Feb Check In

 

Quotes or Themes of the month:

“The most important conversations you’ll ever have are the ones you’ll have with yourself.” - David Goggins

 So a question that I posted last month was should I keep these monthly or move to a weekly update.  It seems weekly was the consensus.  I will try that in the month of March to see if I can keep up on it or not.  If I can't then back to monthly.  

Great month overall with some skiing, a Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim trip and even ran a backcountry aid station at the 24/12 hour Running up for Air Ultra to get my Hardrock volunteer hours done (it was a balmy -10 degrees in the dark hours).  Now I just need to get back to training as I am sitting here sick typing this, hoping it is not Covid.   

Speaking of the Grand Canyon, if you have not done this put it on the list!  Been trying for 10 years to get this done and it did not disappoint.  The 4 of us all grew out mustaches and wore brimmed hats in honor of Teddy Roosevelt who created the National Parks since it was President's Day weekend.  LOL... the looks we got from other people there were classic.  Photos of the trip at the bottom.

 

 Dropped out of the Aspen Power of 4 Skimo race next weekend when I discovered that it comes down double black diamond mogul runs and tight tree skiing, that is above my abilities.  I could prob make it through slowly but I really don't want to get hurt with Hardrock on the calendar this year and my knee already being wonky like it is.  Next up is the Salida Marathon on 3/12 which I will run as a supported training run, should be fun catching up with everyone there!  In the past I have ran this race in sub 4 hours but thinking this year will be closer to 5 hours. 

Training Update

Volume is still trending up in hours per month.  Did take off more days this month than normal from running, just needed a break on those days, missed 2 long runs this month.  Also missed the last 2 days of the month due to being sick (still am as I am typing this).   Did quit the Crossfit gym as of March 1st so everything going forward will be in the home gym which is solid.  Always open to anyone that wants to come workout with me.

Caught up with Paula, Donnie, Rebecca, Kate, Frank, Don, Michael, Darian, and Runners Roost Wed Run group runs this month. 

Here are the total hours broken down by activity for the month.

 

Goals Check In

1. Give Hardrock hell and have a blast doing it.
   
2. Average a Peak a week in 2022 - way behind already
   
3. Travel somewhere new for a race
4. Run Coaching Certification- 55% done- get back to finishing it
   
5. Read at least 30 books- 7 books completed
   
6. Sky Dive- waiting on you Avery, need to finish this.  Tired of seeing it every year.  LOL
   
7. Leave the lower 48- Is it possible due to Covid?
8. Travel somewhere I have never been if I don't leave the lower 48
9. Keep the blog more updated- On Track
   
10. Backpacking on the Colorado Trail for 3-7 days

Pictures in Feb (May not be in order due to coming from a number of people's cameras)

January Check In

 

Quotes or Themes of the month:

“How to stop time: kiss. How to travel in time: read. How to escape time: music. How to feel time: write. How to release time: breathe.” - Matt Haig

 Love this quote.  I don't remember where I came across it this month but totally true in every aspect.  I especially feel time when I try to write, prob why I am always late in posting these monthly posts.  Maybe if I get into the habit of weekly posts like JT and GZ it would be easier?  Food for thought.

Been a great month overall getting back into swing of training and racing.  Honestly it was a great month to start 2022 on.  Went to AZ mid month and ran 2 races on back to back days. Ran the Cold Water Rumble 20K on Saturday getting 3rd overall and even puked at the end as I was sprinting the last 100 yards so I would not get passed.  Then Sunday Don and I ran the AZ Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon where I ran a 1:20:30 and won my age group.  Makes me wonder if I could have broken 1:20 if I would not have raced the day before.....  Speedland founders also joined for this whole trip and man do they have some stories from working with athletes from their days at Nike.  Such great guys and really appreciate their support the whole weekend.  Also check out this shoe, expensive but it will last twice as long as most trail shoes due to the high quality of the shoe that it comes out to the same $ at the end of the day.  This will be most likely my Hardrock shoe this year.  https://www.runspeedland.com/

Training Update

Volume is starting to finally trend back up this month.  Only 2 days completely off all month which where the travel days to and from AZ.  Of course getting back into Skimo this month for Rebecca and I have 2 large races coming up, Aspen Power of 4 and the Grand Traverse.  That takes away from some of the running but all is good

Caught up with Paula, Rebecca, Brad, GZ, Donnie, Dan, Tim Barr, Don, Mike, founders of Speedland shoes (Kevin & Dave), and Runners Roost Wed Run group runs this month. 

Here are the total hours broken down by activity for the month.

 

Goals Check In

1. Give Hardrock hell and have a blast doing it.
   
2. Average a Peak a week in 2022
3. Travel somewhere new for a race
4. Run Coaching Certification- 55% done- get back to finishing it
   
5. Read at least 30 books- 4 books completed
   
6. Sky Dive- waiting on you Avery, need to finish this.  Tired of seeing it every year.  LOL
   
7. Leave the lower 48- Is it possible due to Covid?
8. Travel somewhere I have never been if I don't leave the lower 48
9. Keep the blog more updated- On Track
   
10. Backpacking on the Colorado Trail for 3-7 days

Pictures in Jan (not in any order due to coming from a number of people's cameras)