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| So, this past winter I was wondering what we should do to celebrate Nick’s graduation and my original thought was…”hey, we have always wanted to climb Mount Rainier…let’s climb Rainier this summer for graduation.”…My wife looked at me and said, “really?…we live in Colorado and you have not climbed all the 14ers. She was right, and thus began the semi-planning for climbing all the 14ers this summer. Nick was the voice of realism in this matter when he suggested that we not attempt to climb them all in 10 days, but at a less ridiculous pace; thusly, we have the whole summer to crank ‘em out. Follow the progress of climbing all of Colorado 14er commentary>>, Colorado 14er photo gallery>> |
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2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition |
In February 2009, 60 of the world’s toughest athletes lined up to face each other and Mother Nature, in the official ‘adventure at the end of the world’, the 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race. Between 10th – 21st February 2009, teams from USA, Canada, Germany, Croatia, Israel, Spain, France, Brazil, Argentina and Chile traversed some of the most remote lands on Earth, between the Southern Continental Ice Field and the end of the American continent at the Cross of the Seas.
More 2009 Wenger Patagonian Expedition Race Report>> | August 15, 2009:: The course of 100 miles is within the beautiful, high altitude mountains and valleys of Leadville, Colorado. The majority is on back-country dirt roads with some short sections of paved road. The entire course is above 9,000 ft and climbs to almost 13,000 ft. Six well-supplied aid stations with cut-offs. Read More>> |
Adventure Xstream--Moab 2009 |
| It is the beginning of another racing season and time to prepare for the first adventure race of 2009. Leadville is still snow covered [it is current 12 degrees with -2 wind chill and we are expecting another major storm: 1 to 2 feet of snow], but we are travelling to Moab, UT where it is in the mid-60’s this week and there is no sign of snow and the trails are clear. Moab offers the first chance to race in 2009 without skis or snow shoes as a major component. Most workouts in Leadville for the last 5 months have consisted of long cross country skiing outings, running with spiked shoes or the occasional mountain bike ride on the groomed mineral belt trail. Photos>> and Video>> | February 14, 2009:: Susitna 100 Sign-in Aurora Dog Mushers building 2 hours from Anchorage, Alaska. The current 100-mile course has evolved through a history of tradition, opportunism, stubbornness, and confusion. The course map depicts the snaky "lollipop" that is the Susitna 100 course. |
Planning Your 2009 Training |
| Designing a racing calendar and training plan is a critical component to a successful season. An important precursor to designing and implementing your training plan and racing calendar is determining your goals and objectives for the season or possibly for a longer period of time. The purpose of this article is to discuss how to design and structure your training program around your races and to support attaining your season's goals following a phased approach: base, strength, speed, and taper. Read More>> | 6.2 mile mountain bike ride from the Town of Breckenridge across Peak 7 to Peak 8. Followed by a 2,500 foot, ascent of Peak 8 to the top of the Imperial Bowl on the equipment of your choice. Descend to the base of Peak 8 on skis or a snowboard. Race Results>> | Read More>> |
Old Rag Mountain Adventure |
| Asked why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, George Mallory remarked: “Going to the mountains is going home.” For those who love hiking, one mountain in the West is as close to home as one in the East. And a hike with friends is, well, another home away from home. What better way to spend time on the road than coming home to Old Rag? A climb is the stuff of epics, as much as it is the fabric of family. Shakespeare, too, reminds us that “One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” Whether the first time, or 21st, a climb up Old Rag is a tie that binds. Read More>> | Mount Taylor Quadrathlon: Biking, running, cross country skiing and snow shoeing up Mount Taylor and back to town for a total of 44 miles. February 14, 2009. Steamboat PentathlonAlpine Skiing (400 vertical feet), Snowshoeing (3 miles), XC Skiing (4.5 miles), Mountain Biking (12 miles), and Running (5 miles). March 7, 2009. |
Hydration and Performance |
| Proper hydration prior to, during and after endurance sports competitions is critical for optimal performance as well as recovery from extended endurance exercise (trail marathons, ultras, 24 racing, etc). Research has demonstrated that a reduction in body weight of only a few pounds (1-2% of your body weight) has a detrimental effect on endurance athletic performance. Read More>> | The Imogene Pass Run (IPR) is a 17.1 mile point-to-point mountain race within the western San Juan mountains of Colorado, run along a route which connects the towns of Ouray (7810 ft.) and Telluride (8820 ft.) by way of 13,120 foot Imogene Pass. Read More>> |
Stride length and running fast |
| Interval training is a critical component of any training plan and discipline: trail running, mountain bike racing, kayaking etc... This week we will examine developing speed for the running component of your competition. Read More>> | |
Mount Elbert Trail Run |
| Splash! Ooh, not a good way to start a run/ hike. 100 yards from the car and my foot’s already soaked. While I’m on the other side of the stream shaking off water and attracting dust, my dad remarks mockingly, “You need to be more observant!” Lucky for me, he is running with a pack with all of our gear in it, so I can run ahead and catch a breather just to spite him. This marks the beginning of a long journey (9 miles round trip) up Mount Elbert. Read More>> Getting to the Mount Elbert trail head>> |
2009 Leadville Trail 100 Mile Run: 50 miles out and back in the midst of the Colorado Rockies. Lowest point is 9,200 ft. and the highest point is Hope Pass, 12,600 ft. The majority is on forest trails with some mountain roads. More>>
Leadville 100 Trail Race Reports...Read Here>>
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Salt Lake City Trail running |
So, as it turns out I find myself (and our family) headed for the suburbs of Salt Lake City for a family re-union. My next thought is: “where are the trails to train on”...Read More>>
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The Triple Crown of Running Series begins with the Garden of the Gods 10-Mile Run® in one of the most spectacular and challenging venues anywhere. Then, in July, enjoy the Summer Roundup Trail Run. Finally, on the third weekend in August, run either the Pikes Peak Ascent® or the Pikes Peak Marathon® as the final leg of the TCR Series.
Pike's Peak Ascent 13.32 miles, 7815 elevation gain on the Bar Camp Trail.
Saturday, August 15, 2009(Ascent) and Sunday, August 16, 2009 (Marathon) The Pikes Peak Marathon and Pikes Peak Ascent are under Special Use Permits from the Pike National Forest. |
Trail running Mount Massive |
| Shyeah, right! I read in Gerry Roach’s book on the 14ers about Mount Massive; the trail we were to take was supposed to be a short trip up a gentle slope. I learned 3.3 miles up the trail that you have two options for a 14er: a long easy trail, and a short hard trail. I say 3.3 miles because that is when we left the Colorado trail, a safe haven from steep ascents and brutal winds, and also my Dad had me carve the checkpoints into my arm with an inkless knife (pen). At first when we broke through timberline, it surprised me to see flat, sunny meadows and waist-high shrubbery in various patches along the trail, which turned out to be convenient later on for concealed urination. I know what it reminded me of. Teletubbies! The show I never watched (seriously, I pride myself on that point), but am sure brought in Oscars by the dozen. particularly bold little Pudgeweasel even laid on his stomach on a rock staring at us as we passed. I thought, "I wonder if I got a big bogie hanging from my nose." I check and I realize it’s just a stupid Pudgeweasel. Marmots. Tricky little bastards. Read More>> Getting to the Mount Massive Trailhead>> |
Caffeine and Endurance Sports |
| Tens of thousands of people welcome the stimulative effects of coffee every morning as they prepare for work. Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant, entering the bloodstream through the stomach and small intestine, and can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate, and soft drinks. Read More>> |
Goal Driven Training for 2009 |
Goals provide focus and structure to your training. Even the best intentioned athlete is likely to lose focus and motivation for sustained training without a clear (and compelling) goal or set of goals to orient your training. Goals and the supporting objectives serve as your conscience reminding you of the upcoming event and the type of effort you must put forth to meet the goal. Achieving goals is like putting money in the bank; each successful attainment serves as the foundation for the next round of goals. Read More>>
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The Breck Crest Mountain Marathon begins with a tough climb from 9600 feet in downtown Breckenridge, CO up steep switchbacks to 12,400 feet.
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High Altitude Training |
| Studies indicate the optimal high altitude (>8000') adaptation training program features athletes sleeping at high altitudes, but training at a lower altitude. The "train low and live high" approach allows for high intensity aerobic training at sea level and positive adaptations to red blood cells by living at high altitude. Read Altitude Training for Sea-Level Competition from A Baker, MD, San Diego, California, USA; WG Hopkins, PhD, Physiology and Physical Education, University of Otago, Dunedin NZ. to learn Read more>>
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Leadville Silver Rush 50 mile mountain bike race
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Heart Rate Calculations |
| High performance in any discipline—especially in elite athletics—requires measuring, recording, and tracking of hey metrics. This is the first of a series of articles discussing how to calculate a training heart rate, heart rate monitors, how to use your monitor to optimize your performance, and how to reduce the chance of injuries. This article will show you how to calculate your training heart rate using a formula that accounts for your level of fitness using your resting heart rate. The calculation...
| 20th Annual Turquoise Lake Snowshoe Race: 20 miles consisting of a big loop on, above, and around Turquoise Lake. Over 2700' of climbing with a high point of 11,370'.
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