tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42133108440285081212024-03-13T05:08:20.695-07:00 San Elijo Hills Running Club Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger120125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-83255337731074626572019-02-10T16:34:00.000-08:002019-02-12T08:42:05.933-08:00Mammoth and June Powder Daze - February 2019<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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<b>2/2/19 - </b><b>Saturday</b><br />
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Storms are forecast to drop 7-10' of snow on Mammoth by Tuesday (2/5). As I'm planting (or more precisely digging a hole through rocks) a dwarf orange tree in my backyard, this thought will not leave my brain. Lately, I've been trying to act on my thoughts, rather than ignore them. A few minutes later, I was on Expedia. Friday/Saturday nights were sold out. Thursday/Friday was not. Luckily, my work was cooperating and my schedule was clear. I booked Shilo Inn, which sits right at the base of the town on Main Street. It's a bit beat-up in typical ski town fashion, but perfect for the ski bum who doesn't have a van, plus it's got a hot tub and covered parking. I returned to battling crushed granite, tuned my skis and then on Sunday, spent the day in the office, paying it forward.<br />
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<b>2/6/19 - Thursday</b><br />
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I worked 10-14 hour days Monday through Wednesday, and departed Carlsbad at 2:20 a.m. on Thursday, with 3 hours of sleep in hand. The drive at this time of night is super-easy and mellow, taking Route 78, I-15, I-215, I-15 and US 395 (parts of which are fantastically beautiful). I keep it at 74 mph, use radar and obey posted limits in Lone Pine, Independence, Big Pine and Bishop. Without snow, it takes about 5 hours and 40 minutes.<br />
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This time, "chains" (or snow tires with 4WD), which for the MDX means cables, were required about 15 miles south of Mammoth Lakes. It is always a fun experience to stick one's head under a SUV to attach the inner portion of the cabling on the side of the road in 11 degrees. I suited up in my ski pants and waterproof shell, and managed the whole process in about 10 minutes. Then back to driving, but at no more than 35 mph with the cables. WOMP BA BUMP BUMP. WOMP BA BUMP BUMP.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chair 2 Parking</td></tr>
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I pulled into the Mill parking lot around 8:45 a.m., and spots were still available - I was surprised, I thought none would be left. Parking at the Mill, or Chair 2 as it is called, is a priority for me, as it means a short walk to the lift, and the ability to easily come back to the car as needed, which serves as my ski locker.<br />
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The day was perfect. Fresh, untouched swaths of powder were everywhere. I waited on Chair 9 for a minute or two once or twice, but that was it. I skied to closing, did 26 lifts and 50 miles and 24,000' all told on Strava. I called it All Time.</div>
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<b>2/8/19</b><br />
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Friday was essentially a repeat of Thursday, but colder and the snow a day older. I was wearing a base layer, a Smartwool sweater, an Arcteryx mid-weight jacket, a Marmot down jacket and an Arcteryx wind-proof shell. 23 lifts, 53 miles and 26,000'.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Wazoo looking towards Ricochet (aka Tarantula)</td></tr>
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<b>2/9/19</b><br />
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Decision time. It was five in the morning on Saturday. Manchester United was playing Fulham at Craven Cottage on NBC. MU won 3-0. June Mountain or Mammoth? My internal debate raged on. It had been snowing all night. Mammoth got 2'+. I figured June probably got about the same due to the nature of the storm. But, the drive to June would require chains, which means slow going, but that might keep the crowds away, as June sits about 20 miles past Mammoth. At the same time, I was guessing predicted high winds at Mammoth would keep the upper lifts closed, and I knew with all the lodging being sold out it would be crowded.<br />
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I had just skied two perfect days at Mammoth, I was not going to sour on it by waiting in lift lines. If June was crowded, I'd call it and head back home. I drove to June through mainly un-plowed 395 with a foot of snow on it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CA-158 to June Lake</td></tr>
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The parking lot was mostly empty at June, and I parked close to the ticket office. At June the J1 chair opens at 8:00 a.m., which takes one up to the real base area, where there is a lodge. The other chairs open at 8:30 a.m. Not thinking, I took my time getting ready and realized too late I could have been skiing the Face off of J1 for 30 minutes. In the scheme of things, I didn't mind, as my legs were fried and I planned by leaving by 2:00 p.m, as I was also concerned that more snow and high winds were coming (whiteout conditions), and that 395 between June and Mammoth might be shut down - it was some time after I left. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljxoWgiRIoU/XGC0OFCvKgI/AAAAAAAABeI/ufE_jzV0z9ohcIpN7tvqxqwJRqZjgrrVgCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_6510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ljxoWgiRIoU/XGC0OFCvKgI/AAAAAAAABeI/ufE_jzV0z9ohcIpN7tvqxqwJRqZjgrrVgCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_6510.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June Mountain parking lot</td></tr>
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The day was my 19th on a mountain this season, at it was by far, the best. I only managed 30 miles and 18,000', not counting a few runs missed due to a paused watch. However, those were runs with 2-4'+ of powder and my already fatigued lines were being put to the test. The mountain was empty and I waited no more than 60 seconds to get a chair, besides at J1. Contrast Mammoth, where a friend Facebooked me that five lifts were open and it was so crowded, he was giving up for the day.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from J2</td></tr>
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At the top of J7, which is the June Mountain Summit, I saw a crew cut the rope and go outside the ski boundary. I didn't see the point. June was covered in powder. It was everywhere. There was no need to search it out. I found myself laughing as I skied fresh tracks through powder up to my waist. The tree skiing was ridiculous. I was catching crazy air and landing in soft powder. On the chair, I fist bumped a dude I never met, and then we slapped our gloves at one another in childish glee. It was the best powder day of the season, and we were in the midst of it.<br />
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For my one foible of the day, I cut through two half-buried trees on a vertical portion of Davos Drop under J7 and my right ski went under a buried branch. I had to clumsily stop against one of the trees, and narrowly avoided slamming my crotch into the trunk. I fell onto my back, my head pointing downhill, still clipped-in, and my right ski buried past the boot. I managed to unclip my left boot and then dug out my right ski down to the binding with a ski pole, before popping the binding. At 10,000', and almost upside down, it was exhausting, and reminded me how easy it is on a big powder day to get buried.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv7q6BlC6SE/XGC86Z1MiRI/AAAAAAAABe4/bxeSbdOZR5YBUOxlFQlgkjgZA5kDIBG9ACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_6514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bv7q6BlC6SE/XGC86Z1MiRI/AAAAAAAABe4/bxeSbdOZR5YBUOxlFQlgkjgZA5kDIBG9ACK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_6514.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Carson<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDUAIJKIIfM/XGC9eZwL88I/AAAAAAAABfM/BsEjqjBQTRg2zHZ-DMfYv_bWY1o5HqzcQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/IMG_6524.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bDUAIJKIIfM/XGC9eZwL88I/AAAAAAAABfM/BsEjqjBQTRg2zHZ-DMfYv_bWY1o5HqzcQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/IMG_6524.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
Spike Camp Trail</td></tr>
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I bailed at 1:40 p.m., my legs destroyed. I went home via 395 to CA-14 to I-5 through Los Angeles, which is mostly two lanes or more each way, rather than take the stress inducing one-lane portion of 395 for 80 miles. It took me 20 extra minutes, but was much more chill.</div>
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I can't walk very well today. My whole body is sore. I want to sell my house, buy a van and travel around the West skiing. My wife said no. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-77753750365442823322018-10-16T04:05:00.000-07:002018-10-16T04:13:45.413-07:00Tears run down my faceTears run down my face. I was thinking about running, one of those moments when fleet of foot, I feel like a knife cutting through the air, and I just started crying. I haven't really run since June 2018. Slow-healing tendinitis in the left Achilles. Perhaps one too many intervals on the track, but in any event the horse has been in the barn.<br />
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After Boston 2015, I had no desire to really run for a long time. My energies flowed to the bike, the pool, the ocean, my garden and the Eastern Sierras. However, as the wheel turned round, I found myself running to ski, and then running to run. And all of a sudden, the desire to run was back, modified, subdued, mellowed, but back.<br />
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But, now even a pedestrian effort will leave my Achilles inflamed. When I arise in the morning, half the time I feel it as I go down the stairs. "Good morning to you too, sir."<br />
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The last few months have found me in the Pacific, returning to my second passion in life - surfing, the first being skiing. Unfortunately, for whatever reason (too much surfing, too soon), I now have pain in my right foreman/elbow, and lack grip strength. Please don't shake my hand.<br />
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Perhaps the tears come from the realization that I'm 47, and I've finally and truly reached the point I can't hit it like I used too, and when I try too, my body pays a progressively steeper price, e.g. Achilles and forearm pain. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-61905157781449861162018-03-24T08:52:00.003-07:002018-03-24T08:52:34.223-07:00A Californian in Wolf Creek, ColoradoSkiing and surfing share a number of similarities. The feeling of gliding, the requirement of water (albeit frozen vs. liquid) and the chasing of the conditions requiring one to be opportunistic. When I learned my brother-in-law was getting married in Santa Fe, the ski trip wheels began to turn in my brain . . .<br />
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One of my favorite flights to take is SAN to ABQ. In 90 minutes, we were transported from the hustle and bustle of SoCal to the mellow vibe that is New Mexico. Southwest is the airline to take if skiing; the first two bags are free; and a ski bag and boot bag count as one piece of luggage. <br />
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On Thursday we flew in and my big decision was whether to upgrade from a SUV with front-wheel drive - why make such a vehicle - to one with AWD. I hemmed and hawed a bit with the Avis dude, as we talked about how he used to race motorcycles, and he cut me a deal. We drove up to Santa Fe, and checked in at La Posada, an eclectic hotel, consisting of multiple separate buildings. La Posada has mandatory valet - can't stand mandatory valet.<br />
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On Thursday night, my wife mentioned I should go skiing on Friday at Ski Santa Fe. What was I thinking!? I hadn't even thought of that. Why not? Better than Meow Wolf. Ski Santa Fe sits about a 40 minute drive from Santa Fe itself. It has one of my favorite bars, called Totemoff's, which is only accessible by chairlift - I favor barriers to entry. <br />
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The night before a couple of inches of hail-like snow fell on the mountain. It helped give a little freshness to otherwise poor conditions. It wasn't crowded and I had fun, but half-a-day was enough. Saturday was the wedding and Sunday morning I was off to Wolf Creek in southern Colorado.<br />
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The trip from Santa Fe to Wolf Creek is an interesting one. Unparalleled vistas are juxtaposed against dilapidated shacks abutting the road. On the way up to the mountain, it began to snow. Good call on the AWD upgrade. I was on the lifts by 11:00 a.m. Visibility at points was non-existent, so I stuck mostly to the groomers, which had a foot of powder. After skiing Santa Fe, which has no wireless service, I finally broke down and got Spotify, so I could store my favorites to my phone and listen to them while skiing. So glad I did, plus there's a $15.99 family plan, which I didn't know about. First up, Unforgettable Fire. <br />
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Around 2 pm, I overheard a woman who was leaving remark "tomorrow will be great!" Yes, but right now it's all-time - why not ski it? The answer: barriers to entry, people want to ski easy under blue skis and miss out on that feeling of becoming one with a mountain in a snowstorm, hearing only the "tink-tink" of the lift, as the snow muffles noise. <br />
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Wolf Creek was filled with people from Oklahoma, apparently the whole state was on spring break. I liked the Oklahomans, who were friendly, readily admit they were not the best skiers and tended to stay on the beginner lifts. <br />
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That evening, after wiping off 8" of snow from my windshield, I headed down to Pagosa Springs, where I was staying. Both Ski Santa Fe and Wolf Creek sit in the middle of national forests. As a result, there are no lodgings near the mountain and it gets a bit old driving back and forth - especially when its snowing.<br />
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Even with AWD, my Ford Edge SUV went into two slides. The first was because I moved from the somewhat plowed right lane into the covered with 4" of snow lane and slid for a few seconds before regaining control. That one was fine, as I had a 1/2 mile of runway. The second was a bit more precarious, a hairpin turn that I was taking around 20-25 mph and following two cars. The SUV went into a slide and I had visions of slow motion crash into the concrete rail. I regained control, but the euphoria of the day was somewhat dampened, and not counter-balanced by a shot of adrenaline as my body had none left to give. <br />
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That night I stayed in the High Country Lodge. My rating system for lodging is would I stay there again. I wouldn't. Don't advertise Wi-Fi if it's unusable. By accident, I only booked one night, so I took my chance and spent the next night at Hillside Inn. It was a bit beat-up, but had better Wi-Fi and I would stay there again.<br />
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The second day at Wolf Creek was the closest thing I get to a religious experience. I spent the entire day on the mountain and mostly on "Alberta", the 12 minute (very slow) quad lift that services tons of tree skiing. It was empty. I never waited in a lift line and had fresh tracks through powder all day long. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87VaP-cs2Qw/WrZbv_LlBlI/AAAAAAAABaI/Lgs-5zfDuf4kkKaGfp59k7gHdHmeXlAeQCLcBGAs/s1600/2thumbnail%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-87VaP-cs2Qw/WrZbv_LlBlI/AAAAAAAABaI/Lgs-5zfDuf4kkKaGfp59k7gHdHmeXlAeQCLcBGAs/s320/2thumbnail%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To the left is Alberta Peak; to ski this requires a hike</td></tr>
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Later that day, I was told by two locals this wasn't even any good. Like surfing, there are always those who like to say it was better yesterday. I responded that my home mountain was Mammoth, which got a lot of snow, and a foot and half of untouched powder is always good. "Yea, but the snow at Mammoth is heavier." Whatever. The 5' of 'heavy' powder that just fell at Mammoth is fine with me. Outside the ski shop, there were a few chairs made with old skis, including the Dynastars I rode when I was 16.<br />
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On my final day, it was difficult to get out of bed. My quads were shot and I was in general pain. Get to the mountain was my mantra; ibuprofen was the other. Once on Treasure lift, knowing this was my last day, my last few hours, I caught a second wind. From Treasure, the "Face" can be accessed. It's a steep, mogul filled section, that is difficult, but not extreme. For the Oklahomans this was the crucible, as I was asked multiple times if I skied the Face.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The "Face" - Fresh Tracks on Monday morning</td></tr>
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On Sunday, as I rode the lift over and over, I watched a snowboarder beneath the lift build a short ramp on the edge of a steep drop with an orange shovel. I took that ramp 30 times over the next three days, launching myself 10-15' into powder, which tones down the punishment the body takes when skiing, and for me, makes me feel 28. <br />
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Surprisingly, the Face, on Tuesday, two days after the storm, was still not skied out. Although, the snow got soft by 11:30, with the tops of the untouched powder melting. Exiting Treasure to the right leads to the option of a steep glade of trees. It was largely untouched. Game on. I stayed on Treasure, a 5 minute ride versus the 12 on Alberta, taking 20 rides in under 3 1/2 hours. My penultimate ride of the day, I took a wrong turn and had to take the Elma lift. Riding up, I knew I was done. My legs had no strength left. Time to head back, time to go home.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-10994292123923211562018-02-19T09:21:00.002-08:002018-02-19T10:30:43.700-08:00Mammoth Mountain & June Mountain - Be at the lift when it opens<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Number One Rule</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The number one rule for skiing on a crowded weekend is to be at the chairlift when it opens. This rule works, because most don't follow it. Instead, people seem to show up around 10:00 a.m., then take an hour lunch at noon and leave by 3:00 p.m. At best, they get in four hours. This makes the first 90 minutes the best skiing of the day, as the lifts are uncrowded and the corduroy is still intact. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A slightly lesser known rule is to go up Thursday night with your daughter (who feigns sickness on Friday) and ski all day, attempting to exhaust yourself into looking for a slower paced Saturday, which is what we did President's Day weekend. </span></span><br />
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<b>Whispering Pines Motel</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When getting lodging for mini-ski trips, my primary considerations are cost, location and cleanliness. From a cost perspective, Mammoth is usually out - especially on a holiday weekend, due to its good location. Whereas, June Lake, which is a 25 minute drive from Mammoth and has a lack of eateries, is significantly cheaper. </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> We picked </span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Whispering Pines Motel in June Lake, which for the holiday weekend required a three-night stay, checking in 2/16, out 2/18, for a total cost of $413.28. We stayed in room 126, which is inexplicably on the second floor. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The room consists of a bedroom, bathroom (shower, no bath) and small kitchenette, with sink, microwave, refrigerator and a non-functioning Keurig, which is fine, as I'm not a fan of pod coffee. Think 1970s motel, with almost no updates. The bed was ridiculously wavy and while we had Wi-Fi, I was unable to connect to my work VPN. But hey, I'm just looking for a step-up from camping and it was clean enough. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mammoth Mountain - Day One</b></span></span><br />
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On Friday, we hit Mammoth and "skiboarded", my term for me skiing and Kat boarding. Per Strava, we rode 28 lifts, and did 50 miles with 25,000 feet of gain. The mileage includes lifts, but it's a good metric and anything above 40 is solid day. The hill, for the most part, was empty, and we barely had any line waits.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We began the day with Chair 10 (Goldrush Express) and Kat was looking good. I then suggested we take Chair 5 (High Five Express) and come down Solitude, a "More Difficult" run that is steep, but not technical. Kat, looking up at the incline, suggested tomorrow. Believing Kat was ready for it, we proceeded to take it four times that morning. And Kat, getting comfortable with the incline, started to get fast. I prefer to carve turns, but Kat, like most thirteen-year-olds, prefers to bomb downhill. The awakening had begun.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In contrast, after lunch I went to the MDX, aka the "locker", which was parked 150 meters from Chair 2 , and pulled my snowboard out.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A few runs later, I was putting it back, having decided I no longer want to snowboard. I just don't feel as comfortable on a board like I do skis, the difference between starting something at age 7 versus 27. (Although, I started surfing at 17.) After a few runs, the skis were back on and the board will henceforth be gathering dust in my garage - a man's got to know his limitations. In the afternoon, Kat got a taste of Unbound, the terrain park with jumps and rails, and we hit it seven times in a row. Kat charged the jumps, ate it a few times, but got some decent air on a few of them. We skied to the lifts closed.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">June Mountain - Day Two</span></b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Between Probowl and Sunset</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untouched Powder</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The big decision of the trip was whether to hit Mammoth or June on Saturday. We choose June, and it was awesome. Earlier that week, both mountains had gotten 5-7 inches of snow. A local told me all the snow blew off Mammoth, while at June it stuck. I think he was right, as the snow at June was pretty fresh, and better than at Mammoth the day before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"> I was able to find a foot of powder on some runs through the trees - not a crazy amount mind you - but powder nonetheless. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">June actually consists of two summits: June and Rainbow. The top of June is all Blacks and is reached by J7, a high speed quad. The top of Rainbow is all Blues and is either reached by J6, a high speed quad, or J4, a very slow two-seater. However, four of the five Rainbow trails terminate at J4, so I avoid Rainbow and ski June summit.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0N1yt80vCos/WosAyZsvuQI/AAAAAAAABXs/uIWeAccdshQoFmKHqxJNjyrydc8-DjmPgCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5566%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0N1yt80vCos/WosAyZsvuQI/AAAAAAAABXs/uIWeAccdshQoFmKHqxJNjyrydc8-DjmPgCLcBGAs/s640/IMG_5566%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking at Rainbow Summit (10,040') from June Summit (10,090') at top of Schatzi</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Kat was ready. We headed to J7 and Kat proceeded to charge Schatzi, a Black with a steep drop, like there was no tomorrow. After a few runs, Kat was released into the wild, free to board on her own. Occasionally, as I was riding up the chair, I'd spot Kat, straight-lining it down the hill. Kat also did Sunset, a mogul filled Black.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ooE70EGg7Rw/WosCwlx1JXI/AAAAAAAABYI/rG50HOjBlIoy7a0ikUd6hO-yKZhpWThSQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5581.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ooE70EGg7Rw/WosCwlx1JXI/AAAAAAAABYI/rG50HOjBlIoy7a0ikUd6hO-yKZhpWThSQCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5581.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking up Sunset - windblown powder</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We met up for lunch at Stew Pot Slim's, which sits near the base of J7. Kat had a vegetarian sandwich, I drank an IPA, having already feasted on my smushed up P&Js. We did a few more runs together, but our skiboarding styles had become incongruent, as my carving no longer kept pace with Kat's bombing and we separated. J7 got a little busy from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., but was otherwise lineless. At one point, I took a trip back down to the base of the mountain and back up J4 to allow the line to dissipate a bit. Kat and I met up around 3:30 p.m., and skiboarded another hour together, as the mountain let the lifts run an extra 30 minutes.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBuyAajmpfE/Wor5GwKaxmI/AAAAAAAABXQ/UK7h4AT4KbkEvo3wXvIKVRtH9Z07CDgogCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBuyAajmpfE/Wor5GwKaxmI/AAAAAAAABXQ/UK7h4AT4KbkEvo3wXvIKVRtH9Z07CDgogCLcBGAs/s400/IMG_5567.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stew Pot Slim's (looking at June summit)</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, when we dropped down into the main ski area, we were met with a huge line to take J1 down to the parking lot. June Mountain, for the most part, sits mid-mountain and skiboarders need to take a lift (J1) up from the parking lot to get to the ski area proper. When the snow is good, riders can take Canyon Trail back to the parking lot, when not so good the trail is nothing but dirt and J1 needs to be taken back down. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We went into the lodge for about 40 minutes and had a bit to drink and eat, but then still had to wait another 20 minutes in line to take the lift down. All said, I put in a ridiculous 55 miles with 28 lifts and 30,000 feet of gain and Kat probably put in another 5 miles over that. I'll take the wait. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">June Mountain - Day Three</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Overnight, the wind had come up and was howling. We decided to hit June and head back to Carlsbad around noon. We were on J4 by 8:40 a.m., and took Rainbow Ridge to Spike Camp to Sunrise to J7.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLvLkZ9mSu8/WosCZTxHQKI/AAAAAAAABX4/zDfNO-avYSwYluP0SFLix_ba0ZboQC8GQCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5579.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KLvLkZ9mSu8/WosCZTxHQKI/AAAAAAAABX4/zDfNO-avYSwYluP0SFLix_ba0ZboQC8GQCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_5579.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ride up J4; Comstock directly below</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">We were first tracks on all three runs. I did 10 lifts, 17 miles and 10,000 feet of gain in a little over two hours. However, the wind had picked and all but essentially one lift, J2, was closed. As a result, when we headed back down from the June summit to the base there was an enormous line to get on the one open lift. Kat and I quickly bailed, fearing the line to get on J1 to exit the mountain would balloon within moments.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">No matter, we had skied over 120 miles in three days, and were ready to head out. In the parking lot, I was approached by a father of three, who asked me if it was cold up top. I told him, no, but that it was windy and they had closed all but one lift. He stated his family had come over from Mammoth, which was also windy, to escape the crowds. As it was, it was 11:30 a.m., he hadn't skied a lick and he was faced with the choice of either writing off the day as a sunk cost, or waiting in an hour-long lift line. That's why the number one rule for skiing on a busy weekend is to be <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">at the chairlift when it opens. </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-51176949296111177932018-01-18T11:03:00.004-08:002018-01-18T11:06:41.590-08:00Encinitas Half Marathon - Discount CodeThe <a href="https://encinitashalfmarathon.com/">Encinitas Half Marathon</a> has created a 15% discount code for the club, which is "SEHRUN15".<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-82241068429977943722018-01-15T10:52:00.002-08:002018-01-15T11:51:25.122-08:00The Legs Feed the Skiing<div>
There is a saying that the legs feed the wolf. Likewise, the legs feed the skiing and in order to feast on the mountain, I run the hills. At the same time, like a runner training for a race, my focus has heightened, with the goal being to get to Mammoth Mountain as often and as easily as possible.</div>
<div>
<b><br /></b>
<b>Season Pass</b><br />
<br />
The best way to ski Mammoth is with a season pass. At $100+ a day for lift ticket, buying a season pass in the spring for $700-800 is a no-brainer.<br />
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<b>Get and Tune Your Own Equipment</b></div>
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<br /></div>
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To get on the mountain fast, get your own equipment. Skip the hassle of renting, and buy your own equipment. If new to skiing, take a look at <a href="http://skiessentials.com/">skiessentials.com</a>, which is one of the few online ski shops that sells a complete package of boots, binding, skis and poles. Wait for a sale, and buy last's years models. Decent packages can be had for around $400 with free shipping.</div>
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The second thing is to tune your own equipment. Don't waste time and money paying someone to tune your skis - it's easy and meditative. To get a ski vise, ski iron, edger, brushes, scrappers, files, gummi stones and wax will run around $250-300. But, is well worth it. I wax and edge my skis before every trip and it makes a huge difference in the speed and handling of the skis.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski Tuning Equipment</td></tr>
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<b>Pack Your Bags </b></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Bfif5xAaFE/WlzswE-Y_VI/AAAAAAAABVM/mbePMYwEsQAbhqeTVhDx4moxS7L7cWrjwCLcBGAs/s1600/Edna-Mode-Luck-favors-the-prepared.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="948" height="132" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3Bfif5xAaFE/WlzswE-Y_VI/AAAAAAAABVM/mbePMYwEsQAbhqeTVhDx4moxS7L7cWrjwCLcBGAs/s200/Edna-Mode-Luck-favors-the-prepared.png" width="200" /></a>Chasing snow is like chasing waves, it's unpredictable. Therefore, its best to be prepared to ski at a moment's notice. To that end, my ski stuff is always ready to go. I keep a bag with my hat, gloves, googles, socks, long underwear and face mask packed. To skip the mental anguish of remembering what to bring, I look at a photograph of a typical set of ski clothing for the day: </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ski clothing for a day</td></tr>
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<b>Carpe Diem</b><br />
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Seize the moment. Have a meeting in Los Angeles, which is 60-90 minutes closer to Mammoth than San Diego? Did it just snow a foot two days before? Then go skiing. On the left is the view from my office in LA. I prefer the view on the right, which is 395 North, with the Eastern Sierras in the foreground.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJdHkAdzaDc/WlzhReGBnNI/AAAAAAAABUA/27KsspnziGES0K9UdtEYHHTg1pfzxbgfwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bJdHkAdzaDc/WlzhReGBnNI/AAAAAAAABUA/27KsspnziGES0K9UdtEYHHTg1pfzxbgfwCLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5443.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTVN22S9dVg/WlzhQkyrxgI/AAAAAAAABT8/3Bd0ttWN6IMYYskznOe6TTy4avIC81hZACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_5438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTVN22S9dVg/WlzhQkyrxgI/AAAAAAAABT8/3Bd0ttWN6IMYYskznOe6TTy4avIC81hZACLcBGAs/s200/IMG_5438.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Lodging</b><br />
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<b><br /></b>
Lodging in and around Mammoth is varied. I've stayed in condos on the mountain, houses in June Lake and dive motels in Bishop. My favorite, from a cost perspective, is the Double Eagle Resort & Spa in June Lake. Yes, it's a 25 minute drive to the mountain, but it's quiet, clean and the rooms are spacious. This trip, a two-night stay cost $412.61, all in. </div>
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<b>The Payoff</b></div>
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Friday, 1/12/18 was a good day. Mammoth was empty. I was the first skier on the Gold Rush Express, which opened at 8:26 a.m. I finished my last run around 4:15 p.m. Strava put me at a personal best of 56.6 miles, which includes going up the chair lifts. Saturday was crowded. However, I stayed up on the higher lifts, then drifted over to the Backside around 11:00. I then made my way back to the Mill, where I was parked, around 1:00 p.m. I was about to split, when I noticed that while the Stump Alley Express was super-crowded, no one was waiting for Gold Rush. Once at mid-mountain, the line for the High Five Express was almost non-existent, so I kept skiing at notched another 40 miles on burning quads. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-49279980631615643462016-07-15T21:20:00.002-07:002016-07-15T22:37:20.281-07:00Soccer IntervalsToday I did a new workout of my own invention. I warmed up for a bit and then accelerated for ten seconds, followed by ten seconds at a more relaxed pace. I estimate I accelerated twenty times during the workout. Total time, 19:40. Total distance, 2.6 mi. Fastest pace, 4:29.<br />
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I like to run fast and during my last round of training, I just wasn't getting in the speed workouts, turning running from a joy into a chore. At the moment, I'm just running. I'm not training for anything in particular and have nothing on the horizon. I'm not concerned about peaking, injury or tomorrow's workout. I run when I want, how I want. This may not be the best way to nail down PRs, but it's fun. I also believe intervals are absolutely necessary to achieve PRs at any distance, be that 100 meters or 10 miles. </div>
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During the run, I began to think about what type of athlete would benefit from such a workout. Soccer players instantly popped into my mind. Soccer players make repeated sprints lasting no more than ten seconds while running 5-8 miles during a game. At the same time, the players tend not to sprint from a hard stop, as they are already moving. </div>
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Therefore, the workout replicates and intensifies what happens on the field. I'm guessing the average period of acceleration is more like 3-5 seconds (I say this from watching hundreds of games), not 10. As such, running at speed for 10 seconds is pushing the athlete beyond game conditions. Moreover, I'm guessing the average rest after a sprinting foray is at least 30 seconds, not 10, again pushing the athlete beyond game conditions. </div>
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The benefits of this workout include:</div>
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<ul>
<li>Physiological: the athlete will push their heart rate close to the maximum repeatedly, with a short period of recovery in between;</li>
<li>Mental: the athlete becomes accustomed to willing themselves to sprint repeatedly for short burts; and</li>
<li>Mechanics: the athlete (hopefully) begins to naturally learn the running mechanics necessary to transition from a jog to a sprint on the soccer field by doing it over and over again during training</li>
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After looking online, I've seen somewhat similar workouts specifically designed for soccer players, but with the athletes running for 30 seconds or more, with recovery periods of 60 seconds or more. Without having any science behind me, I have to scratch my head. If the average sprint on the field is only 3-5 seconds, why have the player sprint for ten times that amount? It makes no sense. Do 200 meter sprinters do repeated intervals of 2,000 meters? Certainly not. Point is, design the workout to replicate the action of the athlete on the field. </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-34449222373166363392016-01-13T19:10:00.003-08:002016-01-13T19:10:51.949-08:00Aaron Nowlin Men's Champ<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Aaron Nowlin is a beast. So he deserves to hold the Ibex Cup, which is a beast of unknown origin, for 2015. Let's see who can wrest it from his grasp in 2016. </div>
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<br />Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314198326533196589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-45706117568714437802015-12-30T17:31:00.003-08:002015-12-30T17:45:24.146-08:00IBEX CUP - WINNERS<h3 style="text-align: center;">
2015 </h3>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
IBEX CUP </h2>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
WINNERS</h3>
<b>Men's Division</b><br />
Aaron Nowlin<br />
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<b>Women's Division</b><br />
Emma Liljenback<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Iron Ibex*</b><br />
Greg Fall<br />
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*Completed all three stages in one day, along with 30 miles - you crazy Greg!<br />
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Congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Ibex Cup and thank you to all who have participated. The trophies and/or plaques are en route for the Men's and Women's Division. (Greg, I'm skipping giving you a trophy this time.)<br />
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While we might not have had an enormous number of runners, great things start small. Hopefully, in one form of another, the event will continue to grow. At the same time, the purpose of the Ibex Cup was achieved -- people laced up their shoes and got after it. <br />
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The Ibex Cup shows that there is no need for organized races, as the true runners know the only race that matters is the one against themselves, e.g. can you push yourself when no one is looking?<br />
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Along the way, I learned a few lessons. GPS watches can be a bit fickle. I stood too close to the starting line for one of the climbs while I stretched and got an additional ten minutes added to my time. As Erik found out, you have to run through and a good way past the finish line to ensure your "position" is picked up as past the finish line. (Erik - you still finished ahead of me, so no whining.) The GPS might have you twenty feet behind the line, when in fact you're twenty feet past it. <br />
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Another issue is corrupted data. Occasionally the data on my watch gets corrupted and cannot be uploaded. That didn't happen, but it would be most unfortunate if one were to leave it all on the trail so to speak and not be able to upload the stage.<br />
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For me, it was difficult to actually motivate three weeks running (no pun intended). Even though the last two stages were only a mile each, I had to drag myself to complete those two stages. Perhaps it had something to do with running the 3.6 mile stage twice. Ugh!<br />
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Finally, I took 4th place, which is all I've ever wanted in my f***ed up life . . . <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nzur2Yo4xPI">Semi Pro - 4th place</a>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314198326533196589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-4643650961538884542015-11-30T10:33:00.001-08:002015-12-18T19:49:11.738-08:00IBEX CUP: Preliminary & Unofficial Results<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">IBEX CUP</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ws39dY6U9WM/VmEF62z__BI/AAAAAAAAACM/nC2lgCg5_SY/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ws39dY6U9WM/VmEF62z__BI/AAAAAAAAACM/nC2lgCg5_SY/s1600/download.jpg" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>OVERALL</b></span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>MEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
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<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Aaron Nowlin 3 (1+1+1)</b></div>
Jay Randall 6 (2+2+2)<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div>
Erik Dekold 10 (3+4+3)<br />
John Fraher 12 (4+3+5)<br />
Martin Liljenback 14 (5+5+5)<br />
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<b>WOMEN'S DIVISION</b></div>
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<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
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<b>Emma Liljenback 4 (1+1+2)</b><br />
Melissa Power 5 (2+2+1)<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>TELESCOPE CLIMB - 11/28/15-12/4/15</b></span><br />
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<b>MEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
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<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
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Aaron Nowlin 29:37 1<br />
Jay Randall 31:00 2<br />
Erik Dekold 32:12 3 <br />
John Fraher 32:53 4<br />
<div>
Martin Liljenback 34:25 5<br />
Jesus Garcia-Fernandez 36:25 6 </div>
Nick Nudell 51:42 7<br />
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<b>WOMEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
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<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
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Emma Liljenback 47:01 1<br />
Melissa Power 51:42 2<br />
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<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>DENNING ROAD CLIMB - 12/5/15-12/11/15</b></span><br />
<b><br /></b><b>MEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
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<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
<br />
Aaron Nowlin 8:38 1<br />
Jay Randall 9:12 2<br />
John Fraher 9:48 3<br />
Erik Dekold 9:54 4<br />
Martin Liljenback 10:12 5<br />
Jesus Garcia-Fernandez 10:32 6 <br />
<br />
<b>WOMEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
<br />
<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
<br />
Emma Liljenback 13:21 1<br />
Melissa Power 13:22 2<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>POST TO PILLAR - 12/12/15-12/18/15</b></span><br />
<b><br /></b><b>MEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
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<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
<br />
Aaron Nowlin 5:59* 1<br />
Jay Randall 6:13* 2<br />
Erik Dekold 7:01* 3<br />
Martin Liljenback 7:39* 4 <br />
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John Fraher 9:48 5</div>
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<b>WOMEN'S DIVISION</b><br />
<br />
<u><b>Runner Time Points</b></u><br />
<br />
Melissa Power 9:06 1<br />
<div>
Emma Liljenback 10:16 2</div>
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*The above-listed time is not yet an official time, as the participant has not sent in their time and the window on this stage has not closed, rather the time was taken from Strava. To the extent the participant does not improve their time before the window closes, the above-noted time will become the official time.Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314198326533196589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-48851144077350850712015-11-11T17:26:00.002-08:002015-11-11T17:26:24.099-08:00Discussion on headlamps<ol class="thread" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #666666; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; list-style: none; margin: 0px; max-height: 400px; min-height: 200px; overflow: auto; padding: 10px 20px;">
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<li style="border-top-style: none; box-shadow: none; clear: both; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px; padding: 10px 30px 10px 34px; position: relative;"><span class="comment" style="display: block; line-height: 1.4em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="athlete-name" href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/4741588" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration: none; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease;">Martin Liljenback</a> <div style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;">
I'm looking to get some rechargeable headlamp that isn't close to dying after 1h. </div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T03:39:55Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">22 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100419505" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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PrincetonTec Vizz</div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T06:01:42Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">19 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100426367" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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Not rechargeable tho. You can order some Ayups from Australia</div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T06:02:33Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">19 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100426412" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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I was looking at this one: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FOB7LNO" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease; vertical-align: bottom;">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FOB7LNO</a></div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T06:59:11Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">18 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100429173" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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might be a tad heavy? This is highly recommended by a few famous ultra runner and adventure racer friends and it's on sale AND it matches the SEHRC colors!: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Tec-Vizz-Headlamp-Red/dp/B00UAACHCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1447227303&sr=1-1&keywords=princeton+tec+vizz" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease; vertical-align: bottom;">http://www.amazon.com/Princeton-Tec-Vizz-Headlamp-Red/dp/B00UAACHCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1447227303&sr=1-1&keywords=princeton+tec+vizz</a></div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T07:37:38Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">18 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100431681" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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Petzl Tikka Rxp rechargeable is what I use. It's great,long battery life and the reactive lighting is a great feature.<a href="http://www.rei.com/product/860106/petzl-tikka-rxp-headlamp" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease; vertical-align: bottom;">http://www.rei.com/product/860106/petzl-tikka-rxp-headlamp</a></div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T15:31:41Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">10 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100474769" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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Yea the large one with the battery pack is probably not a good idea. I'll check out those lighter ones.</div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T17:10:15Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">8 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100487034" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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Black Diamond ReVolt seems good: <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/875356/black-diamond-revolt-headlamp" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none; text-overflow: ellipsis; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease; vertical-align: bottom;">http://www.rei.com/product/875356/black-diamond-revolt-headlamp</a></div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T18:39:32Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">7 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100500244" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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Looks like an REI branded item? Probably decent.</div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T18:44:00Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">7 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100500919" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
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Petzl NAO if you run long. Battle tested. </div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-11T23:47:12Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">2 hours ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100548744" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
<li style="border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px inset; clear: both; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px; padding: 10px 30px 10px 34px; position: relative;"><a class="avatar avatar-athlete avatar-sm" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -34px; position: relative; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease; width: 24px;"><img alt="Martin Liljenback" src="https://dgalywyr863hv.cloudfront.net/pictures/athletes/4741588/1735027/3/medium.jpg" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-radius: 50%; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; height: 24px; line-height: 1.2em; width: 24px;" title="Martin Liljenback" /></a><span class="comment" style="display: block; line-height: 1.4em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="athlete-name" href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/4741588" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration: none; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease;">Martin Liljenback</a> <div style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;">
Yea, the NAO 2 does seem like a winner, but that price though at $150+ :| ReVolt might be a bit dim, but with a >4h run length it's probably good enough (at least until you don't see that rattle snake :)</div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-12T00:24:39Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">59 minutes ago</time></span><a class="remove topright" data-comment-id="100552365" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="background-image: url(https://d3nn82uaxijpm6.cloudfront.net/assets/sprites/sprites-application-add9b1f6b2c46e67148e46579a07db18.png); background-position: -450px -60px; background-repeat: no-repeat; border: none; color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; height: 12px; line-height: 1em; opacity: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; position: absolute; right: 0px; text-indent: -999em; top: 10px; transition: none; vertical-align: baseline; width: 12px;" title="Delete this comment">Remove</a></li>
<li style="border-top-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgb(255, 255, 255) 0px 1px 0px inset; clear: both; margin: 0px; min-height: 24px; padding: 10px 30px 10px 34px; position: relative;"><a class="avatar avatar-athlete avatar-sm" href="https://www.blogger.com/null" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline-block; float: left; height: 24px; margin: 0px 0px 0px -34px; position: relative; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease; width: 24px;"><img alt="Greg Ottinger" src="https://dgalywyr863hv.cloudfront.net/pictures/athletes/4036135/1492600/6/medium.jpg" style="background-color: whitesmoke; border-radius: 50%; border: 0px; font-size: 10px; height: 24px; line-height: 1.2em; width: 24px;" title="Greg Ottinger" /></a><span class="comment" style="display: block; line-height: 1.4em; word-break: break-word;"><a class="athlete-name" href="https://www.strava.com/athletes/4036135" style="color: #007fb6; cursor: pointer; display: inline; text-decoration: none; transition: border 0.1s ease, box-shadow 0.1s ease, background-color 0.1s ease, opacity 0.1s ease;">Greg Ottinger</a> <div style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-top: 20px;">
I have the ReVolt and the Tikka Rxp as well. Go with the Tikka. The reactive lighting is really nice and saves battery life. </div>
<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-12T00:32:44Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;">51 minutes ago</time></span></li>
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<time class="timeago" datetime="2015-11-12T00:32:44Z" style="color: #999999; font-size: 11px;"><br /></time></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-73120264455019502352015-11-10T10:54:00.000-08:002015-11-30T10:46:26.007-08:00IBEX CUP<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Ibex Cup</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>2015</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1omhjUrWrM/VkJRx77pF7I/AAAAAAAAABU/tFGtkkvvY_Q/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-o1omhjUrWrM/VkJRx77pF7I/AAAAAAAAABU/tFGtkkvvY_Q/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The inaugural running of the Ibex Cup will take place between November 28 to December 18. The Ibex Cup will consist of one climb a week for three weeks, as follows (click on the empty rectangle to see the climb):</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Telescope Climb</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>November 28-December 4 </u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b><br /></b><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strava.com/segments/8001635/embed" width="560"></iframe>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Denning Road Climb</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>December 5-December 11</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="405" scrolling="no" src="http://www.strava.com/segments/7328582/embed" width="560"></iframe><br /></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Post to Pillar</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><u>December 12-December 18 </u> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Selection of Climbs</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The three climbs were chosen to represent distinct geographical areas of SEH, for simplicity of course, as well as to offer a variety of climbs.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Scoring</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Points will be awarded to runners equal to the position in which they cross the finish line (first place gets 1 point, second place gets 2 points, etc.) The maximum number of points for a segment will be capped at 10 points. Thus, the lowest possible score is 3 points; the maximum possible score is 30 points. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">The points for each climbing segment will be summed and the low score wins. In the event of a points tie, lowest combined running time will serve as the tie-break.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Rules</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Runners will have one week to complete a specific climbing segment, as noted above. Upon completion of a climb, runners are to send a Strava link of their climbing segment to sehrunclub@yahoo.com. Runs that are not submitted via Strava will not be processed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">To send the segment, click on the run, then click "Segments" on left side of page, segments for the run will then come up, then click on the appropriate segment, it will look something like: "http://www.strava.com/activities/186347156/segments/10286084461", then copy and paste </span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">into the email.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Runners may run any climb during the respective window as many times as they wish. However, the first time emailed will be the recorded time. <u>Runners have 48 hours to submit their Strava segment following the window closing</u>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Alternatively, the segment will be date searched via Strava and the best time of a participant will be scored - meaning just run the segment, we'll take care of the rest.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Results</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Results will be updated on the blog as segments are received and as my schedule allows.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><b>Divisions</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">There will be a men's and women's division. The top finisher of each division will receive a trophy cup. There are no age groupings. </span>Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314198326533196589noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-80645810011768689262015-08-21T21:56:00.002-07:002015-08-22T04:05:02.822-07:00Three Beers InIt's 9:24 p.m. Friday night. I'm three beers in and on to orange juice and Gatorade. Ran into a client that I put out of harm's way this evening. He bought me a beer for my troubles. No trouble at all, that's my job.<br />
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Told me he's a runner. I told him I used to run. He asked a bit more, I gave him a bit more. He was impressed. Funny, I don't find myself impressive. He wanted to run with me. I set up a run. Work intervened, he can't make it. I'm running anyway. Legs are faded. Focus now on cycling. Two sports are completely unrelated. Whatever. I'm booked for a Sunday morning of pain. <br />
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Cycling is a bringing me joy. Reminding me of what I used to be and I used to be a crazy mofo, playing in traffic, running lights, attacking cars. Been back on the bike for about two months. Legs starting to come back, but nowhere like they used to be, but starting to feel the flow.<br />
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Excited. Go to bed, wanting to get up and ride. Boston killed me. No desire to run. Associate with pain. Feel like a dog that was whipped. Cycling makes me feel alive. Feels like running three years ago, before running became a job.<br />
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Riding tomorrow. Excited. Hope it lasts.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-90258602474122733372015-05-23T17:14:00.000-07:002015-05-23T17:14:05.622-07:005,698' of gain and 24 miles<br />
Dennis and Martin kicked off the Memorial Day weekend by running 24 miles with 5,698' of gain. I saw them towards the end of their run at the beginning of my bike ride. The pair were on their way to 7-11 where they actually got Gatorade, not Slurpees. Nice effort boys. Here are a few pictures from Dennis (official club photographer) of the ridiculously beautiful place we call home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRQ9ZVBjpLE/VWEWL6uM3MI/AAAAAAAABOo/7bKKPblM2Tk/s1600/FullSizeRender1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TRQ9ZVBjpLE/VWEWL6uM3MI/AAAAAAAABOo/7bKKPblM2Tk/s320/FullSizeRender1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing blue.</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fse2sXQscjc/VWEWL_xp_gI/AAAAAAAABOk/vIrOJ52p4CY/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fse2sXQscjc/VWEWL_xp_gI/AAAAAAAABOk/vIrOJ52p4CY/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMc7y3HIh-E/VWEWMWgyqmI/AAAAAAAABO8/g3SDA-_UGoY/s1600/IMG_6527.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IMc7y3HIh-E/VWEWMWgyqmI/AAAAAAAABO8/g3SDA-_UGoY/s320/IMG_6527.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_p9QrCohs9U/VWEWMX7tTSI/AAAAAAAABOw/NyWQSvFFm80/s1600/IMG_6528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_p9QrCohs9U/VWEWMX7tTSI/AAAAAAAABOw/NyWQSvFFm80/s320/IMG_6528.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dennis</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-14649617735705807582015-05-17T14:06:00.002-07:002015-05-17T14:57:18.575-07:00ESPN Breaking News - Name Change for SEHRCAs you've probably already seen on ESPN, SERHC has changed it's name from San Elijo Hills Running Club to San Elijo Hills Running & Cycling. Thanks to Erik the Bykviking for coming up with the simple, yet brilliant name change. If we add another sport, things might get complicated, but we will cross that bridge with my next injury. <br />
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When I first started the club, I debated what sports it should include. I decided to keep it just for running. Three years later, a torn meniscus and running burn-out I find myself back on a bike. If the running club was started for my son, the cycling club is definitely for my daughter.<br />
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From the time she first got on a bike, this girl has had no fear. For those not in the know, the difference between a good cyclist and a great cyclist is the ability to ride without fear. Whether bombing down a mountain side or riding with a pack of forty, a cyclist needs to put aside the fact they are on the edge of disaster.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_b5WuIdcANk/VVj-FE0Il7I/AAAAAAAABNc/14XGpCv8yvE/s1600/kat%2Bon%2Ba%2Bbike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_b5WuIdcANk/VVj-FE0Il7I/AAAAAAAABNc/14XGpCv8yvE/s320/kat%2Bon%2Ba%2Bbike.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kat on a bike.</td></tr>
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At the same time, I've noticed a uptick in the number of runners getting on a bike. So why not? Out here in San Elijo, we have an awesome network of trails, which are just as good for the runner as well as the rider. Looking forward to rebuilding my quads and my cycling wardrobe. Keep it dirty. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XbL6YpgSRU/VVj-G1QIgfI/AAAAAAAABNk/9JlZBrBOn0Y/s1600/11247632_105895846411404_1893195686_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9XbL6YpgSRU/VVj-G1QIgfI/AAAAAAAABNk/9JlZBrBOn0Y/s320/11247632_105895846411404_1893195686_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A rabbit and a horse.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2MAqc4Wl6Y/VVj-JX3uJYI/AAAAAAAABNs/Ruh0T3HfKUQ/s1600/11259775_824672727626763_321284110_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J2MAqc4Wl6Y/VVj-JX3uJYI/AAAAAAAABNs/Ruh0T3HfKUQ/s320/11259775_824672727626763_321284110_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountain biker in retro road kit</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-64439654522382175602015-05-16T12:47:00.001-07:002015-05-16T12:50:49.528-07:00Marathons, menisci and MRIsMy Boston Marathon experience left me be beat and dejected. Weather aside, how could I fall apart so completely after the best training cycle of my life?<br />
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After a few days of moping, I got the itch to go running again. I was patient and waited ten days. On the tenth day, I dropped a car off for service and planned to run the six miles back to my house. The first 1.7 miles were okay, other than I felt a little slow, but hey, this was a warm-up.<br />
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At mile 1.71, I felt pain in the outside of my left knee. Ever the optimist, I walked for a bit and then ran for about twenty seconds. As each one of those twenty seconds passed, the pain increased until it was intolerable. As I was still four miles from my house, I did this about twenty times, hoping the pain would work itself out. It didn't. I then gave up and walked the remaining four miles home. This was not a fun experience. Towards the end, I even felt pain while I was walking.<br />
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I called my primary care physician the next day. I told his staff I was pretty sure I tore my left meniscus and needed a MRI. My doctor is good about these things. He didn't make me come in so I could tell him in person I think I tore my meniscus. He's known me for a long time and even reads this blog on occasion. He also knows I previously tore my left ACL and my left and right menisci. He put in for approval with my insurance carrier that day. It takes 10-12 working days for the carrier to approve, which translates into three weeks. I still haven't heard. <br />
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In the meantime, hoping against hope, I waited a couple days and ran again. The pain came on around mile one. I waited another five days. This time I made it for twelve minutes before the pain said, "hello".<br />
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Professional athletes have a better time of it. Feel a tinge in your knee? Within a day the MRI has been done, and if its a torn meniscus, the surgery is done a day later, if no swelling.<br />
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Contrast that to the general public. Meet with primary care physician (I skipped this step), get insurance approval for MRI, make MRI appointment, have MRI done, meet with orthopedist, get approval for surgery, make appointment for surgery and have the surgery. I'm guessing this will take a minimum of two months.<br />
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This might not seem like much, but when you're in the best shape of the last ten years of your life, it seems like an eternity. I want to run. I want to put a new race on the calendar and start a new training cycle, knowing I'm a smarter and stronger runner than I was six months ago. But the knee says, "nope".<br />
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I'm also placed in the odd position of wanting my meniscus to be torn. This would explain why I fell apart at Boston. At the same time it adds a nice asterisk to my performance, "I ran a 3:11, but I ran the last ten miles with a torn meniscus". <br />
<br />
In the meantime, I've discovered I can ride a bike without pain, so I'm back on the bike.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-91055744137380403242015-04-22T19:21:00.001-07:002015-04-22T19:21:54.073-07:00BOSTON MARATHON 2015: A runner’s perspective<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2149"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Boston.</span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2149"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2158"><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People keep telling me congratulations. They are impressed that I finished the marathon. For me, I’m disappointed. I wanted to run under three hours. Instead, I ran <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://0" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="0">a 3:11</a>. For Boston, I had trained harder than ever in my life. I felt at the very least I would break my PR of <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://1" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">3:06</a>.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It would be easy to chalk it up to the weather, 42 degrees, 20 mph headwinds and rain. Perhaps it was the rain, maybe it wasn’t. Maybe I just had a bad day. It’s hard to say.</span></div><div align="center" style="text-align: start; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. . .</b></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I flew out <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://2" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">Friday night</a>. My brother Tom picked me up at Logan and took me to his home in Andover, north of Boston. For the next two days, I was fed and pampered. I had hoped my early arrival would allow me to adjust to the time change. It didn’t. The two hour afternoon nap on Saturday probably didn’t help. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">On Saturday, before the nap, I picked up a pair of arm warmers for $4.97 at a local running store. I thought the running gods must be smiling down on me. I then ran easy for 20 minutes and did six strides. My brother then drove me down to Boston and I picked up my bib and the ridiculously overpriced $110 purple Boston Marathon jacket. Thanks B.A.A. for the price gouge. I returned to his home for a lasagna dinner, courtesy of my sister-in-law Julia. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://5" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="5">On Sunday morning</a>, my brother joined me for a 30 minute easy run. Then eggs, pancakes, potatoes, bacon, sausage and strawberries. We then went back to Boston and had an early dinner at Bertuccis with a bunch of runners from San Diego. After dinner, I went to my room at the Nine Zero, a hotel in downtown Boston, with a $50 rate courtesy of my brother, the general manager. At this point, things were going too well. Everything was perfect. At some point, something had to go not perfect. </span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font color="#000000"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://7" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="7">Monday morning</a> I got up. The forecast was vacillating from rain and no rain. I knew in my heart it would be rain. I knew the day would be hard. I hopped in a cab and met Jim McNevin and some others from San Diego at the Buckminster Hotel. McNevin had arranged a limo-bus to take us to the start. We all piled in and the spirits were high. No rain yet. We got dropped off in a parking lot. We then had to board a bus that took us a few miles into Hopkinton. On that bus, rain began to hit the windshield.</span></font></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once in Hopkinton, McNevin took all fifteen of us to a friend’s house, a ¼ mile from the start. For the next hour or so, we hung out, ate, used the bathroom and stretched a bit. Besides us, there was another 15 or so runners ready to brave the conditions.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I walked to the start with a woman named Jill and McNevin. McNevin then went one way, Jill and I another. Jill handed me a pack of espresso energy gel and went to corral eight. I was then alone and made my way to corral seven. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It was <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://8" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="8">9:45 a.m.</a> The race started <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://9" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="9">at 10:00 a.m.</a>, with the elite men heading out first. The runners around me started to take off their outer layers. Many of them wearing goodwill specials. I was wearing a Lick-Wilmerding track suit I got back in 1998 when I coached the boys and girls sprint teams. (We took first that year, by the way.) The track suit had sat untouched in my closet for the past 15 years. I figured it was time for it to go. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The national anthem was then sung. <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://10" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="10">At 9:55</a>, I took off the track suit and placed it in a plastic donation bag. No good byes to my old friend. The gun then sounded and the runners in corrals one through eight slowly marched forward to the start line to dual with their destinies. As we crossed the start line, our timing chips activated.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The race then began. Spread out before me was a sea of people. I was bib number 6104, so there was about 6,000 people in front of me. This may not seem like a lot, but the road, for as far as I could see, was filled with people. There was no room to pass or maneuver without much effort.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">This was quite different than Carlsbad 2014. I started that marathon in front and within a mile was almost alone. Boston was a different animal. Packed in, the race never really opened up, until we turned onto Boylston, which is the home stretch. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I ran according to plan. <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://11" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="11">7:24</a>, <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://12" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="12">7:06</a>, <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://13" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="13">7:10</a> for the first three miles. I was running into the race, as there was no warm-up. Mile four: <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://14" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="14">6:44</a>. Things were good, but in the back of my mind, something was wrong. Although I was trying to run slow, I felt I was running too slow. Then it began to rain and the wind began to blow. I was wearing a singlet, arm warmers, gloves, running shorts, ankle socks, a beanie and Hoka Cliftons. It was not enough. I regretted not wearing my running tights or taking Advil before the race. In retrospect, I’m not sure it would have made any difference.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I continued to run. My clothes slowly became soaked. The first 13 miles I was on pace. 90 minutes. I thought, sub-three is possible, but I knew it wasn’t. I had tossed my gloves around mile 10. That was a mistake as I could now no longer feel my hands. Wet gloves would have been better than no gloves. My quads were also numb. I had no feeling in them. The rain and wind had done their job. I just could not accelerate like I wanted. I was not tired, hungry or red-lining. I just did not have it. This was a miserable feeling. Imagine taking a cold shower in your running clothes and then going running. That was Boston 2015.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The crowds cheered, but I didn’t give a shit. I wished they weren’t there. I wished I was alone, so I could deal with my devastation in solitude. Why were they cheering me? I was failing. For the non-marathoner it seems impressive to run a marathon. For the marathoner, it’s not about running the marathon, it’s about hitting a goal. This was my first taste of defeat.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Carlsbad 2013, goal: finish. I finished. Carlsbad 2014, goal: qualify for Boston. I qualified. Boston 2015, goal: sub-three. I failed. I failed by 11 minutes. Fuck the wind. Fuck the rain. I failed. The watch does not lie. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The last thirteen miles were an exercise in frustration. I tried to run faster. I could for a bit and then the legs slowed. Around mile 17, my left knee began to ache. This was a bit concerning, as I ripped my ACL a few years ago. Not only was the knee aching, it felt like it was grinding. Good times. Worried that I was doing permanent damage to my knee is not a fun way to run a race. But what choice did I have? I had to keep going.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The last five miles I wanted to quit. Meanwhile, my pace kept increasing. Sub-three was out the window. I still had a hope of a PR, but that soon enough fell by the wayside like a crumpled green Gatorade cup.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I kept running and ran down the finishing straight. I didn’t even enjoy that. I was wet, cold and feeling sorry for myself. I managed to raise my arms at the finish and walked into the receiving line. It had been raining, now it began to pour. First up was water and Gatorade. I didn’t need any, I needed a blanket. I was completely wet and shaking. To get the blanket, I had to hobble another 300 meters, past the energy bars, protein drinks, food bags and the medal handout. Word of advice race organizers, hand out the blankets first next time.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Once the blanket was on, I walked with similarly silver clad runners to get out of the race finish area. While walking, I heard race officials on the public address urging us to continue walking forward. Really? Like we wanted to hang out in the street in driving rain, half-naked and shivering? I felt like a character in some futuristic sci-fi movie that was being driven like a cow by aliens that had overcome the planet.</span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I finally exited the corral and saw my brother. He had my clothes. He dressed me, as my hands no longer worked. We walked about two blocks towards a restaurant where some other runners from San Diego were going to meet. As I limped, my knee grinding, all I could say over and over again, was, “that sucked.” I was laughing like a madman. I saw a pedi-cab. I got in it. Even though the restaurant was now only a block and a half away, I felt like I couldn’t make it. </span></div><div style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">We got to the restaurant and took a table. I headed into the bathroom. I changed out of my running shorts and into some jeans. I felt like I had just spent the day skiing. Back at the table, I had some clam chowder and drank some beer. For the next hour, my body shook. I’m not sure if I had hypothermia, but if I didn’t, I must have been damn close. </span></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2160" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2159" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">In the restaurant, I saw three of my running buddies from San Diego. The consensus on the marathon: “that sucked.” For me, hands down, the marathon was the worst running experience of my life. Running those last five miles, wet and miserable and knowing the goal I had trained for was unattainable was devastating. I had never worked so hard for anything in my life, to fail was an indictment of myself. </font></div><div align="center" style="text-align: start; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">. . .</b></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2162" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2161" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A day, two IPAs and two Advil later, my mindset has changed. Boston, you may have crushed me for the day, a day and half tops, but with the help of some Lagunitas IPA and a federally approved over the counter pain reliever, I’m done crying. I did finish 4380 out of 30,000 participants. I had improved my starting position by about 1,724 runners. I had run the marathon in a wind adjusted temperature of 34 degrees. </font></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2157" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2156" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m thinking about running another marathon. If I do, I will run under <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://15" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="15">3:00</a>. Whether I do that at an officially sanctioned marathon or my own North County Coast Bandit Marathon, I will do it.</font></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2164" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2163" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">First step, run more. 50 miles a week just isn’t enough. But it takes time to ramp up the mileage. The body can only absorb so much at a time. I’m still a baby runner, but I know I’m stronger than I was four months ago. Time to keep it going. To that end, I might be pacing Greg Fall in the PCT 50 for about 20 miles <a href="x-apple-data-detectors://16" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="16">on May 9</a><sup><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://16" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="16">th</a></sup><a href="x-apple-data-detectors://16" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="calendar-event" x-apple-data-detectors-result="16">.</a> Perhaps a bit early to get back on the horse, but in my semi-drunken state it seems like the right course of action.</font></div><div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2166" style="margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><font id="yui_3_16_0_1_1429754483964_2165" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">For an Irishmen, every great idea begins with a pint . . .</font></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-6907273534086284772015-04-19T15:50:00.001-07:002015-04-19T15:50:19.490-07:00Boston, finding myself thereThis one is for Leo. Fall told me to run for myself tomorrow. Good advice. But in running for myself, a part of me will be running for Leo. <div><br></div><div>Its been a long journey from my bike messenger days. Wasted trips, detours and delays, but tomorrow the path is clear. </div><div><br></div><div>I have battled my demons and hold them at bay. Leo was not so lucky. The demons won. </div><div><br></div><div>Fortunately I made a movie and Leo became the star of it. His off the cuff comments about messengering became seared into my brain after hours of editing. My favorite:</div><div><br></div><div>"Being unaffected by headwinds . . . When you're better, faster, something -than topography, geography and physics, you're there man."</div><div><br></div><div>I hope to find myself 'there' tomorrow. </div><div><br></div><div>Thanks for being a star Leo. </div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-82541610648576085532015-04-14T21:23:00.000-07:002015-04-14T21:23:49.655-07:00TaperMonday. Run 90 minutes easy. I ran 72 minutes.<br />
<br />
Tuesday. Run 60 minutes easy. I ran 31 minutes.<br />
<br />
Last 30 seconds of Tuesday, it came back. The legs wanted to run, run fast. <br />
<br />
Now I'm packing. The energy level is rising. Can't way to run Boston.<br />
<br />
I ran so much, I got sick of running. I hit the taper with the desire at its lowest, which means I hit it perfect. Now have to pull back on those reins, but tomorrow I get to run 4 x 1200. Going to open the throttle and have some fun.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-87024437662330442932015-03-20T20:51:00.000-07:002015-04-06T09:13:21.340-07:00Where the Streets Have No NameI got out of the car on Wednesday and brushed my hand against the inside of my right knee. I felt pain. I thought, this is odd. Upon inspection, it was swollen. Not sure what caused it. Perhaps it was running more than I've ever run in my life.<br />
<br />
That night I was supposed to do a quality workout. In the words of the LAPD, in relation to the U2 video for the <i>Where the Streets Have No Name</i> "we're shutting the location down. There is no vote. It happens now."<br />
<br />
I shut it down. I put the horse back in the barn. I've been icing the knee ever since. Not sure what happened. Just know it be super silly to run and injure myself such that Boston was a no-go. Didn't run Wednesday, Thursday or Friday. Prior to that, I was burned. The torch had been lit and devoured my soul. Running was drudgery, a chore. <br />
<br />
That's the problem about getting serious. I walk that fine line between fun and work. I don't want running to feel like a job. I want to run for fun. Finish times are nice. But that's not the point. It's the process. It's the sweat running down my skin. It's pushing my body. It's trying to be sixteen again.<br />
<br />
Three days no run. Now I'm a caged animal. I want to explode. My fitness has never been greater. I run my hands across my legs and feel the veins. I find muscles I've never had. 43, and in the best shape of my life. <br />
<br />
Running tomorrow. Writing now. Funny the juxtaposition. More I run, the less I write. Less I run, the more I write.<br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-67754160006107443392015-03-15T19:23:00.001-07:002015-03-30T13:01:25.812-07:00SEHRC and Spy Optics<br />
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A few of the pics from SEHRC shirt fest two. Special thanks to SPY Optics for kicking down two fantastic pair of sunglasses, the Screw and the Daft.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPLncImFpHQ/VQY810d3BJI/AAAAAAAABL4/CnSTwEtVj40/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VPLncImFpHQ/VQY810d3BJI/AAAAAAAABL4/CnSTwEtVj40/s1600/IMG_3194.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greg Fall with the new shirt</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8k_U3FcTbw/VQY83haqaQI/AAAAAAAABMA/_Zwmjj3DPI4/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-U8k_U3FcTbw/VQY83haqaQI/AAAAAAAABMA/_Zwmjj3DPI4/s1600/IMG_3195.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SPY sunglasses from our sponsor</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shDZ8zAOBhs/VQY87is4MqI/AAAAAAAABMI/qeHLDLHltbw/s1600/IMG_3197.JPG" height="240" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beer and free sunglasses, get no betta</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-shDZ8zAOBhs/VQY87is4MqI/AAAAAAAABMI/qeHLDLHltbw/s1600/IMG_3197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CKLQLknTIc/VQZA4bJkD2I/AAAAAAAABMU/tJCxWtFHXSI/s1600/20150315_165312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2CKLQLknTIc/VQZA4bJkD2I/AAAAAAAABMU/tJCxWtFHXSI/s1600/20150315_165312.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erik stealing the show with his leg.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X41Ks-F5Ot0/VQZA87aaSHI/AAAAAAAABMc/6-_75R4sOgQ/s1600/20150315_165401%2B(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-X41Ks-F5Ot0/VQZA87aaSHI/AAAAAAAABMc/6-_75R4sOgQ/s1600/20150315_165401%2B(1).jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John in the "Daft" and Dennis in the "Screw"</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-50830199441593332502015-03-12T01:02:00.001-07:002015-03-12T01:02:54.524-07:00Running and writingI want to be a writer.<br />
<br />
But I already am. I write tens of pages every week at work. Legal analysis, contracts, pleadings, discovery, case reports, emails, etc. The harder trick is writing while not at work. The blog is a middle ground of where I want to be. I just need to sit down and do it.<br />
<br />
But I'm afraid. The blank page is not my friend. It mocks me, daring me to write something someone wants to read.<br />
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The blog is a bit easier. It's factual. A bit like work, but without the stress and more flavor thrown in. However, the more I've been running, the less I've had a desire to blog. I'm in the home stretch for Boston and my body is tired. In the last seven weeks, I've had runs of 16, 20, 16, 21, 17, 18, 21, 21 and 17. I've never run so long or so much in my life.<br />
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I'm following the elite training program for a marathon from the Daniels' Running Formula, second edition. After these last few weeks, I don't think I'm as elite as I thought. Daniels has you do two quality workouts a week. The rest is just mileage. The quality workouts are killing me. I don't look forward to them. I just want Boston to be here.<br />
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However, I think I turned a corner today. My body has definitely changed. A few months ago, there is no way I could string together the runs I'm doing. My body is adapting. I may have lost a bit of speed, but my endurance has come around. More importantly, I can walk normally within a few hours of the runs. My energy level is returning and so is my my desire to write. I want to face that blank page and scratch some ink into it. <br />
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Anyone have any book ideas . . .<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-86568080201681963582015-03-01T15:15:00.000-08:002015-03-01T15:25:00.401-08:00Running in the rainMy alarm went off at 5:30 a.m. It had been raining all night. It was still raining, I could hear it. I got up and walked towards the bathroom where I had laid out all my running clothes. I had some decisions to make. Shorts or tights? Jacket or no jacket? Gloves? It was too early to make decisions. I put my socks on and threw the rest of the stuff in my bag. I walked downstairs naked.<br />
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As I turned on the light, Vader, one of my dogs, who is sometimes allowed to sleep in the house, rather than the garage, raised his head. He looked confused, as if he did not quite understand the presence of the light. He's getting old, I thought. He raised his bones and came over to greet me at the base of the stairs. I let him out. It was raining hard. All I could think was this is going to suck.<br />
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I'm following a training plan of Jack Daniels and today's workout was 22 miles at easy pace, which for me is somewhere around 7:30-8:00 minute pace. I got the coffee started, took a shit and got dressed. I went with wetsuit theory. A wetsuit only works after cold water enters it and the body warms the water up. I was certain, no matter what I wore, I would be soaked. I would at least try to maintain some body heat, so I covered everything. <br />
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I got my coffee. I sipped my liquid crack. I was hoping it would stop raining. I knew it wouldn't. It was pouring. I got in my car and drove to the coast in Encinitas like a man condemned to his fate.<br />
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I parked my car on Highway 101 at the north end of San Elijo State Beach near the restrooms, which always seem to be open, clean and have toilet paper. I walked with an umbrella, which struck me as ironic, as I would be completely wet in about ten minutes and took another shit.<br />
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Back at the car, I popped the rear of the wagon and sat on the edge, protected, a bit, from the rain. I sipped my coffee. A few moments later, Greg Fall drove up. He had let me know he was down for the run the day before, after running 30 miles. Greg is one of my running buddies. I only have two, the other being Chris Bryan. Running buddies are hard to find. They need to have at least four qualities, they are punctual, they rarely flake, they can hang and you like being around them for two to three hours at a time. <br />
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I had posted the run on the SEHRC Facebook page. One member, with the name of Boston Dos Mil Quince (Boston 2015), had indicated he was going. We waited until 6:35, but he did not show. I wore a long sleeve shirt, a light jacket, running tights, a beanie and my Hoka Cliftons. Greg wore a pair of shorts and his Alta Olympus Zero Drop, no shirt. <br />
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We ran south through Solana Beach and into Del Mar. Out in front of Seagrove Park, we saw a hopeful lone surfer in the water. Greg and I laughed. It was high tide and this guy was getting nothing. Up a little bit we passed a car with a Dakine sticker, with two guys inside, presumably watching the surfer. Greg pretended to be one of the occupants and joked, "If he gets one, we'll go."<br />
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We turned around at the end of Stratford Court, which got us to 7 miles and headed back north. At the street intersections, mini-rivers ran down the hills toward the Pacific. We hurdled some, others we just ran through. It didn't matter. Every part of us was wet.<br />
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The coast was empty. There were no bikes, hardly any cars and only a couple of runners and walkers. The runners we did see, looked to be quality. Greg and I were enjoying ourselves. How often do you have the North County coastline to yourself?<br />
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Around mile 10 we ran into a fellow SEHRC member Cindy Lynch and her friend Fernando. I had never met either, but shouted out to them before they passed. They quickly stopped and we chatted for a minute or two about races and a couple people we each new.</div>
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We got back at it and continued running. We were dead on for my pace and I was amazed at Greg. He was showing no signs that he had put in a hard 30 less than 24 hours before. We continued to chat and caught up on things. You really get to know someone when you run. I've surfed and rode with guys for years, but the conversation gets truncated all the time. When you run with one person the conversation just flows.<br />
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We got back to our cars and I tossed in my jacket. We then kept going past Swamis, through Leucadia and then turned around at La Costa in Carlsbad. Neither one of us brought food. Greg had some water, but I just drank a couple times from a few water fountains. Around mile 19, I finally felt some discomfort, but not too much. I was getting hungry, we were talking about food, the rain seemed colder and the wind had come up. <br />
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We pressed on and were hit in the face with 30-40 mile per hour winds in the last mile. Then we were done. I didn't make 22, but we did do 21.2 at around 7:38 mile pace and it never stopped raining. I figured I had done enough. There was no way I would have run the 21 without Greg or at that pace. It would have been a grind. Instead, we turned the rain into an opportunity to get a bit more mentally tough.<br />
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Anyone can run when it's nice out. What really matters is whether they can run in the rain.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-30942192214074164922015-02-23T09:58:00.003-08:002015-02-23T09:58:39.396-08:00Hoka One One Cliftons Size 10.5A long time ago, in a northern county of San Diego, a man searched for two pairs of shoes . . .<div>
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I returned the size 10 Cliftons and ordered a pair of size 10.5 online. I received the Cliftons on Friday and wore them in the office for a few hours. On Sunday I ran 18 miles in them for the first run. No problems. At 7.7 oz for a size nine, it's hard to believe these shoes are so light and so plush. </div>
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I now have the Clifton road shoe, and the Challenger ATR trail shoe. </div>
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My life is complete.</div>
Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03314198326533196589noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213310844028508121.post-46276992397827654822015-02-13T21:00:00.001-08:002015-02-14T06:20:39.849-08:00Hoka One One Cliftons and Challenger ATR Review - one for the road, one for the trailI was wrong about the Hoka One One Cliftons. Size 10 was the wrong choice. Too small. Got a nice blood blister on my small right toe. If I had been motivated, and I wasn't, I'd measure the toe box of the Cliftons (size 10) and compare to the Nike Pegasus (size 10.5). I'm betting the Cliftons are narrower, based on my visual observation.<br />
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I returned the Cliftons to REI. Had 100 miles on them. REI asked no questions and gave me my coin back. Got to love it. Interesting thing. REI gave me a $20 gift card when I bought the Hokas. As a result, I ran 100 miles in the Cliftons and got paid twenty bucks to do it. Cool.<br />
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I'd get a size 10.5 in the Cliftons, but due to the longshoreman v. ship owners thing happening at the L.A. ports, they are no where to be found. I straight up love this shoe, even if it made me bleed.<br />
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I was able to get a size 10.5 Challenger ATR, which is the trail version of the Cliftons. They're 8.6oz, with a 5mm offset, heel at 29mm and forefoot at 24mm. Meta-rocker, whatever that is, is "early". These shoes are an ounce heavier than the Cliftons. Since I ain't got no Cliftons, I've been running the ATRs on the road. I love them. I've now written "love" twice, it must be close to Valentine's Day. Got your flowers for the wives, boys?<br />
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I'd like a physicist to do a comparison with a pressure plate or some such device and measure the force returned on foot strike between the Cliftons/ATRs vs. the Pegasus. Which aids the runner more? You'd think this would be part of the specs for a running shoe. I guestimate the Pegasus, which feels a bit more solid, returns more energy, but who knows. At times, the Hokas feel a bit, now this is technical, squishy.<br />
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Let's talk names. "Clifton"? Really? Sounds like I'm buying a pair of chinos from the Gap. Challenger is better, but why add "ATR", that just detracts from the name. I'm assuming ATR means All Terrain Runner or some such thing, but I couldn't be bothered to look it up. I told you, I'm not very motivated right now. My problem with the Challenger name, is for me, its sacrosanct. I was 14 when the Challenger blew up, so there can only be one Challenger. Have some respect.<br />
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Conclusion? The Cliftons and Challengers rock. They are the illegitimate love child of the Nike Free 5.0 and Pegasus, only better than their parents. Light-weight and plush. It's like carbon fiber for the feet. I enjoy running more while wearing the Hokas and feel less beat up when done. Buy these shoes!<br />
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Caveat #1: the foot strike based on the rocker, takes a few miles to get used too. If you can, alternate between your old shoes and the Hokas for a few days, so that your muscles adapt, otherwise, you may get sore.<br />
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Caveat #2: due to the design of the shoe, it's like you're running in high heels, not that I'm familiar with wearing women's footwear or underwear . . . <br />
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On the road, it's no big deal, but on trail, I think, at the very least, until you get used to the shoe, the chance of rolling your ankle is increased.<br />
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--JohnUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2