough and I walk/ran most of that section (with probably more walking!). The downhill was a blessing and a curse. My hips and feet were just killing me but the gentle gravitational pull down toward the finish was awesome, even provoking giggles and "airplane arms" around the switchbacks. Finally, I hear the noise from the finish and am routed around the village to the finishing line. Perfect!

My goals for the day were to finish in under six hours, finish unbloodied, and to have fun. I accomplished all three, finishing in 5:32 (unofficial time, by my watch) with a smile on my face.

PCP2P

What a day, literally. 75mles, 14,000' of climbing, 90% singletrack, lots of back aching, triceps aching, grip all but gone and it is done. The 1st annual Park City point to point race was a success. For a first time race, everything was very well organized. A tremedously well marked course. Lots of luck from some awesome rainbows and the day was bound to be a success. I finished in 8 hours and 57 minutes. Good enough for 3rd placed old man. Karen was busy the entire day volunteering at the race. Interestingly she got all the same swag and goodies the racers did, but didn't have to torture herself? For the day it was a nice cool day, some sun, some rain, lots of clouds, some wind, great day for that kind of race. For my race stats, I burned 8852 calories, average HR 152. I estimate I only took in 2000-2500 calories, so I figure I lost a pound or two!! Hmm, maybe I should go eat some fun stuff!!!

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!!!

r

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.