Is Anybody Out There???

Ok, so I took a little break from writing (7 months or so). I've been busy... really busy... Most anybody who would happen to read this likely already knows, in the time since my last post I have moved to the mountains of Frisco, Colorado, and bought a business.

Jennifer and I purchased an existing outdoor retail store which included 2 brick and mortar storefronts, a consignment and closeout store, as well as a growing web retail business. We specialize in backcountry skiing and other cold weather sports in the winter, and we have a full service bicycle shop in the summer. Oh yeah, and we will be carrying a full line of trail running gear this spring!!

As for me, running took a hit as we made this transition, but it is starting to materialize again. I felt better tonight on a little 6.5 mile jaunt than I have in a long time, and I feel like it is time to start picking up mileage. I need to find a race! I think I might start with a trail marathon before I start talking ultras, but I would like to finish at least a 50 miler by the end of the year. I will say this, within a mile of my door I have miles and miles and miles of trails, and that is nice.

More to come, stay tuned!

July, So Far

Just wanted to drop a short post to let folks know I am still alive. I have now been officially x-rayed and the stress fracture has been confirmed. I am now over 2 months without running, and will likely be down for another.  I am still enjoying the bike, however I have been slacking a bit. I did get a good ride in last week in Breck, but there was so much rain that by Monday you couldn't get on the trails.

Also, I have actually been busy trying to finalize some new ventures. Someday it would be cool to actually make money. For now I am enjoying my time with the kids and having the ability to get up from my desk to take the dog for a walk, then get back at it with no ramifications at all. Nice.

The only thing that would make this better would be if I could..... RUN!!!

Am I a Cyclist??

Growing up, I rode bikes... everywhere, everyday. I competitively raced bmx, was very into freestyle, and as highschool came I transitioned directly into Mountain Biking. Rode in college as well. However, about 2 years into my time at MSU, the bikes were getting expensive to maintain, and I needed to get into shape, so I bought a pair of running shoes. It wasn't long before I was a runner who also rode bikes.

Over the last 5 weeks I have not been able to run at all. I am going to the doctor next week but my fear is still that I have a stress fracture in my left fibula (I did have a P.A. with foot and ankle experience check it out and validate my self prognosis may be correct). So I have been looking to other means of staying in shape.

It is not that I ever really got away from riding,  more that it became less of a primary focus and more of an occasional venture. Well, the last few weeks I have ridden about 4 days a week, and I am starting to regain the love. Might even compete later this year, who knows.

The good new is, I am not just sitting around.

A Humbling Endeavor

So, as everyone knows, I am "injured" and am currently not running. Thus, I am trying to find other outlets to keep myself in shape. I have been lifting, on the bike, etc. I have been saying I need to get in the pool, as swimming is a great workout, etc, etc.

Wednesday I met Jen and the kids at the pool at lunch and decided to get in a few laps. Now, I have never been a great swimmer, but I have always been a reasonable swimmer. I won't drown, and I can get back and forth looking like I reasonably know what I am doing. I am just not very fast. Oh yeah, and I am also very good at hiding how hard it is for me to breathe while swimming. I generally feel like I am a half stroke away from passing out. Wednesday was no exception. I swam all of 750 yards. That is 15 laps (or 30 lengths, depending on how you like to count.) I did end up swimming 2 of these laps breaststroke, just to give myself a few breaks on the breathing issues. And let's just say I was secretly really excited when the pizza showed up so I could nonchalantly get out of the pool like my workout was disrupted.

Oh man, I need to get my leg healed up so I can run.

On the Bike

I managed to get a nice ride in yesterday on the Mt Bike. About 10 miles looping through Ute Valley. After about 5 miles, I finally started to get some balance and comfort on the bike. It is difficult after having practically grown up on a bike, to have to somewhat relearn the balances and tricks to mountain biking. The good news is that my fitness seems to be holding up, so I think if I can make it about 2 more weeks without running, I can start to slowly reintroduce some mileage. I also did make an appointment with my doctor and will be getting the leg checked out while I am there.

Running Club (Sort Of)

So I went to running club tonight, not to run, but because it is at a bar.


I love all aspects of running, especially hydration.

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A New Stress

Ok, so in reality I have less stress right now than I have ever had. The only real downer in my current situation is my total inability to run.

The scary thought is that I am beginning to believe that I have a stress fracture in my lower left fibula. Looks like another few weeks (months?) without running. Might have to see the Doc.


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M.I.A.

OK, I have been totally M.I.A. with no good reason. I have not been working too much yet, really I am just starting. I did get over to Kansas City last week, making some contacts, and I spent the weekend fishing with my Dad, brother, nephew and my oldest Sam up in the Salida / Buena Vista area. Caught enough to make dinner Saturday, threw the rest back.

I guess I have written because I haven't run. My ankle is still pretty torqued. It is very frustrating, though I am finding time to lift and ride. I like to ride, but I need to run. MUST GET WELL.

While healing I did also manage to get a half days climb in at Garden of the Gods. It was my first time out of the gym, and it was outstanding. Might need to start climbing....

Jen is in Costa Rica this week on a mission trip, so I am managing the kids this week while trying to work. Her parents are taking the kids during the day (and some nights) so I can work, thanks!

The fisherman




Climbing




I climbed the big one you see here



Then I repelled down this




Outstanding!

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Banged Up

Looks like I am going to be a cyclist for the next month or so. Why? You would think it is because I like to ride my bikes (which is true) but the real answer is that my ankle is evidently so jacked up that I can't run.

Jen and I went out today to get in a nice easy 3-4 miler, me still recovering from Collegiate Peaks and she recovering from her surgery (nothing serious, btw). I didn't make it half a mile and I knew I had to stop. Something is just not right. So, the best thing to do is rest. Oh, I have heard it is also very helpful to complain a whole bunch about not being able to run, so I might try that.

I have been saying I was going to ride more anyways, so I guess I really mean it this time.

Did I mention it sucks not being able to run. Next thing you know I will be trying some of these:

http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/d/mafate-unisex_78.html

Not sure anything could hurt bad enough to make me wear those.

Finished (and technically a PR)

Finished up the BV 50 Miler today. Nice course in the mountains above Buena Vista, CO. The race is run on a 25 mile loop, where you run clockwise then counterclockwise. Everything went well, except it was crazy hot, like 80 degrees. Still, finished in 11:07.

I will try to write more later, I am pretty spent right now.

Here are two pics from the course:




This was still early, you can tell because I am smiling:



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Location:S Main St,Buena Vista,United States

Unemployed and sleeping in a car

All by choice mind you. Laying in the back of my Cruiser in the mountains above Buena Vista just waiting to go lights out and get some sleep. Tomorrow is the Collegiate Peaks 50 mile trail run in these very mountains where I lay.

Today was the last day and work, and I was working to the bitter end. Onward and upward from here. Will report on the race tomorrow or Sunday.


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Real.Sore.Leg.

Not a good story being all of 9 days out from a 50 miler. I will take this next week as a very serious taper, we are talking no running except every other day with the kids, between 1.5 and 3 miles. Might try a few days on the bike just to keep breathing and get the heart rate up. Otherwise need to heal.

Jen came through her surgery today with flying colors, she is just resting and re-cooperating, and I am playing dad to the troop. She should be getting around fairly normal by Monday.

Later all...

Long Run

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3 day weekend over this holiday. Saturday started with Jen running the Cheyenne Canyon 25 k, which turned out to be closer to 26 or 27k. It was a cold morning, and the kids were total troopers as we hung out watching the race. It was a good course for spectating, as it was a figure 8 loop with the center being right at the start / finish, which allowed for a consistent flow of runners coming through. Jen finished well, but was pretty smoked after the race. We grabbed a quick lunch at the race, then were straight off to Paige's Double header soccer games. I stayed for the first, then headed out for my long run following before the second.

I was able to run from the soccer complex on the south end of town further south about 3 miles before coming back north on the Sante Fe trail through town all the way to Woodmen Road, then working my way home. All together about 24 miles, very slow but steady. The run gave me the confidence to know I can finish my 50, but it will not be a real fast race. I just hope to get through in one piece.

We had a great Easter, low key with nothing to do. Just finished a nice dinner, now some TV and will be putting the kids down in an hour or so.

As much as we need the moisture we are getting right now, I need some sunshine. With the changes we are going through right now (by choice) I could use a few bright, sunny days!!

Later... and Happy Easter

Ch Ch Ch Changes

Change is in the air. Exciting, scary change. One week ago I submitted 3 weeks notice to my company that I would be leaving. Where to, they asked? I do not know for sure, I responded. It was an honest answer.

I have always wanted to be independent. Maybe I will take a few short term consulting / contract opportunities and see if I can make a career of that? Or maybe I will pursue with a vengeance the handful of companies that I really would like to work for? Time will tell. My last day is May 6th.

I did get out for a 6.6 mile run this morning. Beautiful weather but windy, still a great run. 2 weeks to Collegiate Peaks!!

Three Weeks

I will be running Buena Vista (Collegiate Peaks 50) in 3 weeks, and I am struggling with the fact I am not as prepared as I thought I would be at this point. I am definitely shape to finish the race, just not to the level I had hoped.

I also have had a slight pain in my left ankle, which is very new. Will be keeping a close eye on that over the next week or so.

Good luck to everyone running Boston today.

Work!! A four letter word.

Missed the Trinity run tonight and will be up half the night finishing a presentation for our CEO that will be given Wednesday. Mileage might be sparse the next couple days, I really hate stretches like this. Seems like when you need to run the most they are hardest to come by.


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Last Minute Mileage

Well, at about 7:45 am while I was still in pajamas, Paige decides she was fine and could go to church with Mom. The good news, I can run. The bad news, I have 15 minutes to get dressed, ready and get to Manitou. Actually, since that is an impossible task, I just go as fast as I can. Believe it or not, I was running by 8:07 am out from Memorial Park in Manitou.

I ran from the Park in town, to Ruxton, up Ruxton the the Ute Pass Trail, up the UPT to Waldo Canyon, looped Waldo and back up to Long's Ranch Road, to Barr Trail and back to the car. Round trip was right at 19.4 miles with ridiculous elevation, finished with 0.6 barefoot just to round it out to a nice 20 miles.

For anyone that has not been there, Long's Ranch Road is as relentless a trail as I have been on. I have not downloaded the GPS data yet, but my guess is that is climbs about 3000 feet in three miles. My splits for these three miles were 14 minutes, 15 minutes and 23 minutes. Yeah that last mile is fairly brutal. The good news is once you crest the summit, it is pretty much downhill for the 5.5 miles back to the car.

This run really worked as a confidence boost as I make the last ditch effort for Collegiate Peaks. Everything went well, unless you count the portion on Waldo where a guy ran me down, and as we trotted along together he told me about his knee surgery from 8 weeks prior. Nice... I was the unwilling rabbit for his rehab run.

Tentative Plans

When you have 4 kids, you learn that ALL plans you make are tentative. Jen got out for a long run yesterday, and this morning was my turn. I was planning to run with the incline club for a 20 mile jaunt across the Ute Pass Trail, Waldo Canyon and Long's Ranch Road, finishing down the Barr Trail. However, this morning Paige is complaining of stomach ill's, so I am not sure it is going to happen.

Oh well, I really think preparation is overrated when it comes to running Ultras.

Office Do-over

Did not get out tonight even though it is perfect outside as we have been moving furniture back into the newly painted office. Still need a printer table and a desk for the kids but I think we know what we want so just need to go get it. Hope to run in the am but will more likely be in the office by 6 am or soon after, so the morning might also be at risk. I need a job that is much more in the vein of under-worked and over-paid, anyone know of anything? Maybe $100/hour to be a lift operator? That would be just up my alley.




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Soulrunners

Skipped out of work in time to run tonight with the Soulrunners at Trinity. Started out thinking I would run the 8 mile loop, but soon enough I realized if I ran that loop I would not have time to grab a beer afterwards.... so suffice it to say I ran the 5.5 mile loop. Not much for social interaction tonight, after the first 1/2 mile or so I was pretty much running solo.

Turns out a group had left about 10 minutes early to run the scar. I was bummed I missed them but really would not have had time to finish anyways, so all is good. After running morning and evening, still got about 10 miles in today, so good day.