I've had enough of this...

Just when we thought it would be spring, we got another 6-8" of snow yesterday/today. Cruel April 1st joke! We are on vacation this week and had planned to get rid of some bushes and tree limbs, but now have a bunch of new snow!! The Gnome is ready for Florida!

Doesn't look like we will get much training in this weekend, as it is now looking like a blizzard out there, tomorrow should be possible, then rain/snow saturday. Sunday is supposed to be nice at least!

Looks like we will look for some indoor projects.

At least were not camping!!

Summer trail Challenge

It has finally been getting nice around here that going outside for a ride or run is comfortable! In the spirit of hoping for good weather and planning the summer, we have both entered the Triple Trail Challenge! This consists of three different trail running events in the Park City area. The first and most fun sounding is the Jupiter peak steeplechase. I think about 16ish miles from the base of PC mountain resort to the top of Jupiter peak and back down. Sounds doable. I've ridden all those trails and none are too hard. I seem to run uphill faster than I ride, so should be a good challenge. Two weeks later comes the PC half marathon (for us). No idea where this goes. Then 2 weeks later and the mid-mountain marathon from Deer Valley to Canyons resort. Karen ran this last year and RAVED about it. I met her in the woods at mile 16 and she was like " I'm at 16 miles already?". I don't ever remember saying that in a race!! Since Karen wanted to take the plunge and do all three this year, I thought it would be fun to train and run together on the trails to get ready. Otherwise, I don't seem to run at all anymore?! Feels kinda good though!

So, our summer will be trail running and camping in the vanagon wandering on the Big Island of Hawaii. Maybe I'll try a jog thru the energy lab, without the 112m bike and 20someting mile run warm-up?

Double Black Day

Solitude!!
Exactly as it sounds. From the lift lines, to the lunch line and on the slopes...Solitude is it.
Nary a wait all day. No lines of skiers on the back country or ridge line hikes, finding a table at the outdoor grill.
Had a great day of skiing on the groomers, bumps and powder in Honeycomb Canyon with Karen and a few friends. Even took Karen on a Double black in Honeycomb.... and then she wanted to do it again!! Amazing, since she ran 20 miles yesterday!! I think she is starting to get strong at the right time. her 50k race is only 6 weeks away.

Anyway, we'll hope the powder builds this week and maybe ski again in 2 weeks, since I have to work next week. Seems strange, since it was 50 here in the valley and our flowers are starting to bloom!! Bike season is almost here!!

Where has the time gone?

Wow! Has it been that long? Seems like just a few days ago we were finishing the Kitchen and having a Wine and Dessert party? Guess I missed a week or two?

Have been busy, I guess. Getting re-acquainted with working out has been fun. No more skipped heart beats with running, biking, alpine skiing or XC skiing!! Now if i can just rid myself of the Jan Ulrich look, things will be good. I saw a massage therapist today, whom I have not seen since a week before Ironman last year, and he was amazed. Mostly that I actually don't look like a skeleton all the time, but do have fat. At 175lbs now, 164lbs then, it feels like hauling a backpack uphill all the time. Easier now than 2 weeks ago, but I still breathe to heavy.

Well, workout plan is getting organized, (No Ironman's!!) for the summer and fall. Will definately include weight lifting this year. More singlespeed riding this summer, so need to work on the guns!! Perhaps, I'll be able to fit into Karen's arm warmers by my birthday!!

RK

Final Kitchen

The kitchen is done!! (kinda of). We do need to finish the floor, but otherwise the main things are done and in place. Just in time for the annual Wine and Dessert party this weekend!! We have some friends from CO coming in, plus I think 48 people RSVP'd for the party. Should be fun!! No Snow predicted to foil the night.

As you can see we have changed the cabinets, now a mission style, in a copper glaze. There are all stainless appliances, except the old trash compactor is

still harvest gold for now, and new concrete countertops in "Kendall charcoal".

It has been a process for sure, but a good one. I am now ready to start playing more and spending less time in the kitchen. Since the heart seems to be doing well a week after my procedure (I can workout tomorrow for the first time), it should be easier to pull myself away from the house to ski, skate, run, bike etc... Enjoy the pics.

Because there's more to life...

than kitchen remodeling! :-) Rich's first time out on tele skis a little nordic skiing and my first powder day of the season... kitchen? What kitchen??

kitchen update #6

Slow but steady progress. The stove hood is now fully installed and operational. The ceiling is completed and painted. Now we are waiting for the countertops! They are pretty much done, so they will come and install them next Friday the 29th. After that we need to do the trim, backsplash tile and finish the floor. The floor will be a little longer, as we will need to get some boards milled and then have someone sand it. We are still trying to decide on backsplash tile. Will wait until we get the countertop in to match a couple of colors and styles. Hope to have all but the floor done by the dessert party on the 6th?!