Year in Review

December rocked my family in 2014.  Meg's father died suddenly of cancer and our 2 year old son was diagnosed with cancer.  We received a great prognosis for my son on New Year's Eve.  We feel that Meg's dad is watching over him.  Last month put life in perspective with a brutal cold slap across the face.

I debated even writing a review for this year but running has helped me through many of the problems in my life.  It is something that brings me a lot of life joy and satisfaction.  The trail brings a lot of highs and lows but nothing comes close to matters of the family.  A few lines from the song "Life" from the Avett Brothers has connected recently.

Oh, and you and I know all too well

About the hell and paradise

Right here on earth

With that, here is my running year in review.

Attempt on Quandary.  Turned back by windy conditions at 13k feet.

I came into 2014 with lofty goals of 2,000 miles and 250,000 vertical.  I also wanted to run the White Rim Trail in under 24 hours.  There were some some accomplishments and disappointments this year.

I'll start with the disappointments. I did not finish the WRT run.  I came short of my mileage goal and I dealt with some nagging injuries.

There were some high points this year as well.  I finished the year with a personal best 1,904.31 miles and 267,451 vertical feet.  I had a personal high mileage week of  90 miles and 100 miles in 8 days.  I had one of my best races at Silver Rush 50 in Leadville.  I finished in 9:47.  I ran a good race at The Rut 50k and ran the bulk of the Zion Traverse.

I look forward to 2015 and my goal is to simplify things.  I have changed my stride from heal strike to forefoot.  I am also trying to minimize the drop in my shoes.  This is a process.  I am dedicating myself to daily core strength training and preventive maintenance.  The second half of last year my diet turned south.  I'm committing to a healthier diet.  I am also trying to specialize my training for my races and not be concerned with monthly totals.

Here are my 2014 highlights.

24 Hours of Moab 100k.  Kept up with David Hill for the first 30 miles.  This race tested me mentally and physically.

Zion Traverse was the highlight of the year.  It was an unbelievable run through parts of the park that most people don't get to see.  Ran it with a great group of friends.  I'd love to go back.

Previewing Sherpa John's South Park Trail Marathon course.  If things work out I'll run the race this year.

View off back side of Mt Massive.  I look forward to when Tim F comes out to Colorado for a training weekend.  We hit Elbert the day before.

Tim F and I made the snowy trek up to one of my favorite places.  Willow Lake is surrounded by the Zodiak Peaks.  It's awesome to see it in all it's different seasons.

10 Mile Traverse.  Knocked this 19 mile classic out by myself.  The route is challenging with some technical spots.  I was pumped to knock this off.

The family took our first trip to Telluride this summer.  This is the amazing view of Wilson Peak from our cabin.  I was able to sneak away and climb the iconic peak famous for being the Coors logo.

A cool shot coming down after the first climb of Silver Rush 50.

We ran another classic Colorado loop crossing over both the Pawnee and Buchanan Pass.

I paced Tim F for the back 50 of the Leadville 100.  He ran a hell of a race and got a big buckle.  Inspiring stuff.

The Rut 50k at Big Sky, MT.  Awesome and tough mountain race.

Brandt, David and I before the WRT attempt.  Brandt drove a jeep and crewed us.  

I made it 52 miles before dropping due to some heat stroke.  Disappointing but glad I made the attempt.  David made it 100k before dropping.  He would have finished if I didn't drop.  Instead he stopped and we camped in a very remote part of the canyon.  The silence was unlike anything I have experienced.  Canyon country is an awesome and unique experience.

Muscleman Arch

We live in a beautiful county.  Running has allowed me to see some of it's greatest treasures.  I look forward to 2015.  Happy New Year!