Embracing winter

I didn't reach my goal of running every day but I did manage personal bests in mileage and vertical for the month of January.  My body is feeling strong and lean but I have work to do.  I had some solid weekend back to backs and enjoyed some training runs with friends.  Gemini 100k is less than 2 months away.  I'd like to get close to 200 miles this month.  This could be difficult as the skiing is excellent this year and I'm torn between running and skiing.  At least I'm working the legs either way.

Once again I'm struggling with balance.  My body is ready for more and I feel more invested this year than last.  Family is important and I need to find a way so they don't feel like they are sacrificing too much.  There will be weekends that are lost to mountain runs so I need to minimize the impact on weekdays.  I'm hoping with longer days around the corner this will become easier.  I've added 3 work runs a week to my schedule but that adds only 10 miles a week.  I'll figure it out, I'm sure.

We met this past month to discuss the Tommyknocker 50/100k.  I will be working with a great team led by Sherpa John to put on a quality event.  This is new to me and I'm excited for the challenge and to give back to the community that has added much value to my life the past few years.

Here are some highlights from January and early February.

Failed Quandary attempt with Jerry.  Thigh high snow until tree line.  Wind was unsafe.  We turned back just above 13,000 feet.  Photo by Jerry Armstrong.

2x North Table Mountain in Golden with David.  4 inches fresh snow.

Ken Caryl foothill trails.  Deep and untouched.

Epic powder day at Vail.  21 glorious inches!  Days like this is what you live for.  Photo Lee McKitrick.

Flat Irons from Chautauqua with David H.  Green/Beer loop before the snow hit.  

Sunrise from Lyonsback in Ken Caryl.

New Year

After a great November, December was a bit of a challenge.  Between the cold, new baby and bad back I failed to reach 100 miles for the month.  I'm not overly disappointed.  I feel recharged and have been training well the past week.  2013 was a good year for me.  I've connected with several runners through Sherpa's FA runs and I am coming into 2014 motivated and healthy.  Below lists some highlights from 2013.

Zane Grey 50 - DNF

It wasn't my day.  I fell and ankle got bad.  I dropped at mile 24.  Very tough course.  My first and only DNF.

Grand Canyon - Rim to Rim to Rim

I finished! I pissed blood!  I knocked one off my bucket list!  Amazing run and met some people who have become some of my friends and training partners.

San Juan Solstice 50 - Finished

Amazing race, course and experience.  Hardest 50 I've run.  Spectacular country.  Can't wait to run it again.  David and I after David left me in the dust the last 3 miles.

Tetons - Paintbrush and Cascade Canyon Run

During our vacation to the Tetons and Yellowstone I broke free for this amazing run.  The Tetons are a special place and pull at me.  I can't wait to go back and explore some more.

Evans/Bierstadt/Greys/Torreys

One of John's torturous runs.  We managed the first two peaks but were turned away by weather after peaking Argentine.  To be honest, I felt spent.  We hope to get our revenge this year.

Run Rabbit Run 50

I PR'd on this run hitting my goal on the dot.  10:30.  Sub 10 hours seemed like a possibility after turning at 5 hours but I hit a tough spot.  It was still one of my best races.

Zodiac Ridge - Red Peak

This was a fun run in the Gore Range.  This was a special run for me because I had been scouting the route throughout the year on other training runs.  The Gore Range does not disappoint.  David and I knocked this one out.  I feel like I've just hit the tip of the iceberg in the Gore Range.

Yep, 2013 was pretty great.  I sometimes forget how lucky I am to have these experiences.  This of course only represents my running life.  My personal life had many great moments as well capped off with the birth of our 3rd child, Ryder Cairn Olsen.  My running life would not happen without the love and support of my wife and family.

I got the most satisfaction and enjoyment on the adventure runs.  Grand Canyon, Tetons, 14ers and the Gore Range were all awesome.  The races are great but my true motivation is to explore and experience  new and majestic places.  I will focus on these types of runs more in 2014.  I have only signed up for 2 races, Gemini 100k and Silver Rush 50.  

Here are some of my other goals for 2014.  This might be a bit ambitious but I plan on putting a big dent in this list.

Zion Traverse

Evans/Bierstadt/Greys/Torreys

Assist John with his Tommy Knocker 50/100k

Pace Tim F at Leadville

Peak 10 to Peak 1 on 10 mile Range

Wetterhorn/Uncompahgre combo

4 Pass Loop (second time running)

Leadville bootcamp with Tim F - Elbert/Massive Combo and Buchanan/Pawnee Pass loop

White Rim Trail - 100 miles

Gore Range exploration - East Thorne, Gore Grand Traverse(recon needed) 

Knock out 5 new 14ers

Baby #3 and other things to look forward to.

Baby number 3 is due any day now.  To be honest, I'm freaking out!  We are very excited but I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around how to handle this responsibility.  Time, money, energy, stress, commitments, etc.  I should cut something out.  Running seems like an easy choice but I've thought about this a lot and I don't think that is the right move.  Running adds real value to my life.  It is my therapy, meditation, church and health all wrapped up in one.  I need it!

This doesn't mean that I won't have to adjust.  I do have responsibilities to my family and I can't go out running every night when I get home.  Homey don't play that.

My week's are made up of 3-4 runs of 5-8 miles.  I can do these in the early morning.  Waking up at 4 am sucks but the morning is peaceful and I feel energized for my day.  After work I have time to be with the family.  This is a sacrifice I am willing to make.  I'll go out on the weekend for one long run and maybe grab an evening run once or twice a week.  I think this can work.  I'll miss the trail some of these days but if Meg will compromise for my races and long runs I can compromise with running on the streets.  Who knows, maybe I'll get fast!

2014 has professional stresses that I'm not ready to talk about so I decided I need something to look forward to.  I'm feeling good.  My weight is down to 185.  My diet is much improved.  I have remained injury free for some time now.  I want to run 100 miles again.  Once was great but twice would prove to myself that I'm not a fluke.

There are a couple of 100 mile races that I'm interested in.  Western States and Big Horn both appeal to me. The cost, travel, lottery, etc turned me away.  I want to try something completely different.  Last year I noticed the White Rim Trial in Canyonlands National Park.  We were standing at the overlook and I saw this road.  Someone referred to it as the 100 mile road.  3 years of running ultras changes your perspective a bit.  100 miles?  I could run that.

I started looking into it.  I couldn't find any run reports.  It is a popular mountain bike ride but it seems that runners have not really gone after it.  It sounds like there are a handful of runners who have completed it.  This could be cool.  I started talking to some people and it sounds like I have a crew and a couple of pacers.  I'm hoping to get some other runners to join me.  This is my goal run for 2014.

Life is going to get tough.  I'm going to have to get tougher.  Like training for a run of this magnitude there will be ups and downs but the journey is pretty awesome and if you keep your head up and eyes forward the goal can become a reality.

Here we go.  Ready or not!