A bunch of old guys still enjoying the mountains, and the training they need to do to get off the couch
Friday, June 30, 2023
Two weeks until the Prouty fundraising ride
I have been focusing on logging MTB kilometers, but I still manage a short run each day with some vertical. My August goals are centered around two uphill mountain races.
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Summer time but thinking of skimo
The Pierra Menta: one of the premier Grande Course skim mountaineering races. I think my time has passed, but it still gets the excitement going for next season. I just found this link on SKINTRACK … it's in French but the four stage highlights are visually evocative. Well worth it.
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Monday, June 26, 2023
Training in the first week of summer
An unusual, but satisfying week: logging 15 hours, 144k (121 bike and 23k run), with 5750' vertical ascent. I alpine skied for two hours with skimo gear, had easy interval and strength workouts, as well as two yoga sessions. As usual this time of year: rain, some heat, humidity, and bugs, as well as a couple of bluebird days.
Sunday, June 25, 2023
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Western States 100 mile race
Ten minutes into the race, the top two females - Courtney Dauwalter and Katie Schide - are running in the lead men's pack.
Friday, June 23, 2023
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
Two hours of Alpine Skiing in the American Dream Mall
I had a ton of fun; the snow was good; the place was well run; and although terrain parks are not my thing, it looked like it had a good one.
The real purpose of the visit was to get a closer look and see if it might be suitable for nordic training. The place opens at 1pm. So assuming employees arrive at noon to get the place ready for customers … that means a lot of snow and infrastructure lies fallow all morning. Europe has several training facilities - snow tunnels - so why not America? (Indeed, the summer before the 2022 Beijing Games, several American Olympians were training in Germany's ski tunnel.)
Bottom line, it appears that by splitting the two main runs into uphill and down lanes, you could put together one continues 1.25k loop with about 275' vertical ascent. (A 15 lap morning workout comes in at just under 20k and 4000' … not too shabby.)
Inexpensive hotel chains and a major airport are close by, with excellent trail running, roller skiing, and mountain biking options a 35 minute drive away. All this could make for a good three day weekend mini-camp, or a classic and skate sprint race weekend.
So, do you think we can host a 2024, July 4th Super Tour Sprint weekend?
The real purpose of the visit was to get a closer look and see if it might be suitable for nordic training. The place opens at 1pm. So assuming employees arrive at noon to get the place ready for customers … that means a lot of snow and infrastructure lies fallow all morning. Europe has several training facilities - snow tunnels - so why not America? (Indeed, the summer before the 2022 Beijing Games, several American Olympians were training in Germany's ski tunnel.)
Bottom line, it appears that by splitting the two main runs into uphill and down lanes, you could put together one continues 1.25k loop with about 275' vertical ascent. (A 15 lap morning workout comes in at just under 20k and 4000' … not too shabby.)
Inexpensive hotel chains and a major airport are close by, with excellent trail running, roller skiing, and mountain biking options a 35 minute drive away. All this could make for a good three day weekend mini-camp, or a classic and skate sprint race weekend.
So, do you think we can host a 2024, July 4th Super Tour Sprint weekend?
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Monday, June 19, 2023
A good recovery week
Back in the saddle - literally - as I try to get ready for the Prouty. So, I logged 13 hours, 128k (98k exercise bike and MTB, 30k run), 4350' vertical, and two yoga sessions.
Sunday, June 18, 2023
Saturday, June 17, 2023
Hard climbing in the Cordillera Huayhush
Well, my hard climbing days are over, but I would love to trek back in the Cordillera Huayhuash again.
Thursday, June 15, 2023
One month until the Prouty
This is a recovery week for me, and I will log only around 12 hours, moreover it's been rainy and so MTB time will be modest. But starting next week, I will need to ramp up time in the saddle, so I can manage the 50 mile gravel ride in good style.
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
An entrepreneurial dirtbag
https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/hiking-and-backpacking/thru-hiking-injury-prevention/?utm_source=outsidemagazine-instagram&utm_medium=organic-social
Chouinard financed his early climbing trips by making pitons and selling them from his car. Of course, my mind immediately goes to other potential markets. Who will do this sort of thing on the east coast for the Appalachian Trail? Who will do this driving from one ultra race to the next? Who will finance their first European trail running experience, going from one big mountain race to the next, with some version of this? Will a newly minted Physio dirtbag climber set up shop from their van at Camp Four this fall and next spring?
Monday, June 12, 2023
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Felt like crap today …
Probably this is the combination of coming down with a cold, plus a 30 hour travel day, as well as the stress of no days off in the Sierras. That said, I did an easy couple of Level 2 uphill laps as an afternoon shakeout, and guess what it … it was faster than most previous workouts. I guess my altitude camp - seeing my buddy Mark - really made an impact.
Friday, June 9, 2023
Thursday, June 8, 2023
Heading home
I had a wonderful trip; my one disappointment was not getting a partner to ski and crampon up Twin Peaks. Hopefully, next year Mark's back will be better, and he can put it on the hit list.
I am also hoping that the Canadian wildfires do not impact my scheduled flights.
I am also hoping that the Canadian wildfires do not impact my scheduled flights.
Wednesday, June 7, 2023
BACK IN TAHOE
Yesterday, I hiked up Pole Creek Canyon, and then did a good strength workout with all of Mark's toys. This morning, I skied some easy laps with my Voile Skimo gear, and then booted up a steep slope to practice self arrest.
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
Monday, June 5, 2023
A good week in the Sierras
A great week: warm weather, a wonderful time with fossil buddies, and their family. I managed a volume of just under 15 hours, on 68k (47k run, and 21k ski), and 3400' vertical. I also did four yoga sessions, one easy strength workout, and two visits to our favorite bakery.
Sunday, June 4, 2023
East Side: day four
Another very warm day. I managed two good trail runs, and a modest hike at Lake Sabrina looking, unsuccessfully, to earn some turns. All, while Mark and Tori were casting and snagging avalanche detritus - branches - with their fishing rods!
Saturday, June 3, 2023
EAST SIDE: day 3
Up at 5am, after a bit of reading, I went into town to get to the famous Schat's Bakery just as it opened. I brought home cinnamon raisin buns, apple strudel, and muffins.
After a casual morning Danny left for Tahoe City, Mark did an easy strength session, and I went for an hour trail run. Latter in the afternoon I went for another hour trail run.
I snapped this photo of some 13-14000' peaks shortly after sunrise, on my way home from the bakery.
After a casual morning Danny left for Tahoe City, Mark did an easy strength session, and I went for an hour trail run. Latter in the afternoon I went for another hour trail run.
I snapped this photo of some 13-14000' peaks shortly after sunrise, on my way home from the bakery.
Friday, June 2, 2023
EAST SIDE: day 2
Yesterday we drove down to Millpond Campground, just outside Bishop and I went for a 45 minute trail run. Danny, Mark, and I had a great dinner cooked on a Coleman stove, and a wee bit of whiskey.
Today I started with a yoga session, then a ski tour up to Mosquito Flat at 10,300', and finished up with some easy intervals.
Today I started with a yoga session, then a ski tour up to Mosquito Flat at 10,300', and finished up with some easy intervals.
Thursday, June 1, 2023
TAHOE: day 3
Once again, I started the day with a nice yoga session. After working out details of our plan for the East side of the Sierras, Mark dropped me of at a trailhead, and I did a very nice ski tour in the shadow of Castle Peak. Later in the day I spent ten minutes, tossing easy weights around at Mark's house. GREAT DAY.