3 posts from October 2009

For any regular reader of my blog it is well known that climbing, especially alpine climbing, is a passion of mine.  I recently spent three nights representing the American Alpine Club in the Denver area.  The event was a climbing video and presentation that three The North Face athletes were presenting.  One of those climbers is Conrad Anker.  He is a top alpinist and an all around great guy.  I have read his books, followed his climbs and gone to his presentations.  I met his partners Jimmy Chin and Renan Ozturk also.  Jimmy is an amazing photographer while Renan is an artist--video, photo or drawing.  These guys spent some serious climbing karma in the Indian Himalaya on 22,000-foot Mount Meru last year.  For any non-climbers consider this analogy--you are sitting around a table BSing with Tiger Woods and the other top golfers.  And best of all they are great guys with no elitist attitude.

Here's a short video of them climbing in Eldorado State Park last week.  I should of called in sick to work...

Thanks Dad!

Get out and Explore the World!

STONE CAT 50 MILE and MARATHON TRAIL RACES
Saturday November 7, 2009   6:15am
Willowdale State Forest, Ipswich, Massachusetts

The race starts and finishes at Doyon School 216 Linebrook Road in Ipswich.  The course is all trails, a mix of double track and single track trail, all in Willowdale State Forest on a 12.5 mile loop.  The course is very runnable but has a lot of rocks and some sections contain many roots. The terrain is rolling with the largest single hill being a 150 foot climb!

It is a mass start for both events. In order to spread the runners out the marathoners will first run a 1.2 miles loop around the school before joining the loop.

There will be at least three aid stations;  at 4.2 miles, 7.5 miles, and start/finish of the loop.

And the best part for me, coming from the mile high city of Denver, is the elevation in Ipswich is around 50 feet! 

Bring it!

I was warned that the race closes out early with 150 runners for each distance so I took the advice of a friend who is a trail running machine (thanks Barry) and put up the cash not knowing if I was even going to be in shape for the race.  I've had several roadblocks to my running this year and until this week I didn't feel ready even for a marathon distance.  So now I am primed and ready to go.  This will be a 'training' run for me to get back to ultra distance so no taper will be preceding the race.  I'll make sure I'm rested for it but the race isn't the end goal, only a stepping stone to longer distances.

Another benefit is my brother and his friend, Mindy, are also running the marathon so I know we'll at least start together and then celebrate afterwards.  I'm also looking forward to meeting fellow trail runners and ultra freaks from the New England clan.

Get out and Explore the World!

SnackTime

I was in Europe for a last minute, unplanned, trip to backpack around with my brother, Tim, who recently ended his six month assignment in Sri Lanka with Doctors without Borders(MSF).  He is employed by MSF-Holland so a visit to Europe was required after he left Asia.  Also required, after six months in a war zone, was some R&R.

I joined him for a quick po-po platter sampling of three European cities--Amsterdam (first quiz), Cologne, Germany (2nd) and the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg (final).

We toured castles and visited museums while traveling by train, tram, bike and bus.  Our time in each destination was short but we still found time to explore each area on foot during our daily morning runs and by local transport.

In reviewing my notes much of our time was spent sampling the local cuisine with the appropriate regional wine or beer selection.  Yes we ate very well from the local street vendors offering regional snacks (picture of herring in Amsterdam) to the six course meals that stretched for hours.  These meals were often a cultural experience beyond the food and drink as we watched the ebb and flow of the locals going about their day.  Being late September the tourists were long gone so the vibe was more relaxed which made for great people watching.  One take away, of the many, is the quality of Luxemburg wines.  I have never seen Luxemburg wines in the USA which is a shame as they can stand up with the better known wines that are imported from Europe.  If you find any in your local wine shop do not hesitate to give them a try.

For an area of the globe I always thought I'd save till my less adventurous (read: older) years I highly encourage you to visit sooner than later if you get the chance.

Get out and Explore the World!