Back In The Saddle

Volume and vertical, back at the usual levels. The body felt good, joints handled the load, and I seem on track to handle a 50 mile ride on the MTB.

The log showed the following: 16+ hours volume, on 217k (192k bike and 25k run), with 5,330' ascent. While on foot, I averaged 13:24 per kilometer, and averaged 144' vertical per kilometer.

Getting ready for the Prouty

This charity event raises money for the Dartmouth Cancer Center where I had my surgery almost two decades ago. I am registering for the 50 mile ride, with maybe another 4-5 miles as warmup and cool down.

The event is three weeks out, so I am aiming to spend most of my time on the MTB until then. Cutting back on running and hiking mileage, but managing to get out on foot, each day. One of my common warmups before jumping on the MTB, is to do 2-3 laps of the hilliest parts of the World Cup Sprint course.

Putting skis away for the summer

All bagged up, and ready to be stored down at the Fossil Cabin.

Good start to the week

Halfway through this training week, and have logged good cycling miles (just under 100k) and good vertical (over 3100'). Feeling good, and one month out from knee injections, still keeping the pain at bay.

The "Old Man," (my dog Stash) is getting a bit creaky in the joints, and so I limit him to one workout a day.

Broken Arrow VK live streaming tomorrow

2025 Broken Arrow Skyrace Ascent Livestream Trailer youtube.com

A new FKT on Mont Blanc

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/alpinism/william-boffelli-sets-new-fkt-mont-blanc-4-hours-43-minutes-summit-back.html

Still on my bucket list

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=5A6YPoPqYtU&pp=0gcJCf0Ao7VqN5tD

Goal this week is lots of time on the MTB

Saranac Lake Protest

On a different note, I had a good recovery week after 2+ weeks of very active outings in the Sierras, followed by a brutal 21 hour travel day home. My low key week, still netted 11:17 hours, with 146k (130k bike and 16k run) with almost 2000' vertical. In spite of almost a month hiatus, I also eased back into strength training, with one short session.

I should be ready to carry a full training load starting tomorrow.

First all-female Triple Crown

https://www.planetmountain.com/en/news/climbing/first-all-female-yosemite-triple-crown-completed-laura-pineau-kate-kelleghan.html

Sweat science books to read this summer

https://www.outsideonline.com/culture/books-media/sweat-science-summer-book-list-2025/

Almost back in the groove!

After two nights with a decent sleep, I am feeling better. Yesterday, I was able to manage a hike on the 1980 Olympic trails with Stash, and a short MTB ride.

The weather has been excellent thus far for my recovery week.

Three important metrics to track towards building endurance

https://fasterskier.com/2025/06/three-measures-of-endurance-performance/

Heading Home

Well, I got a shower this morning; Mark drove me to Reno; I hopped on a plane to Dallas, with a connection to Albany. I should get in around 11:40 (eastern), and should be home by 2am.

A great trip, with all activity taking place between 6-10,000' … a good altitude training block!

Another good week in the Sierras

The week was marked by a change of weather, with almost every afternoon bringing us a thunderstorm. Still, there was plenty of sun - time to play - and after storms abated, a wonderful dark, and starry sky.

I logged just under 13 hours, with 132k (101k bike and 22k run), on almost 4000' vertical. The high points of the week were logging more MTB time than at any point since last July, and logging another day of snow climbing. (It was great to pull out the ice axe and strap on crampons.)

Looking forward to going home, spending time with Selden and the dogs, on our Adirondack farm. Of course, I am also chomping at the bit to jump in a race, and take advange of my 2+ weeks of training at elevations between 6-10,000'.

Maybe it’s time for a shower

More snow climbing practice

I spent 90 minutes, cramponing on a 25-30 degree chute at Alpine Meadows ski area. Pretending I was going up and down the Breithorn. (I am not Iready for Shasta, or Rainier … Castor, Pollux, or Mt Hood might be feasible.)

Leaving the east side of the Sierras and heading back to Tahoe

A wonderful nine days based out of Twin Lakes campground.

Good start to second week

A potpourri of skinning, snow, climbing, MTB, and trail running.

A great first week in the Sierrras

A great time with Danny and Mark. They fished at Twin Lakes, while I logged 12.5 hours of exercise on 119k (84k bike, 30k run, and 3.5k ski), as well as two PT stretching sessions.