We celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Waldo Canyon fire this month. We had the usuals over to drink on the roof. Good times!
Tuesday, June 27, 2017
Waldo
I'll get to a weekend update soon. Quick story is that I got in four more nights outside and another finish at San Juan.
We celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Waldo Canyon fire this month. We had the usuals over to drink on the roof. Good times!
We celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Waldo Canyon fire this month. We had the usuals over to drink on the roof. Good times!
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Music Pass
Saturday morning we took the van down to the Sangre de Cristo Wilderness to explore a bit of Colorado we've never visited. Parked the van at Grape Creek, grabbed some brews, and headed up to Music Pass. Beautiful hike and the dogs had a blast. We weren't in the mood to push the envelope, but there are an endless amount of lakes and peaks here, as well as access to Sand Dunes, and this would be a great place for a big mileage day.
Got in a good eight miles of hiking before getting back and setting up camp. The dogs got in a few extra miles and didn't help with setup at all.
Spent a great evening doing nothing before hitting the hay. The next morning we got up and hiked another five miles on the Rainbow Trail, which comes through Grape Creek.
This is a great area and I can't believe I haven't spent more time here. We went from the garage to hiking in less than 2.5 hours. Saw a few cars, but not a lot of people, so I assume there's a lot of backcountry hiking/camping going on. We plan on returning soon, as we want to hike from Grape Creek to Medano Pass as well as the Rito Alto loop.
Got in a good eight miles of hiking before getting back and setting up camp. The dogs got in a few extra miles and didn't help with setup at all.
Spent a great evening doing nothing before hitting the hay. The next morning we got up and hiked another five miles on the Rainbow Trail, which comes through Grape Creek.
This is a great area and I can't believe I haven't spent more time here. We went from the garage to hiking in less than 2.5 hours. Saw a few cars, but not a lot of people, so I assume there's a lot of backcountry hiking/camping going on. We plan on returning soon, as we want to hike from Grape Creek to Medano Pass as well as the Rito Alto loop.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Wisconsin
$100 and I will be heading out to Wisconsin over the July 4th holiday. You might think all we do on these WI trips is drink New Glarus and eat cheese, and that is mostly correct, but we will be participating in a championship event this time around:
Yes, we are entered in the Wisconsin State Wife Carrying Championship. Winner gets $5 per pound of the person who is carried, the carried person's weight in beer, and the honor of competing in the North American Wife Carrying Championship in Maine.
I saw a video of the couple who won the last two years, and needless to say we will not be competing for the win. In fact I think this will be only slightly more impressive than the time I tried to run the steeplechase in Boulder. Should be fun though, and I am going to rock this t-shirt when I return to Colorado.
We will also be running the De Forest Freedom Run 10K that morning. I tend to run well in Wisconsin so I'll probably try to go sub 40.
Yes, we are entered in the Wisconsin State Wife Carrying Championship. Winner gets $5 per pound of the person who is carried, the carried person's weight in beer, and the honor of competing in the North American Wife Carrying Championship in Maine.
I saw a video of the couple who won the last two years, and needless to say we will not be competing for the win. In fact I think this will be only slightly more impressive than the time I tried to run the steeplechase in Boulder. Should be fun though, and I am going to rock this t-shirt when I return to Colorado.
We will also be running the De Forest Freedom Run 10K that morning. I tend to run well in Wisconsin so I'll probably try to go sub 40.
CityRock 34
Been spending most of my free time outside but now that San Juan training is over it's time to get back to the rock gym. Hopefully I can get back to twice a week early morning sessions at CityRock. My office will be moving back downtown this fall so eventually I should be spending a ton of time climbing.
Also got bike commute 45 in.
Also got bike commute 45 in.
run commute 28
Taking it easy this week, at least until Saturday. 8 miles on the day running straight to and from work. Also got out on the bike for an hour in the evening. 14 miles on the Garden, Sinton, Santa Fe, and Midland paved trails.
Monday, June 19, 2017
bro visit
Had a great time hanging with my brother for a few days last week. We took him out for the Roman Villa/Murphys double his first night here.
He didn't know this was going to happen, but we took him to see his favorite band, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, at Red Rocks. Glad $100 and I were somehow able to keep this a surprise until we pulled into the lot at Red Rocks.
We spent his last night in Colorado outside, camping out down near Salida (night outside number nine for me). The next morning we took the dogs out to Pass Creek Lake, then said our goodbyes at Elevation.
He didn't know this was going to happen, but we took him to see his favorite band, Big Head Todd & The Monsters, at Red Rocks. Glad $100 and I were somehow able to keep this a surprise until we pulled into the lot at Red Rocks.
We spent his last night in Colorado outside, camping out down near Salida (night outside number nine for me). The next morning we took the dogs out to Pass Creek Lake, then said our goodbyes at Elevation.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
run commute 27
Long hike with the two Holly's this morning so I took the quick four mile route to work. Took me over 1000 run miles on the year.
Another four miles home. Taking the van out tonight.
Another four miles home. Taking the van out tonight.
run commute 26/bike commute 43
Monday - 4.2 miles to work, 5.7 miles home. Easy. Still pretty beat up from the weekend.
Tues - quick bike to work. On the way home I met $100 and my brother at Red Leg, then we dropped by Trinity.
Tues - quick bike to work. On the way home I met $100 and my brother at Red Leg, then we dropped by Trinity.
Monday, June 12, 2017
Garden Ten Mile
Wasn't expecting much from this as having my brother in town had me staying up late and drinking too much for several days in a row. In fact, on my warmup over to the race I changed my goal from sub 70 to sub 80.
New course this year, and once the gun went off I stayed conservative for the first mile, which climbs a pretty big hill. At the top I felt pretty good and decided to see if I could get that sub 70. It helped that my arch-nemesis Brooks was close by (photo by Peter).
Brooks led for the first 2.5ish miles, then I unsuccessfully tried to drop him over the next 10K. There is a terrible hill about 8.7 miles into the race and it crushed me, and Brooks was able to get 15 seconds or so. I came back at him, but he ended up holding me off. I ended up sneaking in just under 69 minutes. 34:07 through five miles, 34:50 for the second half.
Really happy with the effort, especially given my long run on Saturday followed by a very late night at Red Rocks for the Big Head Todd show. And even though Brooks whooped me on my home course I took home the moral victory as I had two beers during the run and he had none.
This race used to be a standard for me - can I still break 70 on a tough, hilly course? Wasn't sure what the new course would bring, but that personal standard will remain. My educated guess as someone who runs in the Garden quite often is that this course is about a minute slower than the old course. The potential for disaster in the second half is real on the new course though, as there are three tough hills over the final 4.5 miles. You used to be able to count on a several minute negative split, but that is definitely not the case any more.
This pic has been making the rounds on the social medias. $100 is in the dark blue shirt.
A few more pics I stole from Peter. Such a great race in a great place. Made even better with a finish at Rock Ledge Ranch which allows for a beer garden.
New course this year, and once the gun went off I stayed conservative for the first mile, which climbs a pretty big hill. At the top I felt pretty good and decided to see if I could get that sub 70. It helped that my arch-nemesis Brooks was close by (photo by Peter).
Brooks led for the first 2.5ish miles, then I unsuccessfully tried to drop him over the next 10K. There is a terrible hill about 8.7 miles into the race and it crushed me, and Brooks was able to get 15 seconds or so. I came back at him, but he ended up holding me off. I ended up sneaking in just under 69 minutes. 34:07 through five miles, 34:50 for the second half.
Really happy with the effort, especially given my long run on Saturday followed by a very late night at Red Rocks for the Big Head Todd show. And even though Brooks whooped me on my home course I took home the moral victory as I had two beers during the run and he had none.
This race used to be a standard for me - can I still break 70 on a tough, hilly course? Wasn't sure what the new course would bring, but that personal standard will remain. My educated guess as someone who runs in the Garden quite often is that this course is about a minute slower than the old course. The potential for disaster in the second half is real on the new course though, as there are three tough hills over the final 4.5 miles. You used to be able to count on a several minute negative split, but that is definitely not the case any more.
This pic has been making the rounds on the social medias. $100 is in the dark blue shirt.
A few more pics I stole from Peter. Such a great race in a great place. Made even better with a finish at Rock Ledge Ranch which allows for a beer garden.
Bottomless Pitt
Wasn't expecting much out of Saturday's run but it actually went pretty well. Made it up to the Bottomless Pitt sign in 2:09ish. Easy back down, including a good break at Barr Camp. 17+ miles on the day. Last long effort before Lake City.
incline 28
My brother was due to arrive Thursday evening so I wanted to get the Incline in, knowing the next few days would combine too little sleep and too much booze. Straight up and straight down, then met Eben at Fossil.
A shot of the Teisher kids and their dogs. Two of these dogs are named Holly.
A shot of the Teisher kids and their dogs. Two of these dogs are named Holly.
Thursday, June 08, 2017
run commute 25
Six miles to work, with three hard miles in there (half a mile rest in between). 6:14 for the first one (slightly downhill, but with multiple stop signs), 6:33 for the second (slightly downhill followed by slightly uphill, includes a long red light), and 6:33 for the third (slightly uphill, on trail). Hard effort, though I plan on running a lot harder on Sunday. I'd love to get up north to challenge GZ in a mile this summer. I think I could come close, but right now I think that distance and effort would leave me crippled for a week. I do still have plans to shoot for sub 18 this year, but that won't become a focus until after Pikes.
Four miles home. Was going to ride after that but I walked the dog and went down to Front Range BBQ for some beers instead.
Four miles home. Was going to ride after that but I walked the dog and went down to Front Range BBQ for some beers instead.
Tuesday, June 06, 2017
CityRock 33/bike commute 40
Nice, easy Tuesday. Six mile ride in the AM, a morning session at CityRock, 16 miles on the way home. Had to head north after work as Cheyenne Canon was closed as they spray for some weird invasive moth.
Some nice art at the Goose Gossage skate park:
Some nice art at the Goose Gossage skate park:
Monday, June 05, 2017
run commute 24
10K to work, four miles home. Then jumped on the local bike paths for 14 miles of pedaling. Good day.
weekend update
Friday was bike commute 39. It included breaking into a friend's house to steal beer and a long stop at Red Leg. And some rain.
Two pretty decent runs on Sat and Sun.
20 miles on Saturday on the Fat Ass course - Garden, Incline, Barr, Intemann, Red Rock Canyon. There are approximately eight billion people in the world, and I think they were all on the Incline on Saturday.
On Sunday $100 and I headed over to Cheyenne Canon to hand out brews for the High Drive Challenge. It had been a while since I cracked a beer open at 7AM.
After the race I had her drop me off at the bottom of the Canon and I ran home. Cheyenne Canon, Spring Creek, up Capt Jacks, Buckhorn, 666, Section 16, Red Rock Canyon. 17 miles.
I feel pretty good after this weekend about my 14ish hour goal at San Juan.
Two pretty decent runs on Sat and Sun.
20 miles on Saturday on the Fat Ass course - Garden, Incline, Barr, Intemann, Red Rock Canyon. There are approximately eight billion people in the world, and I think they were all on the Incline on Saturday.
On Sunday $100 and I headed over to Cheyenne Canon to hand out brews for the High Drive Challenge. It had been a while since I cracked a beer open at 7AM.
After the race I had her drop me off at the bottom of the Canon and I ran home. Cheyenne Canon, Spring Creek, up Capt Jacks, Buckhorn, 666, Section 16, Red Rock Canyon. 17 miles.
I feel pretty good after this weekend about my 14ish hour goal at San Juan.
Friday, June 02, 2017
bike commute 38/incline 26
18 miles on the bike to/from work on Thursday. Followed by a very rainy Incline.
Thursday, June 01, 2017
May
Pretty good month in the books. 191 miles running, 309 miles on the bike, and 67 miles hiking. And one rafting trip.
Halfway through my Incline goal at 25. My trips to the rock gym have been trending downward as the weather has improved, but I'm still on pace at 32 climbs. End the month at 23 run commutes and 37 bike commutes.
Well on my way to making my yearly run goal (887 miles out of 2000), bike goal (1261 of 3000) and hiking goal (322 out of 600).
And I've been pretty consistent at the Peak Bagger program. I'm almost to the point now where I can do an entire workout without crippling myself.
Hoping for a big month in June, which will include the San Juan Solstice and (hopefully) some 14ers. Shooting for 200 miles running and 300 miles on the bike. Trying to place myself in position for a good Double this August.
Halfway through my Incline goal at 25. My trips to the rock gym have been trending downward as the weather has improved, but I'm still on pace at 32 climbs. End the month at 23 run commutes and 37 bike commutes.
Well on my way to making my yearly run goal (887 miles out of 2000), bike goal (1261 of 3000) and hiking goal (322 out of 600).
And I've been pretty consistent at the Peak Bagger program. I'm almost to the point now where I can do an entire workout without crippling myself.
Hoping for a big month in June, which will include the San Juan Solstice and (hopefully) some 14ers. Shooting for 200 miles running and 300 miles on the bike. Trying to place myself in position for a good Double this August.
bike commute 37/run commute 23
Good bike commute on Tuesday. Nine miles to work along Rock Ledge, the Garden, Sinton, and Santa Fe trails. Then Cheyenne Canon, including Spring Creek, home. Over 28 miles on the day. I've almost caught up to the pace of a 3K year on the bike.
Good run to work on Wednesday. 3 x 1 mile repeats, half mile RBI. Always fun doing mile repeats on the city streets as my route has stop signs, hills, and traffic to deal with. So different than on the track. The two miles I was able to get a split on were 6:23 and 6:37. The other one was probably around 6:30. Four miles home with some one minute on/one minute off thrown in for good measure. Then a 90 minute ride in Red Rock Canyon to top things off.
Chilled out in the evening by watching the Penguins crush the Predators!
Good run to work on Wednesday. 3 x 1 mile repeats, half mile RBI. Always fun doing mile repeats on the city streets as my route has stop signs, hills, and traffic to deal with. So different than on the track. The two miles I was able to get a split on were 6:23 and 6:37. The other one was probably around 6:30. Four miles home with some one minute on/one minute off thrown in for good measure. Then a 90 minute ride in Red Rock Canyon to top things off.
Chilled out in the evening by watching the Penguins crush the Predators!
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Memorial Day
Awesome long weekend. Had some Austin friends come up to visit, they are mountain bikers so I spent more time riding than running. Did make my first trip up to Barr Camp, so it wasn't all biking. And despite being terribly hungover, I did make my 25th trip up the Incline on Monday.
Rode Buckhorn for the first time in a while on Saturday. It was snowing. Ran into Brooks and Josh while I was drinking beer up there:
Got in a great five mile hike with the dog and Meesha on Monday morning as well. 2.5 miles up Bear Creek Canyon/666 and back down. The dogs had a blast.
Little bit of activity, but mostly the weekend was eating and drinking. Lots of breweries and bars. Good times!
Rode Buckhorn for the first time in a while on Saturday. It was snowing. Ran into Brooks and Josh while I was drinking beer up there:
Got in a great five mile hike with the dog and Meesha on Monday morning as well. 2.5 miles up Bear Creek Canyon/666 and back down. The dogs had a blast.
Little bit of activity, but mostly the weekend was eating and drinking. Lots of breweries and bars. Good times!
Friday, May 26, 2017
run commute 22
Wed - six miles to work, four miles home. Also got in an awesome eleven mile ride in Red Rock Canyon, lots of great new trails back there.
Thurs - had to drive since I had some shit to get done during the day. In the evening I ran my 7.2 Garden trail loop. I feel like I'm in good shape if I can go 1:15 on this, really good shape if I can go sub 1:10. Yesterday I went 1:06:39. $100 and I then biked to/from Bristol Brewing for the WMBA kickoff. She has been improving on the bike lately and as a result we were able to get from Bristol to Fossil in time for a beer at last call.
No Incline on Thursday due to time constraints. I was just thinking whether or not I should really try to get to 50 this year, as I thought I had to decide soon due to the upcoming closure. But now it appears the steps won't be closed off this year. I have nothing on the schedule after Pikes so I have no excuse not to finally hit that number this year.
Thurs - had to drive since I had some shit to get done during the day. In the evening I ran my 7.2 Garden trail loop. I feel like I'm in good shape if I can go 1:15 on this, really good shape if I can go sub 1:10. Yesterday I went 1:06:39. $100 and I then biked to/from Bristol Brewing for the WMBA kickoff. She has been improving on the bike lately and as a result we were able to get from Bristol to Fossil in time for a beer at last call.
No Incline on Thursday due to time constraints. I was just thinking whether or not I should really try to get to 50 this year, as I thought I had to decide soon due to the upcoming closure. But now it appears the steps won't be closed off this year. I have nothing on the schedule after Pikes so I have no excuse not to finally hit that number this year.
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